A couple weeks ago, I watched one of the players I coach (Jin Young Pak), compete in The Ginn Open. And while watching her compete, I noticed a problem that is common to golfers of all skill levels. A problem that usually happens to someone as they get outside their comfort zone. What happened to Jin Young? Simply, the pacing or speed in which she normally plays golf changed considerably.
Now, Jin Young is a great young player – but when it comes to competing at the highest level – she is inexperienced. This was only her second LPGA Tournament, yet she was flanked on the driving range by the likes of Karrie Webb and Lorena Ochoa. Still, she was excited about the prospects and was playing great heading into the week. But, like I said, a funny thing happened when she teed off on Thursday. She played quicker tee to green and slower on the putting surface. So, what I would like to do is; First, explain why this happened Jin Young. Second, explain how Jin Young’s experience relates to you – the handicap golfer. And third, explain how to get past this common problem and improve your scores.
Why does a player’s rhythym (tour pro and amateur alike) go awry when playing an important match? Simply, the magnitude of the situation controls them as opposed to them controlling the situation. Jin Young was thinking more about what a great finish would mean to her rookie year than really getting into her target. She spent more time thinking about what other players were thinking about her game/swing than really focusing on the moment at hand. Sound Familiar? This happens to all of us – all the time! The only difference is our levels of comfort zone. For some, it’s competing on the back nine of a major championship. For others, it’s just the act of playing on a professional tour. For still others, it might be playing with the boss or someone they’ve never met. Or even certain shots, like hitting a tee ball over a water hazard. So okay, we all do it — how do we fix it? How can we take our best swing – the one that works so well on the practice tee – to the golf course? And to take it a step further, how can we make our best swing on the golf course when we get nervous? The answer is simple — develop a great pre-shot routine.
Watch the best players on television or next time you attend a professional event. And as you’re watching them, notice their pace or speed. Once set up to the ball, notice how long it takes for them to pull the trigger. Even better, count in seconds how long it takes once they set the club behind the ball. What you’ll see may surprise you. You’ll find some great players take only a few seconds; While other great players might take 10 seconds or so to hit the ball. But what you won’t find is; The same player fluctuating in their times. If it is 5 seconds one time – it will be 5 seconds the next time. That is of course, if they’re not too nervous. Let’s put it this way – Tiger Wood’s pace will always stay the same. And that consistent pace is what we should all strive for.
Something happens when you do the same thing over and over again. You get comfortable. You get used to the speed of doing something a certain way and it feels unnatural to do it differently. Try this; If you normally brush your teeth with your right hand – tomorrow, use your left. Notice how instantly uncomfortable you feel. Notice how the speed of your brush stroke gets slower and more uncertain. You’ll begin to question whether you’re even doing a good job. All this in a matter of seconds. Why? Because brushing your teeth with your right hand has become second nature – something you don’t have to think about. And by changing it – even slightly – it becomes a mechanical endeavor. Same with your golf swing on the course. By changing the pace of what you’ve been practicing on the driving range – you take the naturalness out of your game.
So, here is what I want you to do with part of your practice time. I want you to practice your routine. What percentage of practice time should you devote to routine? That all depends on your swing. If your swing needs work — then work on it! If it’s comfortable and you have confidence – spend more time working on your routine. Eventually striving for a balance between mechanics and routine. Let’s say for example — you play on Saturdays and you practice twice during the week. Then, a good week of practice would be — Tuesday, 75% mechanics and 25% routine — Friday, 25% mechanics and 75% routine. As you getting closer to the round, practice more in a trusting mode. And a routine is all about trust.
Here is a great way to practice your routine. Place a club down about 10 feet behind your ball on the practice tee. Your “line in the sand” if you will. Spend as much time as needed behind that club visualizing your shot and feeling your swing. Take practice swings behind the line if needed. Don’t walk to the ball until you’re 100% committed and believe you will a good shot. Then, walk to the golf ball. As your foot crosses the “line in the sand”, have a friend start counting. Have him do it in his head — not aloud. Go through your process of hitting your shot. When through hitting the ball and holding your finish for a second or two — ask him or her the time. They may say 10 seconds or so. Then, do it again. And again. And again. Try and get consistent with the time. After 30 balls or so, you should get into a great rhythym where you can actually tell them the time. It will feel just right. If you don’t have a friend readily available — use a wrist watch with a second hand. Just look for yourself right before crossing the line. Then, when done with your swing — look again.
