How much does a pre-swing routine play into consistency on the course?

Just as the title asks, I'm wondering how much developing a routine before actually swinging at the ball plays into a consistent game of golf.

I would be inclined to think that it has a lot to do with it considering how mental this game can get (Kevin Na). But, I'm just a newbie to this game so I'm wondering what you all think about this. Do you take the same number of practice swings and look up at your target the same amount every time, or do you just get up there and give it a couple of waggles and then whack it?

Personally it depends, the first hole i always take practice swings mostly to loosen up and get the blood flowing. But after the third or forth if i am doing well i rarely take practice swings with my drivers and irons especially if I'm going straight at the flag and not doing anything special. On the other hand my chips, flops and other approach shots i like to get a feel for before i attempt my shot and putting I a believe it is vital to take practice strokes. So in closing do what ever you makes you feel comfortable, because you make the best shots when your relaxed .

For me, my preshot routine is the point i decide on the shot, from behind the ball to i line up and pull the trigger. Before that, the amount of time i take depends on the shot, the club, ect.. Once i decide my shot, its visualize, pick the target line, walk up from behind the ball, line up club, line up body, waggle, pull the trigger. That is the same no matter what i do.. Its quick and simple. If its a hole, thats wide open, then i will just tee it up, pick the line, grip and rip. If its a hole that need to shape a shot, i will take a few practice swings for feel, then go into the preshot routine. This keeps things very fluid for me, adaptable but still predictable.

Being a 'newbie' I have found that a pre-swing routine essential.  I have not yet reached the point where it is all just natural to me and I find I need to run through a mental check list, and a physical check list before each shot.  If I don't go through my routine, and just hit it 'from the hip' so to speak, I hook like mad...

My two reasons I have a pre-shot routine are:

1) I step into the ball and align my clubface, feet, body the same way on every shot to ensure my alignment is the same every single time. My alignment may change based on what kind of shot it is but how I step into the ball is exactly the same every time.

2) Having a preshot routine or doing it the same way every time gives you a sense of normalcy so when your under pressure it can keep you in a comfort zone.

How many waggles you take or how many times you look at the target may or may not be a big deal to some players but for me how I step into the shot and align my body is the most important part of my routine.

my routine is usually a few practice swings, and standing behind the ball picking my line

how many practice swings i take depends on my playing partners,....im always trying to engrain feeling into my swing, so whilst the do their routine, im practice swinging also,...as ive usually picked my club and the shot before i get to my ball

As a high-capper.  I think this is very important.  Especially if you are playing in any sort of money game.

The pre-shot routine gets me out of my head.  Instead of thinking about my swing and what things could go wrong, I'm just executing.  Also my pre-shot routine is alignment focused so that helps too.

Just about every pro I have worked with cautions that amateur golfers can handle one or two swing thoughts max.

The pre-shot routine seeks to get as many things "automatic" as you can, so you don't stand over the ball with a beehive head full of thoughts that ruin your tempo. Ideally I go practice swing, line up the shot from behind the ball, take stance, waggle a couple of times, and then swing. The practice swing and waggle are important, to stop me from rushing my shots, and to help me relax.

About three years ago, I succeeded in going completely non-verbal in my putting. Just look, envision the line, and hit the ball. I usually do pretty well in my putting. No "happy talk" ...

I'm tweaking my full swing, however, and I am having lots of trouble with too many thoughts. (I was 19 HDCP for the 2010 season - broke 90 several times - but have been going the wrong direction since then)

I don't necessarily DO the same exact thing every time, but I pursue the same GOAL every time, which is to take slow controlled practice swings of my intended swing until I feel confident in it. I don't count, but it's usually 2 - 5.

One of my favorite all time golf books is The Elements of Scoring by Raymond Floyd . He goes into deep detail about the pre-swing ritual. It definitely needs to be the same every time, but he cautions against any swing thoughts at all! He just wants you to focus on the target. Think about the most minute detail of that target possible (I.e., don't focus on a tree, focus on a specific leaf of a specific branch of that tree) and just swing the club!

I love it, because it not only seems to make me more accurate, but also enjoy my time on the course more.

He also goes through things like having a great song stuck in your head... definitely worth the read if you're into the game that surrounds the game.