For many years I have espoused and adopted the ‘aim small miss small’ attituded of lining up a golf shot. This approach to hitting targets applies to all shots regardless of the distance needed. It is something that I have revisited this year as I attempt to improve my GIR percentage. Picking out an aim point is a simple process, but often we amateurs overlook one simple but effective aspect of selecting our target. In my case, I have a three step process that is easy to adopt to any situation. It is simple, easy to replicated and sustainable for my game……hence, a perfect process.
The method I use to select my target is very simple. The most difficult aspect of my process starts at the beginning of the shot. After that it is pretty robotic and straight forward. Let me explain.
The first step starts before picking a target. As a golfer, we need to read what aspects of the playing area will influence our golf shot. The wind, dryness of the course, lie of the ball, and where we want the ball to finish…to name a few. All of this takes the most time. In my case, it rarely takes more than 10 seconds as I am thinking about these influencers as I walk to my ball. Once I have determined all these factors, I move on to step two of my simple process.
Next, I select a target far in the distance. I usually try to select a tree some 2 or 3 hundred yards in the distance. This small target allows me to zero in on my target and select an aim point for my shot. Once I have this target and I am comfortable I have included all the influences that will affect my shot, it is time to refine my aimpoint even farther.
My last step is to select a spot in line with my ball and the tree in the distance. Somewhere about 4 feet in front of my ball I find a small aim point to set up my club face against. I place my club pointing at the 4 foot mark and in a straight line to the distant tree. Then, I set up my stance and body position to be able to hit that spot. It is important to place the club first, then your body because this allows the aim point to remain the same throughout our entire swing.
As you can see, this entire process is simple and easily executed. If you are wondering, this is all part of my pre-shot routine that I have honed over many years of playing. It is all second nature for me and it can be for you as well. The trick to adopting such a simple routine is to follow the steps every time. Once you have a process in place, you can make further refinements to suit your game.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
