Welcome to Play Smarta regular GOLF.com game improvement column that will help you become a smarter and better golfer.
Most recreational players don’t have much of a pre-shoot routine. They just approach the ball and hit it. There is no structure or consistency to what they do in the moments leading up to their move. Then, when the pressure is on – the last hole of a match, or with a career best – they stay on the ball too long and freeze themselves out.
Look at the professional players and you will see quite the opposite. Before each shot, they do the same routine. Everything is intentional and there is consistency every time.
In a game like golf where consistency is rewarded above all else, it makes sense that the pre-shot routine should also be consistent. If you want to hit consistently hitting shots, you have to approach each shot consistently.
For most recreational players, they have no idea where to start when it comes to building a pre-shooting routine. If this sounds like you, watch the video below for tips from GOLF Top 100 Teachers Christopher Smith.
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Build the perfect pre-shoot routine
Smith isn’t just a top 100 teacher – he’s also one of the best speed players in the world. He is the Guinness World Record holder for speed golf and is the self-proclaimed “Old Tom Morris” of the sport.
In speed golf, your score is calculated not only by the number of shots you make, but also by how fast you play. This means, if you want to be competitive, you have to do things quickly, including your pre-shoot routine.
“What we do when we get to the golf ball in a round of speed golf is a little different than traditional golf,” he says. “And there are some elements in there that can help a lot of people, especially those who spend a lot of time in their pre-shoot routine.”
When Smith played his first round of speed golf, a funny thing happened: He hit a great score despite not thinking much about any given shot. And for any golfer looking to perfect their pre-shot routine, borrowing a few elements from speed golf can be very beneficial.
1. No practical swing
In speed golf, you don’t have time to practice swings. When playing “slow” golf, this can also be a wise strategy.
“When it’s time to play, practice is over,” Smith says.
In some cases – such as when you hit a special shot – a practice swing can be useful. But when faced with a shot, trust your practice off the course and don’t waste your time with a practice swing.
2. Identify your target
Always select a target to aim for before entering your shot. If you don’t have something to aim for, it’s hard to execute at a high level.
“The brain likes to follow things,” says Smith.
3. Get some distance
Speed ​​golfers rely on park yards rather than hitting exact numbers, and for most recreational golfers, that’s not a bad strategy either.
Face it, your remote control is NO well enough to worry about whether the distance is 165 yards or 168 yards. Just take a park figure (about 165 feet) and take a dedicated swing.
4. Visualize the shot
Now take a moment to visualize the stroke. If you’re trying to hit a fade, imagine the ball moving left and right in the air and landing near the pin. The power of positive thinking is a powerful thing.
“I’m a fan of presenting the form of photography,” says Smith. “Others will just connect to the target and hit it there.”
5. Go
Once you’ve identified your target, taken up a space in the park and visualized the shot, it’s time to step in and hit the ball. Don’t waste time worrying about every little detail or worrying about your technique. Just get in the shot, commit and take a swing.
“It becomes a lot more like other sports,” Smith says. “It’s a little more reactionary.”
If you’re someone who’s never used a pre-shoot routine before, give this method a try. Sometimes the key to playing better golf is being reactive and athletic – and this method certainly promotes that.
