Pre shot routine

[tomvk77]

Do you have a preshot routine?

And is it the same for every shot?

Mine is:

Getting on the tee is look where on the tee box i should tee up.

After teeing up i put my driver wood or iron behind it to make sure

the hight is good! ( i don't want the ball above the clubhead )

Than i move bihind the ball and pick some grass to look at the wind.

Than a practise swing on half tempo.

pick my line for adress

and one look at the fairway

Rip it.

this is the same for iron shot, only i don't tee them up but i look at the lie of the ball,

no divods or what so ever.

as for chipping, get to see the line, next to the ball 5 practise swings with looking at the picked landing spot.

just to get the feel right, and than just hit it.

as for putting i always put my back ( carrybag ) on the opposite site of the green than where i have to put to, so i can see

the line from the other side of the hole,

behind the ball look for the line and gras,

pick a line 3 practise swings for feel of speed and hit it

[JeffreyD]

The only consistent pre-shot routine I have is with putting. It's pretty basic.

1. Read the putt from behind the ball.

2. If necessary read the putt from a different angle as well.

3. Make 2 practice strokes looking down at the ball.

4. Look up at the hole once.

5. Look back down and set up to the ball.

6. Execute the putt.

When it comes to tee shots and approach shots, it's all about feel and comfort. Sometimes I don't feel the need to make a practice swing, other times I do. If it's windy, I check the direction with a little grass. I typically tee up on the far right side of the tee box with iron shots and the 3 wood, and the far left with the driver. I almost always step back and look at the target down the line from a few feet back before stepping in and executing the shot, but other than that no consistent pre-shot routine. When it comes to chipping, I try and get a good feel for the ground and grass around the ball by making a lot of practice swings. I also like to try and read the ground slope between my ball and the hole the best I can to get an idea of where to land it. I guess my pre-shot routine is about the same as most guys, I just don't have a lot of consistency like some people like.

[SamW]

I just do what Sevam1 said, which is what hogan did. I stand about 4 feet from the ball 45* back from it, take a 1/2 swing, watch where I'm faced when I finish. Address the ball, couple of waggles, look at the target, look at the ground and swing the club.

[Fourputt]

I usually get the distance, wind and lie issues figured out before I start my actual routine.  I do them while approaching the ball, and while my companions are hitting.  By the time it's my turn to play I already have the club in hand and know what I intend to do.  My routine is simple.  I stand about 6 feet behind the ball, pick a line of play, then find a spot on the ground about 3 feet in front of the ball.  I approach the ball and set myself parallel to that spot with the clubface square to the line.  I set my feet, do a slight forward press, and let loose.  It takes longer to read than I actually take to do it.  Typically my ball is on its way less than 15 seconds after the previous guy has hit.  I don't like to waste a lot of time here.... I try to put the time into preparation while waiting my turn, not into my shot routine.

The only changes I make for short game is that I will take a couple of practice swings for chips and pitches to try and feel the power needed.  Otherwise the routine is the same.  For putting, I do a similar setup except I always take one practice stroke while looking at the line, then I address the ball, look once more at the hole, then stroke the putt.

I use the aiming spot along the line I want the ball to follow for every stroke, from tee shot to 3 foot putt.

[parbreaker]

For me, the longer I have played the more important my preshot routine has become. When I was in high school I didn't give it a second thought. I probably approached the ball a different way every time. Now, I do it the exact same way every time, and if anything interrupts that I have no problem stopping and starting over. It took me years to get to that point, but I think it has really helped my consistency.

1. Check yardage, pin position, wind, course contour, etc. I do this while putting on my glove and setting my bag down. (I take my glove off between shots typically)

2. Stand directly behind the ball about 4 yards and line up my shot. I envision the ball flight and what I want the ball to do.

3. Grip the club in my right hand, and pick a small spot on the ground about 4-10 inches in front of my ball as an aiming point.

4. Walk up to the left side of the ball while staring at the aiming point. (I don't want to lose it and have to start over.)

5. As I approach the ball I place the clubhead behind the ball, take my full grip with both hands, and line up the clubface directly with my mark.

6. Place my feet the appropriate distance from the ball with them together, and make sure they are lined up square to the clubface and my aiming point.

7. Step my left foot out to shoulder width (or slightly narrower or wider depending on the shot and desired ball placement)

8. Step my right foot out to the appropriate width.

9. Look up at the target twice (envisioning the shot), while wagging the club back twice. I also shift my weight on my feet to stay loose and feel my weight distribution (without moving my feet so I don't disrupt my alignment)

10. Set the club down behind the ball, breathe out, and start the swing.

That may all seem like a lot, but it has developed over years and is second nature. I don't even realize I am doing most of it when I am playing and it serves to help calm me down when I get anxious. Overall the routine takes about 8-9 seconds from the point I get behind the ball to the swing.

[mdl]

Originally Posted by parbreaker

1. Check yardage, pin position, wind, course contour, etc. I do this while putting on my glove and setting my bag down. (I take my glove off between shots typically)

2. Stand directly behind the ball about 4 yards and line up my shot. I envision the ball flight and what I want the ball to do.

3. Grip the club in my right hand, and pick a small spot on the ground about 4-10 inches in front of my ball as an aiming point.

4. Walk up to the left side of the ball while staring at the aiming point. (I don't want to lose it and have to start over.)

5. As I approach the ball I place the clubhead behind the ball, take my full grip with both hands, and line up the clubface directly with my mark.

6. Place my feet the appropriate distance from the ball with them together, and make sure they are lined up square to the clubface and my aiming point.

7. Step my left foot out to shoulder width (or slightly narrower or wider depending on the shot and desired ball placement)

8. Step my right foot out to the appropriate width.

9. Look up at the target twice (envisioning the shot), while wagging the club back twice. I also shift my weight on my feet to stay loose and feel my weight distribution (without moving my feet so I don't disrupt my alignment)

10. Set the club down behind the ball, breathe out, and start the swing.

This is almost exactly what I do, except between (5) and (6) I typically step back 6 inches, slide the club off the ball but make sure it's facing exactly on the same line, take a practice swing, then slide the club face back directly behind the ball and pick up at (6).

[deasy55]

Check wind, pick club, 1 practise swing and go.

For putting I don't take practise strokes for putts less than 20 feet. Read putt and go.