Golf Pre-Shot Routine

Today's golf instruction will focus on the golfaiming point.
pre-shot routine. What is a pre shot routine? It'sNow that you have a club selected, a positive
the way we go about preparing for a shot, prettyvisual in your mind and a target you can get
easy explanation eh! Sorry, it's the Olympics andready to address the ball but before you do that
the Canadian is coming out in me! Go Canada Go!you need to align yourself to the target. Do this
OK, I'm done...by drawing an imaginary line back from your
I was making my post on how to practice golftarget to the ball. Focus on a spot a foot in front
when I totally forgot I haven't shed any light onof the ball on this imaginary line and square the
this important aspect. A few years back Iclub face to that spot. This is easier than trying to
attended a very high profile player camp forget squared up to your target some 100+ yards
Canadian Golf and learned so much from that.away!
One thing that I stood out for me was how weOnce you have your spot pick out and you're
go about preparing to hit each shot. I will go onstanding over the ball be sure to be relaxed by
record and say 95% of golfers do nothing togripping the club gently so that there is no tension
prepare themselves for the shot ahead. Lucky forin your hands and arms. Waggle the club a few
you all I am here to change that number, improvetimes also to ensure we are loose over the ball
golf and open your eyes to what all good playersand not standing there tightening up. Watch the
do before each shot.video at the link below of Tom Watson to see
The first step is to look at your shot ahead andhow he waggles the club.
select the club you will hit based on what is inI also suggest standing over the ball for a short
front of you and the elements. Is there anyperiod of time. This allows you to still have those
trouble around around my landing area? Whatpositive thoughts in your head and will stop you
spot is the easiest to hit my next shot from?from thinking about many different swing
What way is the wind going? These are allthoughts. Be sure that when you do waggle it is
questions you should ask yourself before selectingconsistent in how many times you do so.
a club.To summarize how we can develop a solid golf
Once you selected a club, stand behind your ballpre-shot routine see below.
and start to visualize the shot you want to hit1) Select a club by analyzing the shot ahead and
and where it will end up. My post on mental golfany elements that may interior with the shot.
touched on positive thinking and this is exactly2) Stand behind the ball and visualize the shot you
what we are doing here, thinking about a positivewant to hit and a positive outcome.
outcome. While you are visualizing the shot you3) Pick out a target that is your aiming point and
want to hit try and take a practice swing or twodraw an imaginary line back from that target to
with your head up still visualizing the shot. Thisthe ball to ensure proper alignment.
allows your eyes to see the shot you want to hit4) Address the ball and waggle the club a few
while your body is feeling how to hit that shot.times. Be sure to stand over the ball for a
After this is done select your target. Your targetshorter period of time.
is not where the shot will end up but just an