I promise, if you practice this way on the range and course, things will get better under pressure. You will instantly feel your pace getting off and when that happens, have enough fortitude to stop and start again. Remember, all we’re trying to do is put ourselves in position to hit the best shot possible. And after a consistent swing — a great routine will end up being your best friend. Good luck!
Hi Andy,
I really like this article, a good pre shot routine is a must, I use the practice range for the technical stuff this includes a fair bit of pre shot routine, this helps when I am on the course to just get over the ball and let it happen, I do find if I am standing over the ball over analysing it things go wrong, I try to do things like visualisation, feel etc in the pre shot routine and give myself the space to play and enjoy the game, things just naturally happen I feed myself some good positive thoughts then clear my mind get over the ball and let it happen, give you self the best chance to play better golf, give it a go!
Dear Andy,
T he new four magic moves made me another player.
My problem was the upswing and with that early break problem solved.
However I also bought Joe Dante’book amazing!
The early break was also endorsed by Gary Wiren but you put in writing and in video things so clearly. It is impossible to not understand them.
What can I say, a lot of money for private lessons for what…?
Many Thanks
Amos (Italy)
Having read this article the hung that sticks in my mind is consistency. It dosent matter if you set up and play quickly or vice versa set up and play slowly. The inmportant thing is if you take two or three practice shots than that is the way to go with all your shots. Be it a drive or a two foot putt.
Andy,
Thanks, an excellent drill to get into the right rhythm.
Ranbir Singh
good advice!
I must SLOW DOWN! – I must SLOW DOWN! – I must SLOW DOWN! Now I need to work on my pre-shot routine. Sigh I’ll get there in the end. Keep the great advice coming.
Andy – In my experience of playing golf over too many years to recount I can tell you and your readers the real problem of not playing to your true potential is heightened pressure from letting yourself think of the excitement of winning before you get there or in a less competitive atmosphere letting your peers speed you up against your natural tendencies e.g. I sometimes play 18 holes early in the morning, all alone. I am totally unhurried and swing with an unbelievably relaxed rythym – now, if a friend unexpectedly turns up to join me or just to walk around with me, my rythym is disturbed and without helping it I speed up the swing be it a drive, mid iron, chip or putt. Yes, the result is one or more dropped shots that could have been avoided had I stuck to my natural relaxed game. The answer is therefore to be focussed and relaxed at all times.If anything, prepare and swing in an even more deliberate manner (not easily done under these circumstances)- don’t let your peers, or thoughts of winning the competition invade your routine. I can assure you this is the only way to play to your full potential whatever the level of your skill.
Pete Gerdes 10 handicap ESGC
Hi Andy
Great advice. Just dont know what to do when the group in front slows down. Sometimes it puts me out of my rhythm, there is always someone in the foursome that will lose their cool that prompts me to play too fast or too slow. Outside of that I think you are right on with your advice and will try to use it to my advantage.
Thanks
Tony
I do try and keep some sort of routine but most of the time
things become muddled – peer pressure or whatever. Will certainly practice what you suggest. I am sure it will be a great help – thanks.
Best Regards
Hello, That is very good advise. I am a golf teacher and consistant preshot routine builds good tempo in your swing and with that we all do better.
Thanks
Have a great day
Don
😕 Tks-sounds right as I do have a problem repeating the same routine every shot. I increase the tempo and change my routine the more frustrated I become! I will do as you suggest and prepare myself for every shot the same way that I practise at the range. Will let you know my results!!
Simon
I have heard (or read) about this concept before and now that I have been reminded of the details will put it into my routine and see how it works for me. Thanks for sharing ‘oh-noble-one’.
Denis I find it very helpfull and pass all info onto playing mates.:lol:
Thanks Andy,
your article made sense, quite logical. I will put this into play right away
dick
Andy thanks for all of the tips , your DVD of the four magic moves is great .
Good Morning Andy,
Great article on preparation for the golf shot. I am just as guilty as the next golfer about getting anxious to hit the shot at hand, I play tournament golf and my biggest mistake is rushing the shots!!
When I take my time, and go through my pre-shot routine, I score better.
Keep up the good work you are doing, waiting for your next article.
