Full description of a pre-shot routine

Step 1: Assess the lie and wind conditions. Are you on an uphill, downhill or sidehill lie? Make sure you make adjustments for the shot even if it’s slightly uphill, downhill or sidehill.  What direction is the wind and how strong is it? Are you in the rough or fairway? If you are in a bad lie how bad is it what can you do with it? If the lie is extreme at all you will want to use more club and do a three quarter or 90 degree shot, the reason for this is because your body will likely naturally not do a full swing if you start to lose your balance. So for shots where you will slightly lose your balance you will have to commit to a three quarter or 90 degree type swing.

Step 2: Commit to the type of shot you would like to hit and the target, pick a very precise target. Are you hitting a fade, draw, low or high shot? You can do aim and shoot also if that’s working well, it’s not a must to intentionally work the ball. Play your best shot type if you have the ability to do so given the conditions. Example you can’t hit a draw if the shot calls for a low punch fade. Remember the precise target will change based on distance. For me if I’m 185 yards out I’m trying to stay safe and make par so I aim at the center of the “par zone” area and away from danger. If I’m 75 to 130 yards out I’m likely aiming extremely close to the pin even if danger is close by.

Step 3: Obtain the yardage and choose a club. If you use a yardage book as I teach and you 165 yards out. For one club a full swing travels 165 and a three quarter swing that goes 163 for another club use the three quarter swing for increased accuracy.

Step 4: Go through a full shot routine with confidence and self belief. The final part is the practice swing and and shoot, but it needs to be extremely detailed once you grab that club. Here is an example: Pull the club out of the bag, two practice swings for the shot you are committing to from behind the ball. Pick the line and approach the ball. Set up stance, check weight and ball position, make any adjustments, look at the target, look at the ball waggle twice, look at the target again, look back to the ball, make one more waggle and swing. Most amateur’s are not as nearly detailed as the pros when it comes to this part.