SteddyGolf Posted April 8, 2019 Share Posted April 8, 2019 The Golf swing relies on the coordinated movement of hundreds of muscles. These muscle must execute the exact same movement at the exact same time to consistently achieve the desired results. To routinely do things well you must routinely do them! A consistently executed pre-shot routine tells your muscles, “get ready, here we go” A pre shot routine is something that every golfer goes through, it can be a certain wiggle, an approach, a mental note, or something else unique to that golfer. The idea behind a pre shot routine is to get you in the right frame of mind, and setup correctly for the shot you're attempting to make. Therefore it's essential you have one in place, but try and keep things simple, over complicating a pre shot routine can be detrimental. To get things started, here is a simple pre shot routine that You can try if you’ve not already established one. Step 1–Establish a target line Start behind the ball, you’re going to look at the general area you want your ball to land in. Then with your club, hold it vertically in front of you aiming it in the center of the area you want to hit. I call this the plumb bob technique. Using the line created from holding the shaft of the club vertical and aiming at the target area, pick out a marker 3ft in front of the ball that’s on that target line. It could be a broken tee or a divot or darker patch of grass, anything to help you align your clubface with your chosen target will do. Step 2–Align your clubface Now that you’ve established your target line, you can now step up to address the golf ball with the confidence that your aim is spot on. From this moment on, the process is quite repetitive. Firstly, place your hands on the club, keeping the clubface square. Then aim the clubface to the target line you created before you stepped up. Step 3–Align your body The next step is to align your body so that your hips, feet, legs, and shoulders are all parallel to the target line. Step 4–Last check, now swing! Now you have your target line, your clubface is lined up, and your body is setup correctly it’s time for a quick check. Take one or two glances at your intended target and let her rip! If you don’t hit it perfectly, don’t worry, your alignment work earlier should stand you in good stead–a great miss! If you want to increase your consistency then I urge you to implement this right away if you haven’t already. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy tony@CIC, sirchunksalot, STUDque and 5 others 7 1 Quote Miura MB 502 Irons ping G400 Driver Cobra F7 3 wood Mizuno putter Mizuno Wedges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STUDque Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 Thought this thread deserved a bump. @SteddyGolf gave a nice writeup with some good thoughts to consider. PMookie, MaxEntropy, cksurfdude and 1 other 4 Quote In my Pisa, riding on a 3.5+ G410+ EXS 5W King F7 Hy i500 5-GW Equalizer 56/60 Heppler Ketsch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edteergolf Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 On 4/8/2019 at 7:23 AM, SteddyGolf said: The Golf swing relies on the coordinated movement of hundreds of muscles. These muscle must execute the exact same movement at the exact same time to consistently achieve the desired results. To routinely do things well you must routinely do them! A consistently executed pre-shot routine tells your muscles, “get ready, here we go” A pre shot routine is something that every golfer goes through, it can be a certain wiggle, an approach, a mental note, or something else unique to that golfer. The idea behind a pre shot routine is to get you in the right frame of mind, and setup correctly for the shot you're attempting to make. Therefore it's essential you have one in place, but try and keep things simple, over complicating a pre shot routine can be detrimental. To get things started, here is a simple pre shot routine that You can try if you’ve not already established one. Step 1–Establish a target line Start behind the ball, you’re going to look at the general area you want your ball to land in. Then with your club, hold it vertically in front of you aiming it in the center of the area you want to hit. I call this the plumb bob technique. Using the line created from holding the shaft of the club vertical and aiming at the target area, pick out a marker 3ft in front of the ball that’s on that target line. It could be a broken tee or a divot or darker patch of grass, anything to help you align your clubface with your chosen target will do. Step 2–Align your clubface Now that you’ve established your target line, you can now step up to address the golf ball with the confidence that your aim is spot on. From this moment on, the process is quite repetitive. Firstly, place your hands on the club, keeping the clubface square. Then aim the clubface to the target line you created before you stepped up. Step 3–Align your body The next step is to align your body so that your hips, feet, legs, and shoulders are all parallel to the target line. Step 4–Last check, now swing! Now you have your target line, your clubface is lined up, and your body is setup correctly it’s time for a quick check. Take one or two glances at your intended target and let her rip! If you don’t hit it perfectly, don’t worry, your alignment work earlier should stand you in good stead–a great miss! If you want to increase your consistency then I urge you to implement this right away if you haven’t already. Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy Good start but it doesn't include information gathering or decision making. Your routine needs to include everything done to execute a shot. My suggestion is about 15-20 seconds of decision making followed by the ball flying within 10-15 seconds from your first step to the ball. It should never vary +/- 1 second. If it doesn't have a purpose, don't do it. It should be rehearsed often and included when you practice. If you don't it won't do a damn thing for you. GolfSpy_SHARK and cksurfdude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cksurfdude Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 Great topic! Been working on this myself, as I have been learning about the "mental game" and what it means .. and importantly how to implement it! A good pre-shot routine is, well, routinely cited as the foundation of a good mental game. An excellent resource that I've found, and had the immense pleasure to participate in one of his clinics last year, and learned a LOT from is... David McKenzie Golf State Of Mind (golfstateofmind.com and Insta @golfstateofmind) He has a blog on his website that he updates fairly regularly, and there are a bunch of useful articles on how to construct your own solid pre-shot routine (amongst many other topics, including recent posts on techniques to help deal with the current situation and tension in general). This graphic is a good encapsulation / representation of David's teachings and method..... Also, the prior post mentioned "purpose" .. and I'm sure many here have read or heard of "Every Shot Must Have A Purpose" .. in which the authors talk about the "Think Box" and the "Decision Line" and the "Play Box" ... similar concepts (in my mind) to preparing first and then executing. A good read. PMookie 1 Quote WITB of an "aspiring" play-ah ... Driver...Callaway Paradym (Aldila Ascent PL Blue 40/A) 5W...Callaway Great Big Bertha (MCA Kai'Li Red 50/R) 7W...Tour Edge Exotics EXS (Tensei CK Blue 50/R) 4H...Callaway Epic Super Hybrid (Recoil ZT9 F3) 5H...Callaway Big Bertha ('19) (Recoil 460 ESX F3) 6i-GW...Sub 70 699 V2 (Recoil 660 F3) 54°, 60°...Cleveland CBX2, CBX 60 (Rotex graphite) Putter...EvnRoll ER5 or MLA Tour XDream (P2 Reflex grips) ...all in a Datrek bag on an MGI Zip Navigator electric cart. Ball often, not always, MaxFli Tour. Forum Member tester for the Paradym X driver (2023) Forum Member tester for the ExPutt Putting Simulator (2020) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beelzeberto Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 Always a good reminder. I know it's not "legal" but I always take a practice swing beside the ball, then step up to the ball and go. STUDque 1 Quote Sim / M2 / MG Z785 Brandon Matthews No2 - Not Made for the Tour "buy the ticket, take the ride..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik-M Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 I agree with pre shot routine. I think the issue is that some golfers get into a2 minute pre shot routine and then sit over the ball for another 30 seconds and add a ton more stress then they need to. Which is part of what makes the game slow. I like how @SteddyGolf put it, pick a line, line up your club and body and go. Keep it consistent but also keep it short and remember others are playing with you and they will feed off of your speed of getting the ball moving. cksurfdude, sirchunksalot, STUDque and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 22 minutes ago, Erik-M said: I agree with pre shot routine. I think the issue is that some golfers get into a2 minute pre shot routine and then sit over the ball for another 30 seconds and add a ton more stress then they need to. Which is part of what makes the game slow. I like how @SteddyGolf put it, pick a line, line up your club and body and go. Keep it consistent but also keep it short and remember others are playing with you and they will feed off of your speed of getting the ball moving. Erik, just because I pushed you into joining the forum doesn't mean you need to call me out like that. GolfSpy BOS, sirchunksalot, Erik-M and 1 other 4 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik-M Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 1 hour ago, GolfSpy MPR said: Erik, just because I pushed you into joining the forum doesn't mean you need to call me out like that. I definitely wasn't talking about you, we usually get 18 done in 2 hours! You have a direct fast routine. Can't complain GolfSpy MPR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy MPR Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 Just now, Erik-M said: I definitely wasn't talking about you, we usually get 18 done in 2 hours! You have a direct fast routine. Can't complain Mostly referring to the times I set up to the ball and wait a bit before figuring out when to pull the trigger. sirchunksalot and Erik-M 2 Quote TS3 9.5°, Tensei Blue CBX T3 15°, Project X HZRDUS Black Epic Super Hybrid 18°, Aerotech Steel Fiber FC HYB S C722 21°, Ventus Blue 8S CBX Iron-Wood 25°, Project X HZRDUS Black 6.0 639 CB, Aldila NV 95 Graphite, 6–PW CBX 48° T22 54° and 60° EAS 4.0, Garsen G-Pro grip TP5x and Tour Response Full WITB with pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edteergolf Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 2 hours ago, Erik-M said: I agree with pre shot routine. I think the issue is that some golfers get into a2 minute pre shot routine and then sit over the ball for another 30 seconds and