Importance of ROUTINE!!
This is my most recent article for the publication “Off 68″ The name of my column is “Down the Middle.” ENJOY!!
It has always been an interesting challenge bringing my driving range game to the golf course. From a player’s standpoint, there seems to be a shift in paradigm once done with lesson or warm-up and stepping onto the first tee. This shift seems to make it difficult to capture what we did so well in our practice sessions and produce it on course. The lack of consistency from practice field to the links can be a real drain on the serious golfer. But do not give up yet! As golfers, we need to accept this challenge and bring what we are physically and mentally capable of executing and deliver it consistently from range to course. To achieve this goal we need to start acting consistent (amazing concept) by following a specific pre shot routine. Your pre shot routine will keep you focused on your shot, stay in control of your emotions and enable you to produce on course what your working on while your practice.
Any sound pre shot routine should consist of (at bare minimum) a practice swing of some fashion to build confidence accompanied with a checking of the target from behind the ball or facing down the target line. My pre shot is a good example: I take two practice swings with the selected club starting with the club pointed at the target rocking back to the top of my back swing. This motion builds my confidence in rhythm & balance and is the precise rhythm I want to use when I set up to the ball. On a side note, I am a firm believer in rhythm and balance. It is pretty tough to hit it out-of-bounds if your clubface is pointed at the target and your keep your rhythm and balance. Next, I stand directly behind the ball looking down the target line face on. Here, I am checking where I want to aim by use of intermediate target. An intermediate target is a stationary icon no more than two feet in front of your ball that helps you lock onto your target once stepping from down the line to the side of the golf ball. An old divot, broken tee or discoloration of grass, serve as great intermediate targets. After picking the intermediate, I step to the side of the ball, aim my clubface through the ball to the intermediate target and then go full circle by letting the golf ball get in the way of my balanced and rhythmatic swing.
Practicing in this fashion will enable you to deliver your driving range habits to the golf course. I recommend discovering a routine that works best for you and repeating the routine concisely while on the range and lesson tee. Not all routines are the same and there is more than way to do this effectively. However, every routine should consist of a checking of the target from down the line and a confidence builder like a practice swing or physical cue. Please be aware of your time too. No golfer likes playing with slow players and no golfer wants to get the reputation as a slow player (well I might know one who doesn’t mind). Your pre shot should be concise but not lengthy. About 15-20 seconds after your club selection. This consistent practicing of routine will condition you physically and mentally to start executing instead of second guessing and over thinking on the course. The pre shot routine will recreate the environment you built on the range, making a seamless transition from range to course.
If you watch any tour player (man, woman, senior, Euro, ECT…) they all have a pre shot routine. If Tiger Woods shoots 67 his opening round during this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro- Am (save the 62 for Saturday) you will see Tiger do the same routine before every shot 67 times! The routine does not stray or change over the course of the round. The routine stays exactly the same and that’s how it works. Granted, the shift from tee to green might merit a change in habit, but act as you do on the tee and act as you do on the green. For example: On the green I pick out my intermediate target before I make my practice swings. This aids me in making the proper sized swing which controls the distance or speed I want to putt. When I get ready to hit the next tee shot, my routine shifts back to practice swings first, alignment check second. Finding the right routine will take some time and should naturally evolve along with your game. The pre shot routine is a great way to produce consistency on the course while relieving pressure and avoiding obstacles you might encounter as you make your transition from practice tee to the first tee.