Tiger's Pre-Shot Routine
There is a lot we can all learn by observing better players and who better to emulate than the World's #1? I have been studying Tiger Woods since he reached the top shelf of golf in 2000. A statistical "stalker" of sorts, I would record every televised event and then use the replay to record Tiger's SHOT BY SHOT data. My VCR has long been replaced by a DVR, but I still record every event.
During the final round of the recent PGA Championship I decided to put a stop watch to Tiger's pre-shot routine. I had done this with Phil Mickelson during his march to victory in the final round of the 2004 Masters. I found the results and comparisons interesting.
What do I mean by Pre-Shot Routine?
There are two important parts to the process that we all go through before we hit the ball. First, we decide what shot and club to hit. Then we visualize the shot. Finally, we execute the shot. This is a gross simplification of a sophisticated process but covers the basics.
Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott* refer to the THINK BOX, the DECISION LINE and the PLAY BOX. The Think Box is where all the pre-shot decisions are made; the Decision Line, is the line you cross when you step forward to begin your setup; and, the Play Box is where you stop the thinking process and focus on executing the shot.
I like to think of that step forward from behind the ball as moving into an Execution Chamber. Once in this chamber, one can only execute the shot visualized in a positive manner. No second thoughts or doubts are possible. When I discussed this with Pia and Lynn, they agreed in concept but were quite amused at the decidedly negative connotation of my "Execution Chamber" label.
The part of the Pre-Shot Routine that I timed for Tiger and Phil was the last segment - the time from the moment each player stepped forward from behind the ball until contact was made.
Here is the point!
I was able to time a representative sample of tee shots, approach shots, short game shots and putts for both players. Tiger and Phil have decidedly different routines for different types of shots. Their full swing routines are quicker than their routines for putting and the short game.
Full Swing
Tiger's full swing routine is between 9 and 11 seconds every time. Step forward, setup, two short waggles and WOOSH! For the same full shots, Phil's routine is slightly longer - between 14 and 17 seconds.
Putting & Short game
Interestingly, both champions had slightly longer pre-shot routines on and around the greens, but both averaged 20 seconds. Tiger's longest putting routine, 24 seconds, came on a breaking 12 foot putt for birdie on the 4th hole. This is still quick in comparison to how long Jack would loom over a must-make putt. My guess is that the slightly longer routines here are dictated by the addition of the distance or "touch" variable to the process.
What should we all take from this?
1. Develop your own pre-shot routine and divide it into the segments suggested by Pia and Lynn.
a. Think Box - Plan and visualize
b. Decision Line - You cross this when you move forward to play the shot.
c. Play Box - Just execute what you have planned.
2. Have a friend time your routine. If it exceeds 20 seconds you are not only wasting time, you are leaving too much time for doubt and confusion to creep into your Play Box.
3. Practice your routine whenever you practice. It should become an automatic part of your game and be the same every time. Relying on a solid routine is the best defense against the pressure of competition.
*Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott are Top-100 Instructors and long-time coaches of Annika Sorenstam. Their book Every Shot Must Have A Purpose is excellent!
For a
Complete Analysis of Your Game,
log on to:
http://www.shotbyshot.com
Tiger's Pre-Shot Routine
There is a lot we can all learn by observing better players and who better to emulate than the World's #1? I have been studying Tiger Woods since he reached the top shelf of golf in 2000. A statistical "stalker" of sorts, I would record every televised event and then use the replay to record Tiger's SHOT BY SHOT data. My VCR has long been replaced by a DVR, but I still record every event.
During the final round of the recent PGA Championship I decided to put a stop watch to Tiger's pre-shot routine. I had done this with Phil Mickelson during his march to victory in the final round of the 2004 Masters. I found the results and comparisons interesting.
What do I mean by Pre-Shot Routine?
There are two important parts to the process that we all go through before we hit the ball. First, we decide what shot and club to hit. Then we visualize the shot. Finally, we execute the shot. This is a gross simplification of a sophisticated process but covers the basics.
Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott* refer to the THINK BOX, the DECISION LINE and the PLAY BOX. The Think Box is where all the pre-shot decisions are made; the Decision Line, is the line you cross when you step forward to begin your setup; and, the Play Box is where you stop the thinking process and focus on executing the shot.
I like to think of that step forward from behind the ball as moving into an Execution Chamber. Once in this chamber, one can only execute the shot visualized in a positive manner. No second thoughts or doubts are possible. When I discussed this with Pia and Lynn, they agreed in concept but were quite amused at the decidedly negative connotation of my "Execution Chamber" label.
The part of the Pre-Shot Routine that I timed for Tiger and Phil was the last segment - the time from the moment each player stepped forward from behind the ball until contact was made.
Here is the point!
I was able to time a representative sample of tee shots, approach shots, short game shots and putts for both players. Tiger and Phil have decidedly different routines for different types of shots. Their full swing routines are quicker than their routines for putting and the short game.
Full Swing
Tiger's full swing routine is between 9 and 11 seconds every time. Step forward, setup, two short waggles and WOOSH! For the same full shots, Phil's routine is slightly longer - between 14 and 17 seconds.
Putting & Short game
Interestingly, both champions had slightly longer pre-shot routines on and around the greens, but both averaged 20 seconds. Tiger's longest putting routine, 24 seconds, came on a breaking 12 foot putt for birdie on the 4th hole. This is still quick in comparison to how long Jack would loom over a must-make putt. My guess is that the slightly longer routines here are dictated by the addition of the distance or "touch" variable to the process.
What should we all take from this?
1. Develop your own pre-shot routine and divide it into the segments suggested by Pia and Lynn.
a. Think Box - Plan and visualize
b. Decision Line - You cross this when you move forward to play the shot.
c. Play Box - Just execute what you have planned.
2. Have a friend time your routine. If it exceeds 20 seconds you are not only wasting time, you are leaving too much time for doubt and confusion to creep into your Play Box.
3. Practice your routine whenever you practice. It should become an automatic part of your game and be the same every time. Relying on a solid routine is the best defense against the pressure of competition.
*Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriott are Top-100 Instructors and long-time coaches of Annika Sorenstam. Their book Every Shot Must Have A Purpose is excellent!
For a
Complete Analysis of Your Game,
log on to:
http://www.shotbyshot.com
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