Regards,
Bill
How right the advice is on your mental approach to your game. Shot selection, pre-shot routine, stay- in- the- present etc. etc. My lady partner and I were playing in a Mixed 4ball Better Ball Stableford at the weekend. We shot 24 pts. on the front 9 – a good score. Then the trouble started and the wheels came off BIG time – only 12 points on the back 9! Why? We got ahead of ourselves. We started to play each hole as a “target to be achieved” instead of a shot to be played! We speeded up our approach to the game and lost sight of basic fundamentals. We failed to stay “in the present” and paid the price! Failure to score 2 or 3 points on every hole compounded the anxiety. It all started as we had to wait for the “snackers” at the half-way house. In the 10 minute time-out, we lost our rythm, focus and adrenalin. No points scored on either the 10th or 11th – ruinous and the beginning of the end! So, stay in the present, keep the routine the same, stay focused and forget your score – just keep playing like you did on the front 9! Trevor
I have been reading your tips for some weeks now ,but getting to the point of preparation before each shot I play in Belgium where most people are members of the club because of who they are doctors lawyers you know the sort big cars in the car park blah blah blah I recently played in a match play with a 18 handycap player he rushed everything I first saw him putt he rushed and missed so everytime he putted even to within a few inches I insisted he putt out I took my classic Nick Faldo preparation for every single shot he then came and said to me that I was playing to slow for him I informed him that I was born 5 miles from st Andrews and played my first par 5 when I was ten years old so I did not need any advise from him about slow play or otherwise I duly slaughetered him and he proceeded to tell everyone in the clubhouse that I was playing to slow all I did was prepare every shot saw it in my mind and executed each one how it should be,I am now club champion after being a member for a year yes the standard is low but the underlying point is the mentality is just not there I saw walk as quick as your partener but take all the time you need before playing all shots the more important the shot the better the preparation do not be fased by anyone better worse indifferent play the game in the spirit that it was born and please dont join golf clubs just to say you (are a member) and only go to the black tie events and are not even aware where the practice ground is……….
G’day mate; loved the setup thoughts. I need this for the first couple of tee’s as that is where I leak my shot’s (without practice of course!)
thanks mate,
Darryl in Oz
Have just read your note on pre-shot routine. This could be the missing link in many player’s routines. Will work on it this wek and give you feedback in a few weeks.
Andy-
Thank you for directing me toward this article…this is VERY important to remember. You can BET that I will be solidifying the routine that I have developed for myself on the Range and Practice Green, and taking it to the First Tee.
Again, thanks to George for the great article, and thanks to you, Andy, as well.
Mark-John
Thank’s for all the tips Andy, havn’t had the time to play golf lately, as had urgent jobs to do at home, but have saved them all, and will try them out later, they all look sound and make sense. Cheer’s Ron.
I understand the concept. As I do not have a regular pre-shot routine, it will be interesting to develop and track on over the next few weeks as I head into a tournament.
Mario – Memphis, TN
Great job Andy – the tips you forward us are well researched and most helpful, particularly for new comers to the game who need to navigate through the “murky” waters of uncertainty in so many different circumstances on the course. Great stuff keep up the good work!!
Mike Kieser – South Africa
😀
This is an “oh by the way…” comment. I am using your name “Andy Brown” as my ghost name for my fanasy golf league. When I get asked about the name, it gives me the opportunity to recommend “The Four Magic Moves”. I am in second place right now due to missing near wins with Kenny Perry and Charles Howell III. More importantly, I am in contention more often this year since I bought your DVD. Thanks for all the updates. I love them.
Greg
Hey Andy,
Thanks for all the tips that you have given me to date. All of which has worked wonders for my swing and my confidence. I cant wait to try a new routine out in order to better my golf.
Regards.
Roberto
Hi Andy!
Million thanks to your tips!
These gives me encouragement to continue trying to play good golf. Before, am already hopeless with my swing because my drives has not improved and i dont know what to do to fix it.
With your advice, am sure I can do better now.
You’re great, God bless you more.
Cheers!
Dante
Philippines
Wow. Great advice on developing consistent timing on all your shots.
Can’t wait to go back and study on the pre shot routine and hoprefully put it all together.
Hi Andy,
All my golf videos, library books, and mags that I have seen did not tell me this. Keep up the good work. Didn’t snow to-day so maybe I can get out to the driving range soon.
Ron
Brantford Ontario
Canada
Hi Andy
All your tips make sense,I am much more relaxed(mentally)
than when I first started to use your methods.I can’t wait to test this new one
Regards
Philip
Sound advise Andy, as all of your tips and informational videos have been. Sound easier than it looks, but clearly makes sense. I beleive it, (pre-shot routine), needs as much rehearsal as your game. I know I’m pretty comfortable with my swing and have worked my index down to a 6.5. I’m hoping that spending time being more consistent with my routine at every shot will get me even lower. 😎
Thanks again
I haven’t been able to play for a number of weeks now Andy. I have had a pleuresy bug. It started off as pnuemonia, then got really bad. the doctor says ( it will be a few months before I return anywhere near my former health). I was starting to see an improvement in my game as well it is dissapointing to say the least. never mind my turn will come later on.
