What trait has made Tiger Woods a truly legendary player?

It’s easy to think about his long drives, unbelievably crisp irons, some of the best hands in golf, and possibly the most clutch putter of all time. These aspects have no doubt helped make Tiger a once in a generation player.

But I think something else has separated him from other great golfers - his ability to get in the zone and find an extra gear that most players just can’t seem to find. And he’s done it time and time again.

So, how does Tiger find this elusive zone and take his game to the next level?

His pre-shot routine. 

Tiger Woods Pre-Shot Routine 

First, you might be thinking… really, his pre-shot routine?

Yes, a pre-shot routine in golf is one of the most important things you can do for so many reasons. Before getting into them, just look at athletes in other sports who use a pre-shot ritual.

• NFL kickers before lining up for a field goal or extra point. They have a certain amount of steps they take in a certain amount of time to get comfortable and confident before a kick.
• NBA players shooting free throws. They dribble the ball a certain amount of times, spin it and get their feet in a certain position before the shot. 

So, why do they go through a formal routine?

The same reason Tiger and other PGA Tour players use one. These routines help athletes drown out the noise, focus on the shot, calm nerves, and give them the best chance to succeed.

But in golf specifically, a pre-shot routine also helps you get in the zone. 

Helen Alfredsson described it perfectly in the book A Good Swing Is Hard to Find. She said, “A pre-shot routine helps you build a cocoon around yourself. This is the mysterious zone that athletes refer to longingly. But there's nothing mysterious about it.”

This is where you can block out the noise and focus at an intense level. In fact, Tiger has said in interviews that he’s so in the zone he sometimes “blacks out” and doesn’t even remember hitting the shot! 

His pre-shot routine is the gateway to reaching that type of intense focus. 

Getting in the Zone on the Golf Course

When you look at Tiger in his prime, specifically 2000-2001, his pre-shot routine was automatic. Everything about his mannerisms and movements before the shot were nearly identical. Golf nerds have even crunched the numbers and found that his pre-shot routine was within milliseconds of each other every single swing. His routine was also relatively quick which science has told us is the most effective type of routine. 

His pre-shot routine was automatic and helped him get into the zone or the cocoon as Helen Alfredsson said. This helped him find a Tiger-like focus that helped him hit the best shot at the biggest moments time and time again.  

Conversely, a bad pre-shot routine can ruin your game. Let’s look at Greg Norman who suffered the Masters meltdown in 1996. 

If you watch his pre-shot routine that day, you’ll see it change greatly from swing to swing. It’s clear he’s not comfortable with his swing and there’s probably a lot of mental chatter happening as he stands over the ball. 

Nick Faldo, his playing partner that day and eventual winner of the 1996 Masters said, “​I could feel the nervousness emanating from Greg. He gripped and regripped the club, as though he could not steel himself to hit the ball.” 90 seconds showing the epic collapse below! 

Another easy to remember example is Sergio Garcia at the US Open at Bethpage Black, gripping and regripping his club (which only angered golf fans and patrons). It did not help his performance!

Creating Your Pre-Shot Routine 

To get the most out of your performance on the course, you need a pre-shot routine too. 

The details of that routine differ for each player as no two players have the same exact routine. Tiger Woods is different from Rory McIlroy or Justin Thomas… but they all have one.

Develop your own pre-shot routine so you can become automatic on the golf course too. 

The key is to develop it on the range or at home, and practice it relentlessly. The little details matter too; the number of steps as you walk to the golf ball, the number of breaths you take, the number of times you look at the target, etc. 

The more you hone it in practice, the more it’ll become automatic on the golf course. 

Wrapping Up 

A consistent pre-shot routine can take your game to a whole new level (check out our blueprint to help you do just this!) Not only will it help you calm nerves and stay focused, but it will also help you get in the zone. This is where your true potential lies and how you can get out of your head to play your best golf. 

While I can’t guarantee that you will perform like Tiger Woods, a consistent routine is a habit among elite players. The next time you watch golf on TV, make sure to notice the pre-shot routine and start creating your own today.