Add a Mental Warm-up to Your Pre-Game Range Routine

Going out to the driving range before playing is one of the great rituals of golf.  Some golfers skip the range entirely.  Others go there with no particular routine, while many others have a “plan” to “go through the bag,” hitting shots with every club in the bag starting with a wedge and working up to the driver.  The number of shots is mostly determined by the time available before tee-off.  Some golfers focus on hitting to targets, while others are content to just find some tempo and loosen up.  However, when golfers start to compete (from high level events to club member-guests or couples leagues), then all of a sudden the range session seems to become a little more serious.   

Whatever approach to the range you are taking, you should consider incorporating a “mental warm-up” component.  Virtually no one includes this mental warm-up, even though the mindset that we bring to the first tee may be more impactful than most of the range shots we make!  Our mindset is the most important factor that determines  how our game begins and how it unfolds. 

So let's talk about what a mental warm-up at the range that can have a positive impact on your round and competition. 

The first step: Take a moment.  Introspect  and become aware of what your mindset is.  You may find that you are thinking a lot about outcomes, such as: “How will the other players see me today?  Will I be driving it far today?  I want to look good on the first tee.  I want to shoot a low score.  I hope I will play as well as I did last time.” Focusing on such outcomes are old mental habits that only lead to more anxiety and tightness.  Instead, consciously choose to adopt a “process mindset” and commit to 2 or 3 process goals for the round ahead, such as: “I will accept the outcome of every shot.  I will engage in my pre-shot routine on every shot.  I will breathe mindfully before and between shots.  I will focus on playing my own game.”   

Rory McIlroy gives us a wonderful example of a process mindset that fosters learning and growth from every shot and situation, no matter the outcome. “I try to treat every tournament the same.  It's 72 holes, eighteen holes a day.  This is a lifelong journey of trying to improve and learn and master my craft. It's not about how I play in one tournament.”

A mental inventory and re-calibration of your mindset should become a part of your pre-game routine, and you can get it done on the range before you play.  Identify your behavioral process goals for the round ahead and take these to the first tee with you just like you take your two core swing thoughts for the round.