8 min
Pre-Shot Routine and Alignment
"Really good ball strikers stare at the target and glance at the ball. Poor ball strikers stare at the golf ball and glance at the target." This golf rule of thumb comes courtesy of Titleist staff member Jason Baile and in this video Jason demonstrates how a well-organized pre-shot routine can get you aimed properly, aligned properly and freed up – so you can focus your attention on where you want your ball to go.
Make sure your pre-shot routine incorporates these keys from Jason:
• Start by viewing the shot from behind the ball. Grip the club, ensuring a square clubface. Visualize the shot you're about to hit.
• Focus your eyes on the target as you walk into the shot and set your club behind the ball. Keep your feet very narrow and and aim the clubface down your target line. The ball should be positioned approximately opposite your lead ear (or the logo on your golf shirt).
• Getting your upper body structure correct will naturally help align your hips, knees and feet. As you address the ball, make sure you bend forward from the hips to tilt your ribcage forward. Your ribcage should be tilted slightly away from the target and very slightly rotated open (facing the target vs. perfectly square to the ball).
• As soon as your club is square to your target line, raise your eyes again and keep them focused on the target. Allow your feet to walk in, creating a comfortable, athletic stance under the good ribcage structure you've established.
• Keep the image of the target in your mind as you take one last glance at the ball. See the ball but think "target" and swing THROUGH the ball to your target.
With a routine like this, more times than not, your ball is going to fly right where you want it to.
Make sure your pre-shot routine incorporates these keys from Jason:
• Start by viewing the shot from behind the ball. Grip the club, ensuring a square clubface. Visualize the shot you're about to hit.
• Focus your eyes on the target as you walk into the shot and set your club behind the ball. Keep your feet very narrow and and aim the clubface down your target line. The ball should be positioned approximately opposite your lead ear (or the logo on your golf shirt).
• Getting your upper body structure correct will naturally help align your hips, knees and feet. As you address the ball, make sure you bend forward from the hips to tilt your ribcage forward. Your ribcage should be tilted slightly away from the target and very slightly rotated open (facing the target vs. perfectly square to the ball).
• As soon as your club is square to your target line, raise your eyes again and keep them focused on the target. Allow your feet to walk in, creating a comfortable, athletic stance under the good ribcage structure you've established.
• Keep the image of the target in your mind as you take one last glance at the ball. See the ball but think "target" and swing THROUGH the ball to your target.
With a routine like this, more times than not, your ball is going to fly right where you want it to.
