Consistent golf begins before the shot.
While every golfer has a slightly different pre-shot routine, the purpose is the same: to create a clear, repeatable process that helps you make confident decisions and fully commit to each shot.
A good pre-shot routine does not need to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, keeping it simple can make it easier to repeat under pressure.
A pre-shot routine can be broken down into three main steps:
1. Gather
2. Decide
3. Commit
1. Gather the Information
Before choosing a club or deciding what type of shot to play, take a moment to understand the situation in front of you.
Start by assessing the key information that could affect the shot:
• Yardage to the target
• Cover yardage
• Pin position
• Lie of the ball
• Wind direction and strength
• Expected bounce and roll
The goal is not to overanalyze every detail. Instead, focus on gathering the information that will help you make the smartest decision.
For example, the distance to the pin might be 150 yards, but if there is a bunker protecting the front of the green, the more important number may be the yardage required to safely carry that bunker.
Wind, lie, and green conditions can also change how a shot should be played.
Understanding these factors gives you a clearer picture before moving on to your decision.
2. Make a Clear Decision
Once you have gathered the necessary information, use it to make a smart and logical decision.
Choose your target, club, and the type of shot you want to play based on the situation.
One of the key purposes of a pre-shot routine is to separate decision-making from execution.
For example, you may have two clubs that could reach the target. Instead of standing over the ball still wondering which one to hit, make that decision before stepping into the shot. Choose the club and shoot that best fits the situation, then shift your attention away from the decision and toward executing it.
Once you have made your choice, avoid continuing to question it while standing over the ball. Begin the process of visualization and rehearsal by creating a clear picture of the shot you want to hit.
Visualize the ball flight, where you want the ball to land, and how you expect it to react after landing. Then make a purposeful practice swing that matches the intended shot.
Your practice swing should have a purpose rather than simply going through the motions. Use it intentionally to feel the movement and tempo needed for the selected shot and treat it as a rehearsal for the swing you are about to make.
3. Commit and Execute
Once the information has been gathered and the decision has been made, the final step is to commit.
Step into the shot with confidence, focus on the target, and execute with full commitment.
You cannot control the outcome of every swing, but you can control how well you prepare for it.
Keep Your Routine Simple and Repeatable
A good pre-shot routine should feel natural, efficient, and easy to repeat.
You do not need a long checklist before every shot. Instead, develop a routine that allows you to quickly gather the right information, make a clear decision, and execute with commitment.
Practice the routine consistently, not just when you need it. Repetition builds familiarity— and familiarity builds trust under pressure.
Gather. Decide. Commit.
Follow these three simple steps to create a clearer purpose and a more consistent process
for approaching every shot.
