Like a lot of people I struggle some with my pre-shot routine, after stepping into the shot.
1. Scott Lee taught me to try to do the same thing each time to train my sub conscious what to expect. I tried 2 strokes aim pause then shoot for quite a while. I never mastered it and found myself thinking more about counting how many stokes I did than aiming. I have a friend I shared this idea with who started with 5 practice and ended up settling on two and does it religiously and it has helped his game. He is probably more trainable then I am. :wink:
2. Jerry Briesath talks about evaluating and when everything looks good say "looks good - shoot" or something like that. If it doesn't look good re-do. He does not mention a specific number of practice strokes. He also emphasizes a slow take back on the final stroke. I think almost all the instructors agree with that part.
3. CJ Wiley compares it to a basketball player shooting a free throw. He doesn't take a series of full extensions, he takes several short aiming shots, gets the feel for it then takes a final full slow take back and shoots.
I have tried all of these and find I do best when I don't think much about the first part and just work on relaxing. Sometimes no practice strokes others a few short ones and for some shots a long stroke or two. It depends a lot on how I plan to hit the ball. If I know I have to extend through and take a long stroke for speed or draw, etc. I almost have to take a couple full length strokes. For shots where aim is critical but not speed I like the short strokes for aiming. What I have settled on is a slow take back and getting very stable on my final stoke then a mid to long pause. I feel the nervous energy drain while I pause and get the Jerry Briesath feeling of "it looks good" and my game has picked up substantially in the last week after settling on this routine.
I would be curious what other instructors teach and other players find works best for them.
1. Scott Lee taught me to try to do the same thing each time to train my sub conscious what to expect. I tried 2 strokes aim pause then shoot for quite a while. I never mastered it and found myself thinking more about counting how many stokes I did than aiming. I have a friend I shared this idea with who started with 5 practice and ended up settling on two and does it religiously and it has helped his game. He is probably more trainable then I am. :wink:
2. Jerry Briesath talks about evaluating and when everything looks good say "looks good - shoot" or something like that. If it doesn't look good re-do. He does not mention a specific number of practice strokes. He also emphasizes a slow take back on the final stroke. I think almost all the instructors agree with that part.
3. CJ Wiley compares it to a basketball player shooting a free throw. He doesn't take a series of full extensions, he takes several short aiming shots, gets the feel for it then takes a final full slow take back and shoots.
I have tried all of these and find I do best when I don't think much about the first part and just work on relaxing. Sometimes no practice strokes others a few short ones and for some shots a long stroke or two. It depends a lot on how I plan to hit the ball. If I know I have to extend through and take a long stroke for speed or draw, etc. I almost have to take a couple full length strokes. For shots where aim is critical but not speed I like the short strokes for aiming. What I have settled on is a slow take back and getting very stable on my final stoke then a mid to long pause. I feel the nervous energy drain while I pause and get the Jerry Briesath feeling of "it looks good" and my game has picked up substantially in the last week after settling on this routine.
I would be curious what other instructors teach and other players find works best for them.