If there is one thing that separates a consistent golfer and an inconsistent performer it is their routine. A routine is fundamental to play consistent golf, it is paramount that you have one and that it is consistent and reliable. Without a routine golf becomes guess work.
The routine has a few sections that you need to be able to separate, so that you can prepare in the best way for you to execute the shot that you are hoping to hit.
Preparation is key and your pre-routine should start as you approach your ball; you should be judging wind conditions, lie, distance to clear hazards, distance to the flag and which club you will require. Once you have completed the initial phase of your routine, the next phase is the most important, as here you prepare to execute the shot to the best of your ability.
The in-shot routine begins once the club has been selected and you are readying yourself to hit the shot. A sound routine will include visualization of the shot that you are about to play, it will include a moment of calm aimed at reducing any pressure or nerves that you may be feeling as you stand over the ball. But above and beyond anything else a good pre-shot routine will include a step to remove any swing thoughts and direct your focus solely on reaching your target. A couple of practice swings to feel the required swing and to release any pent-up tension and you are ready to play the shot.
Finally, the last and for many amateur golfers the most important part of any routine, the post-shot routine. Your post routine is vital, especially if you tend to carry around the disappointment of the previous shot allowing it to affect you for more than the shot it should. In a post-shot routine, I would include some time for reflection, a time for reaction and a time to store the shot for future reference and a time to forget and move on to the task at hand.
Reflection is your chance to decide whether you took the necessary steps to hit the shot that you wanted to and whether you achieved it, and if not why not? Reaction is your immediate emotions towards the shot, it can be joy or anger. Your processing and storage time is so that you can feedback to yourself or your coach, so that you can work on what may be going wrong. Forgetting, this is the key and the hardest part of a routine. You must be able to move on and continue with the next shot, without the memory of the previous or previous shots plaguing you.
A great finish to a routine is to wipe the clubface and wipe away the immediate memory of the shot, giving yourself time to prepare for the next and most important shot of your round.
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