There are four key phases you can consider when developing your pre-shot routine:

TRIGGER, PLAN, PREPARE, EXECUTE

TRIGGER

You could begin your routine with a triggering signal or cue to prompt yourself that your pre-shot routine has started and it is time to centre your attention on it. You can use a physical, verbal or visual cue or alternatively a combination of cues to direct your attention to the start of your pre-shot routine. Example Physical Cues - Put on your glove. Adjust the Velcro on your glove. Take a deep breath. Pinch your ear. Example Verbal Cues - Say a cue word / phrase that means something to you e.g. “Let’s go”. “This is my time”. “Ready”. “Come on [INSERT SURNAME]”. Example Visual Cues - Visualising a bright blue box to step into. Focusing on the wording on your bag. Visualising a thick, glowing, gold line to step over. In the trigger phase you should strive towards feeling that you are stepping into your own, personal vacuum or bubble – a private space or world where nothing can intrude on your focus. NB: You may find that you do not need to engage in the trigger phase at all. You ma be the type of player who naturally finds focus at the ‘Plan’ stage.

PLAN

This phase begins when you arrive at your ball and ends when you select your club. You will need to consider the following variables to select the appropriate club: Gauge the distance - to the pin or a predetermined target. Ball flight - to identify what trajectory will work best. Wind - to identify how strong it is and in what direction. Lie of the ball - to identify whether there are any compensations you will need to make.Gauging these variables to assesshow they influence your club selection can be straight forward, sometimes it isn’t! The most important factor to take on board here is that you are decisive. You must believe and trust that you have selected the most appropriate club. If you are unsure or unconvinced that you have selected the right club it is unlikely you will execute a confident and trusting shot.

PREPARE

You could engage in some of the following process:

• Grip your club Pick Target - It is vital that the target you choose is small and specific. Adjust if unusual or unfavourable lie - i.e. If the ball is on a down slope, up slope etc. align yourself next to it and take a couple of practice swings to establish the adaptations you will have to make to deal with the lie of the ball i.e. the tilt of the shoulders, direction of the hips.

• Visualise - You may wish to visualise the flight of the ball and picture it landing and stopping at the target. You may want to visualise the swing. The vision in your mind can work to gently stimulate the nerves and muscles you would use to physically execute the type of swing you are visualising. Visualising will help preprogram your subconscious into producing the shot required. Visualising helps your sub-conscious take over. However, it is not necessary to visualise. More importantly it is vital that you believe the ball is going to the target.
  
  
• Intermediate Target - You may find it useful to pinpoint an intermediate target a few feet in front of the ball to ‘cue in’.
  
  
• Practice Swing - You may want to take a practice swing. When, how many etc. is up to you.
  

If you use your practice swing incorrectly you can unsettle your routine so be aware of the pitfalls of practice swings:

Do not get fixated on executing a precise number of practice swings prior to each shot. If your last practice swing just doesn’t feel right take another one. Make sure you feel comfortable with the last practice swing you take.

Many golfers remind themselves of technical instructions as they take their practice swings. It is a challenge to expel those thoughts but you can train yourself to focus on the target. Save mechanical thoughts for when you are in your training mode in practice. On the course it is essential that you adopt a trusting mode of thought. If you have a tendency to think about mechanics, take at least two practice swings. The first practice swing can be in the technical mode, where you allow yourself to think about the mechanics. When you are comfortable with the mechanics take an additional practice swing in the trusting mode focusing only on the target and rhythm. You will need to practice switching between the training and trusting modes in your practice sessions.

• Swing thought - You may or may not use a swing thought. If you do have a swing thought it is recommended that you have just one swing thought per round. Shifting between swing thoughts can be very distracting. Keep it simple. Ensure your swing thought represents an uncomplicated process or motion e.g. “Smooth and slow”, “Target”. A trigger word can clear your mind by stopping other thoughts and also provide you with a rhythm. Check your alignment, posture and grip feel comfortable.

EXECUTE

Look at the target, look at the ball, swing. This steady rhythm or tempo will help prevent unwanted thoughts and distractions from invading your mind. You will need to experiment. Find a tempo that suits you.

Conclusion - Give your pre-shot routine a chance to become a habit and do the job it is designed to do. In highly charged situations your pre-shot routine will turn the scenario into what the term suggests - a routine!