Pre shot routine

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ColchesterFC

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Playing last weekend I realised that my pre shot routine (PSR) consists of.......

1) Take the driver out of the bag
2) Put the tee in the ground and the ball on the tee
3) One half hearted practise swing and then hit the ball

This is for almost all par 4's and all par 5's.

For par 3's it's........

1) Check yardage and choose club
2) Put ball on ground
3) One half hearted practise swing and then hit the ball

I read a lot about PSR's taking time and slowing down play so what am I missing? What more do I need to be doing? Is there anything obvious that I should be doing before I hit the ball or do I need to see a pro to get properly fitted for a PSR that works for me?
 
Some players are more stringent than others. Some have no routines before a shot at all. I played with a guy in our club champs (off 14) who had one and was meticulous, including exhaling a breath approaching the ball and all sorts of weird things. I nearly asked if he breathed in or out hitting the ball but resisted the mischevious thought

He was a pain in that he was so blinkered he wouldn't speak at all even between shots and seemed full on all the time. He shot net 70 (level) so was clearly doing something right. I have a fairly quick routine that's the same on every shot and I use even in practice. Whether at my level it makes any real difference is open to conjecture although I feel it does so stick with it
 
I have no set psr! the only thing I do on every shot is shuffle my feet a few times until I find balance.

I wasn't even aware I did this until I watched myself on video. it just happens every time I settle into the ball.
 
Pick club

Tee up ball

Maybe a couple of sort of swishes

Hit ball
 
One of the guys I was playing with put his ball on the tee, took a couple of practise swings, stepped back behind the ball and looked down the fairway, tapped his club on the ground and then stepped up to the ball and hit it. It didn't take a long time and he plays off 6 so he is obviously doing something right but it was the differences between what he was doing and what I was doing that made me think about it.
 
ColchesterFC said:
One of the guys I was playing with put his ball on the tee, took a couple of practise swings, stepped back behind the ball and looked down the fairway, tapped his club on the ground and then stepped up to the ball and hit it. It didn't take a long time and he plays off 6 so he is obviously doing something right but it was the differences between what he was doing and what I was doing that made me think about it.
Click to expand...

Exactly what i do. Takes no time at all
 
I'm sure if you recorded a round of mine, you'd see a pre-shot routine, but it's more an accidental habit rather than a deliberate course of action.

I'll stand around three or four paces behind the ball, grip the club, then walk round, get set, waggle til comfy, one last look at the target then swing. Like I say, not a conscious routine, just a habit. I suspect many of those who say "I have no routine" actually do but they just don't realise it.
 
Must admit I have a PSR. Not going to write it down would take to long. But in reality takes 15 seconds I've timed it lol. Do exactly the same on each tee shot. Also have one for putting but this only takes 8 seconds. Helps put you in the "zone".
 
DaveM said:
Must admit I have a PSR. Not going to write it down would take to long. But in reality takes 15 seconds I've timed it lol. Do exactly the same on each tee shot. Also have one for putting but this only takes 8 seconds. Helps put you in the "zone".
Click to expand...

Same here. Would take much longer to write down than to do it.
On paper, probably 4or 5 lines.
In practice.. I've been told I play refreshingly fast, so it must be acceptable
 
Not sure if I would call it PSR but I do the same every shot (except putting).
~ Pick club based on yardage etc (often as I am approaching ball)
~ Stand behind ball and pick spot 6~12" in front by holding club out in front of me, shaft from target to ball with one eye closed
~ Put club behind ball (feet together & central to ball) with only right hand holding and square to target line (spot in front of ball)
~ Grip club with both hands and adjust feet to suit club
~ Sometimes (usually) have a wee wiggle
~ Breathe in and slow exhale whilst I swing and hit (whilst having a single swing thought)

Doesn't take long and gives good results so it can't be terrible.
 
ColchesterFC said:
Playing last weekend I realised that my pre shot routine (PSR) consists of.......

1) Take the driver out of the bag
2) Put the tee in the ground and the ball on the tee
3) One half hearted practise swing and then hit the ball

This is for almost all par 4's and all par 5's.

For par 3's it's........

1) Check yardage and choose club
2) Put ball on ground
3) One half hearted practise swing and then hit the ball

I read a lot about PSR's taking time and slowing down play so what am I missing? What more do I need to be doing? Is there anything obvious that I should be doing before I hit the ball or do I need to see a pro to get properly fitted for a PSR that works for me?
Click to expand...

Oh come on, haven't you learned anything from watching the pros?

1. Step on to tee.
2. Look at card/course planner. Return to back pocket.
3. Pick up grass and throw it in the air. Pull face.
4. Look at tree tops. Frown.
5. Go to bag pull out club.
6.Step on tee.
7. Couple of little swishes.
8. Pick up grass and throw it up. Puzzled look.
9. Go back to bag and change club.
10. Step back on to tee.
11. Couple of swishes.
12. Get ball.
13.Tee up trying to line up lining up mark with target.
14. Pick spot on ground 2 feet in front of ball as reference point.
15. Walk behind ball.
16. Go to ball and adjust to align lining up mark.
17. Walk back to behind ball to check lining up mark.
18. Couple of swishes step into ball almost into address position.
19. Two very deliberate practice swings.
20. Step in to address ball.
21. Feel slight change of wind.
22. Step back pause and and step in again.
23. Settle into address position.
24. Line up leading edge of club face with lining up mark and reference point in front of ball.
25. Few waggles.
26. Tightening and loosening of grip.
27. Ensure you have key swing thought in head.
28. Initiate trigger movement and.....
29. swing.

I've probably missed a few and of course some pros have additional mannerisms but that seems to be the minimum. Of course they can also intersperse this with discussions with their caddies.

Now you will look like a pro at least until you hit the ball.

:D:D:D
 
GASP

Grip
Aim
Stance
Posture/Play

Just prior I pick THE spot in the distance (target) then fine one a few feet in front of my ball on the target line to "aim" at during the GASP.

I usually don't more than one practice swing unless I am doing something other than a full shot from the short grass. You only need them to get a feel for a shot, if the shot is a full one you don't need the feel!
 
I am getting one now, didnt before. Trying to focus on accuracy as before I would get distance but accuracy was cack.

It takes a couple of seconds but helps me get to address/alignment properly (some of the time)
 
So, the next time anyone is going to start a thread about slow play, please, refer back to this illuminating thread before you start whinging on about slow play ;)
 
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