One of the
easiest ways to improve your
game
is to focus on your pre-shot
routine. Most high handicap
golfers don't have a routine
at all, they basically step
up to the shot after a
couple of practice swings
and freeze so they think of
negative thoughts. If you
don't have a routine you
can't have a clear
expectation for the shot you
are about to hit.
How many times have you missed a putt because you stepped up and just hit it? I know that you're thinking you've made a lot of putts that way also, but when the money is on the line you have to be able to rely on your routine.
When you focus on your routine that takes your mind off of the results.
Thinking about the
results is a sure way to
bring negative thoughts
to mind. If I
miss this putt I'll be
down $2.- I haven't made
any putts today? This
putt for birdie is only
6 feet if I miss it will
be embarrassing. Any of
these sound familiar?
You can't play good golf
with negative thoughts
in your head. Negative
thoughts create doubt,
and doubt creates
tension. Tension is the
scourge golf. Have you
ever played good golf in
a bad mood?
When you focus on your pre-shot routine you're not thinking about anything else. Ideally your routine should have about 5 steps, if you focus on each step there is no time to have negative thoughts, ie tension. Here is a simple routine you can use the next time you play.:
1. Say to yourself Focus. This is your trigger.
2. Stand behind the golf ball and look at the target.
3. Address the golf ball and check your alignment
4. Look at the target 2 times
5. Pull the trigger
Master your pre-shot routine and you will find the key to consistency.
Todd C. Robinson is webmaster for
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