Playing Golf Better: Swing Routine Hints

To play consistently good golf, you need to have a routine that you repeat from shot to shot. This routine will take place before you make your swing, and it will help you get focused on the task at hand. It is easy to get distracted during a round of golf, so your pre-shot routine is a great chance to regain that focus and do you best on each and every shot.

A good pre-shot routine doesn’t need to be complicated, or take very long. In fact, if you follow the steps below, you can have a solid routine in your very next round.

  1. Pick a club. Before anything else happens, you need to pick a club for the shot that you are about to hit. This means that you need to determine the yardage, evaluate the uphill or downhill terrain in front of you, look for any hazards, etc. Once you weigh all of those factors, pick the club that you are most-confident can handle the job successfully.
  2. Pick a target. This might be the most-important part of the routine. While standing behind your ball, pick a very specific target off in the distance that you will be aiming your shot at. It is important to note that this doesn’t always have to be the middle of the fairway, or the hole itself. For example, if there is a water hazard that you want to make sure to avoid, you might pick a target that is off to one side of the fairway so you have some margin for error. Before you proceed with making your swing, be sure to have a specific target in mind.
  3. Make a practice swing – or don’t. This one is personal preference. Many golfers wouldn’t be comfortable without a practice swing, while others never take one. Do what feels right to you. However, you shouldn’t make more than one practice swing, as it can slow up the pace of play for golfers behind you on the course.
  4. Hit the shot. With all of the preparations out of the way, step into your stance and hit the shot. You should be able to do this with a clear mind because you have already done the work of picking your club carefully and picking a target. Try not to stand too long over the ball – get comfortable, take one last look at the target, and let it go.