Mental Game · Tip
Build a Pre-Shot Routine You Can Repeat
Part of our mental game programs for nerves and pressure, no routine. Build a program with it
Good players keep the same routine timing, even under pressure. That's the point of a routine. It gives your mind a familiar pattern and keeps your tempo steady. Keep yours short, so it works on every shot without slowing play. Under pressure, you'll want to speed up or slow down. Your routine keeps you the same on the first tee and the last green.
Step by step
- Pick a precise target from behind.
- Take one or two practice swings.
- Set the clubface, then your feet.
- One look at the target and go.
- Keep the same timing every shot.
Why it works
A routine gives your mind a fixed sequence, so it has less room to drift into worry about the result. Repeating the same steps in the same time also keeps your tempo and setup consistent from shot to shot. When the pattern is short and familiar, it holds up better when you feel pressure.
Common mistakes
- You pick a vague target, such as 'the middle of the fairway'.Choose one small, specific spot from behind the ball, such as a tree branch or a patch of fairway, and aim at that.
- You add steps when you feel nervous, so the routine gets longer.Keep the same five steps every time and cut anything that does not belong, so the routine stays short.
- You stand over the ball and look at the target several times.Look at the target once, then start the swing without stopping.
How you'll know it's working
- Your routine takes about the same amount of time on the first shot and the last shot of a round.
- Your ball starts on or close to the line you picked from behind the ball.
- You feel settled over the ball and do not hover or freeze before the swing.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice the routine on the range with a mid-iron and no target pressure, and say each step quietly to yourself.
Harder: Use the full routine on every shot during a practice round, including bad lies and shots after a mistake, and keep the timing the same.
Common questions
How long should a golf pre-shot routine take?
It should be short enough to use on every shot without slowing play. Pick a length that feels natural and keep it the same each time.
Should I take a practice swing before every shot?
One or two practice swings work well because they help you feel the tempo you want. What matters most is that you do the same number each time.
