The Keys to an Effective Pre-Shot Routine
Posted on: 4 April
The pre-shot routine is one of the few things in golf that you have complete control over, so it’s essential to get it right every time. Here are three things to keep in mind when creating your own pre-shot routine:
1/ Pick a specific shot
First off, pick a specific shot that you’re trying to hit. Stick to your bread-and-butter shot whenever possible. If you’re not comfortable hitting a draw, then don’t even try it – it’s just not worth the risk. And if you’re comfortable moving the ball both ways, be specific about what you’re trying to hit based on the situation at hand. Don’t just hit the ball and hope for the best. It’s always good to have a plan.
2/ Choose a specific target
Secondly, be specific with your target. As the old saying goes, “aim small, miss small.” It’s been proven that golfers who are more specific with their targets end up missing them by less when they hit a poor shot. So when picking something to aim at, don’t just go for the left or right side of the fairway – pick something specific, like a specific part of a tree branch or even a blemish on the green. The more specific, the better.
3/ Aim your clubface first
And finally, aim your clubface first. The clubface determines 80% of where the ball will go, so make sure it’s lined up correctly. When lining up, pick a spot between the ball and the intended target that’s about three feet away from you. That way, if you line up your clubface to that spot correctly, it’ll be lined up with your target in the distance. From there, take your stance as normal and get ready to swing.
Practicing your pre-shot routine is crucial. So next time you’re on the range, don’t just hit balls haphazardly. Go through your pre-shot routine and see if you can get it as dialed in as Tiger and Jack, or enlist the help of one of our PGA Pros. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll be doing it in under a second too.
