For many years in my golf experience, my golf game was terribly inconsistent.  I would go out one day and shoot a pretty good game on one day and come back the next with a horrible performance. I have heard that same lament from countless other golfers.

One answer from a dear friend when asked was; “Depends on who shows up at the course that day.” Nice answer, but it is a lame excuse for my poor performance when I know that I am capable of doing much better. Especially when, on the day before, I executed that same shot so perfectly.

My search for consistency has been partially satisfied by developing a repeatable setup routine.  I had heard and read that all the professional golfers used a golf routine but watching them it was hard to distinguish what they were doing.

What is involved in a golf routine? How do you develop a good golf routine? The answer is mostly a matter of deciding to learn how to focus.  I am sure you are  impressed with your favorite professional as you watch on Sunday afternoon and he seems to just calmly go about his game in spite of the hundreds of people around.  That is a demonstration of the power of having a routine.  If you watch closely you will notice that they will repeat certain subtle behaviors over and over.

With a golf routine your focus is on going through a mental check-list of things that you will do every time you take a golf shot.  The focus keeps you from deviating from that pattern until it becomes an unconscious habit.  A good golf routine will include:

  • Course Management; knowing the lay-out of each hole and having a strategy for playing that hole.  Know when it is best for your game to lay up or to go for it.
  • Assess the lie of your ball;  making the proper club selection is critical .  Maybe your 7 iron would be a better choice to get out of that deep rough, even though it will not go as far as you need.
  • Knowing your limits; if your ball is in a difficult position the best way forward may be a backward or sideways shot.  What are the percentages of hitting through a 3 foot opening in the trees 20 feet away versus a sideways shot back to the fairway. It may cost a stroke but a ricochet could cost you several.
  • Develop a consistent setup routine; for addressing the golf ball; once you have developed that routine then do not deviate from it at all.
  • Focus on the next shot; when you make the shot it is finished; getting the ball up and in the hole is the only thing that matters.
  • Do not dwell on any bad shot you may have; this is a game wrecker and cause for most of the inconsistency that a casual golfer will experience.

I pay particular attention to my actual setup.  By forcing myself to go through the same routine every time I eliminate the assumption that my grip is correct and actually look down and check it.   By verifying the line of my intermediary target with my long range target I force myself to visualize my shot going straight down the middle.  When I set up behind the ball and check my posture, knee bend, back alignment and head I am at the very least giving myself a chance to repeat a reasonable if not excellent swing.

Give it a try.  If you don’t already use a good golf routine, I think you will surprise yourself at how much better you suddenly have become.

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