The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog offers some simple thoughts, to help golfers improve their golf mindsets.
Golf: Improve Your Mental Game...The Pre-Shot Routine
It is well known, that a pre-shot routine, is important for a golfer at any level of the game. And most golfers, will duly observe such a process. But, it's one thing to have a routine. Another, for it be an effective one.
The purpose of the pre-shot routine, is to set up your shot. To build the tempo and rhythm for your swing. To develop a feeling for the shot. To create a clear picture of the shot you want to make. To set an atmosphere of concentration and quiet. To build power and energy. To be ready for the shot.
Often players, either because they are feeling pressure, or lack confidence, rush their routines. They do a poor visualisation. A rushed practise swing. Their heads are filled with contradicting thoughts. And step up to play their shot, before they are really prepared. Then get surprised, when they hit a poor shot.
Or they are feeling down after playing a bad hole, and lose the discipline, essential for a good routine. Sometimes a player can be too lazy to go through the routine. They simply want to get on with it, and hit the ball.
The quality of the pre-shot routine, will determine, the quality of the shot. In other words, the shot begins with the routine.
It takes discipline and patience to build a quality routine. To not be rushed. To take control of what you want to do, and how you want to do it.
Why not measure the effectiveness of your game today, by the quality of your pre-shot routine. When the routine is right, and given the time it needs, good shot-making is inevitable.
