SETTING THE RHYTHM

Even if you already have a pre-shot routine, re-examine it in terms of pace and rhythm. We are looking for consistency here; if you were being timed, we’d want very similar numbers from the start of the process to the moment you take the club away – every time.

1 START POINT CONSISTENCY

Use a deep breath to signal the start of your pre-shot routine, and the setting of your rhythm. Exhaling helps release any tension in your body. Start from the same point every time. For most golfers, this will be a few paces behind the ball.

2 STEP IN PACE

Use the gap between your breath and starting to walk as an opportunity to begin setting your rhythm. Then walk in to take your stance. But pay special attention to how many steps you take – the same every time – and how quickly you take them. The pace of your steps will go a long way to establishing your pace of movement.

3 PREPARE TO HIT RHYTHM

As you take your stance you have two further opportunities to dial in your rhythm. You can waggle the clubhead and/or you can shift your weight from foot to foot, again at a pace that matches your movement up to this point. Once more, keep the number of waggles, weight shifts and looks at the hole the same.

4 BACKSWING FLOW

Go through this process carefully, and by the time the club moves back you’ll have gone through three or four phases, all of which are setting a rhythm for your action. Your swing tempo becomes automatic, helping you flow into your backswing – a key component of a smooth and rhythmic action.