Golf Pre-Shot Routine
A pre-shot routine is the same short sequence of steps you go through before every shot: weigh up the shot, choose the club, rehearse it, aim and swing. Its job is to make every shot feel familiar, so a nervy putt on the last hole gets the same preparation as a practice swing on the range.
The best routines are short and simple. You should be able to do yours in well under a minute.
Why a routine helps
- Consistency: the same preparation leads to more repeatable setups and swings.
- Focus: it gives your mind a job, so there's less room for doubt.
- Pressure: a familiar sequence makes big moments feel like ordinary ones.
- Pace: a routine stops you dithering over the ball.
On that last point, the Rules of Golf encourage prompt play and recommend that a player usually makes a stroke within about 40 seconds of being able to play. A good routine fits comfortably inside that.
A simple five-step routine
- Assess. From behind the ball, check the lie, the distance, the wind and where the trouble is.
- Decide. Choose the club and the shot, and pick a small, specific target. Commit to the decision.
- Rehearse. Take one or two practice swings that feel like the shot you want to hit.
- Aim. Stand behind the ball, pick a spot on the ground a foot or two in front of it on your target line, then walk in and set the clubface to that spot before you set your feet.
- Go. Take one last look at the target, then swing without waiting too long. Standing over the ball is where doubt creeps in.
The step people skip most is the intermediate target in step four. Lining the clubface up with a mark just in front of the ball is much easier than lining it up with a flag 150 yards away.
Think box and play box
A popular way to think about it: there are two zones.
- The think box is behind the ball. Here you analyse, decide and rehearse.
- The play box is when you step up to the ball. Here you stop thinking and just react to the target.
If you find yourself second-guessing over the ball, step back into the think box and start again. It costs a few seconds and saves shots.
A putting routine
Putting needs its own, shorter version:
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Read | Look at the slope from behind the ball, and from the low side on longer putts |
| Pick a line | Choose the spot where the ball will start, not just the hole |
| Feel the pace | Make a practice stroke while looking at the hole |
| Set up | Square the putter to your start line |
| Roll it | One look at the hole, one look back, then stroke |
For more on reading slopes, see how to read a green, and for making the putt itself, how to putt better.
Tips for building yours
- Practise it on the range, not just on the course. Hit some balls with a full routine each time, changing club and target.
- Keep the timing similar for every shot. Many good players take roughly the same time on each one.
- Don't add steps when you're nervous. Under pressure, stick to exactly the same sequence.
- Make it yours. A waggle, a deep breath, a look at the target: any small habit that helps is fine as long as it's the same every time.
Use a routine in Mashy
Even in a game, a routine helps. In Mashy, try the same order before every swing: check the wind indicator, pick your club, set your aim spot and watch where the dotted notch sits on the meter, then make the three taps at a steady rhythm. On the green, look at the green-read overlay and slope arrows before you drag back the putter. The three-tap meter is all about timing, so a calm, repeatable routine pays off; three-click swing meter tips goes into more detail.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a pre-shot routine take?
Most golfers aim for something short, often around 20 to 30 seconds from deciding on the shot to hitting it. The Rules of Golf recommend making a stroke within about 40 seconds of being able to play, so a good routine should fit inside that comfortably and take a similar time on every shot.
Do professional golfers use a pre-shot routine?
Yes, almost all of them do. Many tour players take nearly the same amount of time on each shot, and their routines often look the same from one shot to the next. That repetition is the point: it helps them make the same preparation under pressure as on a practice day.
What should I think about during my pre-shot routine?
Do your thinking behind the ball: lie, distance, wind, hazards, club and target. Once you step up to the ball, try to think only about the target or one simple feeling, such as a smooth tempo. Technical swing thoughts are usually better left for the practice range.
Should my putting routine be different from my full-swing routine?
It's usually shorter and focuses on reading the green, choosing a start line and feeling the pace. The idea is the same, though: do the same steps in the same order every time. A practice stroke while looking at the hole is a common way to judge distance.
Does a pre-shot routine help in golf games like Mashy?
It can. Mashy's three-tap meter rewards steady timing, so checking the wind, choosing a club, setting your aim and then tapping at the same rhythm each time leads to fewer pulled and pushed shots. On the green, reading the overlay before every putt has the same effect.