Hit more solid shots with this 5-step pre-shot routine

Most nice gamers have a routine in place to assist them manage their ideas and plan for his or her shot. This will be extraordinarily useful for the weekend warrior golfer as properly! 

Many of the individuals I educate assume that they aren’t ok but to fret about what they do earlier than they hit the ball. Most of them are simply hoping to make contact and transfer the ball ahead with out being embarrassed. While I perceive this thought course of, giving your mind a plan of what you need to do with the ball may also help you execute your shot and acquire confidence in your sport. 

While there are a number of methods to construct a routine, I counsel making an attempt the next framework to begin. Make certain to start your routine straight behind your golf ball after you could have chosen your membership and have finished a follow swing or rehearsal of your meant swing.

The 5-step pre-shot routine

Step 1: Target choice

Where are you meaning to hit your ball?  You need to be sure that your physique, the ball and the goal are multi function line behind the ball. Then discover a spot on the bottom simply in entrance of the golf ball nearer than a foot away out of your ball. This is the place you will align your clubface to while you begin to deal with the ball. Make certain you may see this spot from each behind the ball and subsequent to the ball. Any focus level will do, from an previous divot on a tee field to a distinct shade piece of grass on the green.

Step 2: Align your clubface

Aim your clubface to your chosen spot and let your eyes comply with it to the meant goal (the place you need your ball to finish up).

Step 3: Build your physique across the clubface 

This is IMPORTANT! Most weekend golfers construct their physique place first, which isn’t a good way to hit the ball the place you need. This step is about stepping out your toes and comfortably entering into your posture.

Step 4: Visualize

Let your eyes once more hint from the clubface to the ball to the spot on the bottom to the meant goal. This is an simply missed step in on-course golf, however doing it provides your mind one more likelihood to see the place you need to hit the ball. 

Step 5: Use an motion phrase to begin the swing

I exploit the phrase “execute” in my very own routine, however you may select one thing that resonates with you. Other phrases might be go, swing, or transfer.  Anything that creates an motion for you’ll be one of the best. 

Ready to place this routine into play? I might suggest heading to the driving vary with some Post-It notes and a pen. Start by writing down the steps after which simplify them down to at least one or two phrases. Here’s an image of the one I exploit once I play in tournaments (see left). 

Try to place this in play in a single space of your sport and construct off of it. You might begin with placing or driving and ultimately implement into different areas. 

Sarah Stone, PGA, is one in all GOLF’s 2021-22 Teachers to Watch, and is the Director of Instruction at Chevy Chase Club in Bethesda, Md. For more suggestions from Stone, click on right here.