What makes a good pre-shot routine?
Routines make life easier. Plain and simple. Going through high school and now towards the back end of college, it has sometimes been a challenge to maintain “healthy” habits and routines with travel, school work, and the variety of other things many people have to go through during these years.
Perhaps the most obvious of routines are the ones we watch on TV. Take Rafa Nadal for example. For his entire career, before each point he plays with his hair, wipes his sweat, fixes his shorts, grabs at his wrist bands, all before the ball is in play. Derrick Rose is another one as he hovers the ball over his head with both hands and then pounds a few dribbles into the hardwood before shooting at the free throw line.
We watch these elite athletes go through their routines mindlessly, yet there is so much more behind these few seconds to put them into an elite mental state. I believe the pre-shot routine in the game of golf is one of the more important and beneficial things you can do for your game.
The great thing about a pre-shot routine is the consistency it brings. Whether you just made a triple, or an eagle, the way you step into that next tee shot will look exactly the same as it did four holes beforehand. A good routine acts as a reset, as we never want to get our emotions too high or low when out on the course.
Here are my steps to making a solid pre shot routine:
Get yardage and factor in elevation along with wind to come to your final distance.
Pick and see a shot that suits you, and can lead to a solid result.
Stand behind the ball and pick your target, still seeing that shot.
Throw in a couple practice swings if it makes you feel better!
Step into the shot and stripe it!
Between step 4 and 5 is very important! Many golf instructors refer to step 1-4 as your “Think Box” while step 5 is your “Play Box”. Essentially, all the hard work for your decision making has been completed. Now, all you have to do is get in there and execute. Golf is a game of controlling the controllables and accepting the overall outcome. With a consistent pre shot routine following these steps, golf will become just a little bit easier.
Some other cools tips:
Use a trigger to start your routine. Legend Ernie Els walks down the fairway without his glove on. The second he put it on, it was his cue to get locked in.
Routines don’t have to be long and fancy, just find something that is repeatable and gets you focused.
Golf is a game that is played on a five-. “Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course.” — Bobby Jones. Like I said, if you can control what is going on in your mind, the game will become easier. It starts with an effective pre shot routine.
