One area of the game I have seen time and time again as long as I have been involved in playing competitively and coaching golf that better golfers do well is manage the pre/post shot routine. The reason is, it gets your mind and body in an attitude of success before you play the shot from a 3 foot putt to a full swing with any club in your bag. Golfers need to practice the routine like they practice other components of the game in my opinion. The routine needs to be fluid (not slow) and effective. If you need help developing a routine, do not hesitate to contact the teaching staff. Below are elements of a solid routine. Hope this helps you play better golf!
There are two stages in a successful routine.
Stage 1: Planning the shot.
Lie of ball, yardage, conditions. (Commit to the club you have chosen. A lot of poor shots are the result of
indecision over club and shot selection.)
Stage 2: The physical routine itself is from behind the ball and looking down your target line . This part of the routine once club selection is determined should take no longer than 8 – 10 seconds to completion of swing. *Working with tournament players I actually put a stopwatch to assure this is consistent.
1. See It
The first step in an effective routine is to get behind the ball and visualize a positive outcome of the shot you are preparing to play. Fred Couples said, “I visualize the best shot I have played with the club I have chosen.” Jack Nicklaus said he visualized himself sitting in a movie theatre “watching himself hit the proper shot”. You might say easy for Freddy and Jack, but remember we all have our best shots and putts with any club in our bag so the point is, mentally recall the shot from your past.
2. Feel It
You may or may not choose to take a practice swing or smaller motion during your routine. Both are effective. Make a conscious effort to feel the motion regardless.
3. Stepping Into The Ball
Monitor grip, aim , ball position and posture.
– Very important during this step of your pre shot process to make this as fluid and consistent as possible. It will help calm down your mind if you focus on this properly. You have already visualized a successful
shot in Step 1, so “trust” that image.
4. Acceptance
Regardless of result, accept the outcome and move on to next shot. This is very important. All great players do this very well! We can’t all have tour level golf swings, but with time and practice, this is one area of the game you can do just like the best in the world and you will play better golf if done properly!
Enjoy The Challenge of the Game!
