Pre-Shot Routine

What to Know

Elite golfers rely on consistent routines to regulate nerves, focus attention, and prepare the brain to execute. Your brain craves predictability before a motor sequence. It’s why routines work.

Why It Matters

Golfers who use consistent pre-shot routines perform significantly better under pressure (Cotterill, 2010).

Overthinking during setup increases muscle tension and disrupts timing.

What Helps

• Keep it tight: 8s or less from setup to swing after stepping over the ball.
• Use a visual + verbal cue (e.g. picture the shot, say ‘swing easy’).
• Include a physical trigger, like 1-2 deep breaths or waggle(s).
• Same steps for every shot: approach → visualize → cue → hit.

Try This Today

Build a routine you can repeat under pressure. Time yourself. Are you standing over the ball too long?

Pro Tip

A good reset routine after a bad shot is just as important. Drop a new ball, visualize a clean swing, and go again mentally. Even if you can’t rehit.