The Pre-Shot Routine: Your Anchor in the Storm

Now, watch the average amateur. Their routine is chaotic. One shot they take a practice swing, the next they don't. They look at the target three times on one shot, and not at all on the next. This inconsistency in preparation leads to inconsistency in results.

A pre-shot routine is your anchor. It's a structured process that ensures your setup is consistent, quiets your mind under pressure, and gives you the best possible chance of hitting a good shot.

Build a consistent pre-shot routine

This walkthrough shows how to move from behind the ball into address the same way every time, so focus stays on the shot—not the noise.

How do you move cleanly from the think box into the play box?

A great way to structure your routine is to divide it into two mental zones.

• The Think Box: This is the area behind your golf ball. This is where you do all your thinking, planning, and analysis. You assess the lie, the yardage, the wind, and the danger. You select your club and your target. You visualize the exact shot shape you want to hit. All the left-brain, analytical work happens here.
• The Play Box: This is the area where you are standing over the ball. Once you step into the Play Box, the thinking is done. This is the time for athletic reaction. You trust the plan you made in the Think Box and simply execute the shot. Doubt, fear, and technical thoughts are not allowed in the Play Box.

How do you build a routine you can trust every time?

Your routine should be personal to you, but it must have a consistent structure. Here's a simple template you can adapt:

1. Start in the Think Box (Behind the Ball):
   • Assess & Plan: Get your yardage, check the wind, and decide on the shot.
   • Visualize: See the ball flying on your desired trajectory and landing at your target.
   • Pick an Intermediate Target: Find a spot on the ground a few feet in front of your ball that is on your target line. This is now your aiming point.
2. Make a Rehearsal Swing:
   • Take one or two smooth practice swings. This is not about mechanics. It's about feeling the tempo and rhythm of the shot you're about to hit.
   • For short putts, lean on the cues from 100% of short putts don't go in so your routine stays confident on the greens.
3. Transition to the Play Box:
   • Approach the Ball: Walk in from the side, keeping your eyes on your intermediate target.
   • Aim the Clubface: Place the clubhead behind the ball, aiming the face precisely at your intermediate target.
   • Build Your Stance: Set your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to the line you just established.
   • Final Look & Waggle: Take one last, brief look at your final target. A small waggle of the club can help release any final tension in your hands and arms.
4. Execute:
   • Without any further delay, pull the trigger. Trust it and swing.

This entire process might take 15-20 seconds. The timing is less important than the consistency. By making the same physical and mental steps before every shot, you are telling your brain and body that this shot is no different than any other. It's the ultimate tool for building confidence and performing your best when it matters most.

What should you take from this routine before you tee it up?

Consistency lives in your routine. Same clubface aim, same stance width for that club, same ball position relative to the lead heel, every single time.

• Simple sequence 1) Pick target and intermediate spot. 2) Set clubface to that spot. 3) Build your stance parallel, placing the ball to your club's reference. 4) One look. Go.

Do that, and you'll feel calmer over the ball - because you're not guessing. That's the point: measure it, don't guess it.

What are the quick questions golfers keep asking?

Q: Why separate the think box from the play box?
A: Decisions and execution need different headspaces. Do the analysis behind the ball, then step in and swing without extra noise.

Q: How do you build a routine that holds under pressure?
A: Keep it short and identical. One rehearsal, one look at the target, deep breath, go. Repetition builds trust.