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 My VCR has long been replaced by a DVR, but I still record every event.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 a representative sample of the discounts, approach shots, short shots and putts for both time players. Tiger and Phil have very different routines for different types of shots. Your routines are faster than their full routines for the implementation and the short game.
Full Swing
Tiger's swing routine is 9-11 seconds each time. step, create two short swing Woosh! Putting the same time, routine Phil is a bit 'longer - between14:17 seconds.
Putting & Short Game
Interestingly, both slightly longer pre-shot routine Champions on and around the greens, but also an average of 20 seconds. Tiger longest routine mass, 24 seconds, came on a 12-foot putt for birdie on the fourth break Hole. This is still, compared to Jack, how long would quickly during a must-make putt appear. My guess is that the routines are a bit 'longer here with the addition of variable distance or touch that thisProcess.
What should we do this?
First Develop a pre-shot routine, and share in the segments proposed by Pia and Lynn.
Others Think Box - Plan and see
b. Decision Line - you cross when you move forward, to play the shot.
c. The Box - just run what you have planned.
They have a second time friend your routine. If you do not exceed 20 seconds you will lose time, you leave much time for doubt and confusioncreep 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 a representative sample of the discounts, approach shots, short shots and putts for both time players. Tiger and Phil have very different routines for different types of shots. Your routines are faster than their full routines for the implementation and the short game.
Full Swing
Tiger's swing routine is 9-11 seconds each time. step, create two short swing Woosh! Putting the same time, routine Phil is a bit 'longer - between14:17 seconds.
Putting & Short Game
Interestingly, both slightly longer pre-shot routine Champions on and around the greens, but also an average of 20 seconds. Tiger longest routine mass, 24 seconds, came on a 12-foot putt for birdie on the fourth break Hole. This is still, compared to Jack, how long would quickly during a must-make putt appear. My guess is that the routines are a bit 'longer here with the addition of variable distance or touch that thisProcess.
What should we do this?
First Develop a pre-shot routine, and share in the segments proposed by Pia and Lynn.
Others Think Box - Plan and see
b. Decision Line - you cross when you move forward, to play the shot.
c. The Box - just run what you have planned.
They have a second time friend your routine. If you do not exceed 20 seconds you will lose time, you leave much time for doubt and confusioncreep 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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