The Challenge: Many recreational golfers lack a pre-shot routine. They may do the same thing every time they hit the ball, but it’s not what I would call a pre-shot routine. There’s little thought given to alignment, ball position, flight path, stance, and so on. If interrupted while on the tee, they look away for a split second, then continue on, without making any effort to re-group mentally. It’s difficult for players without a pre-shot routine to develop consistency or accuracy.
The Solution: Everyone’s pre-shot routine will differ to some extent, but it should resemble that explained below.
1. Stand behind the ball 2. Select a target/ Visualize flight path 3. Address the ball with feet together 4. Place clubhead behind the ball 5. Re-position the feet 6. Look at target/visualize shot 7. Relax arms/waggle the club 8. Revisit target, sense shot 9. Exhale and pull the trigger
Stand a few feet behind the ball facing the fairway. Pick out a target and picture the shot. Visualize the ball’s flight. Then, walk to the ball and position yourself with your feet close together.
Place the clubhead behind the ball, so it looks squarely at the target, and adjust your body so it’s parallel to the target line. Move your back foot back a few inches, then your front foot forward a few inches. Maker sure you’re in a stable but comfortable stance. Following this sequence puts you in the correct position every time, so you won’t have to worry about where the ball is positioned. Once you’re set, take another look at the target. Visualize the shot again, including ball flight. Gently shuffle your feet, and waggle your club a few times, relaxing your arms and hands. If your arms and hands are relaxed, the rest of your body will be relaxed as well. Constant movement also primes your body for the shot. After waggling your club, revisit the target. Sense the shot. Exhale. Pull the trigger. Adopting a pre-shot routine prepares you physically and psychologically for hitting the shot. Use this routine, or something similar, as a guide to developing your own. Once you’ve developed one, work on it between rounds, until you’re comfortable with it. Use it every time you hit a ball. Remember repetition develops consistency and accuracy, which cuts strokes from your scores and lowers your golf handicap.
The Practice Drill: Ingrain Your Pre-Shot Routine
There’s no specific drill for practicing a pre-shot routine except doing it. While you need to practice the routine until your comfortable with it, you don’t always need to work on it while on the range. You can do it in your living room just as easily as on the course or the range. Just drop a ball and pick up a club. Pretend you’re on the first tee and practice your pre-shot routine. You can even do it in the office. Eventually, it becomes so ingrained that you’ll feel like something’s wrong if you don’t do it.
Want to improve your golf swing? For more golf swing tips, I recommend checking out the guide to a Simple Golf Swing.
Mark