Hit more solid shots with this 5-step pre-shot routine

Most great players have a routine in place to help them organize their thoughts and plan for their shot. This can be extremely helpful for the weekend warrior golfer as well! 

Many of the people I teach think that they are not good enough yet to worry about what they do before they hit the ball. Most of them are just hoping to make contact and move the ball forward without being embarrassed. While I understand this thought process, giving your brain a plan of what you want to do with the ball can help you execute your shot and gain confidence in your game. 

While there are several ways to build a routine, I suggest trying the following framework to start. Make sure to begin your routine directly behind your golf ball after you have selected your club and have done a practice swing or rehearsal of your intended swing.

The 5-step pre-shot routine

Step 1: Target selection

Where are you intending to hit your ball?  You want to make sure that your body, the ball and the target are all in one line behind the ball. Then find a spot on the ground just in front of the golf ball closer than a foot away from your ball. This is where you are going to align your clubface to when you start to address the ball. Make sure you can see this spot from both behind the ball and next to the ball. Any focus point will do, from an old divot on a tee box to a different color piece of grass on the fairway.

Step 2: Align your clubface

Aim your clubface to your selected spot and let your eyes follow it to the intended target (where you want your ball to end up).

Step 3: Build your body around the clubface 

This is IMPORTANT! Most weekend golfers build their body position first, which is not a great way to hit the ball where you want. This step is about stepping out your feet and comfortably getting into your posture.

Step 4: Visualize

Let your eyes again trace from the clubface to the ball to the spot on the ground to the intended target. This is an easily missed step in on-course golf, but doing it gives your brain one more chance to see where you want to hit the ball. 

Step 5: Use an action word to start the swing

I use the word “execute” in my own routine, but you can choose something that resonates with you. Other words could be go, swing, or move.  Anything that creates an action for you would be the best. 

Ready to put this routine into play? I would recommend heading to the driving range with some Post-It notes and a pen. Start by writing down the steps and then simplify them down to one or two words. Here’s a picture of the one I use when I play in tournaments (see left). 

Try to put this in play in one area of your game and build off of it. You could start with putting or driving and eventually implement into other areas. 

Sarah Stone, PGA, is one of GOLF’s 2021-22 Teachers to Watch, and is the Director of Instruction at Chevy Chase Club in Bethesda, Md. For more tips from Stone, click here.