What's Your Pre-Shot Routine?

[JerkoMcGee]

1. Think about the distance, pick out a target and select a club.

2. Assess the lie and determine if i need to make any adjustments to my stance or grip (choking up or down).

3. Take one or two practice swings to make sure any adjustments i've made are correct.

4. Select an intermediate target in line with my main target, but closer to my ball - maybe 2-3' in front.

5. Use the intermediate target to align my club face behind the ball.

6. Set up my stance to my club face.

7. Look at and focus on my target, take a nice breath in and out.

8. Shank it off of the hosel.

[Cbk57]

I developed my pre shot preparation in high school golf. Either the team coach or a clinic coach told me that practice swings were mostly wasted energy. I don't take a practice swing on any full shot except initial warm up. Now the provisio on that was that we always walked and carried our clubs, so we warmed up and loosened up pretty quickly and stayed fairly loose once the round started. If playing from a cart you are not going to have the same activity level so practice swings may be of great value.

 

With that said I take practice swings to warm up on the first tee and on the range. After that on any full swing shot I usually do not take a practice swing unless I have to stand and wait on someone for a significant amount of time.

 

I look at my ball postion

Choose my club

Stand behind the ball and figure out my shot plan

Pick my targets, one being ball destination and two being an intermediate point in front of my ball

then I address the ball set up

Check my alignment again

Check my club face and swing away

Per step 8 above shank and repeat

[Nmrfgomes]

We all have tendencies and pre-shot routines either for luck or for mood.

 

I start humming Frank Sinatra fly me to the moon in my head while i´m taking a couple of practice swings and then mute it all at address, it helps me getting a blank mind state. Any other song would get me either over excited and hit to strong or in a down mood and be unable to hit a firm strike.

 

Let´s see what´s yours and how it affects you.

[GolfSpy_BNG]

I try to keep my pre-shot routine as simple as possible.  I take 2-3 swings behind the ball just to feel myself dropping the club into the slot.  Then I eye up my target line and address the ball.  I am a firm believer in the less thinking the better.

[samrod]

Select club, address ball and from that moment on, I have a few hundred conversations in my head and they conclude depending on outcome of stroke!

 

Happy day!

 

 

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[PING Apologist #9]

I first get the club grip secured properly in my left hand then introduce the right. Waggle it a bit and take 1-2 practice swings in order to feel that my left arm & wrist are where they're supposed to be. Address the ball and set posture. Reset feet to alighn toward target point, look at target one last time from address and then look down and focus on my strike-point. Then blank out with nothing but the vision of the task at hand and how I expect to strike the ball and see the flight. Stiffen left arm and pull the trigger.

[GB13]

I take 2 light practice swings beside the ball. Then I step behind the ball a visualize the shot. I the step up to the ball get my grip and setup right. Then I shuffle my feet to get comfortable over the ball. After which I hit the shot. I think the more time I take over the ball, the more I overthink it. If I overthink any shot the result will be very very bad.

[jb0330]

I have to keep it simple, if I don't I get to much in my head and blade it, chuck it, thin it etc. Yardage to pin, where I would "like" it to land, what type of shot do I have available, address ball, check aim, swing. There might be a waggle here and there but if it's more than two or if I regrip at all I back off. No practice swings on full shots, they have never helped me lol

 

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[palvord]

Great question.

 

My problem with my pre-shot routine is that I can do the same physical movements, but I can't quite seem to get my thoughts on point.  That to me is the most critical part of the pre-shot routine and I cannot seem to execute it the way that I would like.

 

I like the idea of singing a song in my head that has a nice rhythm like, "Fly Me To The Moon," so that can help keep my swing in something resembling a rhythm.  I'll probably have to pick a different song, but like the idea and may be stealing it.  Thank you for sharing.

[knightsofnii]

After deciding what club and what type of shot:

 

A couple practice swings.

I look at the target and pick another spot far in the direction I want the ball to start. 

Along that line, I pick a spot, blade of grass, pebble, etc, about 3-4 feet in front of the ball and lock my eyes on that. 

I address the ball and square the face with that chosen spot.

Depending on Straight, fade, draw, I will either swing along that line or inside/out, outside/in relative to that line. 

 

Putting: 

After guessing the break and speed:

I pick a spot along the line which I want the ball to start rolling, 1-3feet in front of the ball, and stare at it. 

I address the ball and square up to that spot, and take my practice swings 2" directly over top of the ball (is this legal?)

I drop the club down and swing. 

[StrokerAce]

I like the prep box and play box that has been discussed in the past.

