The routine is a part of your golf ritual that gets you prepared to play your golf shot. Over the years when instructing professional and amateur golfers I’ve noticed it 99 percent of all golf professionals have a routine and very few amateurs have one. If you ask any amateur this simple question — would you like to play like a golf professional? — I’m sure 100 percent of them would say yes. So why don’t they have a routine?
I can tell you right now the number one reason is swing thoughts while they play.
If amateurs would take the time to formulate a concrete routine they can count on under all circumstances and situations when they play golf I can almost guarantee they’ll take four shots off their game.
How to formulate a routine.
First: You have 40 seconds under the rules of the USGA to hit your golf shot.
Second: Everybody has different personalities. There is an A personality. B personalities, AAA personalities, minus B personalities — there is basically a mixture of all. I am sure each one of you has a pretty good idea of which personality you are or lean towards. Try To match your personality with the 40 second rule.
Example: if you are an a A-personality I would not hit your shot in your routine at 35 seconds or if I was a B personality I would not hit my shot in three seconds. Find something that you can count on that makes you feel comfortable that you can repeat. The routine encompasses a number of things — practice swings , waggles , looks over the ball, mannerisms , motions, it doesn’t matter — no one is the same as anyone else. Just find something that works for you and stick to it.
Now I left the best for last.
Here’s why your routine will work for you.
First: It allows you to hit a quality golf shots when you’re nervous on the.first tee, at a tournament, playing for money — it doesn’t matter the circumstances.
Second: It allows you to play with rhythm in a stop and go game. If you’re playing in a golf tournament if you’re playing with your friends there is going to be some waiting involved.
Third: And most important!!! It keeps you away from swing thoughts while you are playing.
Take the time and effort to formulate a routine I think you’ll love the benefits you’ll receive.
Stay tuned!
CDG
