Elements of a Successful Pre-Shot Routine
Pro Tip provided by Britni Gielow, LPGA, Gielow Golf, www.gielowgolf.com
Do you have a pre shot routine? Are there any specific things you do every time before you hit the ball? If not, let’s get in the habit of performing a pre-shot routine before you hit every time. Why do we need to do that? It’s important to create a habit of consistency to better your golf game. The below 5-step routine is an example of one that will help you be aimed correctly at the target, get you better prepared for your shot, and increase your confidence for golf performance.
Step one is grabbing the right club out of your bag. Find the club that matches the yardage you have to the target or shot you are trying to create.
Once you have that done, step two is your practice swing. Do you take a practice swing? If not, that is fine, skip to step three. If you do take a practice swing, this would be where you start your pre-shot routine. Take a practice swing to rehearse the type of shot you are about to hit.
Go stand directly behind the ball in line with the flag. Draw an imaginary line from the flag or target to your golf ball on the ground. Find something on the ground right in front of your golf ball that is directly on that imaginary line. Is there a divot or a stray tee that stands out to you? Use that intermediate target to help line up correctly over the ball, so make sure it stands out to you! While you are behind the ball, take your proper grip on the club. This helps prevent you from moving your grip when over the ball. This is one way to know the grip is in the correct position before stepping up to the ball. This will help you feel better prepared.
Walk up to the ball and put you club face down first with your feet together. While doing this, make sure your club face’s leading edge is looking right at the spot we found on the ground. We know our club face is aimed correctly at our target because that spot on the ground is directly in line with the flag. It is very hard to aim your club face to a target that is a hundred yards away, so this step will help to aim properly.
Get into your golf posture by stepping out with your feet and getting into an athletic ready posture. Before you step out with your feet, make sure you are a comfortable distance away from the ball as well. Once you feel comfortable, you are ready to hit the ball.
This routine will:
Help you feel more comfortable over the ball because you know you have taken every step in preparing for your golf shot.
Set your aim as best as possible. You will not have to shuffle over the golf ball trying to guess if you are aimed correctly.
If you have never had a pre-shot routine before, use these guidelines to set one, practice it often and take some time to get used to it. When you do this the more natural it will feel to you.
Solidifying these elements of a pre-shot routine is an excellent step for a more consistent golf game.
