Anyone Can Groove A Great Golf Pre Shot Routine

Having played golf for a number of years and getting down to a single digit handicap, one area of golf that eluded me for many years is the Pre shot routine. This is one area that we can control as amateurs as well perhaps as the professionals. Practicing the routine every single time you hit a shot, whether in practice or on the course can be done by everyone but it does take practice

Deciding on the type of shot and the club that will be used is a decision that needs several factors to be taken into consideration. Wind direction and speed will need to be considered as well as the more important factor of the lie of the ball. Look at the tops of the trees if you are unsure about the wind direction- the wind is usually more constant the higher the altitude. Throw some grass up in the air and watch where it blows carefully

Visualization (seeing the desired result of a shot) is a skill that must be mastered to become a better golfer. Some people actually see the shot being hit in their mind, others just believe that the ball will go to the target. Some people see themselves in a sort of video that they play in their mind, actually hitting the perfect shot. It really doesn’t matter which method you use, the effect is the same, commitment to the target

Starting the actual shot part of the process should commence as soon after you have made a positive decision on the shot choice as possible. It may help to use a mental trigger to this part of the shot. For example, pulling on or fastening your glove or actually taking the club out of the bag will be a good start point to the process. The important thing to remember is that the decision is now made, no time for second guessing

The physical part of shot execution is best approached by starting to approach the ball from behind. All the time re-inforcing your commitment to the outcome of the shot, set up to the ball taking great care over your grip and ball position. Settle into a comfortable address position whilst setting the club face on line with the target line

You’re ready to go when all the elements of the Pre shot routine have been completed. Going through this process allows your mind to focus on the task in hand and not to dwell on past failures. One final look at the target and you can pull the trigger. For some, a forward press will get the swing going, for others, they are strong enough mentally to go when they are ready. The total time taken for the whole routine should not vary by more than a couple of seconds

Amateurs may not all be able to hit a 300 yard drive or pitch the ball onto a sixpence. All amateurs however are able to get a Pre shot routine sorted out and then stick to it. Any sort of plan is better than no pan at all. Nobody gets this area right all the time, however, with practice, commitment and a deal of dedication, any amateur can become as good as, if not better than the professionals

About the writer: Glenn Hughes is a director at Southerndown Golf Club. the UK is holding the next Ryder Cup in 2010, Southerndown is a links golf course in the UK