It’s time for spring cleaning! Don’t panic. I am not referring to window washing or leaf raking. I want us to tidy up our preshot routines. Most of us have too much clutter in our routines. This slows the pace of play and interferes with optimal performance. My LPGA colleagues, Lynn Marriott and Pia Nielson from Vision 54, have coined the phrases Think Box and Play Box. In the Think Box, you prepare for a shot. The Play Box is when you step into a shot and create. In the Think Box: 1) decide about the shot and 2) get an internal “go signal.” Be clear what facts are important and essential for your game. Do you really need to consult your range finder multiple times or read your putt from multiple angles? Too many of us overload on facts (cluttered closets!) so we can’t make up our minds. Ideally, step into the Play Box with internal trust and decisiveness. Your routine is not about doing the exact same ritual every time. It’s about creating a “go state.” Decide and commit to a shot.
If you’re going to sit, sit. If you’re going to stand, stand. Just don’t wobble!
The Play Box is where the fun happens! It’s the time and space for setting up to a shot and creating a swing. The preparation is over! It should take less than 10 seconds. You do not need a lengthy checklist. Have you ever hit a poor shot and then simply threw a ball down and “just swung?” You probably hit a great second shot! You cleaned out the clutter. If there are aspects of your game requiring more attention, head to the practice tee to sort things out. The golf course is a time for playing!
Devote a practice session to exploring your routine. First write down all the steps you want to include in your Think Box. Do your full Think Box routine and time how long it takes. Your goal is to complete your Think Box and Play Box in under 30 seconds without feeling stressed. Taking too long? Determine the 2-3 most essential things to do. Keep your fact-checking simple.
To explore an efficient Play Box, practice using a very short (3 seconds), medium (6 seconds), and longer (9 seconds) Play Box. Decide and commit to your shot before stepping into the Play Box. What works best for you?
Great golf is about energy efficiency. We don’t want to over-prepare and underperform. And none of us want to be playing a 5-hour round of golf! Consider ways to clear the clutter in your routines so you can play your best golf this season.