Sports Performance Tip: Pre-shot Golf Routine
Today’s sports performance post will focus on the golf pre-shot routine. What is a pre shot routine? It’s the way we go about preparing for a shot. A golf pre-shot routine is a must-have. Surprisingly most golfers often skip right over the important things that will help them accomplish the goal of getting the ball to its target. Their first thought is to hit the ball where they think they want it to go. Many times I see other golfers get out of their golf cart, check their distance, grab a club, take a swing or two, stand over the ball and swing away. They have no rhythm. Having a consistent routine is key to having rhythm with your game.
Before you swing the golf club you should give a little thought to this question: "Where would be the best place for me to put the ball, given my skills?" This will prevent you from taking a club and just hacking away to try to get the ball on the green. You need to look at what lies ahead of you. Are there trees in your way? Are there bunkers around the green you should be aware of? Is there water that could come into play? Should you lay up? Etc. etc., etc.
Once you decide on the type of shot you will take you will need to get your club out of your bag. You need to feel confident with this club. If you don’t feel confident, the odds are not in your favor of making a good shot. It is best to use a club you are confident with. Lay up if you are more confident with a shorter iron or if you are more comfortable with a longer iron, choke down on the club and give it a shorter swing.
Now you need to stand behind the ball and pick a target. You always need to pick a target, even if you aren’t hitting on to the green. Look at your target and mentally draw a line back to your ball. Somewhere just past your ball you need to pick a point on that line that is your “short distance target line”. This can be a leaf, a brown spot on the grass, a sprinkler head, etc. It just needs to be something moderately close to your ball that can keep you lined up. This is critical in getting a good line and hitting your ball to where you intend it to go. Doing this will also increase your confidence in your golf shot.
The next step is to still stand behind your ball and mentally visualize yourself hitting the perfect shot. You can do this with your eyes opened or closed. Most people will feel more comfortable doing this with their eyes open since there will be other golfers around. It doesn’t matter which way you decide to do this. The key is to see yourself hitting the perfect shot. Guess what, this will also increase your confidence in your golf shot.
This next step is individual and every golfer out there will do what is best for them. Approach your golf ball to take a practice swing or two. You do this to get a feel for your club and get even more confidence in your swing. Now you want to stand over your ball, line your club up so that it is aiming toward your short distance target line. Some people like to “waggle” their club one or two times before they get set; it’s your choice, whatever you’re comfortable with. Take a deep breath, feel confident, and take a nice easy golf swing.
Here are the steps in bullet form:
- Ask yourself, “Where is the best place for me to hit this shot?”.
- Grab the club that you will feel most confident with.
- Pick a long distance target.
- Pick your short distance target line.
- Visualize your perfect golf shot.
- Take a practice swing or two.
- Line your club head with the short distance target line.
- Waggle your club (optional).
- Take a deep breath.
- Feel confident and take a nice easy golf swing.
One last very critical element to this: When you go to the driving range for practice, you must practice this routine too. If you want to make it a habit during your round, you must rehearse it during your practice. Remember this; practice doesn’t make perfect, but perfect practice does make it perfect.
Best of luck with adding this to your game…and practice. Let me know how this works.
Until the next post…
Make it a successful day!
Coach Steve
