Building a Routine

Golf is an amazing sport.  It constantly tests our skill set each and every time we play or practice.  There are days we wake up feeling alert and energized only to have a horrible scoring round at the course.  There are also those days that we feel achy, agitated and tired but yet we play golf and everything goes perfectly.  How do you plan for either outcome?  

In short, to player better golf, develop a constant and consistent routine.  

Each shot brings its own unique swing based on the loft, length and weight of the club.  All of that we understand.  But how you prepare in each of those unique & changing instances prior to every shot shouldn’t be different.  The best players in the world recognize that by having a solid and consistent pre-shot routine on every shot sets them up to make the proper swing with each club.  From the moment they arrive at their next shot, the professional player is planning on what they want to accomplish and how they are going to execute the desired result. Each step in this process prior to the swing is programed and practiced. All that is left to do is swing the club.

How do recreational golfers learn from this type of thinking?  Next time you’re at the practice range or on the course, start with the mindset that on each shot you will consistently approach the ball in the same manner.  Keep it simple at first by just gripping the club the same, then taking your stance the same way, next take the same number of waggles with the club and finally drawing the club back for the swing.  Over the course of a round or practice session, by honing those items as part of your pre-shot routine, your game will progress toward more consistent swings and improved scores.