Improving Your Golf

Having played golf for a number of years and getting down to a single digit handicap, one area of golf that eluded me for many years is the Pre shot routine. This is one area that we can control as amateurs as well perhaps as the professionals.

Practicing the routine every single time you hit a shot, whether in practice or on the course can be done by everyone but it does take practice The first part of the process is deciding on which sort of shot you are going to hit. Take account of the lie of the ball, the intended target area, the climactic conditions, etc. Wind is often the biggest factor that will make a difference to the ball flight. The professional golfer is meticulous when looking at wind strength and direction and so should we be

Visualization (seeing the desired result of a shot) is a skill that must be mastered to become a better golfer. Some people actually see the shot being hit in their mind, others just believe that the ball will go to the target. Some people see themselves in a sort of video that they play in their mind, actually hitting the perfect shot. It really doesn’t matter which method you use, the effect is the same, commitment to the target

Starting the actual shot part of the process should commence as soon after you have made a positive decision on the shot choice as possible. It may help to use a mental trigger to this part of the shot. For example, pulling on or fastening your glove or actually taking the club out of the bag will be a good start point to the process. The important thing to remember is that the decision is now made, no time for second guessing

Approach the golf ball from behind to get the best view of the intended shot. Commit yourself to going through the physical part of the routine, taking your stance. Set the club face square to the intended target line,taking care over your grip and ball position appropriate for the shot you will be taking on. Settle into a comfortable stance, all the time looking up by swiveling the head toward the intended target, thus re-inforcing your commitment to the shot

You’re ready to go when all the elements of the Pre shot routine have been completed. Going through this process allows your mind to focus on the task in hand and not to dwell on past failures. One final look at the target and you can pull the trigger. For some, a forward press will get the swing going, for others, they are strong enough mentally to go when they are ready. The total time taken for the whole routine should not vary by more than a couple of seconds

Amateurs may not all be able to hit a 300 yard drive or pitch the ball onto a sixpence. All amateurs however are able to get a Pre shot routine sorted out and then stick to it. Any sort of plan is better than no pan at all. Nobody gets this area right all the time, however, with practice, commitment and a deal of dedication, any amateur can become as good as, if not better than the professionals

About the author: Glenn Hughes is director of finance at Southerndown Golf Club. Wales is hosting the Ryder Cup in 2010, Southerndown is a links golf course in Wales Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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