 

Prep box is behind the ball ... practice swings/rhythm, etc.  2 of those.

 

Then choose the line, visualize the shot you want to hit, pick a spot 2-5 feet in front of the ball.

 

Step up to the ball.  Align clubface to spot you picked out.

Check your GPA.

G - grip

P - posture

A - alignment

 

Give one last look to the target and let er rip.

 

I used to do a practice swing next to the ball and then step forward to the ball but I never really felt like I could get good alignment that way.

[russtopherb]

I pick a spot on my line from behind the ball that's maybe 2 feet in front for alignment.

 

From there I step to my left then over to the ball and take a practice swing just feeling the club go all the way to the finish not hitting anything. Then I immediately step up to the ball, line up, and make a swing feeling just like the practice swing, not worrying about hitting the ball, just thinking about smooth tempo and picturing the target.

 

 

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[TR1PTIK]

Pretty simple pre-shot routine for me and I keep it fairly consistent for all shots (even putts). Grab my club, stand behind the ball and grip the club, pick a target, address the ball, swing. I might add a waggle or something, but almost never make a practice swing unless I'm having to wait on playing partners or the group ahead.

[MDGolfHacker]

My preshot routine consists of picking a line I want to hit on, putting the tee in the ground, picking a spot in front of the ball from the line I chose earlier. Stepping up and hitting the ball. I really need to incorporate a swing practice or two in there since lately, I'm feeling that the swing is out of kilter and a few swings can some what groove a better swing.

 

Post shot routine...a lot of head shaking and sometimes crying...😁😂🤣

 

MDGolfHacker

[Shankster]

I recently started a better pre shot routine.

 

I look for a small imperfection about 3' in front of me on my line for all clubs. 3-4 rehearsals step in... a few waggles, then pull the trigger... lately I've been calling myself a few good names... as a matter of fact Ive been talking to the ball too much. Must be watching too many JS highlights.

 

My putting has been improving immensely. I like the ball to drop on the last revolution. Also been working on my misses. If it is uphill I make sure to miss short if I am going to miss so I have an uphill to clean up, and the opposite for downhill. Been trying to make the leave below the hole.

[No3PuttLaLa]

Depends on how I did on previous hole.

 

If I did bad then I sing a song to myself that helps me clear my mind and relax approaching he next tee box.

 

Otherwise, I take a couple practice swings until I am getting the right club path I'm looking for. Then I step up and let ‘er rip.

 

On my drives, I always pick a target line from behind the ball. Walk straight to ball, place driver behind and then align my feet. Deep breath and swing away.

 

I try to not overthink it...

K.I.S.S. = Keep It Simple Stupid

 

 

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[HardcoreLooper]

1. Pick a club
2. Stand behind the ball and pick a target
3. Point the club at the ball and one waggle at waist high
4. Let the clubhead fall to the ground (my boss pointed this out; I never knew I did that)
5. Step up to the ball and swing

If the lie is significantly above or below my feet, I'll take a few practice swings before getting behind the ball.

[Har in the Hat]

I now rehearse to ingrain a lesson taught to me by my club pro. Initiating the downswing by rotating the hips to drop the shoulder and hence arms into position at 9 o'clock. I do this twice,then back up behind the ball to pick my target,align my club and then pull the trigger.

[knightsofnii]

I like the prep box and play box that has been discussed in the past.

 

Prep box is behind the ball ... practice swings/rhythm, etc.  2 of those.

 

Then choose the line, visualize the shot you want to hit, pick a spot 2-5 feet in front of the ball.

 

Step up to the ball.  Align clubface to spot you picked out.

Check your GPA.

G - grip

P - posture

A - alignment

 

Give one last look to the target and let er rip.

 

I used to do a practice swing next to the ball and then step forward to the ball but I never really felt like I could get good alignment that way.

 

 

^  this 

 

[ole gray]

I step on my partner's balls when he ain't looking 

[tony@CIC]

I step on my partner's balls when he ain't looking

But only when money is involved

 

 

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[Angry Yeti]

Before every shot I do this

 

 

Ok, possibly not. 

 

Full: Stand behind the ball and line up the shot with a point within a foot of the ball. Set up the club face first, then my feet. Focus on my left arm and go.

 

Short: Stand behind the ball and line up the shot. Alight to the ball a club head away for two practice swings. Set up on the ball. Look at the pin again. Focus on my left arm and go

 

Putting: Line the put up from behind. Take a few swings for tempo/speed while looking at the hole. Step to the ball. Stare down the hole one last time to assert dominance. Putt.