A Pre Shot Routine

Key Considerations:

• • Check the total distance to the pin using a rangefinder or GPS.
  • Note the distance to the front and back of the green, not just the pin. This helps you understand what carry and roll out is needed, what misses are a big mistake or overhitting.
  • Factor in the elevation (uphill or downhill) as it affects how far the ball will travel.

Key Considerations:

• • The short side is the area of the green with the least space between the pin and the edge.
  • Avoid leaving your ball here, as it creates a challenging chip or pitch with little green to work with.
  • If you want to know just how much missing on the short side hurts, read our other blog - The Short Side Is Death

Key Considerations:

• • Feel the wind direction and strength on your face, use grass tosses, or observe tree movement.
  • Note if the wind is constant or gusty.
  • If the wind is behind you, you'll need less club and it will spin less, think of aiming at the front of the green. 
  • If the wind is into you, you will need more club and the wind will increase spin, you can be more aggressive here.
  • Side winds will add side spin and will make a remarkable impact on your curve.

Key Considerations:

• • Take into account the adjusted yardage considering wind, elevation, and lie.
  • Carry is more important than total distance. Carry is a more repeatable number. Roll out is much more inconsistent. 
  • You want to pick a landing spot with your carry, and then try to judge the roll out from how previous shots on the same day behaved. 

• Key Considerations:

  • Check how the ball is sitting in the grass or rough.
  • Determine if the ball is above or below your feet, as this affects trajectory and curve. Above your feet will bias left (for a right handed golfer) and below your feet will bias right.
  • Assess whether the grass behind the ball will limit clubface contact.
    
    • A ball sitting down, with grass between the club face and ball will spin less. This generally means it will roll out or "tumble" more. This type of lie can result in flyers. 

Key Considerations:

• Aim for a part of the green that leaves you with the easiest putt (e.g., uphill putts are preferred over downhill or sidehill putts).
• Factor in slopes and contours of the green. Try and avoid being above the hole resulting in downhill putts as much as you can. 

• Key Considerations:

  • Visualization is important for confidence, but it is more important for allowing you to step in the "play zone". When visualizing you want to focus singularly on the shot at hand and try to block out other distractions. 
  • Picture the ball’s trajectory, landing spot, and roll to the pin.
  • Decide on the shot shape (e.g., fade, draw, straight).

Key Considerations:

• • Identify the “no-go zone,” such as hazards, bunkers, or out-of-bounds areas. Golf is mostly about mistake avoidance, most mistakes are made before you even hit a shot. Understand where the big miss is and play confidently away from it.
  • Aim to minimize risk rather than hit the perfect shot.

• • Take a practice swing with the same tempo and intent as your shot.
  • Align yourself to the target using intermediate markers, like a patch of grass or divot a few feet ahead.
  • Breathe and commit to the shot.

Key Considerations:

• • Reflect on what went well or what could improve for the next shot.
  • Avoid overthinking mistakes; focus on learning.
  • Think of each shot in two parts, planning and execution. 
  • Was your planning ok? Yes, No? Why? Why not?
  • Was your execution ok? Yes, No? Why? Why not?

 Planning well will instantly reduce your scores. Executing well will make you a scratch golfer. You can be an ok golfer with 1 of the 2, you can be an elite golfer with both. 

Planning is easy, planning is low effort. Focus on planning.

Summary of Pre-Shot Routine Checklist:

1. Distance: Total, front, and back yardages.
2. Short Side: Avoid short-siding yourself.
3. Wind: Assess direction and strength.
4. Club Selection: Choose based on adjusted yardage and typical carry distance.
5. Lie: Evaluate grass, slope, and ball position.
6. Landing Spot: Plan for an easier putt (prefer uphill).
7. Visualization: Picture trajectory, landing, and roll.
8. Mistake Avoidance: Identify the "no-go zone."
9. Routine Execution: Practice swing, alignment, and commitment.
10. Reflection: Learn from each shot.

This heuristic ensures you consider all critical factors, stay focused, and make smarter decisions, leading to better results on the course