Andy, I just want to comment on your splendid articles and vignettes of golf skills. We golfers should all be aware that technique varies from person to person. My particular technique being used lately differs from what you prescribe in some aspects, yet I am aware of the purpose for your
discourse; to correct a potential flaw in an anonymous golfer’s technique.
For instance, I have altered my swing plane from “flat” to a bit more upright degree-ish and not thinking about wrist break, just making sure I lead the takeaway with my left shoulder and be sure to elongate the arm/shaft along the target line until my eyes and left shoulder are at or slightly behind the ball at which time I visualize bringing the butt of the shaft down with my hands as if to drive it down into the ball to strike it. Somewhere in this process, I have pronated my wrists without thinking about it. This has helped me to keep my T-ball more centered in the fairway or my target line with some added distance. The end point is to finish on my left side while my head remains mostly at or reasonably close to the head position at behind the ball at impact. I watched a golf video featuring past and present headliner pros and the dialogue described how each technique “differed” while substantially remaining close to recognized precepts of good ball-striking. I can’t wait to get back to grassy fields to resume the quest! (the landscape is snow covered here right now)
Still Working on the 3rd move………..can’t seem to get my butt moving lateraly instead of around….Will keep on trying…When I do get the hips through….wow,,,straight and long.
Thanks,
Fairfax Rich
Hi
You’ve been sending me these tips for some time now but although I’m sure they make sense I’m reluctant to start using them because I’ve noticed that when a friend says “you’re swaying, or coming up on the ball, or not facing the right direction etc , etc,” I tend to concentrate so much on the supposed error that my game becomes worse than usual!
I’m giving myself this next year to become more competant at golf and if I don’t improve by at least 5 shots off my handicap then I shall buy a dog.
Probably my worst enemy is my lack of concentration and lack of committment to the game as I ‘m not convinced I’ll improve.
I do enjoy reading about what I should do though, even if I never put the tips into practice!
Thank you
Gilly
Hi Andy:
Just started using the 4 Magic moves . Before trying them out I watched the DVD about 20 times trying to disect every piece of information on each of the moves. My problem ( always fading the ball, and poor distance) is just as you explained “early shoulder turn”, “pulling the left arm down”, in order to hit the ball further with lots of effort. The LATERAL LEFT HIP MOVE is exactly what I needed !!!The drives(not all) are STRAIGHT and with a BORING trajectory. The arms just follow along !!! But I still have a tempo problem from lack of concentration. Early wrist break and shoulder turn on the practice swing is good, but sometime the old habits return and I try to kill it, and my Magic Move backswing is too fast when I actually try to hit the ball for real. So I’ve tried with some success to modify the first Magic Move(for me) I do not use the forward press , but bring the club back using the early wrist break movement at a slow pace, then maintain this pace with the shoulder turn to the top, then let the hips do there thing !!!! Seems to have worked 6-7 good drives out of 10 ! But just like you said you MUST practice to groove these moves!!!!! It must be working because I hit 2 buckets of balls today, and didn’t even feel tired.
(Number 70 comming up in March 2009 ! ) Thanks for all the follow up e-mails, keep them comming.
Dave
When I play golf I put my glove on my left hand and take it off after I putt out on the 18th hole. While watching professional tournaments on TV I always wondered why most professionals take off the glove and put it in their back pocket after every shot. I eventually asked the reason from a tournament professional who told me that putting on the glove was the first step in a pre-shot routine. I still leave my glove on for the complete 18 holes but am now conscious of a pre-shot routine instead of just walking up and hitting the ball.
Hi Andy,bought your 4 magic move dvd.You are right when you say do not relax your grip.Have been hitting the ball much straighter and have all but eliminated my hook.It certainly is a challenge to stay the course but the benefits are there to be had. Thank you ,Ron
Without doubt the pre-shot routine is a crirical part of the game. I divide mine into two , statics & dynamics. this allows the mind to eliminate thoughts of gripping posn of ball etc.
Firstly stand behind the ball and pick a piece of grass in line with your ball flight, (alla Jack Nicklaus ) walk in, get your depth, take your grip, look at the target a couple of times, give your club a squeeze then relax. This ends the statics, one swing only usally look for the hole the club makes then let loose.
