Golf Tip: Routine Preparation

Before you begin a pre shot routine, you must assess the situation. This is a vital part of course management and the mental side of the game. During this evaluation you must do the following:

• Identify your ball

– Make sure the ball is yours. If you hit the wrong ball there is a penalty, so make sure your ball has a distinguishing mark.

• Assess the lie

– The ball’s lie dictates which shots are possible to execute and which ones are not. Examples are: divot, tall grass, uneven lie, etc.

– View the surroundings and the area around the ball for any obstacles that might interfere with the swing or ball flight.

• Assess the areas around your target

– Look for bunkers, water hazards, out of bounds and undulations, as knowing what trouble exists will help you select your target more intelligently.

– Do not dwell on hazards as you will become too tentative and make a defensive swing.

• Identify your target

– Use positive thought process when assessing your shots. Picture where you are going to hit your shot rather than a negative image of duffing it.

Many of the above mentioned factors should be assessed as you are walking to your ball. It sounds like a great deal of information but it should only take about 10 seconds!

Todd Sinclair is the Director of Instruction at First Coast Golf Academy. Sinclair gives lessons at both The Orchards at Egg Harbor and Meadow Ridge Lodge at Cherry Hills in Sturgeon Bay. He can be reached at 904.338.7107 or at firstcoastgolfacademy.com.