When something distracts you, don’t break routine to regain your rhythm

We’ve all had this experience. You’re in the middle of your pre-shot routine – setting your feet, waggling, double-checking your aim – and just as you’re about to pull the trigger, a car horn honks. It’s even more unsettling when you’re standing over a putt.

When that happens, there’s only one thing to do. Abort your mission – stop the countdown to impact and start again from the beginning. Don’t just raise up from your crouch over the ball – step all the way back. On occasion, I’ve gone so far as to actually put the club back in my bag, just so that I could ‘take it from the top’. This is the only way to regain the rhythm, comfort, and confidence that are necessary as you prepare to hit any shot. 

Walk Smartly Between shots

Does a pro maintain laser-like concentration during his entire round? No way. Not even Jack Nicklaus kept the focus for four straight hours – at least not without taking a few breaks.

As I walk between shots, I let my mind wander to all sorts of non-golf things – to my kids, to my next fishing trip, or whatever – but when I’m playing my best, my mind clicks back into focus well before I reach the ball.

At a point about 30 metres short of the ball, I begin to analyse the situation that’s facing me. I look at the tops of the trees to check the wind, I look at the pitch and roll of the green area to get an initial feel for the way the ball will roll, and I look at the people around the green to get depth perception. By the time I get to my ball, I’m fully focused on the shot.

Some of my colleagues on tour delayed this type of thinking until they arrived at the ball. I’m not saying they were wrong, but I do recommend my method to all amateurs, and for one big reason – it will speed up play!

• Get a fitness lesson from Greg Norman :Check out our video series at australiangolfdigest.com.au/tv/greg-norman 

Getty images: Augusta National