The Master Pre-Swing
Routine
Integrate Your Whole Game
This presentation describes a
step by step method for getting ready to play every shot you will ever
hit on any golf course. T might seem like a huge amount of
information to digest and to use. After learning and practice, the correct
execution of this routine will only take 10-15 seconds. The benefits of using a complete
routine cannot be calculated.
This method for getting ready for each shot will take you from
the practice tee to the course and it will then tie all the pieces of the
puzzle together into a cohesive whole!
General Concepts
Using a Master Routine Makes Learning
Easier and Performance More Consistent By Integrating the Pre-Shot Requirements
for EVERY Shot in the Game
Learn as little as possible … focus your attention on
mastering consistently executing a few critical, essential elements.
Rely on technique more than talent …
some days chicken, some days feathers … you will not have your “A” game every day, this is when technique, which you CAN bring to the course
every day, is better than talent.
Every shot, regardless of circumstances
is reduced to its elementary requirements which can be approached in a
systematic manner. A
“IT’S JUST A PUTT” attitude brings your fear of failure under BETTER control. A drive is played
the same way as bunker shot which is played the same way as a short putt.
A Master Routine reduces the
requirements for ANY shot down to a manageable routine which controls ALL of
the variables required for ANY shot
Confidence is developed. You learn to think
that every shot is manageable because you have already played a similar shot
Learning on the practice tee carries
over to the golf course
Your can perform much better under
pressure
The Five Stanza Poem
First Stanza, Think … Analyze, Select
and Visualize (behind the ball)
Analyze
Distance to the hole
Desired target and bailout point … based
on obstacles near the target area
Environment between you and the ball
…wind, rain, altitude/temperature (extra carry)
Lie conditions of the ball … normal,
deep grass, soggy/wet turf
Select … Make a Positive Decision and
Stick to it
Choose the shot … the more skill you
have, the greater the number of choices
Choose the club required for the shot
Don’t second guess
yourself either now or after the shot
Visualize (behind the ball)
External Visualization of the Perfect
Shot
Take a “long distance” view of the
perfect ball flight trajectory, landing and rollout
You are not in this picture … no
reference to who is making the shot
“See” in color and in great detail
Internal Visualization of the Perfect
Shot
Put yourself into the picture …”See ” the motion
”Feel” the kinesthetic swing ques
required to execute the shot
Second Stanza, Do … Practice Swings
Face the target; look at the aiming
point you have just visualized and pick the kinesthetic que you will use
Three Part Practice Swings … “mini swing” (¼
impact area for hand action; “partial swing”; 3/4 should turn; full normal
swing
DO NOT hit any shot until
you are fully focused and physically loose enough to execute the swing motion
Third Stanza, Think … Approach the Ball
“Point and Paint” … don’t wait for a
visual image to appear like magic, create it yourself
”Point” your finger at you aiming point
and “Paint” a imaginary yellow line (like the yellow
rope used on a driving range) back through the ball
Locate two easily identifiable points
about 9” in front of and behind the ball (correspond to where you will
align your shoulders)
Fourth Stanza, Do … Setup to the Ball
The Club is Your Boss … if it
moves, put it back … you setup to a correctly fit club, it does not setup to you
Use the 5-Part Subroutine
Club … sole the club flat and square
Grip … a fundamental and an individual technique, assemble your hands on the club
Point … move your feet into place and
position the forward “press” of the club by pointing the handle of the club at
your left chest
Aim … align your shoulders and knees
Hangle … hang and dangle your arms;
check your balance
Learning Technique: “Bow, Squat and Hangle”
Critical Concept: “Posture creates the Possibility for a
natural, free-flowing swing”
Fifth Stanza, Think … Clear, Focus, Fire
When Focused and Think Again
Clear Your Mind … re-rehearse
the visualization you used when making your practice swings
Be process oriented not outcome oriented
to reduce fear of failure … it’s too late to learn, now is the time to perform
“See” a successful shot
Focus … isolate a single kinesthetic
swing cue … use the same one you used behind the ball
Fire When Focused
…when you mind is clear of extraneous thoughts and is sharply focused on your
cue, swing away
Analyze, Correct and Reward
Analyze … Effect, 1st Cause, 2nd Cause
Effect … watch the flight of the ball …
enjoy the good shots and don't blow a gasket over mistakes … composure
1st Cause … compare what you see to what you know about impact physics
2nd Cause … compare your knowledge of impact physic to what you know
about swing mechanics
Correct … DO NOT try to fix single
errors, ONLY fix patterns of mistakes
Reward
If the shot was successful, give
yourself a pat on the back
If the shot was less than successful,
still give yourself a pat on the back for taking command of your game
Learn from EVERY shot, even on the
practice tee