Preshot routine - are you a thinker or doer?

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By george t

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  • 13 Replies
  1. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    I have a pretty standard preshot routine, but I have to admit, I don’t think much about the shot. My mentality is make a good swing and good things should follow. And FWIW, my game is more the carry the ball to the green, not a run it up links style.

    But at my home course, there are a few holes that I’m struggling to play well. For starters, there is typically an in-between yardage on the approach shot. And I haven’t done well going at the shot harder or conversely taking something off.

    Which has me thinking, I need to start visualizing more, picking a target and playing for the run out. Even if it feels more like a punch shot rather than a full swing.

    It seems simple enough but I feel like the more I think, the more I stink.

  2. Erich F

    Erich F
    NY

    Hi George:

    Good post, when I am playing well, I tend to be a doer. Walking up to my ball I am already visualizing the shot I want to play, pick a club, and get to it. When I am struggling to find my swing, that is when I get to overthinking. To gain more confidence with the shots that are giving you a hard time, I would suggest going to the range and hitting the shot shape and yardages you want. This should give help give you a better mental picture and help you to execute.
  3. Barry M

    Barry M
    Reno, NV

    Buy more Mulligans!!!
  4. JDeNardo

    JDeNardo

    I do think a lot and at times over think the shot instead of making a great swing. I’ve started to pick the shot then try to stop thinking.
  5. J22abe

    J22abe
    Texas

    Grip it and rip it.


    --if I think I dink.
  6. Dr O

    Dr O

    Some times changing your approach off the tee can help. You don’t always have to hit driver. A buddy of mine is a member at a course that has 5-6 holes where long iron or hybrid gives you a full 8 or 9 iron. Hit driver and might get stuck at a weird wedge yardage.
  7. Andrew A

    Andrew A
    Charlotte, NC

    I have a pre-shot routine and often felt that my mind "wondered as well". Recently, I added a "trigger" to remind me to focus on the shot and nothing else. It's a littel move but has made a large impact on my game.
    When I am standing behind the ball, it's then that I velcro my glove, never before. Once I seal my glove, it triggers a shot focus. That little action of waiting on my closing my glove has really helped.
  8. Darryl M

    Darryl M
    Wichita, KS

    I have swing thoughts & shot thoughts. BUT I do have a pre-shot routine for all shots. I don't take practice swings but I always start behind the ball walk into the address the same way keeping my eye on the target line, squaring my shoulders & making a swing. I do this on all shots. The only time I take a practice swing is on pitch & chipping shots around the green so I have a feel for the distance of the shot.

    I process quick so I don't like to stand & ponder a shot or take practice swings & let something enter into my head while standing there.


    DM
  9. Fred L

    Fred L
    Centerport,NY

    Doer - My thought process is my first swing is the best and if I think i will sc$#@ up the shot. Never think too much into the shots like some people do and slow the pace down.
  10. matthew C

    matthew C

    As Dr Bob Rotella says, look at your target, look at the ball, fire.
  11. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    A doer for sure. If you start thinkin', you start stinkin'.
  12. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Am a doer when in the groove, but sometimes when I get out of it I tend to become a thinker and a stinker.
    Hyperactive mind thing. No a good thing when you been off for a year trying to come back.

    No mulligans allowed, always putt out and do not always hit driver on every par four/five.
  13. BCH

    BCH

    I think about the shot I need, pick a target line, step in and align body to target...pull trigger. I find that too many preshot practice swings and extended set up is a hinderance to making a smooth pass at the ball. Occassionally, I'll think a positive preshot thought like chocolate milkshake, coffee ice cream...seems to relax me and relieve tension.

    I used to play with an uncle that I could literally fall asleep during his preshot routine...worse then Sergio's 18-20 waggles. Since then, I try to respect my playing partners time and fire fast.
  14. dugue4

    dugue4
    Houston

    Think long, think wrong.

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