Just another routine,
Cheers
Nev
HI Andy This is very true Reading this advice made me think and realise it is just what happens to me. Many thanks for all the correspondence. Keep it up
Regards Jan
:grin:The game of golf is a game of concentration. From the practice tee to the last putt on the 18th green, you must concentrate (get in your zone) to play your best. This concentration includes the pre-shot routine whether on the tee, fairway or green. This is the one reason I have never liked playing out of a golf cart. You tend to rush to the ball to hurry and hit it again. By walking up the fairway, I can begin to think about the next shot and concentrate on hitting it the way I envision it. When you see the pro’s finish a round and seem to be exhausted during the post round interview, it’s not the physical excursion of playing the round, it’s the intense concentration to play well. Golf is not a contact sport, but extremely mentally challenging.:grin:
Andy,
Thanks for the tips on slow play. Looking back, I know that I have been a victim of slow play many times.
I am using the Four magic moves and getting better every day.
Thanks.
I like your tips if I can remember to slow down and do them, I know my husband and I play tooo fast!
I am scaring myelf with the “Magic Moves”. My scores are normally in the lower hundreds, but the other day I started out paring the first three holes and ending with a 43 on the front nine. I couldn’t believe it!! And then shot a 48 on the back nine, and get this…. with two triple bogeys and two double bogeys. Had I stayed focused and not become a fan of myself, I could have shot in the 80’s. THE EIGHTIES!!! I’ve been doing this less than two months, and I can see how that guy shot a par game within one year…it is not impossible!!! With my routine….I am hanging with, and looking like the “GOLFERS” where I play. They are awestruck!!
God bless you Andy….thanks!
Al
Hi Andy,
I’m having so much fun and sucess with Your 4 magic moves and now
this pre-shot routine article, I’m going to stop calling You just Andy and
start calling You MR.BROWN. I’m driving the ball so long ,My friends
claim I have to take a drug test. Is that funny or what?
Love recieving your E-MAILS
Jerry (Wisconsin)
Andy,
As I already told you, The Four Moves are the best advice I ever found in golf instruction, they seem to me the most acccurate study on the dynamics of the golf swing, and THEY WORK! My legs and hips no longer are strong enough to make a decisive and strong lateral movement, and 40 years of wrong swings and many instructors are difficult to forget. Anyway, I drive the ball 10 or 15 yards longer, and some drives that persist going a litle to the rigth, I atribute to not paying the necessary attention to the mental preparation of the shot: if I do, the ball goes longer and with a nice draw. I don’t like to practice on the driving range!
I will let you know about my future improvements. Many thanks, again,
Flávio Guimarães, Porto, Portugal
Andy,
Great advice. Thanks for giving us these practical words of wisdom!
Jim, Arizona
Great Idea. Will try it and get back to you
Andy,
Want to thank you for all the information you have made available, easy to understand the way you present it. Have used the four magic moves to some success, as long as I use the moves correctly,I hit the ball straighter and longer. But still need work to make the four magic moves consistently.Hoping, maybe the pre-shot routine will help accomplish some of my inconsistence.
Thanks again,until next time.
Bobby,Texas
Thank you for all your excellent suggestions
Hi Andy,
The pre shot routine you have suggested is very different from the usual ones I have read about. I will try it out on the range and I am sure it will help. I have gone through 2 of the “Magic Moves” and they have given me a lot of confidence in playing a good round. I still have more work to do, but I can see that it will make a big difference. Thanks.
Raghu, India
the tip for a pre-shot routine is excellent. It’s something I don’t do regularly, though I know I should. I will make a conscious effort to do it regularly. I find I’m so eager to get going that I neglect it. I also tend to hurry my game. It’s almost second nature to me. and I tend to hurry my playing partners also !! Maybe I’ll change my whole game around if I can slow down a little.
Hi Andy! Since reading the first 60 pages of your four magic tips, my rounds of 18 holes have improved. Before I applied the tips, breaking 100 was very hard. But the first time I did use the early wrist break, I scored 93! So now my aim is to break 90, a reasonable goal for a 46 year old golf addict!
And also, thanks for the everyday rules, they help a lot.
your golf buddy,
Cathy
Thank you Andy for the four magic moves. My drives and approach shots are going longer and straighter.
Thank you also for the tips on this blog, they make a lot of sense …. will need to reread them before going for the next practice.
Thanks Andy, the four magic tips are improving my game, but it takes a real effort not to slip into bad old habits as you go round. In particular my approach shots have improved dramatically with the early wrist break,
thanks mate,
Ted
Hi Andy,
After just a month of buying your books, my drives length have now increased by 20-30 yds. Last Saturday, I finally broke 90 at Eagle Ridge. Could have been better had my irons cooperated,i.e. always fell short of my regular distance.
