If you do not have a pre-shot routine, I strongly recommend that you develop one sooner than later. It is a technique used by every professional golfer, although they vary greatly, to ensure they are prepared to hit their next golf shot. More importantly, developing a pre-shot routine for putting is the most important skill you will create in order to reduce the most strokes. Personally, I have used the same basic pre-shot routine for most of my golfing career and I think it works very well. It has saved me many strokes over the years compared to lost strokes. And I think you can as well.

If you have every watched any elite or professional golfer play a round of golf, you should notice that they all have a pre-shot routine. It might have been taken to the extreme by Min Woo Lee at the Texas Children’s Houston Open when he lined up his 6 inch tap in to win, but he was true to himself when he was putting. Say that, he followed his pre-shot routine to clinch his first title. My point, if it was missed, is that a pre-shot routine is vital to winning golf.

Brad Faxon, one the best putters in the world, quickly walks through his pre-shot routine with the flat stick. It is simple, repeatable and sustainable. Talk about a process perfect for amateur golfers.

My putting pre-shot routine is very similar. I use three practice strokes and spend a bit more time on lining up my putt, but the overall process is the same. I find that the simpler the process, the easier it is to use in pressure situations. The main point, however, is to ensure you have a pre-shot routine to rely upon when hitting those six foot knee knocker putts.

My advice to you is to develop a pre-shot routine that you can depend upon when setting up for your next golf shot. If you do not have one, I recommend you develop a putting pre-shot routine first and work out from the pin. This simple, quick process will save you strokes and help move your game to the next level.

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