The Master Pre-Swing Routine CraftSmith Golf Academy Online Presentation By James F. Smith

Integrate Your Whole Game This presentation describes a step by step method of getting ready to play every shot you will ever hit on any golf course. T might seem like a huge amount of information to digest and to use. After learning and practice, the correct execution of this routine will only take seconds. The benefits of using a complete routine cannot be calculated. This method for getting ready for each shot will take you from the practice tee to the course and it will then tie all the pieces of the puzzle together into a cohesive whole!

General Concepts Using a Master Routine Makes Learning Easier and Performance More Consistent By Integrating the Pre- Shot Requirements for EVERY Shot in the Game Learn as little as possible … focus your attention on mastering consistently executing a few critical, essential elements. Rely on technique more than talent … some days chicken, some days feathers … you will not have your “A” game every day, this is when technique, which you CAN bring to the course every day, is better than talent. Every shot, regardless of circumstances is reduced to its elementary requirements which can be approached in a systematic manner. A “IT’S JUST A PUTT” attitude brings your fear of failure under control. A drive is played the same way as bunker shot which is played the same way as a short putt.

General Concepts I.A Master Routine reduces the requirements for ANY shot down to a manageable routine which controls ALL of the variables required for EVERY shot A.Confidence is developed. You learn to think that every shot is manageable because you have already played a similar shot B.Learning on the practice tee carries over to the golf course C.Your can perform much better under pressure

The Five Stanza Poem I.First Stanza … Analyze, Select and Visualize (behind the ball) A.Analyze 1. Distance to the hole 2. Desired target and bailout point … based on obstacles near the target area 3. Environment between you and the ball …wind, rain, altitude/temperature (extra carry) 4. Lie conditions of the ball … normal, deep grass, soggy/wet turf

The Five Stanza Poem I.First Stanza … Analyze, Select and Visualize (behind the ball) A.Select … Make a Positive Decision and Stick to it 1. Choose the shot … the more skill you have, the greater the number of choices 2. Choose the club required for the shot B.Don’t second guess yourself either now or after the shot

The Five Stanza Poem I.First Stanza … Analyze, Select and Visualize (behind the ball) A.External Visualization of the Perfect Shot 1. Take a “long distance” view of the perfect ball flight trajectory, landing and rollout 2. You are not in this picture … no reference to who is making the shot 3. “See” in color and in great detail B.Internal Visualization of the Perfect Shot 1. Put yourself into the picture …”See ” the motion 2. ”Feel” the kinesthetic swing ques required to execute the shot

The Five Stanza Poem II.Second Stanza … Rehearse the Shot and Approach the Ball A.Take your practice swings 1. Face the target; look at the aiming point you have just visualized and pick the kinesthetic que you will use 2. Three Part Practice Swings … “mini swing” (¼ impact area for hand action; “partial swing” (3/4 should turn; “full normal swing 3. DO NOT hit any shot until you are fully focused and physically loose enough to execute the swing motion

The Five Stanza Poem II.Second Stanza … Rehearse the Shot and Approach the Ball A.Approach the Ball 1. “Point and Paint” … don’t wait for a visual image to appear like magic, create it yourself 2. ”Point” your finger at you aiming point and “Paint” a imaginary yellow line (like the yellow rope used on a driving range) back through the ball 3. Locate two easily identifiable points about 9” in front of and behind the ball (correspond to your shoulders)

The Five Stanza Poem III.Third Stanza … Setup to the Ball A.The Club is Your Boss … if it moves, put it back … you setup to the club, it does not setup to you B.Use the 5-Part Subroutine 1. Club … sole the club flat and square 2. Grip … a fundamental and an individual technique 3. Point … move your feet into place and position the forward “press” of the club 4. Aim … align your shoulders and knees 5. Hangle … hang and dangle your arms; check your balance C.Learning Technique: “Bow, Squat and Hangle” D.Critical Concept: “Posture creates the Possibility for a natural, free-flowing swing”

The Five Stanza Poem IV.Fourth Stanza … Clear, Focus and Fire When Focused A.Clear Your Mind … re-rehearse the visualization you used when making your practice swings 1. Be process oriented not outcome oriented to reduce fear of failure … it’s too late to learn, now is the time to perform 2. “See” a successful shot B.Focus … isolate a single kinesthetic swing cue … use the same one you used behind the ball C.Fire When Focused …when you mind is clear of extraneous thoughts and is sharply focused on your cue, swing away

The Five Stanza Poem V.Fifth Stanza … Analyze, Correct and Reward A.Analyze … Effect, 1 st Cause, 2 nd Cause 1. Effect … watch the flight of the ball … enjoy the good shots and don't blow a gasket over mistakes … composure 2. 1 st Cause … compare what you see to what you know about impact physics 3. 2 nd Cause … compare your knowledge of impact physic to what you know about swing mechanics B.Correct … DO NOT try to fix single errors, ONLY fix patterns of mistakes C.Reward 1. If the shot was successful, give yourself a pat on the back 2. If the shot was less than successful, still give yourself a pat on the back for taking command of your game 3. Learn from EVERY shot, even on the practice tee