| Pre-Routine - C.H.E.F.
“The Importance of a Perfect Address and a Pre-Shot Routine”
Our consistent alignment to the target, posture and position of the ball are crucial to our performance of creating a repeatable and efficient golf swing. During the address we have 100% control of our actions. We can ALL look like a tour professional in this position. Make it perfect! The back swing and the down swing are not 100% controllable and depend on muscle memory and reflex which are trainable actions, with use of proper drills. Your local PGA/LPGA professional can help you identify the proper drills for YOUR golf needs.
FACT: “Amateur golfers’, generally do not align themselves correctly to the target nor do they have a perfect address position”.
TIP: Develop a pre-shot routine starting from behind the ball and pick out an intermediate object 3-4 feet in front of your ball. This object should be on or very close to your target line. It is easier to align your club to an object 3-4 feet in front of you than it is to align it to a target 20 feet or 200+ yards away. Stand beside the ball in your golf position with your feet together. Use the acronym C.H.E.F. to develop your routine. The “C” stands for “CLUB”, “H” for “Hands”, “E” and the “F” stand for “Eyes and Feet”.
Check the ball position. If the ball position is not correct (too close, too far, etc.) look back to the target and adjust the position of your feet while looking at the target. This pre-routine is very common among better players and yes… even tour players. Perform this routine for ALL golf shots, even putts. This routine has three very important benefits:
1) It provides you with a disciplined method to perform the same pre-shot routine and achieve the same position each time
2) It allows you to focus on each step of the address
3) It orients you to the target and not the area surrounding your ball
This will lead to a comfortable habit of getting ready to swing. This should take less than 18 seconds. Long pre-routines over the ball allow time for distracting thoughts to enter your mind. It will take longer in the beginning because you are adapting to the routine. You should not use this on the course until you practice it and get comfortable. The purpose of the pre-routine is to develop a simple method of actions to put you in the same correct address position and to distract you from the pressures of making a good golf swing. Good luck!
Note: Your feet move while your eyes are looking at your target
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