Hello, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, and I’m really excited to share some insights today on a topic that resonates with every golfer, from the weekend warrior to the seasoned tour pro: those frustrating, seemingly random “bad shots” that pop up when you least expect them. You know the ones – you’re cruising along, feeling great, and then *wham*, a shot goes awry. It’s maddening, right?
In my 15+ years of teaching golf, I’ve seen countless golfers grapple with this. And what I’ve learned, both from working with high-level amateurs and professional players, is that the solution often lies not in overhauling your swing, but in refining what you do *before* you even start your swing. It’s about consistency in your preparation, making sure you give every shot the attention it deserves.
Your Best Swing is Already in There!
One of my core beliefs, which I share with all my students, is that if you’ve hit a truly great golf shot – that crisp iron, that towering drive, that perfectly holed putt – then your swing has the inherent capacity to produce that result again. As the source article beautifully puts it:
“While there is no substitute for solid mechanics and technique, I’ve always believed that if you have ever hit a truly nice golf shot, then your swing has the capacity to repeat that result more frequently than you experience.”
This is such a powerful idea! It means we shouldn’t always immediately jump to tearing apart our swing mechanics when a bad shot happens. Often, the bigger culprit is a momentary lapse in focus, a quick rush, or simply not giving that particular shot the same care you gave your best ones.
The “big question,” as the source article points out, is: “Why can’t I do that more often?” And the straightforward answer is that we don’t approach every shot with the same deliberate care. We get distracted, we rush, or we let past shots dictate our present mindset.
The Power of a Solid Pre-Shot Routine
This is where your pre-shot routine comes in. It’s not just something tour pros do; it’s a vital tool for *every* golfer to harness their best swing consistently. A structured pre-shot routine helps you tick all the boxes before you commit to the swing, ensuring your body and mind are working in harmony. Let’s break down the key elements:
1. Clear Your Mind, Set Your Intention
Golf is as much a mental game as it is physical. Those frustrating shots often stem from a mind that’s not fully present. Are you still thinking about that double bogey from two holes ago? Or that conversation with your playing partner? These mental “disrupters” prevent you from giving the current shot your full attention.
“Whatever has happened in the round of golf to this point is history. Forget it. This next shot is all that matters. So, clear the history of prior shots, conversations, and any life struggles, and sharpen your focus to the shot at hand.”
**Try this: The “Mental Reset” Drill**
Before you step up to your ball, take two intentional, deep breaths. As you exhale, imagine exhaling any distractions, thoughts about past shots, or even concerns from your daily life. On the inhale, visualize the shot you want to hit – the flight, the landing. This simple act can create a powerful mental boundary between the past and the present shot.
2. Precision in Your Fundamentals
This is where the magic really happens. To hit a golf ball perfectly, the “moon and stars have to be aligned,” as the source article eloquently puts it. And those “moon and stars” are your setup, posture, alignment, and ball position. These are non-negotiable for consistent ball striking.
“Your setup position must be right. Your posture and alignment have to be spot-on. Ball position has to be precisely perfect. To get those things correct takes focused attention to each detail.”
When I work with tour players, we spend significant time on these seemingly “basic” fundamentals because they are the bedrock of reliable performance. Rushing through them is a sure-fire way to introduce inconsistency.
**Here’s a drill: The Mirror Check**
At home or on the range, set up in front of a mirror (or use your phone in video mode). Place a club across your feet to check alignment. Practice your setup, posture (feeling the bend from your hips, not your waist), and ball position for different clubs. Record yourself and compare it to images of good fundamental positions. The more you consciously practice this, the more ingrained and automatic it becomes on the course.
3. See It, Feel It, Trust It
Visualize your shot. Feel the swing you need to make. Then, trust your preparation. This isn’t just fluffy golf psychology; it’s about connecting your intent with your physical action. If your body has a clear “picture” of the shot, it’s far more likely to execute the required movements.
**Try this: The “Target Line” Drill**
Before you even step to the ball, stand behind it and pick a target. Then, pick an immediate intermediate target – a divot, a blade of grass – just a few feet in front of your ball on the line to your main target. As you set up, align your clubface to that intermediate target first, then set your feet parallel to your clubface. This helps ensure you are truly “taking dead aim” and gives you a clear visual pathway for your swing. Once aligned, take one last look at your target, allow yourself to feel the swing, and then commit.
4. Check Your Grip Pressure
This is often overlooked but incredibly important. How often have you felt your grip tighten as the pressure mounts, or after a string of bad shots? Excessively tight grip pressure is a swing killer, inhibiting fluidity and power.
**A quick checkpoint:** Just before you begin your backswing, briefly focus on the pressure in your hands. It should feel like you’re holding a tube of toothpaste and don’t want to squeeze any out. If it feels too tight, consciously relax your hands for a split second before you start your swing.
Better golf isn’t about revolutionary changes, but rather consistent application of proven principles. These five steps, when made central to your pre-shot routine, will empower you to access your best swing more frequently. You absolutely have the capacity to hit great shots, and by refining your approach to each one, you’ll see those brilliant flashes of golf brilliance become your everyday reality!
