The Importance of the Pre-Shot Routine

Ever notice how the pros seem to set up every shot with the same exact routine?  Whether it’s Jason Dufner’s club waggle or Keegan Bradley’s “foot-step,” you’ll quickly notice that while no two players’ pre-shot routines are the same, all the best players have one.  That’s because they realize the importance a pre-shot routine plays in setting the pace for their entire swing.  With that said, let’s dissect the importance of a pre-shot routine and how it can help your golf game.

A pre-shot routine is designed to help you keep all of your physical and mental mechanics tight, hence forcing you to swing the same way every time.  If you change the routine mid-round, skip it altogether, or only do it sometimes, there’s a good chance all of your swings will different.

In golf, idea behind a pre-shot routine is exactly the same as taking a foul shot in basketball.  Many professional basketball players will follow the same exact pre-foul-shot routine for their entire career (and you have to admit, some of them can get quite elaborate).  Basketball players and golfers both create these routines for three main reasons:

1. It Allows You to Set the Pace for Your Shot

In both basketball and golf, rushing your shot can lead to inaccuracy and rushing is usually a symptom of nervousness (as your body rushes to get the moment over with).  By keeping a steady, slow, and consistent pre-shot routine you set a positive mental and physical tone for your shot.  In essence, the routine allows you to “work out” any jitters or “quickness” you may be feeling and thus gives you time to correct and slow things down before you even approach the ball.

2. It Allows You to Set Your Focus

All pre-shot routines include some manner of taking aim (which sadly is all to often neglected by players who just walk up to the ball and take a swing). Something as simple as taking a moment to stand behind the ball and visually identify and “lock-in” on your target can work wonders for your game.

3. It allows you to quiet your mind

Nerves, as mentioned earlier, can certainly become a hindrance to taking a smooth and consistent swing.  By following a preset routine you effectively allow your muscle memory to takeover and executive the shot without allowing your mind to come in and wreak havoc on the whole process.  We’re certainly not discounting the importance your mind plays in the pre-shot routine (e.g. visualization) but knowing when to then shift into gear and let the body take over is vitally important, and a steady pre-shot routine can really help that process along.  Just think about how many times you were nervous about hitting a target and tried to “steer” the ball by over-thinking the shot.  Having a routine that allows you to pick a target and then allows your physical body to take over and execute the routine and then the shot can help prevent these types of mental errors.

Again, think about the basketball player at the foul line…the game is stopped, points are on the line, and everyone is watching him.  If he were to just walk up and shoot the ball chances are that his muscles would be tight with adrenaline, his nerves would force him to “steer” the ball, and he’d miss.  But, by instead settling into a familiar routine, one in which he sets his aim, bounces the ball a set number of times, and shoots, he is allowing himself to remove outside pressures and influences and perform a routine his body knows well (because he’s practiced it so many times).  The concept is exactly the same for golf.

As mentioned earlier, every players’ pre-shot routine is unique and the most important thing is to pick a routine that feels comfortable and gives you the most confidence when addressing the ball.  If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few helpful tips and methods you can include in your routine to dramatically improve the outcome of your shot:

1. Stand behind the ball, stare down your target and count to 3

This can keep you calm, reduce or eliminate any nerves or jitters you have and keep you relaxed during your swing. The reason it works is because it forces you to slow down and take at least one full breath.  Proper breathing (and breathing exercises in particular) is well known to settle nerves and improve performance.  It also helps to bring much needed oxygen to your muscles.

2. Encourage yourself  

Tell yourself something positive that will be consistent and keep your focus.  For example, once you address the ball with your best golf stance, simple say to yourself “smooth, easy, and follow through.”  It is however, extremely important to watch what you say!  Far too many golfers talk to themselves negatively, saying things like “don’t hit it in the water,” “don’t screw this up,” “I hate this hole,” or something to that effect.  Negative talk can hurt your confidence and cause a poor swing.  Positive encouragement on the other hand, can help boost your confidence and increase your ability to execute the shot.

3. Visualize the outcome you want

Before addressing the ball, pick a target and select and outcome.  It may sound silly but think about something like billiards, when you call out…”6 ball corner pocket,” you can mimic this idea in your head to keep yourself locked in on your shot.  A great time to visualize your shot is when you’re standing behind the ball (tip #1 above).  Simply take a moment to draw out the ball flight in your mind and watch the simulated shot all the way to where you would like the ball to land.  Many people get intimidated by the idea of visualizing but it’s really not all that complicated.  All you really need to do is use your imagination to envision the shot you want and watch in amazement when you body actually listens and recreates it!

For more on the importance of creating consistency in your routine, check out this video of Tiger Woods explaining his process:

Do you have a pre-shot routine that works for you?  Share your story in the comments below.