Archive for the ‘Coaching’ Category

The pre-shot routine(PSR) is a well known mental and physical skill in golf and most experienced players would profess to utilising one at some stage. However, most golfers do not realise its importance in improving performance and therefore do not spend enough time building or performing a PSR in practice or competition. In a recent study conducted on elite English Amateur golfers it was suggested that a PSR was used as a concentration technique that consisted of positive self-talk and imagery and the use of structured swing thoughts that promoted automaticity. The study identified that PSR’s were highly individual to the player but from my experience a common framework is present in the most effective PSR’s. This includes the use of a trigger, a decision phase, imagery phase, set-up phase, execution phase, and to complete a PSR another trigger phase.

A PSR helps performance in numerous ways

1) Acts as a concentration technique

2) Facilitates warm-up after the many breaks in golf

3) Is a process orientated goal providing control, consistency and confidence in performance

4) Biomechanical properties for the golf swing

This is a key area of performance do not neglect it.