I was able to achieved the above after reading and regularly listening the lessons on my Ipod. I played very relax without thinking so much the lessons learned and just played confidently.
With your new tips on PreShotRoutine, my game will surely be more consistent and further bring down my handicap in the near future!
Thanks,
Jess
really good tip Andy, I use a half practice swing before I hit the ball, it helps me get my swing plane correct and to stay relaxed throughout my swing.
Absolutely spot on. When pre shot routine is rushed after waiting for group ahead to get out of range or falling behind after looking for your own or playing partners ball, less than satisfactory results occur.
Thoroughly enjoy your articles Thanks
Hi Andy,
Very good advise, l will start using a routine the next time l am at the club.
Thanks for all the info so far.
Regards Kevin
Since I have been applying the early wrist break and committed shoulder turn to my swing, combined with a slow smooth swing style, my game has improved at a rate that I could never have imagined.
I still fight with the mental side of golf, but I am currently hitting consistent golf shots that I have even never dreamed about.
Today I played a challenging course that I have never seen before and I bettered my handidcap by 50%
Found this via Stumble Upon. Great advice.
Great article. May be the missing link for me. Shall definitely try next time on the range, than on the course.
Thanks / Csaba
Dear Andy,
I have been trying the 4 magic moves and I believe they are helping me . I haven’t had much time to get out to the range to try them, but I listen to the cd in the car to and from work everyday.
I usually try not to take too long on my preperation to hit as it makes me nervous, I take a few practice swings and I address my ball and after 2-5 seconds I swing.
To me golf is fun, being outside, meeting people, having fun with my family.
I don’t make a competition of it. I don’t count the number of strokes too much only at the end, not to get upset with the results too rapidly.
But playing well is a must towards friends & customers & family.
What I like is trying out new shots with different irons or woods,I.E. I want to feel comfortable with the iron/wood I play. It helps a lot.
I can get out of a bunker with a fine shot with an iron 7 close to the green while I struggle with the sandwedge.
A different way of doing things but routine of course is important but don’t get crazy with it.
I’ve recently tried establishing a routine and noticed that I am calmer and the routine makes shots more natural,
Andy:
What a coincidence! I just finished watching a piece on Tiger where he talks about his mental preparation before a shot – and how most times he cannot remember actually hitting the shot. I have always noticed that I play my best when I seem to have the same tempo thru out the round – my anxiety over swing mechanics, what others think etc seem to disappear. Just as the article says, on most occasions I let the events around me control my tempo. My new year resolution is to focus on my own game. Thanks for the great article.
Happy New Year.
Deva
Hi Andy,
When is your DVD on the “4 Magic Moves”, available for us dying to get one? Love your e-book on the subject and I constantly learning the new swing. Thank you and Happy Holidays.
Vincent
(California)
Hi Andy!
I am in love with this game (just about 6 months playing) and now that I am learning the Four Magic Moves….wow! it´s amazing how much I am improving my game….My friends can´t believe that I can do so well after such a short time! I´ve told them my secret……I agree with you and think that having a pre shot routine is very important. I will keep working on it!
Best regards and Merry Xmas!
Elisabeth
Madrid (Spain)
:lol::lol::lol::lol:
hi,
makes sense, the routine also gives the player time to settle themselves, after say a missed putt or a bad shot previously,instead of trying to take anger out of the ball on the next shot,
Hi Andy, just like to say that I am working hard putting the Four Magic Moves into practice. I like the simplicity of how you explain things.
Will now be trying and wotking on my pre-shot routine. I will keep you posted. Thanks for the emails too.
Kind regards,
Barry
Ronald it is possible to hit a long ball from your knees as the COAM will still come into the shot and their is also more than 1 way to hit a golf ball but most employ the late hit the bigger muslces in the torso will also contribute more than just the hips and knees.
Thanks for All the tips Andy
🙄 All the advice you give is first class. Since taking up the Four Magic Moves and the Hypnosis programme I feel much more comfortable with my game. I haven’t quite got to grips with the Hypnosis programme but since trying it I find that my level of concentration and focus has improved. I still struggle to get a decent follow through and if you have any tips to improve that part of the game I would be very grateful. My colleagues tell me that my practice swing is fine but when I have the ball in front of me I tend to stop the swing too quickly once the ball has been struck. Keep up the good work.
Hi Andy
I have enjoyed your book 4 moves to better golf, but i have a question about the hips moving forward to start the down swing. I have seen people on there knees hitting golf balls with the drivers that seem to go very far, is that just hands and arm action only.
