Why Is Your Pre Shot Routine Different Everytime?

We've all heard the term "pre-shot routine." Most players who want to reach a high level in golf know they need one, but they don't know how to build it. In this article, I'm going to give you a clear framework and system to create your own—then you can plug in the specifics that fit your game.

Pre-shot routines aren't just some buzzword. Sport and performance psychology research has shown that well-designed pre-performance routines can dramatically improve performance and focus while reducing anxiety. The key is this: when you design yours, please don't just copy what you see in a video. Every part needs to be custom-built for you, so you'll actually stick with it and do it consistently.

When I was a newer sport psych players would try to tell me about the mental barriers they were facing but they couldn't pinpoint exactly when those barriers showed up. So I started thinking about how to quantify and break down every part of the process both leading up to hitting a golf ball and right after.

That's when I created something I call The Color System.

I'm going to walk you through every color along with different options for how to design each one around your own game. Quick note I designed this to be super simple the order follows the song we all learned as kids for the colors of the rainbow.

Red: Analyze

Imagine you have just hit a drive down the middle and you are walking up to your ball. As you see it, you begin gathering information. This could include how its lying as well as conditions. This may seem very obvious, but I work with players that already have a pre determined club choice before they even see what they are dealing with.

This is also where the expectation of the outcome starts to creep in. To counter this, just make a mini goal. The mini however is based on the conditions that the game has given you. Example:

You are dead middle of the fairway with a perfect lie: I have the green light and I can attack this green.

You are almost OB with a horrible lie under trees: Align properly to get it out, and hit it out of the middle of the face.

If you have the first goal in the second situation, your setting yourself up for a lot of failure and frustration throughout the round. Please also be honest with yourself about your skill level when thinking about your mini goal.

Now that you are starting to form a clear picture of what you want to do ask yourself, what tool do I need to achieve my goal?

Orange: Decision Making

A lot of success and failure comes down to what club you pull out of the bag. Orange is all about choosing a tool that you have 100% confidence in. I hear a lot of players hit a shot long or short then tell me they knew that it wasn't the right club. What is the harm in stepping off and just grabbing the right club?

The other key of Orange I tell players is when choosing a club you need to evaluate your own state of mind. If you are playing well and have a ton of confidence, sure hit the 3 wood over water and take on that par 5. If you are playing bad and you are in a bad place mentally, probably lay up with the 7 iron.

Whatever you choose to hit just be committed to it fully.

Yellow: Pre Shot

The club is in your hand it's time to build different aspects of the mental and physical game blending together.

Practice Swing or No? This is 100% up to you. The only thing I ask is if you are taking some practice swings I want them to be free flowing and allowing you to feel something that is a check point of confidence in your swing.

Visualizing and Alignment: I meet so many players that are standing behind the ball doing absolutely nothing because they think its the right thing to do.

Viszulization Types:

Shot Tracer: Some players can see the full shape of their shot like the tracer on youtube golf.

Bow and Arrow: Some players can see in straight lines and just know they are going to hit the ball straight at a target.

3rd Person: Some players can see themselves in 3rd person.

Whatever your style is, I don't care just do something. The reason? Research shows us that your brain can't tell the difference between a physical and mental rep. When you visualize hitting the shot you want just for a split second, its like your giving yourself a free practice rep to your brain. Now when you are stepping into the ball, your brain is much more comfortable. Familiarity is our friend. You were nervous the first time you had to present in front of your boss, but now, its routine. Help yourself out in this part of golf.

Alignment: Whether you use your shaft as a straight line or pick a spot in front of the ball, please do something that matches up with your ball flight.

Green: Hit The Shot

All the thinking has been done and now its time to walk into the shot and execute. For my higher level players I like adding a slow relaxed breath as they are walking into and addressing the ball. I like players like Ludvig that stay athletic, don't rush, but just go quick. More time over the ball means more time for weird thoughts to creep in. You already have gathered all the information you need and know what to do. This is also a great skill to practice yellow and green with good timing on the range.

Blue: Post Shot

I don't believe in always staying positive. I think its BS and not realistic. If you hit a bad shot and you are angry, it's ok to show some emotion as long as you aren't affecting other people you are playing with. Use the 15 second rule. You can be angry and bummed for 15 seconds then you need to move on look for what's next. Every time you get to hit a golf shot its an opportunity to learn and grow.

Purple: Self Reassurance

Ok so you hit a bad shot and it's a long walk. This is the skill of having good self talk and being able to keep motivating yourself. This is usually the time where I tell myself I am not going to let my routine and process go out the window even though I am going to triple bogey the hole. I am still going to clean my ball and line it up on the green. I am still going to visualize my chip and stay in the fight. People who can do this well have the ability to change their whole round even if they played bad on the front 9. It's a skill you need to practice and it's something that will take you far beyond the game of golf.

So that was a lot of information. The point is not to be thinking about the colors or any of this while you play. Practice your routine on the range. All these things will start to be subconscious and allow you to play more free. Do the same routine every time and build it to your needs!

Thanks so much everyone and let me know in the comments about your individual routine.