What golfers should and shouldn't do to build the perfect pre-shot routine

If you watch top-level tour professionals doing their thing then you can’t help but have noticed that they all have routines.

In truth, some of their pre-shot routines drive me to the edge of distraction. There is nobody worse than Keegan Bradley, the 2025 US Ryder Cup captain. He steps up to the ball, steps back, steps up, steps back, twirls his club and then often calls in his caddie for a further consultation. Sometimes he will change his club, sometimes he won’t. But when the caddie steps back, he repeats all of the above all over again. How he ever manages to pull the trigger I will never know.

You may remember the horrific issues that Kevin Na had before he was able to pull the trigger with any club in his hand, especially his driver. And do you recall a young Sergio Garcia endlessly regripping? Over and over again. His father eventually solved the issue by taping Garcia’s hands to the club. And, after consulting a sporting psychologist, Na finally worked out a routine and has actually become one of the faster players in the professional game.

One thing you will have spotted, however, is that the very best players use the same pre-shot routine over and over again.

When Brandt Snedeker was in his prime his putting routine was actually put on the clock. He would stand over the ball, take one practice swing and hit the ball. It took 12 seconds. Time and time again. And it also coincided with him being one of the best putters on the PGA Tour.

Now take a look at the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood and you will see that their pre-shot routine follows the same pattern on almost every shot they hit. It might be one practice swing, it might be two. 

For former Open champion Brian Harman it is all about waggles - and one of the giveaways when he is feeling pressure is that the number of waggles increases.

How important is a pre-shot routine?

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Now think about your own pre-shot routine, and that of the golfers you play with on a regular basis. Do you even have a pre-shot routine?

I play a lot of golf and one of the things that strikes me is just how many golfers have no routine whatsoever. I am regularly perplexed by the number of club golfers who stand over a golf ball and appear to freeze. There is no movement. And you just know that there are a thousand swing thoughts going through their heads. And, of course, the result is usually a complete disaster. In golf, tension is an absolute killer.

Another common fault is a practice swing that is so hard and fast that the golfer almost swings himself off his feet. How can you expect to do that and then follow it with a rhythmic action?

I always used to take two practice swings before every shot. But when I returned to the game after a long injury lay-off due to severe shoulder pain I realised that I needed to find another way. Now, I ensure that I warm up properly before I start. When it gets to the real thing, I try to relax over the ball, waggle the club twice and then hit it.

On and around the greens is a different kettle of fish. With pitches, chips and bunker shots I always take three practice swings to try to get the feel for what I am about to do and then hit the ball. And on the greens it the same process - three practice putting strokes and then I pull the trigger.

From watching my fellow club golfers (and looking at their handicaps), one thing that has become abundantly clear to me is that all the better players follow exactly the same routine on each and every shot - just like the top professionals.

Biggest mistakes that golfers make with their pre-shot routines

This is what Advanced PGA Professional Aaron Holtom, of Morley Hayes, East Midlands Golf Academy, has to say on the subject. If you're looking for golf lessons in Derbyshire, he is your man, and check him out by clicking here.

Aaron says: "Most golfers would improve considerably by refining their pre-shot routine. It might seem boring, but it's one of the most beneficial things you can do.

"Here are some common mistakes I see medium to high handicappers make:

1. Staring at The Ball & Overthinking

"Many golfers were once told to "keep your head down" or "keep your eye on the ball," but this is misleading. Staring at the ball often means you're overthinking - running through a mental checklist of swing mechanics instead of just playing the shot."

2. Unrealistic Practice Swings

"Another common error is taking practice swings that have nothing to do with the actual shot you're about to hit."

How to fix your pre-shot routine

If you want to improve your pre-shot routine, Aaron recommends the following:

• First, place your clubface down, aligned with your target.
• Second, set your feet, creating a line across your toes that is parallel to the clubface (an "imaginary T-shape").
• From there, check your target once or twice.
• Crucially, start your swing within a second or two of your last look at the target. The best golf is played instinctively, not when we are over-analysing our body movements.

"Try to make your practice swing a carbon copy of the real swing you intend to make. Rehearse the exact tempo, length, and feel of the shot you need. This applies to everything: putting, short game, and full shots. A relevant practice swing builds muscle memory and confidence."

Why you should implement a pre-shot routine

Building an effective, consistent and reliable pre-shot routine is one of the keys to improve your game and to play better golf. 

Have a think about what you're doing over every shot and why not see how that can be refined and discover the positive differences that could make out on the course.