Routine business

In previous weeks, we have discussed in detail how to put together your own pre-shot routine and the importance of having one.

As discussed, there are no ‘rules’ that govern pre-shot routines, however, they should include, in my opinion, picking a specific target, making at least one positive practice swing and then committing 100 per cent to a fully balanced shot.

Although it is reasonably easy to stick to your pre-shot routine when you are playing well, it is very natural to chop and change your plan when you are having a tough day.

As golfers, it is very important that we do not become too ‘reactive’ to the shots we’ve hit earlier in the round. We must stick to the plan.

The next time you are warming up on the driving range before a competition, decide upon your positive swing thought, pick a target and hit a number of shots with whatever club you’d like to use.

Out of the shots you have hit, there will likely be some that are accurate and you are very happy with. These are the ones that you will visualise when you are on the course. Forget about the other ones!

When you are midway through your round, it is very easy to start reacting to the poor shots that you may have already hit (for example, slices and hooks) and trying to alter your swing in an attempt to fix the problem. If you find these sorts of thoughts entering your head, stop, back off the ball and start again.

Restart your pre-shot routine, make a committed practice swing and hold your balance. This time, visualise the sound, ball flight and feedback you received from the really good shots you hit on the range earlier that day.

Visualise a beautiful golf shot flying directly towards your target. Fill your mind with the positive feelings associated with those shots and step into the ball. Take one look at the target, commit 100 per cent to your swing thought and make a fully balanced swing. Accept the outcome and move on to the next shot.

This may sound very simple but remember when you are on the golf course you should be making every effort to hit good shots, not simply trying to avoid hitting bad ones. Do your best to stick to your pre-shot routine for the entire round. Nobody is going to hit perfect shots all day long, even the top players in the world make bad swings.

It makes for encouraging reading to see that in 2012, world number one Rory McIlroy only hit 56 per cent of fairways. Not a massively impressive statistic. However, I’d bet that McIlroy doesn’t completely change his plan during a round based on the poor shots he has hit. He will stick to the plan, commit to his process and let it go. Try to do the same.
Happy golfing!