Dave Cahill Here with Cahill Golf. I am at the Cimarron Golf Resort here in Palm Springs, California. Today I will be talking about the advantage of brevity at address. 

So during my preshot routine I evaluated; the shot, what club I am going to use, and what the shot will be like. I go to the next stage. Looking from behind I see my target. I know where I am going. In this case it is a pitch shot so I know where I am going to land it. I have the vision of my target. Now as I stand along side the ball, I rehearse the feeling of the stroke, nice and fluid. READY – envision the target and get the feeling of the swing. SET – I have my feet in place. GO – I immediately hit the shot.

How long should it take to hit a golf shot? Brevity is the key.

With a preshot routine it is best to make an initial assessment of the risks, possibilities, or effects of a situation or course of action moving toward instinctive motion.  Decide.  Picture.  Feel.  Act.  Mixing up the steps, such as still thinking about a swing sequence while standing over the ball makes for a poor shot. Once the preliminary shot decisions are made, rehearsal and execution should be quick. 

What do others say?

Sport psychologist Bob Rotella (on the preshot) says “ I try to get guys going with their first instinct. That one is all about confidence and commitment. The second one can be filled with fear and doubt.”

Sports psychologist Dr. Gio Valiante says “in the peak state for golfers, they aren’t really ‘thinking’ much at all, they are playing … See ball, hit ball.” If you have to think, Dr. Valiante says, “The best thought is always somehow related to either 1. A specific target, or 2. A visual about the shape of a specific shot”.

Bender and Mercier author of the book called Golf’s 8-Secret say most great players take only eight seconds. Any longer is bad for confidence and focus.

PGA Instructor Mike Cahill and PGA Master Instructor Dave Cahill are here to help you play better and enjoy the game of golf. Come see us in Palm Springs for golf lessons or visit us for a Palm Springs a Golf School.

PGA Instructor Mike Cahill 612-501-9015 mikecahill@cahillgolf.com

PGA Master Instructor Dave Cahill 952-994-0387 davecahill@cahillgolf.com