Nothing lifts a golfer’s spirits than hitting a golf shot close to the pin from 150 yards. I specifically chose that distance because most of us are hitting from that distance more often than not for approach shots. Regardless, the premise is good and solid. All I know is that our emotions rise when we see we have an opportunity for an up and down from that distance (usually for birdie). After making such a great shot, what do you do next? Are your actions as you reach the green hurting or helping your chances to sink the putt?

As you reach the green, you see that your putt is only 8 feet away on a relatively flat area of the green. I do not know about you, but that is a great shot for my game. So, you see you ball and your emotions are still soaring. What you do next will determine if you sink the putt or miss it due to a poor control of your emotions. There really is only one thing that you need to do to improve your chances if success.

If you have not guessed it, well the answer is to follow our pre-shot putting routine without fault. Yup, our pre-shot routine will allow us to curb our emotions, focus our thoughts on hitting a good stroke and keeps our pace of play at our normal rate. Of course there are other advantages, however I think you get the point. Our pre-shot routine is our saving grace regardless if we hit the ball close or not.

If you do not have a pre-shot routine, here is a simple one from Victor Hovland that might help:

The advice I would offer to you is to develop a pre-shot routine for every shot. I have two, one for on the green and one for everywhere else. There are subtle differences between the two that do not really affect how I play. Neither is arduous nor complicated. And both lower my stroke count if I use them properly. A pre-shot routine is critical if you want to lower your golf scores.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!