Pre-shot routine

[Robster59]

I now tend to have a pretty standard pre-shot routine.

For all bar the putts

• Stand behind the ball choosing a point just in front of the ball where I can see a mark on the grass that gives me a line between my ball and the target.
• Set towards the ball and spin the club in my hand (so the grip rotates in my hand)
• Address the ball
• Take one practice swing
• Strike the ball

For putts

• Stand behind the ball choosing a point just in front of the ball where I can see a mark on the grass that gives me a line between my ball and the line of the putt I want to hit.
• Set towards the ball and spin the club in my hand (so the grip rotates in my hand)
• Address the ball
• Take three practice strokes
  • first looking at the ball
  • second moving my head with the stroke so I start looking at the ball and finish looking at the hole
  • third looking at the hole
• Strike the ball

I now have this set in me so it's a routine that settles me into my shot. It doesn't take long but I have to follow it otherwise I can't feel comfortable over the ball.

I know everyone has different routines, it would be interesting to see what routines others follow.

 

[Imurg]

Putts
Pick the line from behind
Line up the face
Take stance
Look at the hole
Bring eyes slowly back to the ball along the target line.
Pull trigger

Everything else
As above but move the eyes a bit quicker....

Stopped using a practice swing years ago as it just wastes energy - it rarely resembles the real thing so I don't bother..

 

[Snelly]

All full shots and pitches = Pick a spot in line with target about a foot in front of the ball. Take stance, quick waggle, hit ball.

Chipping - 3 practice swings in succession to get a sense of weight of chip and focus on landing point. Hit shot.

Putting - pick a point on the green in line with break. 1 practice swing. Hit ball.


On full shots, practice swings are entirely unnecessary in my view. Just waste time and energy. Everyone has hit enough balls in their golfing life to know how to swing the club so just hit the ball.

 

[chrisd]

I'm now using Aimpoint for putting so my PSR has taken 18 holes to a healthy 5.5 hours! :smirk:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

On full shots, stand behind the ball, pick a target. Stand by the ball, one practice swing, get over the ball, pick target, say an inner prayer and swing.

Putts. Aimpoint read (15-20 seconds), one practice swing, pick target and putt. Walk to ball to pick out of the hole or tap in from inches

 

[Farmergeddon]

I guess we all do something similar, the difference will be what goes through your mind from the moment you pull the club.. I have tried visualisation etc but other thoughts keep intruding..

 

[ManinBlack]

Not a fan of picking a mark on the grass inches from the ball. 1. There may not be a convenient mark & 2. If you're even 1cm out with your aim the shot will be miles out. For putts & full shots I choose a point level with, or beyond, the target & aim for that. Don't use a full practise swing, just a rehearsal of the correct takeaway, which can get too much on the inside if I'm not careful.

 

[USER1999]

I just mess about for ages, and then when I'm ready, back off, mess about some more, change clubs, and start again. Then, go back to the original club, get out my laser, measure it, check my GPS, pick a line, change it, have a waggle or two, back off, line up, then give it a whack. Cue a big top, wander over, assess the situation, and do it all again.

 

[Imurg]

I just mess about for ages, and then when I'm ready, back off, mess about some more, change clubs, and start again. Then, go back to the original club, get out my laser, measure it, check my GPS, pick a line, change it, have a waggle or two, back off, line up, then give it a whack. Cue a big top, wander over, assess the situation, and do it all again.

Always liked your style Chris.....👍

 

[selwood90]

Tee shots - 1 full practise swing, get behind ball, pick an intermediate target on the ground, set up to that, nail it out the screws. (Or toe, heel, hosel)

Full shots - Set up behind ball, couple of small swings brushing the ground, pick intermediate target, hit it.

Putts - Get behind the ball, pick the line, couple of practise strokes to feel weight of the putt. Confident stroke on the ball, nail it 8 foot past, set up again, leave it inches short, accept the 3 putt and move on!

 

[fundy]

I now tend to have a pretty standard pre-shot routine.

For all bar the putts

• Stand behind the ball choosing a point just in front of the ball where I can see a mark on the grass that gives me a line between my ball and the target.
• Set towards the ball and spin the club in my hand (so the grip rotates in my hand)
  [*]Address the ball
  [*]Take one practice swing
• Strike the ball

For putts

• Stand behind the ball choosing a point just in front of the ball where I can see a mark on the grass that gives me a line between my ball and the line of the putt I want to hit.
• Set towards the ball and spin the club in my hand (so the grip rotates in my hand)
• Address the ball
• Take three practice strokes
  • first looking at the ball
  • second moving my head with the stroke so I start looking at the ball and finish looking at the hole
  • third looking at the hole
• Strike the ball

I now have this set in me so it's a routine that settles me into my shot. It doesn't take long but I have to follow it otherwise I can't feel comfortable over the ball.

I know everyone has different routines, it would be interesting to see what routines others follow.

how on earth do you address the ball and then take a practise swing????

 

[chip barm]

i know a lad who addresses the ball, then takes a practice swing, inside the path the club head would follow if he'd simply hit the ball. his feet don't move. i don't see the point. why practice a swing you never use?

anyway, i take a rehearsal then hit the ball. if the ball is higher or lower than where i'm stood on address, i'll rehearse two or three times, to try and avoid topping it or taking too much earth.

 

[duncan mackie]

Approaching ball establish best target and establish a shot yardage from GPS on trolley. Park trolley on far side of ball - select club and step to ball.
Look at target I've selected, take stance, look at ball, hit it.

 

[Garush34]

Full shots - Establish yardage, tee ball if required, one practice swing, stand behind ball pick a target, one twirl of the club, address ball, couple looks and one takeaway rehearsal, then go.

Putting - Mark ball, get behind and pick a target, line up ball, move back to confirm line, one twirl of the club as I approach ball, line up putter head, couple of looks then go.

 

[Snelly]

Full shots - Establish yardage, tee ball if required, one practice swing, stand behind ball pick a target, one twirl of the club, address ball, couple looks and one takeaway rehearsal, then go.

Putting - Mark ball, get behind and pick a target, line up ball, move back to confirm line, one twirl of the club as I approach ball, line up putter head, couple of looks then go.

A twirl? Are you Anthea Redfern?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Honestly I have no idea. I probably have some sort of routine but it isn't something I think about or could write down. All I know for sure is it doesn't take long.

 

[richart]

I have an after shot routine of swearing.

 

[USER1999]

I have an after shot routine of swearing.

That and going and getting a substantial divot to replace.

 

[Region3]

I have to own up to spinning the club in my hand a la Mr. Bradley. No idea why, I just do it. Not something I'm proud of lol.

Line club up to target, then line feet up to club, then take my grip.

Don't usually bother with a practice swing for full shots unless it's an awkward stance or lie, or if my last swing was horrible.

Don't bother with practice putting strokes.

When chipping or pitching I'll have a couple of practice swishes to get a feel for the distance.