5 Pre-Shot Routine Mistakes That Ruin Rounds
WARNING - your pre-shot routine (or lack thereof) is KILLING your chances of shooting lower scores and playing consistent golf.
The number one question I get as a mental golf coach is, “How do I take my range game to the course?”
My answer… your pre-shot routine.
It’s one of the few habits that all elite amateurs and pros have in common. As one of my coaches said, your routine is the bridge to take your range game to the golf course.
But not all routines are created equal, and some might actually hurt your performance.
Today, I’ll walk you through the top five pre-shot routine mistakes that are killing your chances of playing wicked smart golf.
5 Pre-Shot Routine Mistakes to Avoid
If you can avoid these pre-shot routine mistakes and stick with your routine every round, you’ll play better than ever.
1. Too Long Over the Golf Ball
The first mistake is simply taking too long over the golf ball.
In the book, “Golf’s 8-Second Secret by Mike Bender” he studied players who won at least five major championships. This includes players like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, and more.
He found all but one had something in common - how long they stand over the shot. He discovered that great players spend 8 seconds or less over the golf ball - this is from when you’re in the stance to a follow through.
If you want to play better fast, spend less time over the golf ball.
2. Too Many Looks at Target
The second mistake is taking too many looks at the target.
The European Tour did a study where they tracked players' routines for 25,000 shots over 5 tournaments. One of the biggest findings was that less is more when it comes to checking your target.
They recommended amateur golfers to look at the target 1–2 times and hit the shot. This gives you enough time to confirm your target, but also not waste time over the golf ball and avoid the first mistake.
3. Taking a Set Number of Practice Swings
The third mistake is thinking you have to take a set number of practice swings. I see this so many times with weekend golfers who think they need 1, 2 or 3 practice swings for every shot.
The truth is, you don’t need a specific number… instead, you want to end on a good practice swing that primes your mind and body for the shot.
For example, let’s say you “always take 2 practice swings” - what if on the 2nd swing you take a huge divot and it’s nothing like the swing you want. Do you go? Do you take another swing?
This is why I suggest having 1-2 practice swings. If you take one and it’s great, walk into the shot. If not, take another one, then walk into it.
Don’t get caught in the trap of thinking you need a set number of practice swings, as it can kill your confidence.
4. Wrong Location for Practice Swings
The fourth mistake is taking practice swings next to the golf ball. This is problematic for a few reasons…
First, you might take a huge divot next to your golf ball that does not inspire confidence on the shot. Then you have to look at the piece of turf while you’re attempting to hit the ball.
Second, it doesn’t give you any time to separate thinking vs playing. Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott, who created Vision 54 and coached Annika Sorenstam, talk about this in the book “Play Your Best Golf Now.” This helps verbalize your intentions and tap into the power of visualization.
As they said in the book, “The only time there is any indecision should be when you are in the THINK BOX. When you cross the DECISION LINE to hit the shot, there must be total commitment to the shot. If you get over the ball and are not comfortable with the decision you have made, back off, retreat to the THINK BOX, and come up with a plan in which you have trust.
If you are going to be slow in any part of the game, it must be in the THINK BOX and not in the PLAY BOX. The DECISION LINE is the doorway from one room to another.
When you cross the line into the PLAY BOX, leave doubt behind, make your grip, aim the clubface, align the body, connect to the target, and hit your shot. The longer you wait to hit the shot the more opportunity there is for doubt--and tension--to creep into your mind and body. And remember what we said about tension being the most effective saboteur of the golf swing. Decide, commit, swing. It's as simple as that.”
5. Neglecting a Short Game and Putting Routine
The final mistake is not having a short game and putting a routine.
If you watch the guys on the PGA Tour, you’ll notice their routines changed based on the shot they’re hitting. With full shots, they take their practice swings behind the golf ball. This allows them to see the shot better, separate their thinking from their swinging, and walk into the shot.
But when it comes to chipping, they are right next to the golf ball. This allows them to test out the grass they’re chipping from and easily get into the shot.
While a putting routine differs from player to player. Some golfers take their practice stroke next to the golf ball, others behind it, and some don’t take any practice strokes like Cam Smith.
Closing Thoughts
When you avoid these pre-shot routine mistakes, you will have more focus, confidence and commitment over the golf ball. While a routine doesn’t guarantee a good shot, it sets you up for success.
Wicked smart golf is all about controlling what you can to play your best golf. To learn more about routines, make sure to check out Pre-Shot Like a Pro.
This online video training program makes it easy to develop your routines for more confidence on every shot. And watch the video below to learn a scratch golfer pre-shot routine next.
