Quite possibly the most overlooked aspect of one’s golf game, and arguably the most vital, is the pre-shot routine. A good routine sets you in good standing for a decent shot, while a bad one is a recipe for disaster.
Have you ever considered your approach and routine before any shot on the golf course? If not, then it is likely that you tend to approach the ball with a million and one thoughts in your head about your club selection, type of shot, execution, target, and more. If you have, and you have a clear pre-shot routine that you follow every time, then you are focused completely on the shot and nothing else.
This is where a lot of amateur/beginner players slip up as they don’t have a set routine that they follow, floundering around and second-guessing what it is they are about to do. While there is not one perfect pre-shot routine, as it all comes down to the individual, having one you can refer to can make all the difference.
What is a Golf Pre-Shot Routine?
A pre-shot routine is a consistent procedure undertaken by the golfer before striking the ball. This includes the selection of club, thinking about the shot, looking at your target, practice swings, your stance, focus, and the shot itself.
Watch any professional player and you will soon notice that they are consistent in what they do before taking a shot. Some players’ routines are longer than others, while other players may appear to put little thought into their routine – this is because they have performed this routine so many times before, it has become second nature to them.
A good comparison, although from a completely different sport, is a darts player’s routine. Rarely will you find two players whose throws are the same and, certainly, one player’s routine would not work for another. Each player follows a set pattern which helps them to focus their mind and improves their chances of hitting the desired target.
While you can take guidance from watching another player’s pre-shot routine, picking out little parts that you could incorporate into yours, by no means do you have to adopt it step-by-step.
Pre-Shot Routine Golf Psychology
If you are reading this article thinking that you don’t have a pre-shot routine, the chances are that you probably do – you just don’t realise it. As a keen golfer, having played countless holes, it is highly likely that you have developed habits that you carry out before your shot. This could be taking the same number of practice swings, looking up at the target exactly twice or some other kind of movement that while you may not be aware of, someone you play with is.
Golf is as much a mental game as a physical one, so developing a pre-shot routine that you can rely on is crucial if you are serious about improving your game. When you next step out onto the course, you should think about the steps you take before taking your shot.
The professionals perform the same pre-shot routine every time they play a shot. This is because they have developed a routine that helps them to concentrate, zone out all other thoughts and focus on playing the shot they have decided to play.
Where many players go wrong as part of their routine is remaining undecided about what they want to achieve as they approach the ball. By the time you have approached the ball, you should be unequivocal about the shot you are playing. There should be no thoughts about whether you have selected the correct club, whether you are aiming for the right target, changing up the power of the shot or anything other than hitting the ball from point A to point B.
What many coaches teach their students is to imagine a line with the ball in front of it. Behind the line is your think zone, which is where you plan your shot and practise your swings. In front of the line, where the ball is, is your play zone. You enter this zone once you have decided on the shot and put away any thoughts other than playing the shot. The psychology of this is to stop you from being in two minds and not being committed to the shot you are going to play.
Once you are in the play zone, you focus only on where you want the golf ball to go and eradicate any negative thoughts. The more you think about what can go wrong, the likelier it is. For example, if in your head you are worrying about not hitting a bunker, rather than landing on the green, it’s more likely you will be reaching for your sand wedge, rather than your putter, for your next shot.
Golf Pre-Shot Routine Checklist
- Have a trigger – at what point does your pre-shot routine start? It should be before you approach your golf ball, as by this point you should be ready to play the shot. Your trigger could be as you approach the tee/ball, put on your glove or anything else that tells you it’s time to begin assessing the shot.
- Pick a target – where are you aiming? If you are aiming for the green then aim for the hole instead of thinking anywhere around it will do. Be exact as, this way, you will be more likely to hit your target.
- Calculate the distance – once you have your target you need to calculate the distance and assess weather conditions as winds will alter the amount of power that should go into your shot. Also, consider any obstacles that are along the way and keep these in mind as you decide on the best way to make your shot.
- Choose your club – select the club you feel is most suited for the shot you have decided to play.
- Visualise the shot – if you can, try to visualise how you want the shot to look by trying to picture the ball’s desired line to its target.
- Practice shots – take your practice shots, feeling how you want to strike the ball. Kinaesthetic players will benefit best from the feeling of the swing, replicating the perfect shot before approaching the ball.
- Approach the ball – you have decided on the shot and now is the time to focus on making it, putting all other thoughts to one side. Ensure you are comfortable and zoned in before executing the shot.
- Pull the trigger – make the shot and accept the outcome. Once the ball has been hit there is no point in getting annoyed if it’s not gone quite how you envisioned as you will soon be starting your pre-shot routine all over again.
Stay Positive
When things aren’t going to plan, there are few more frustrating games to play than golf. Remember, though, that Jack Nicklaus didn’t accumulate an impressive list of golf trophies by walking around the course with a negative attitude.
Your pre-shot routine is your opportunity to clear your mind before taking the shot. Whether you are a seasoned player looking for ways to improve your game, a beginner learning the game or are coaching young golfers, perfecting the pre-shot routine is one of the most important aspects of the game.
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