The Pre-Shot Routine Step You're Probably Skipping
Most golfers think about their pre-shot routine in terms of the physical stuff; grip, stance, alignment, maybe a practice swing or two. And sure, those things matter. But there's a critical step that almost every amateur I teach either rushes through or skips entirely: the decision-making phase.
Before you even think about grabbing a club, you should be gathering information and making a plan. This isn't about overthinking things or slowing down play. It's about giving yourself the best chance to execute the shot you actually need to hit, not just the one you feel like hitting in the moment.
Most bad shots in golf don't come from a bad swing. They come from a bad decision that was made before the swing ever started.
What Actually Happens Before the Swing
Think about what you do when you get to your ball. If you're like most golfers, you probably:
Walk up and immediately pull a club (usually the one your GPS says you should hit)
Step in, take your stance, and start your routine
Swing
The problem? You've made a bunch of assumptions without actually processing the situation. You're reacting instead of planning.
The best ball-strikers in the world don't do this. Neither should you.
The Missing Step: Information Gathering
Here's what should happen before you grab a club. You need to assess the situation and gather the relevant information that will determine what shot to hit. This takes about 10-15 seconds, and it can save you multiple strokes per round.
Start by checking the lie. Is the ball sitting up in the fairway, or is it down in the rough? Are you on an uphill or downhill slope? Ball above or below your feet? Each of these conditions affects how the ball will fly and where it will go. If you're not accounting for these factors before you choose your club, you're just guessing.
Next, consider the wind. Not just whether it's blowing, but how hard and from what direction. A 10 mph headwind can cost you a full club or more, and most golfers underestimate wind impact. If you're not sure about the wind, look at the tops of the trees or toss some grass in the air. Get a read on it.
Then look at your target. Where's the pin? What's around the green? Where are the trouble spots? This is where course management comes in. You're not just picking a distance, you're picking a landing area that gives you the best chance for a good result, even if you don't execute perfectly.
Finally, think about what you're trying to accomplish with this shot. Are you trying to stuff it close, or are you just trying to advance the ball to a good position? Is this a birdie opportunity or a damage-control situation? Your goal should inform your club selection and shot choice.
Making the Actual Decision
Once you've gathered all that information, now you can decide on the shot. And I mean really decide; commit to a club, a target, and a shot type before you pull the club from the bag.
Too many golfers stand over the ball unsure about their decision. They're thinking "maybe I should have hit 7 instead of 8" or "should I aim more left?" while they're trying to swing. That's a recipe for tentative, uncommitted swings that rarely work out.
If you've done the work upfront, assessed the lie, factored in the wind, identified your target, and chosen your club, you can step into the shot with confidence. You're not guessing anymore. You've made a plan, and now you're just executing it.
The Physical Routine Comes After
Only after you've made your decision should you move into the physical part of your routine. This is the grip, stance, alignment, and practice swings that most people think of as the entire pre-shot routine.
But here's the key: this part should be automatic. You shouldn't be thinking about mechanics or second-guessing your club selection while you're standing over the ball. The decision phase is done. Now you're just setting up and swinging.
Your physical routine should be consistent and repeatable. Do the same thing every time so that when you're under pressure, your body knows what to do. Some golfers take a practice swing, some take two, some take none. It doesn't matter as long as it's the same every time and it helps you feel ready to hit the shot.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
When you skip the decision-making phase and jump straight to the physical routine, you're leaving shots on the table. You'll choose the wrong club, aim at the wrong target, and fail to account for conditions that affect ball flight.
But when you build in that information-gathering step, you play smarter golf. You'll hit more greens, avoid more trouble, and score better even when your swing isn't perfect. And honestly, your swing doesn't need to be perfect if you're making better decisions about which shots to hit in the first place.
The other benefit? You'll feel more confident over every shot. When you've done the work to assess the situation and commit to a plan, you trust yourself more. You're not hoping the shot works out, you're executing a decision you've already made.
Putting It Into Practice
Next time you're on the course, try this. Before you reach for a club, stop and run through the checklist:
What's the lie?
What's the wind doing?
Where's my target, and where's the trouble?
What am I trying to accomplish with this shot?
Then, and only then, pick your club and commit to the shot. Step into your physical routine and swing with confidence.
You'll probably notice an immediate difference. Your shots will feel more intentional, and you'll make fewer mental errors that lead to big numbers. Over time, this becomes second nature, and your decision-making gets faster and better.
The best part? This doesn't require any change to your swing. You can start doing this right now and see results in your very next round.
Golf is as much a thinking game as it is a physical one. If you're only working on your swing and ignoring the decisions you make before you swing, you're missing half the equation. Take the time to gather information, make a plan, and commit to it. That's the pre-shot routine that actually matters.