golfrewind.com

About 3 years ago I was golfing with a buddy and playing very inconsistently, as I often did back in those days. He suggested a preshot routine to help stabilize my mental game. It has helped a lot. Here's what I do.

1. line up to the ball, pick out my target, take 1 practice swing
2. step back behind the ball, line up with my target, get my grip
3. line up with the ball, waggle, take one last good look at my target
4. rip it

I do this on all tee shots and most longer fairway shots, it just helps calm me down and focus on my target. During my shot i think of nothing but the spot I want my ball to hit. The whole thing takes me about 20-30 seconds to do.

On my drives I stand behind the ball with my feet nearly touching each other and take an easy practice swing perpendicular to the target line. I step up to the ball, get my stance, grip the club with my left hand, shake my right hand to ease tension, grip it then rip it...it is a pretty quick routine than others I see out there......for me the less time I spend over the ball the better.

On other shots I take a full practice swing parallel to the target line, shake my right hand and let her fly.

On putts I take one practice stroke while looking at the ball.....then take 2 quick strokes while my eyes trace the intended path to and from the hole, then step up and let it role.

1. Find ball
2. Curse at said orb for still being far away from target
3. Take mighty swing at sphere, launching it into the stratosphere
4. Take penalty drop and go from there

Take 2 practice swings, stand behind ball, set up, then let it rip

really just whatever feels comfortable, usually i just take a few practice swings until i take two swings exactley how i want to strike the ball. then i check my allignment and make that same swing i practiced.

I try not to think too much about repeating a routine, but I do check my grip, alignment, ball position, and posture. Instead of a full, flowing practice swing, I usually check my takeaway, check my clubhead position at the top, practice dropping my right elbow and setting my hands, and then step up to the ball and make my full swing.

1 or 2 full practice swings
Look at my target
2/3 waggles behind the ball

I tend to take 2 practice swings for my approach shot to ensure I'm correctly set-up, try to take some blades out of the grass, but not take a divot.

I should develop a pre-shot routine according to the local pro, but I haven't done it yet...Now, I just line up, take a few practice swings, and let 'er rip...

I haven't settled into a pre-shot routine I like yet. I took a few lessons in March which changed my setup. Maybe I should take a couple of practice swings to loosen up before playing the shot.

For my drive I try to keep it as simple as possible.

1. line up the line on my ball with the path I want the ball to take
2. stand behind ball with feet very close together and take an fluid swing
3. Step up to the ball and align the ball just inside my right big toe
4. place back foot slightly past shoulder width
5. get grip aligned in hand
6. take one look at target
7. deep breath and exhail during swing

It's very quick and easy, I'd say it takes me no longer than 15 seconds to hit my tee shot once I have it tee'd up

Routine is a little different for hooks and draws, put the ball about 1" back from normal and lean back on my back foot throughout the swing.

Gee Val, I couldn't imagine what you'd do if you thought too much.

Stand behind the ball, judge the various conditions, find a target line, find where the line is 6 inch in front of the ball. Line myself up to said target line, ground the club if possible, one final look down the target line, then at the target, and backswing, downswing, contact. . .and that's it.

I've found what seems to work for me when I've noticed too much looking down the fairway from the tee as I'm about to hit my drive and end up (I'm a leftie) pulling it into the turn on a dogleg right or cut a slice to the left trying to stay away from the left.

I've started to simply orientate myself initially toward the fairway, then simply look at the ball as if I'm in a hallway about to hit down the hallway and just face the opposing wall. If I want to try and turn the ball with a slight hook, I do it by concentrating at the ball and keeping my body facing the (imaginary) wall just on the other side of the ball. I usually hit the ball perfectly on those stances. Whereas when I start drifting and looking down the fairway toward my target, either my shoulders are turning that way prematurely or I'm trying to 'steer' the ball.

So, looking down at my ball and straight across over it and not down the fairway has been by saving grace.

-Bulls9999

Maybe I'd solve all the world's problems?

I think that's a "conservative" estimate!