Morning,

I've been playing golf for about 4 years now, started having lessons 3 years ago, my first few lessons were on things such as Grip, posture, stance, but one of the best lessons I' had was a free of charge lesson on a pre shot routine. I have stuck to it since then, calms my nerves on any & all tee shots. I would recommend highly. Gets you into a good habit.

Happy golfing.

I think it's really important and something I wish I was better at. I played a final the other day and due to feeling nervous I kept to a pre shot routine which definitely helped calm my nerves and focus my mind on the shot.

Routines are beneficial to some people

Mine is , Aim , Set , Fire

Certainly something I try and stick to which helps me get my alignment slightly better

I find a pre shot routine helps me to engage the mind and switch back on after the walk from the last green,it also helps to make sure my set up is correct and nicely aligned.

Definitely recommend it, my also includes my routine for getting the correct address position. Helps to concentrate the mind on the task in hand.

I think committing to a pre shot routine is something every golfer should do. Your routine may be really short and/ or simple but having some sort of routine is one thing that golfers can control. I once read somewhere that if you commit to a routine every single time, then you're giving yourself the best opportunity to hit the desired shot ad you can't blame a bad shot on being rushed and/or ill prepared.

Finding and grooving a routine that works for you is another thing tho!

I’m with Robert on this one,
Grip it and rip it!!

They certainly help but each to their own (grip it rip it) just as it's not multiple practice swings that take time and are nowhere near what the final shot looks like...

I need to get some repetition into my pre shot routine. I find I never do the same thing. I try to visualise the shot I want then get that feeling in a practice swing.

Work out my yardard, find my target breath, 2 full swings step into it and try swing with full confidence.

i think its really important especially when the pressure is starting to build as going through the same process each time helps you to remain calm and not start to do things you wouldn't normally do. When you get nervous your body needs a release and if you dont have a pre shot routine then its allows that nervousness to creep out in non-normal ways. If you have a routine then the body will follow that as mentioned above, the human brain likes routine. The pro's especially talk about trying to have everything as a series of motions they've practiecd over and over again so that when it comes to the big moment the body reacts normally

For me its get the yardage, select the club, stand behind the ball to get my line. take a practice swing, get over the ball and away i go. fairly similar for putts.

Have got to the stage where I'm not sure that I stick to my own routine!!
It's become more... fluid... of late.
JT

I'm new to the forum and wanted to share a pre-shot routine and pre-game warm up that helps a golfer of any ability be better prepared for their game.

Pre-game warm up:

It was featured in Today's Golfer magazine called the "Five Minute Dynamic Warm-Up". I do this at home before I leave for the course, it engages all the right muscles for your swing.

Link here if I am allowed to post it; www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/.../

Pre-shot routine:

Visualise the shot you want to hit and take two practice swings half a club length from your ball.

When "visualising the shot", picture the perfect swing, striking the ball, the flight path of the ball and it landing on the green.. Concentrate and feel these steps as you address the ball. I also do this with putting.

This routine sets a strong platform to strike the ball and engage muscle memory to follow your visualisation of the shot. Best of luck trying it.