add a ton more stress then they need to. Which is part of what makes the game slow. I like how @SteddyGolf put it, pick a line, line up your club and body and go. Keep it consistent but also keep it short and remember others are playing with you and they will feed off of your speed of getting the ball moving. I agree. If you have prepared a routine, have a targeting plan, and know your yardages, an encompassing routine including striking the ball can be accomplished in 60 seconds or less. Now, if everyone is working at the same time, when possible, you can have 2-4 balls flying inside of a total minute. If you think your 60 seconds has to be consecutive, you have lost your damn mind. Walking into the ball and striking is less than 13 seconds. This idea that we have to watch each other is insane and is a big part of the problem. Erik-M and cksurfdude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik-M Posted April 20, 2020 Share Posted April 20, 2020 28 minutes ago, GolfSpy MPR said: Mostly referring to the times I set up to the ball and wait a bit before figuring out when to pull the trigger. I can help you, I'll just start yelling Hit It! Lol GolfSpy MPR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleDanger Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 Some nice advice here. I have seen many pre-shot routines in my day. My favorites are those that are time efficient though. Lol STUDque and cksurfdude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMookie Posted April 28, 2020 Share Posted April 28, 2020 In my last round, I was moving along at a nice pace with no one ahead of me slowing me down. Good thing was, when I hit two poor shots, I was able to analyze what went wrong, drop a ball, and hit a second shot. Both were approaches with mid irons, and the second shots both hit the green, and went 8-10 yards further than the first. What I came away with is I need to go back to practicing my swing for the shot to be played as my pre-shot routine. I realized that I do a couple full swings with woods and hybrids on the tee box, but I don’t with irons once off the tee box. Gotta be consistent. Making the adjustment next round for sure! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro cciciora13, cksurfdude, cnosil and 1 other 4 Quote Driver: Ping G430 Max 9*, Ping Tour 70X Fairway: Ping G425 15*, Ping Tour 70X Hybrid: Ping G425 22*, Ping Tour 80X Irons: Ping i230 4-GW, TT DG X100 Wedges: SMS 50D/54V/58DModus 130 stiff, +1” Putter: EAS 1.0 Ball: Titleist 2023 AVX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cciciora13 Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 I may look like a wildman but at the range I like to perform the same set up before each shot. Take a practice swing behind ball, line up to target, one waggle, and go. I think it has really benefited my game and made me more consistent with all my clubs. cksurfdude 1 Quote In my bag: Driver: Ben Hogan GS53 10.5* Stiff Mitsubishi tensei blue Stiff 3 Wood: 939 x 15 deg. UST Proforce Black V2 7F4 stiff Hybrid: 939x Hybrid UST 680 recoil shaft stiff Irons: 699 irons 4-PW KBS tour 90 v Stiff 50 Deg: TAIII Satin 54 deg: TAIII Satin 58 Deg: TAIII Satin Putter: 004 Single Bend Masters Edition Rangefinder: Caddytek V2 Check out my MyGolfSpy 2020 Forum Official Tester: Ben Hogan GS53 Driver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GolfSpy BOS Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Getting in a consistent routine has made a big impact on my game, especially off the tee. My routine consists of: 1. Club and shot selection. This is based on either knowing the hole and where I want to play or getting my yardage and looking at the hazards or layout of the landing area. I’ll start thinking about what I want to the shot to look like before its my turn to hit. 2. When its my turn I’ll stand behind the ball, visualize the shot once or twice and pick my starting line reference in front of my ball to assist aiming. This is where I’ll take a little half-swing to feel loose. I rarely take a full practice swing outside of the first tee box. While this won’t work for everyone, I strongly suggest you give it a shot if you’re a two or three practice swing person. I found I was wasting my good swings during those practice swings. 3. Use my aiming reference in front of the ball to get set up for my shot. Take one more look and visualize the shot going on my line. Two waggles. Set. Swing. The only time this changes for me is if I’m in a funky lie where I need to take a practice swing to see how the rough is or severely up or downslope where I need to feel the balance. My putting routine is very similar, all the thinking happens behind the ball. Once I step up I’m really just there to hit the shot. I read a great article talking about how the average pro takes only 8 seconds from the time they address the ball until they hit it. There’s not a lot of wasted time available to start second guessing yourself. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/8-second-rule-are-you-standing-over-the-ball-too-long It’s worth a quick read to see if there’s anything you can do to help take your game up a notch! cksurfdude 1 Quote Epic Max LS 10.5 - Motore X F3 6X | Speedzone 5-wood - Ventus Blue 8S | TSi3 20* Hybrid - KBS Proto 85S SMS Pro 4-PW - Steelfiber i110S | MG3 Raw Black 50.09, 54.11, 58.11 - DG TI S200 ER2B | Pro V1x | NX9 Slope | Jones Trouper R | CaddyLite EZ v8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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