The importance of a pre shot routine

[dufferman]

After a purple patch in December, the last 2 rounds I've played have been a bit rubbish. Not wanting to lose the feeling of the great rounds I had, I hit the range last night to find the problem. 30 balls in it all came down to my setup.

I'd never really paid attention to a pre-shot routine / setup, just stood up to the ball and hit the thing. After last night, I found without a few repetitive movements got me in the right position to hit a consistant strike each time.

A lot can be said for a good setup! And it doesn't have to take 45 seconds to get into it. I'll be using one on the course more often!

 

[guest100718]

mentioning PSR usually brings out the same response in that we're just amateurs and there's no need for it. but as you say making sure you get the basics right is halfway to a good shot.

anyone who has played golf for a while will have developed a routine, whether they think so or not, it just may be a rubbish one.

 

[ScienceBoy]

It will make a difference to some and not others.

For me it is essential but also simple.

After measuring and picking shot, visualising etc which can be done walking to ball and while others play I start my PSR on my turn.

I just do GASP and hit my shot.

 

[One Planer]

After a purple patch in December, the last 2 rounds I've played have been a bit rubbish. Not wanting to lose the feeling of the great rounds I had, I hit the range last night to find the problem. 30 balls in it all came down to my setup.

I'd never really paid attention to a pre-shot routine / setup, just stood up to the ball and hit the thing. After last night, I found without a few repetitive movements got me in the right position to hit a consistant strike each time.

A lot can be said for a good setup! And it doesn't have to take 45 seconds to get into it. I'll be using one on the course more often!

Certainly helps me.

I have a (nasty) habit of setting up to the ball with my shoulders closed.

Literally getting into correct alignment at address going through a routine takes less than 5 seconds and the ball is gone in under 20 seconds.

PSR is useful so long as it's not like Keegan Bradley!

 

[bobmac]

A PSR is vital........as long as you know the right things to do FOR YOU.

 

[woody69]

I agree that a certain number of things should be done before you take your shot and they may differ from player to player, and I suppose that could be construed as a PSR, however I try not to think about it too much. Ultimately every shot is different and likely to have different things to consider. I don't want to get too bogged down with waggles of the club head, various thoughts on swing, the number of practice swings I need and all those types of things in a PSR, because for me it runs the risk that I start thinking, "Oh, did I do 1 or 2 practice swings... etc" and it's not helpful.

 

[selwood90]

Something I over look to be honest, I do get behind my ball and pick the shot. But that's about where my PSR ends.. may try and work one into my game

 

[bobmac]

The whole point of a PSR is so you don't forget something.
It's a routine that you do every time.
Unless of course you have 25 swing thoughts and dont know which ones work.

 

[Fyldewhite]

PSR's are no doubt a good thing. Quick ones are even better

 

[Hobbit]

A PSR is vital........as long as you know the right things to do FOR YOU.

Spot on.

For me, it's grip, stance and alignment. Calling it a PSR, it's just a number of checks and then a trigger to start the swing. My trigger is a slight forward press.

 

[woody69]

The whole point of a PSR is so you don't forget something.
It's a routine that you do every time.
Unless of course you have 25 swing thoughts and dont know which ones work.

Agree, but the problem comes in that you get distracted and can't remember a lot of players either just go with it, and screw up because instead of being focused they wonder if they did 3 waggles or 4, or they step away and start again (and start slowing everything down).

 

[ScienceBoy]

Agree, but the problem comes in that you get distracted and can't remember a lot of players either just go with it, and screw up because instead of being focused they wonder if they did 3 waggles or 4, or they step away and start again (and start slowing everything down).

KISS your PSR!

Waggles etc are are a recipie for getting it wrong. A simple trigger and GASP means there is nothing to forget.

Why over complicate it? Bound to just add worries.

 

[woody69]

KISS your PSR!

Waggles etc are are a recipie for getting it wrong. A simple trigger and GASP means there is nothing to forget.

Why over complicate it? Bound to just add worries.

I'm not arguing with you about any of that. But people do add in all these little tweaks to help settle them or whatever. My "PSR" if you can call it that is pretty much along the lines of GASP.

 

[delc]

GASP is an acronym for Grip, Aim, Stance and Posture, which are really the only things you have to get right when setting up.

 

[user2010]

Did anyone watch Zac Blair`s PSR at the weekend during the Sony Open?
Wow!!!

 

[ScienceBoy]

I'm not arguing with you about any of that. But people do add in all these little tweaks to help settle them or whatever. My "PSR" if you can call it that is pretty much along the lines of GASP.

A trigger is fine, but add some waggles, a shirt tug etc suddenly more things to go wrong.

For me my trigger is thinking GASP.

A tweak to settle is fine, its a good mental trigger and helps focus. Just not 15 separate elements before pulling the trigger

 

[Fish]

I've been adapting a new PSR just lately as my alignment was in question, now, after a shake of the shoulders as though I'm loosening them I feel I am becoming more square in my set-up and my posture is not too rigid, this is now giving me loads more confidence to totally commit to the shot, especially drives, although I think my bum must be waggling also as the lads when playing the Centurion the other week eventually had a giggle on the 15th 😳🏌

 

[delc]

I've been adapting a new PSR just lately as my alignment was in question, now, after a shake of the shoulders as though I'm loosening them I feel I am becoming more square in my set-up and my posture is not too rigid, this is now giving me loads more confidence to totally commit to the shot, especially drives, although I think my bum must be waggling also as the lads when playing the Centurion the other week eventually had a giggle on the 15th 😳🏌

Pre shot waggles - how do you do yours? Could be the subject of a whole new topic!

 

[sawtooth]

I think it's essential to have one and I guess that everybody does actually have one, some obviously more subtle and discrete as others.

For me it's a quick check of the grip and a couple of faster than normal practice swings.

I then try to make the real swing 75% , it stops me trying to hit the ball too hard on the shot.

With a good grip on the club and decent tempo you stand a chance of hitting a half decent shot.

 

[Smiffy]

I think it's essential to have one and I guess that everybody does actually have one, some obviously more subtle and discrete as others.

I can almost guarantee that if you videoed somebody teeing off on every hole, they would subconsciously do the same thing every time.