Pre shot routines.. are they really all that?

[woody69]

Everyone, or at least pretty much everyone bangs on about the importance of a Pre-shot routine (PSR). Some people even attribute the overly complicated ones to a cause of slow play. The whole PSR seems to be something everyone should be doing, and if you don't it, it can explain why you're probably chunking your irons or fluffing the putts.

But have you ever gone through your PSR and then suddenly think, "Oh no, I forgot to waggle the club 3 times.. or did I...?!"

I've tried to use a PSR in the past and TBH it has caused me more harm than good as I focus so much on the PSR and making sure I've done that right that the important bit is forgotten about.

Is the whole PSR more of a distraction. Do many of you just go out and hit the damn ball?

 

[Crawfy]

I have scrapped my previous PSR as my pro basically laughed at me as I was aligning completely incorrect due to it.

My PSR is now simply picking out a target in the distance, and line it to another a few feet from the ball, before lining up and pulling the trigger.

 

[User 105]

A PSR is anything you want it to be to get you in the best place to play your shot. It differs from player to player what works.

Some can be as simple as stand behind the ball, pick a target and then step in and hit it.

Some are more complex. It's just whatever works for you.

Mine helps with with my alignment and getting all the swing thoughts out my head. My problems, so i have a pre-shot routine to help with that, which I stick to religiously.

Oh, and a good PSR should become second nature. You shouldn't really need to think about it too much once it's embedded.

 

[woody69]

A PSR is anything you want it to be to get you in the best place to play your shot. It differs from player to player what works.

Some can be as simple as stand behind the ball, pick a target and then step in and hit it.

Some are more complex. It's just whatever works for you.

Mine helps with with my alignment and getting all the swing thoughts out my head. My problems, so i have a pre-shot routine to help with that, which I stick to religiously.

Yeah, I get what they are used for, but what happens if you forget one part of your PSR? Surely you're now thinking about that

 

[One Planer]

Keegan Bradley

 

[User 105]

Yeah, I get what they are used for, but what happens if you forget one part of your PSR? Surely you're now thinking about that

Not really. It should become second nature. Maybe once or twice a round I'll forget something. i'll just step back and restart. My routine probably takes 10-15 seconds at most.

Thing is you have to ingrain it. I do it on every shot, even on the range.

 

[patricks148]

my PSR is;

walking to the ball, taking a club out and hitting it

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Grip it and rip it

 

[hovis]

I have never used a pre shot routine but last year i played with a tour player and he said after about 11 hole " i really like your pre shot routine "

I didn't know what he was talking about. Turns out i do the exact Same thing every time i reach my ball.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Can be anything as long as it enables a consistent approach to the shot which promotes an assured swing. Simpler the better in my view but there's major winners who would disagree. Don't think a golfer can reach their potential without it.

 

[the_coach]

agree with the last comment entirely, don't think a golfer can reach their potential without a reasonable psr
has to provide the right kinda of mental function to then execute a shot to the best ways possible plus shouldn't (& doesn't need to) take up a tortuous amount of time

check anytime you see Tour golf on screen - anyone of these top golfers not using a psr - & whoever/whichever psr you look at shot to shot it's identical pretty much always - pretty much all over the same timespan & if it isn't if the timing is rushed or elongated from their norm routine through pressure coming down the wire - either trying to make the cut - or down the last 9 trying to win, they are usually the ones who don't make the cut or don't get over the winning line

folks 'forgetting' their psr would lead me to believe there's a bunch of things in there that perhaps shouldn't be? &/or when they practice they may really not be practicing as such but perhaps just hitting balls
so a sound useful psr never really gets worked with to become something that happens mostly on automatic pilot while the player thinks of 'target'

there's always a kinda bravado over psr - the don't use one don't need one just "step up. hold it, let it fly ......"

but whatever the 'none psr?' folks are doing before the club strikes the ball, they will be repeating a set order of thoughts (weather, club, & better be 'aim' somewhere in there, etc)
plus the order they take to build a stance/posture & a hold on the handle will be something they do the sameways near 100% of the time - particularly if they generally play well

 

[Hobbit]

my PSR is;

walking to the ball, taking a club out and hitting it

Ditto. Rarely ever have a pratice swing unless its a difficult shot to visualise...

 

[Ian_S]

I'm sure I do have a PSR but no idea what it is. As far as I'm aware I pick a line, stand over it and swing away.

In reality I probably fidget like Dan Biggar until I get comfy. Personally I don't see the point of worrying about having a repeatable process, although I can imagine for other people it could work. If you do have one, try not to be one with 6 practice swings.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have one but its fairly quick. In my own head at least I think it helps. A very personal thing and will vary from golfer to golfer. NGT talks at length about a good pre-shot routine helping the mental preparation and vice versa.