Thank You
Ronald Mastroberti
Thanks Andy,
I love the little tips you send I be plugging into this routine!
Andy,
I’m a left handed golfer and for 20 years I’ve been trying to figure out why I can’t hit the ball properly. I’ve taken numerous lessons and have taken the advise of many other golfers but have not seen any significant difference in my game results. However, Since I started applying your “4 Magic Moves” I’m hitting the ball better with less effort, consistently and with more confidence. I will now start applying your “shot routine” into my practice sessions.
Hi,
I bought the New Four Magic and have improved somewhat in hitting the ball straight. However I have noticed game to game or even within a game, I drift away from paying attention to my wrist break and swing finish. I need to work on the routine and ensure that I follow it. It is not so easy.
Anyways, I find the book very useful and I read it often to refresh my memory.
Thanks for a good product, Andy
Khalid
After 20 or so years of playing this wonderful game, I suddenly realised that my claim to fame of being self taught was not only naive but stupid. I started having problems with my swing, and no matter how or what I tried, nothing worked, being the stubborn type I still refused to go to our Pro and in desperation signed up with “The new 4 magic moves” and wow instant results, longer straighter drives and confidence when I walk onto the tees, and I’m hitting great shots off the faiways too. I’m back playing to my 16 Handicap. Many thanks Andy
The 4 New Moves is helping my game A LOT.
Is there a pro teaching your system in the USA?? If yes, I would like to go to him/her.
If no, do you give lessons in Merrie olde England/Scotland??
Hi Andy,
What a great reminder of how a good pre-shot routine is so critically important. It helps establish our own pace and rythm of play. One that isn’t affected so much by the slow foursome in front or the impatient group behind. It helps us to really get focused and in the moment, prepared to effortlessly execute the already visualised great shot, oblivious to any useless conscious distractions. Ahhh. My wonderful world of golf.
Now, if I could just go through a pre-shot routine without then having the fear of shanking the damned thing after all this painstaking preparation!
Thomas
Andy & Joe –
Good advice for all levels of players. Have not been through the archives yet, but I’d be interested in your thoughts on “ready golf” and “pace of play” within the context of a solid pre-shot routine.
Mike O’ 😕
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the advice, it makes sense of course. I have been working on my pre-shot stuff for quite a while now but cannot get into any one routine. I will try harder to do so.
I appreciate the article on routine. Although I struggle somewhat with this aspect of playing good golf, I strongly believe that a consistant routine is a necessity for any chance of playing consistant golf.
:razz:Thank you very much for the needed direction I will try to put this into my game.
Mitch
GOOD ADVICE!
Roger Frederick’s also has a good CD on tempo.
I am using your advice in my new swing (forward press,early wrist break, start downswing with lateral movement of left hip) and have added 20 to 40 yards to my drive, but more importantly I am now keeping the ball on the short grass. My friends thing that it is my new “Burner driver”.
Keep up the good advice.
Dick
Andy,
You have brought up a great topic with this post. Not many golfers look at their pace of the game. You have a solid point about those who keep their pace constant throughout the game typically do better than those who are inconsistent. Being comfortable with the shot you are about to make is critical to having your desired outcome actually happen.
You also outlined a great preshot routine. One of the reasons why Tiger Woods is as successful as he is is because he understands the mental aspect of the game so much and strives to recreate the shots he makes first in his mind. Thanks Andy.
-Bob
Hi
My problem has been that I am too much of a social golfer which basically means that I spend too much of my time during a game worrying about my fellow senior players and their games.I have recently been advised to continue with my social behaviour on the course until I am 10 yards from my own ball when I should “switch-off” and concentrate only on my shot.
This advice plus your pre-shot routine have helped enormously with my own performance.
Thanks a lot.
Bob
Hi Andy,
Love your newsletters and everything that’s going on with golfing.
I have a question is it possible to have some information on stableford scoring, as my wife and I managed to get ourselves on a handicap chart.
We both seem to have problems with stableford scores.
Is stableford different for men than women and how is this calculated, if there any where I can pickup this information or a website for play in New Zealand.
If you could help I would be grateful.
Lawrie Noah
Andy just read your latest comments, and will try it next few weeks.
Thanks.
Graham
Sounds like good advice Andy. Will try it over the next week or two. Regards Colin
Thanks Andy,this advice has helped me play better golf in pressure situations.Once again YERTHEMAN, kind regards Pat EIRE
Good info. I was especially noting the remark about getting used to the routine (comfortable you said) and noticed that the first few weeks I used your methods they worked but then I became relaxed and they didn’t work.
