By Darell Mckissick
Target Putting.com
Most golfers who have seriously thought of improving have come to realize the importance of the preshot routine. You can't be consistent without one.
But it is just as critical that you have fully considered everything about the shot before you start your preshot routine. Do you have the right club? Are you playing the right shot? Can you feel the swing you need to make?
How many times can you remember hitting a shot and immediately realizing that it was a dumb shot to hit? Or maybe you just hit it before you were fully committed and failed to execute.
I tell students to establish a pre preshot routine, during which they fully consider the shot options in an organized manner. Doing this will help you separate the planning and execution of the chosen shot.
It creates a stronger commitment to the choice of shot because you have already considered the other possibilities before you stand over the ball, and not during your preshot routine, when you need to be committed.
Develop a routine for your shot selection and you will become consistent about your thought processes. You will avoid the midround mental lapses that affect many players.
The preshot routine for your swing and planning your shot are two different things, and should be thought of and practiced accordingly.
