My Pre-Shot Routine

I love watching Ludvig Åberg play. Beyond his talent, success, and demeanor, the dude gets up to the ball and just lets it fly. His routine is the same every time. He’s a (fast) metronome.

One of my strongest convictions in golf is about the importance of a fast, consistent, pre-shot routine . Executed correctly, a pre-shot routine is fast, focuses your attention on the most important details of the shot, and protects against doubt, nerves, or information overload from creeping into your mind. I also think it's one of the most overlooked parts of a golf shot, so there's alpha in committing to a routine that works for you.

Here’s mine:

1. I check my distances. If it’s an approach shot, I get middle, front, and back numbers, plus cover numbers to any hazards (if needed). If it’s a tee shot, I’ll check carry (again, if needed) and other hazard distances. I get all the numbers from my Garmin watch – It’s a quick glance at the wrist.
2. I stand behind the ball and look at my target line. Usually I try to find something in the “background” of the shot (a tree, a building, a water tower, something else). I’m not sure why, but I like to pick a line way behind the actual target. A tree in the distance vs. the pin itself, for example.
3. I grip the club and take a practice swing or two. It’s abbreviated and really i’m just trying to feel the rhythm of the club in hand.
4. I address the ball, check my alignment, settle my feet.
5. Finally, last glance at my target line, and go.

In all, it takes about 20 seconds. Often it happens concurrently to playing partners taking their shot, so when it’s my turn to play, it feels even faster. I can just step up and hit.

I’m super excited today to be adding Pre-Shot Routines to the RangeRandomizer app. Now in the app, you can define your own pre-shot routine and practice with it for each shot on the driving range. (iOS users should see it in v1.3.1, and it'll be publishing soon to Android.)

For me, it’s a useful reminder to practice and rehearse my routine and to be intentional on every shot. Does it feel overkill or silly to do this on every shot through a range bucket of 90 balls? At first maybe. But if you’re reading this blog you won’t be surprised to see me write (again) that I am convinced being more intentional in practice leads to more improvement. And to reiterate, if you’re doing it right, it should feel fast.

A disclaimer: a pre-shot routine obviously isn’t a cure-all. The first time you practice it on the range or take it onto the course, using one probably won’t shave 5 strokes off your score. Instead, the benefit is in the consistency. In applying it on every shot, no matter your mood or how you’re playing in a given round. That’s why I think it’s so important to actually practice with it. If you’re committed, then eventually it will become second-nature, and one day you won’t even realize you’re methodically cycling through your routine. You’ll be calmer, more focused, and more likely to find a flow state. And at that point, I’m highly confident, you’ll be playing a lot better.

Questions, comments, feedback? Email me: tim at fivedollarapps dot com.