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The Pre-Shot Routine
By Jonathan Yarwood
Not much is written about the Pre-Shot routine. It is a vital and often over looked component of the game that can ‘glue’ your swing changes into place and allow you to take them to the course. It is almost like an ‘autopilot’. You get your body used to the actions and rhythms of a solid Pre-Shot routine, so when the pressure comes on the first tee or it is a time that really counts, you can produce the goods. Many of the players I work with work hard on their routines. We even time them to make sure that they are similar. You do not need to go to that extreme, but you do need to get one and practice it! All players have one, watch it on TV next time. By definition it is all the things you do before hitting the ball, really. So it needs to include:
1. Standing behind the ball and planning the shot. Namely, getting the yardage, the wind, the line, the pin, the club, etc.
2. Once you have the information and plan, you can then stand behind the ball and have a practice swing. Try to get the feel of your swing thought out the impending shot.
3. The next part is crucial and often missed out. Visualization. Stand behind the ball and pause, trying to picture what type of shot you want to hit; the flight and shape of the ball.
4. Next walk into the shot and place the club behind the ball whilst looking at the hole, as I am doing here. That gets the club square. Set up around the club.
5. Now, one look, one waggle, one look, one waggle and then just trust your swing…………….
Simple. Work on that and it will provide the bubble you need to get you through pressure times but also will help you transfer your work from the range to the course. Train it and trust it as Bob Rotella would say!
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Jonathan Yarwood was originally from the United Kingdom, but relocated to the United States in 1996. After a few years as one of David Leadbetter’s senior teachers, Jonathan branched out on his own and has enjoyed an extensive career with a track record that speaks for itself: He has coached, 2 US Amateur Champions including this years champion Ben An, 2 US Girls Champions and 1 US Open Champion in Michael Campbell in 2005. That is 5 USGA champs in 10 years, which is a record in itself. Add to that the four number one juniors, 3 AJGA players of the year, a collegiate number one, a male and female nationally ranked number one as well as a winner on every major professional tour, you have a record to rival the best. Jonathan was voted a Top 20 teacher under 40 years old by Golf Digest in 2006, after 5 straight years of being in the best teacher in state rankings for Florida.
Copyright © 2010 REAL Magazine
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