Why Routines Matter: The Pre-Shot Routine That Can Change Your Game

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Why Routines Matter: The Pre-Shot Routine That Can Change Your Game

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Why Routines Matter: The Pre-Shot Routine That Can Change Your Game

If you’re looking for more consistency in your golf game, you don’t need to rebuild your swing from scratch or buy the latest driver. One of the easiest and most overlooked ways to improve your performance is by developing a solid pre-shot routine. This small but powerful thing can be the difference between a calm, confident swing and one that’s rushed or filled with doubt.

Let’s have a look at how a good pre-shot routine can enhance your performance, settle your nerves, and help you visualise success – all while keeping things simple, repeatable, and reliable.

What is a Pre-Shot Routine?

A pre-shot routine is a consistent series of actions and thoughts you go through before hitting each shot. It blends both mental and physical preparation, helping to block distractions, reset your mindset, and prepare your body for hitting the shot.

It could include how you stand behind the ball, a deep breath to calm your nerves, how you grip the club, a practice swing, or a moment to visualise the shot shape you want. Over time, this routine becomes automatic and incredibly effective at building consistency and confidence.

Why Pre-Shot Routines Work

1. They Create Mental Focus

When you follow the same steps before every shot, your brain enters a familiar rhythm. This repetition brings comfort and structure.

It reduces doubt and indecision.
It helps filter out external distractions like noise or pressure from playing partners.
It allows you to commit fully to the shot you’re about to hit.

2. They Reduce Nerves and Pressure

Golf is full of moments that test your nerves. Whether it’s the first tee, a long carry over water, or a crucial putt, your pre-shot routine helps ground you.

A good routine includes breathing deeply before stepping into the shot. This slows your heart rate and brings a sense of calm.
Knowing what to do in pressure situations gives you a sense of control.

This alone can be the difference between panic and poise.

3. They Build Confidence and Trust

Trust is built through preparation. When your pre-shot routine includes a clear visualisation of your shot, you start to believe in the outcome before it happens.

Visualising your shot shape (a draw, fade, or straight ball) gives your body clear instructions.
Seeing success in your mind helps train the body to follow suit.

Confidence comes from knowing you’re prepared, and your routine is part of that preparation.

Components of an Effective Pre-Shot Routine

There’s no one-size-fits-all routine, but most great routines include these essential steps:

1. Assess the Situation

Check the lie, wind, distance, and trouble areas.
Choose your club and shot shape based on what the shot calls for.

2. Visualise the Shot

Stand behind the ball and imagine the full flight of the ball.
Picture it landing in your intended target area and rolling out.
See it clearly and confidently.

3. Deep Breath and Settle

Before walking into the ball, take one long, deep breath in.
Exhale slowly to release tension and slow your heart rate.

This breathing step is key for calming nerves and creating a smooth tempo.

4. Step In and Align

Approach the ball with purpose.
Set your clubface to your target.
Align your feet, hips, and shoulders to match.

5. Final Look and Go

Take one last look at your target.
Commit.
Pull the trigger with confidence.

This rhythm creates flow and consistency, even in high-pressure moments.

Practising Your Pre-Shot Routine

Like any part of your game, a pre-shot routine needs practice to become second nature.

Rehearse it on the range with every club.
Use it during practice rounds so it feels automatic on the course.
Avoid rushing. A good routine is deliberate but not slow.

It should only take 15–20 seconds once rehearsed. The goal is consistency, not perfection.

Adjusting Routines for Different Shots

Your full-swing routine might not suit a 4-foot putt or a greenside chip. That’s okay.

For Putting:

Focus more on speed and line.
Visualise the ball rolling into the hole.
Keep your breathing steady to avoid jabby strokes.

For Chipping:

Picture the landing spot and how the ball will roll out.
Keep the body relaxed and focused on feel.

The structure remains the same, but the routine adapts based on the shot.

Final Thoughts: Make It Yours

A solid pre-shot routine gives your game structure and predictability. It brings calm to pressure, focus to chaos, and confidence to doubt.

Golf is a game of constant adjustments and variables, but your routine is one thing you can always control.

Start simple:

Take a breath.
Visualise the shot.
Step in with confidence.

Stick with it, and you’ll find yourself more composed, more consistent, and more in control, One shot at a time.

Golf is a game of skill, strategy, and precision. For players of different abilities, competing fairly can be a challenge without a standardized system. That’s where the golf handicap comes in, ensuring a level playing field for all golfers, from beginners to professionals. In this guide, we’ll dive into why having a handicap is beneficial and answer essential questions like what should my handicap be, how long does it take to get a handicap, and more.

What is a Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure that represents a golfer’s potential skill level. It helps players of different abilities compete fairly, by adjusting the number of strokes a golfer is allowed to take. In essence, the lower the handicap, the better the player.

For example, if Golfer A has a handicap of 5 and Golfer B has a handicap of 15, Golfer B will receive additional strokes to even out the competition, making it fair for both players.

Encourages Goal-Setting and Personal Challenges

For many golfers, lowering their handicap is a key goal. This system encourages players to focus on improving specific areas of their game and set personal goals. As you see your handicap drop, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that drives you to keep practising and improving your skills.

Facilitates Tournament Participation

Many tournaments require participants to have an official handicap. Without one, you might miss out on a wide range of opportunities to compete in organised events at local clubs, amateur competitions, or even larger tournaments. Having a handicap ensures you’re eligible for these events and that you can compete fairly.

Supports Strategic Course Management

Knowing your handicap also allows you to make smarter decisions on the course. Players with higher handicaps might focus on playing conservatively, while lower handicap golfers can take more risks. By integrating your handicap into your strategy, you’ll improve your overall performance and learn to manage the course more effectively.

What Should My Handicap Be?

One of the most common questions new golfers ask is, what should my handicap be? For beginners, it’s typical to start with a high handicap, such as 20-36 for men or 20-40 for women. As you gain experience and improve, your handicap will decrease.

For an average golfer, handicaps usually range between 10-20. Experienced players often have handicaps under 10, and professionals typically play with a handicap close to zero or even in the “plus” range. The goal is to keep improving your game and lowering your handicap over time.

What Are Professional’s Handicaps?

How Long Does It Take to Get a Handicap?

A common query from new players is, how long does it take to get a handicap? Getting an official handicap typically requires submitting scores from 3 to 5 rounds of golf. These scores are used to calculate your handicap based on your performance and the difficulty of the courses you’ve played.

Once you’ve established a handicap, it will be updated as you play more rounds and submit additional scores. It’s essential to keep tracking your scores regularly to maintain an accurate handicap.

At The Golf Collective to establish a handicap, you’ll need to complete 54 holes. You can achieve this by playing three 18-hole rounds, six 9-hole rounds, or a combination of both. Ensure your scores are verified by a playing partner and submitted according to our straightforward guidelines. Be sure to keep your scorecard for each round.

How The Golf Collective Can Benefit You

You can submit all of the rounds you play, not just at your ‘home course’. You can play at any course recognized for handicapping, and your scores will still be valid. Our system allows you to enjoy golf wherever you choose while ensuring your handicap stays accurate and up to date.

Unlike clubs that rely on manual scorecards, our mobile scoring system offers a convenient, paperless solution for submitting your scores. This allows for quicker handicap updates and provides a more streamlined, modern golfing experience.

At The Golf Collective, you can enjoy a social round anytime, anywhere, and still have it count toward your handicap. Our flexible system lets you play on your schedule while keeping your handicap accurate and up to date.