| You might have heard that good golfers have a | | | | shot, or one you really can't hit? When your mind it |
| pre-shot routine they go through every time they hit | | | | calm, all you'll see is the shot you can hit with |
| a shot. It's a good idea for you, too, because it | | | | confidence. |
| ensures that you tip the odds of making a good shot | | | | The ball can only go at best where you aim it. |
| in your favor as much as possible. | | | | Everyone knows that, but aiming yourself takes |
| There are six things you should do before you hit a | | | | careful attention because it is so easy to get it |
| golf ball. These apply to any shot, from drive to putt. | | | | wrong. You hit a beautiful shot and wonder why it |
| Do them in this order. | | | | went twenty yards right. Well, that's where you |
| 1. Calm your mind. | | | | were aimed! |
| 2. Take your grip. | | | | Your setup, meaning stance, posture, and ball |
| 3. Visualize the shot. | | | | position, defines what kind of swing you can make. |
| 4. Align yourself to the shot. | | | | Your best swing can only come out of your best |
| 5. Set up for the shot | | | | setup. Put Tiger Woods in a bad setup and even he |
| 6. Hit the shot. | | | | wouldn't play good golf. |
| Let's go over each of these steps. Before you get | | | | Hitting the shot is what the previous five steps were |
| ready to hit a shot, you should get your mind on it, | | | | leading up to, but I'm recommending that you think |
| and off whatever you were thinking about as you | | | | of that as a sixth step, rather than a separate |
| walked up to the ball. This calmness will also lead to | | | | activity. If you do, your mind will stay calm at this |
| the confidence that you can successfully hit the shot | | | | most critical moment. Separating the swing from the |
| you select. | | | | lead-in could cause your mental preparation to |
| Taking your grip is made a separate step because | | | | disappear. That wouldn't be good. |
| your grip has to be consistent. Slight variations in the | | | | Everyone expresses these steps in a different way. |
| grip causes more bad shots that any swing flaw | | | | When you find a way that makes sense to you, |
| does. | | | | stick to it, but don't be a slave to it. If something |
| Visualizing the shot means looking at the course in | | | | else feels more comfortable, feel free to change, |
| front of you and having the choice of shots become | | | | even during a round, as long as you so through each |
| clear to you. It does not mean seeing a shot in your | | | | of the six steps. |
| mind's eye. What if the shot you see is the wrong | | | | |