Pre-Shot Routine for Putting

Establishing a consistent pre-shot routine can greatly improve your putting performance by promoting focus, consistency, and confidence.

Most golfers are inconsistent with their pre shot routines. As I’ve discussed in detail before, routines will not and should not all be the same. But they should be consistent and a golfer should not waver due to outside circumstances.

This holds true on the putting green as well. A routine should always go through the same series of steps in the exact same order every time. While you will have to determine your own routine and the order of it, here are some pieces that could and should be part of that routine:

Read the green:

  • Begin by assessing the green to understand its slope and any potential breaks. Take note of the overall topography and visualize the path your ball needs to take to reach the hole.
  • I highly suggest that you look at your putt from behind the ball towards the hole, and from behind the hole towards the ball. The different perspective can help you understand exactly what is going on with the green complex.

Select a start line:

  • Choose a specific spot on the green, known as your start line, where you want the ball to start its roll. This is usually not going to be directly at the hole as there almost always is some sort of break.

Visualize the putt:

  • Picture the entire putt in your mind. Imagine the ball rolling smoothly along your chosen target line and dropping into the hole. This visualization helps reinforce a positive and confident mindset.

Practice Strokes:

  • Take a couple of practice strokes that replicate the size of stroke you will need to make the ball go a certain distance. All practice strokes are not created equally. Each putt is different and the purpose of a practice stroke should be to determine how hard you need to hit the ball.

Approach the ball:

  • This is one of the steps that I see many amatuers struggle with. When you walk up to a ball to take your stance, it should always be in the same order.
  • Step up to the ball the same way, set your club down the same way, take your grip the same way. Always in the same order.
  • When you address the ball, you need to be aware of:
    ● The putter face…is it square?
    ● Your body alignment. Your feet, hips, shoulders and forearms should all be aligned parallel to eachother and parallel to your start line.

Deep Breath:

  • Take a slow, deep breath to relax and release any tension. This step is crucial for maintaining composure and a smooth putting stroke.
  • While you do this, you can also check in on your grip pressure to make sure that it is consistent as well.

Take a Final Look at the Hole:

  • Lift your eyes briefly to the hole to reconfirm your visualization. This helps in syncing your mental image with the physical task at hand. The last picture in your mind should be the target.

Consistency is key when it comes to a pre-shot routine. A great routine is designed to calm your mind and allow the golfer to focus on the process and not the outcome. This will take practice and discipline, but it will help you become a better golfer

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