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!