I have to pretend to be a new bride again but that is not easy to do.
Thanks – good material.
Hi Andy and thanks for the practice routine article as it is true- one needs a routine in order to focus on each shot with consistency.Thanks Murdock Morrison
Thanks Andy, it’s a great advice. The pre shot routine oftenly overlooked by many including me. Will try it next time in the range. Great stuff.
Andy,
It’s true that when u r not in comfort zone make mistakes, it happens to me . I am a beginer in golf 4 months , when i play with my routine friends , i play well but a stranger around finished , i will be so concious i make mistakes
Andy,
This is so true. I like the idea of practicing more routine approaching the time to play. Great advice!
Bob Grignon(USA)
Thanks Andy, although I have already changed my grip and stance as a result of your previous info (rather a lot really), the impact of these on my game results means that I will try this as well. Although I am a high handicapper, as a result of your advice, I am already on line to win the club Bidie and ecclectic comps. In the ecclectic, I am only 3 shots (gross) behind the lowest handicap player.
Andy,
I have been playing golf for about 40 years and have never had a par round of golf for nine or eighteen holes. Last week I had a par nine hole round. I owe it all the the golf swing secrets form your website. I hit the ball straighter and more consistantly. Oh sure I still have some errant shots but not as many as before. Thanks for the secret.
Thanks for the pre-shot routine, I will try this the next time I go to the range. Also I played this weekend and hit alot of good shots, but I have a few blow up holes and shot a 97. I have completed reading the first two magic moves, and hopefully once I complete the entire reading I will get the last two magic moves and improve my score. I just want to say thanks for what I have learned so far, and any other advice would be appreciated. I think I am on the right path, but let me know if there is anything else I need to do besides practice and finish the reading.
Thanks,
Bryan Williams
Thanks Andy. This is an area I have neglected previously and look fwd to spending some time practising.
Thanks Andy for a gr8 reminder, to confirm pre-shot routine’s, check out Nadal and Tiger. I’ll try to remember this in Club Champs this weekend 😆
Great stuff I’ve been hitting my irons a ton, everything makes sense. Thanks
Andy,
Thank for your comments. Rubbish golf is quite quickly changing to great golf. 86 off the stick on a 27 handicap isn’t too bad.
Andy- it is great. Keep it up. Very helpful for all categories of Golfers. THANKS Bye…Regards……..Kharb
I agree with you 100%! I have been practiceing my pre-setup and have found that I am more relaxed, and my swing is much smoother. I have also been hitting the ball more in the center of the club and much futher. My golfing partner tells me that my swing looks so easy and he cannot believe how far I now hit the ball.
Always good to get your mail. I am not active now primarily due to 110 degree weather here on the Southern California desert. Also vision impairment is a problem; hope to eventually get a group of us together, Andy, all credit will go to you!
Great tips on pre-shot routine and putting.
Thanks
Hi Andy,
Your tips have helped me so much that I can now hit 80% of all my shots long and straight. Recently I won two of my matches at world Disney golf courses in Orlando. I have definetly reduced my handicap by at least 5 strokes within 2 months. I am also putting well.
Thanks for lessons and tips.I really take all my lessons to the range and then to the course.
Keep it up
Hassanali
Sounds so simple!! I can’t wait to get out to the driving range to try it out.
Great article. This is the type of on going help that most part time golfers need. Keep it up
Set up routine really helped me on the course. Reasonly while competing at St Andrews I finished first on the Queens, and fifth the second day on the New Course. Needing four straight pars to win at Queens I went through my set up rountine and hit solid shots to win, great tip.
Regards,
Pat
This is so true when playing with people you don’t know. Concentrating on my set tup routine has really helped to keep me calmer.
Very good article.
I recently played in a tournament with people I had not met before and now realise that I succumbed to the situation controlling me rather than the other way round.
The pre shot routine is like a comfort zone and once this is mastered or ingrained the better you should play.
Thanks for the article.
Regards
Bob Jordan.
these tips really do work and are helping my game so much im usually last out of 4 every week but in the last 5 games ive won twice and came second twice, so you can imagine how happy i am! thanks Andy.
Great tips once again Cant wait to try this out Thanks again
Thanks very much for these tips, all sounds so logical i will endeavour to put it into practice next round.
Thanks Andy your suggestion of mechanics and routine makes a lot of sense. I will now include that in my practice.
Jean (Australia)
Can’t thank you enough Andy for these stories and tips
You put them into perspective so well that gives us something to aim for
Many thanks
Jean (Australia)