Learn the pre-shot golf routine for every golfer to shave strokes

You hear it all the time from the announcers of televised golf tournaments. He/She just needs to stay PRESENT and in the moment. This is true, if you just stay present, it is easier to get into the “zone” and allow peak performance to happen. Although it is a simple concept, it is easier said than done.

So what does being present do for you and your golf game?

1. Being present diminishes irrational fear and anxiety. I say irrational, because if you are in a situation of rational fear (i.e. bear on a trail encounter, etc.), no amount of being present will diminish the fear and anxiety you feel. Irrational fear, such as worrying about hitting over some water, cannot arise when someone is fully present in the execution of a golf shot. Worrying always stems from future or past thoughts.
2. Being present brings your mental state closer to one of confidence and joy which are fundamental states to access “the zone” for peak performance.
3. Presence transforms adversity into enjoyable challenges.
4. Presence releases negative emotions more quickly. A negative emotion can only last roughly 90 seconds in the body and mind. If an emotion lasts longer than that, the mind is feeding the emotion with negative thoughts from the past or future.
5. Being present puts your mental state in a mode of curiosity or wonder.

There is no better way to become present on the golf course than having a solid pre-shot concentration routine. It directs your thoughts and attention to the fundamental information needed to execute your best golf shot. My favorite model for a pre-shot routine is David Cook’s Model for Concentration.

There are four areas of concentration that need to be attended to in order to execute a golf shot. 

1. Observe — concentration outward & broad. Weather, lie, yardage, pin  

placement, hazards. Most golfers do this step automatically 

2. Strategize — concentration outward & narrow: Target, Club, Type of  

Shot. For this step you should stand behind the ball to find a specific target for your shot. ALSO, you should find an intermediate target on the ground up to 10 yards away to assist with your alignment when setting up for the shot.

3. Visualize — concentration inward & broad: Visualize perfect shot, feel  

the perfect swing for that shot, set up triggers (such as waggles, taps, or even pulling up shirt sleeve like Fred Couples.

4. One Thought — concentration inward & narrow: Cleansing breath, Target focus, Trust, Tempo. Keep one thought in your head during the golf swing. See it (visualize), feel it (practice swing), trust it (commit, let go and focus on the target). 

Just like the golf mechanics, the pre-shot concentration routine needs to be practiced. Unless you are just warming up, you should be going through your full pre-shot routine with each practice shot. When playing a round the goal should be to execute the pre-shot routine as perfectly as possible on every shot. This will keep your mind focused on what it SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON, rather than all those meddling worrisome thought that sneak into our head unwelcomed. Give it a try and see that handicap fall!