[DrazAdwamoi]

I stole that from Esox, but I know we all have them. Everything from music you listen to on your way to the course to what you put in your pockets to how you prep your equipment to your set-up on each shot. What are your rituals before, during and after a round?

[Meenepek]

I like to wake up early, and get my chores done around the house, get a shower and shave, pick out my outfit.

Check my bag, make sure I have enough balls, that they're all labeled. Load up the truck, and go grab a breakfast sammich (love the Breakfast Jack) and wash it down with a Monster (blue)

Hit a bucket of balls at the range, spend a little time at the chipping and putting greens, do some stretching, and go tee off.

My pre shot is about looking at where I am, and I want to go. I line up, and swing. No practice swing, no theatrics.

[DrazAdwamoi]

I like to eat a big breakfast before I play and I check everything in my bag and pockets. I put 10 balls in my bag and 2 in my pocket along with 2 tees - I always have 2 tees in my pocket throughout the round. I bring 2 gloves and 3 Epi-pens. I always wear my medical ID bracelet - won't play if I don't have it on. I bring a lot of snacks and water and Gatorade too. I stretch at the course and practice putting. I don't go to the range because I hit so often on the course - I'd be exhausted by the 9th hole. I only take practice swings when I have a difficult lie and I don't add up my score until I get home. I clean my clubs after every shot, but never put them back in the same place in the bag. I tried that and it caused me stress to be that organized. I also tie my shoelaces with double knots.

[AncewwewBus]

Usually I make sure I am hour, to an hour fifteen early before my round to get warmed up. Usually hit the range.

More of a superstition but I like to have atleast 1 loonie and a couple quarters in my right pocket.

[DrazAdwamoi]

More of a superstition but I like to have atleast 1 loonie and a couple quarters in my right pocket.

Dent - What is a loonie?

[agrismhig]

I think it's a Canadian dollar coin. I used to use one as a ball mark years ago.

Correction: I used a toonie.

[mymnarorump]

I don't have much of a pre-round ritual as such but do have a pre-shot ritual.

I usually look for an aiming marker around a meter ahead of my ball, then have 2 practice swings facing to the left of my ball. Then I find my aiming marker again and play my shot.

Other than that a Blue Monster before and at halfway works for me.

[AncewwewBus]

Dent - What is a loonie?

Oh ya Sorry Diane,

It's a gold-ish looking coin we use as our dollar. A little bigger than the size of your quarters.

[Sopzoozyren]

I pick out my clothes for golf, get a water bottle out of the fridge, put some granola bars in my bag, and off to the golf course we go. We first putt, then chip some then hit a small bucket of balls until we're called for our time.

[reervieltnope]

I don't have much of a routine. I get up and eat a light breakfast, usually some yogurt. I get to the course about 30 minutes early and hit a few balls at the range to loosen up. Then it's off to the 1st tee. I don't eat anything during the round and since I'm on the wagon I just drink water.

I don't take practice swings except for touch shots, chipping, etc. My clubs do go in the same place in my bag each time they're used and I take my glove off when putting. My ball marker is a smiley face. I use it to remind me to stay in a good mood no matter how badly I'm playing. It doesn't always do its job.

[fiettariaps]

Not much of a ritual. I have to have 2 balls and two of each size of tee in my pocket. Each length has to be a different color. Divot repair tool in my back left pocket (if there is one).

[Meenepek]

I empty my pants pockets of 'normal' stuff before each round, it all goes into a pocket of my bag.

I carry an extra ball in my left pocket, and my SAK in my right rear, my glove goes in the left rear pocket, I carry a ball marker (usually a 25 Peso piece or a Sacagawea) in my right along with a couple par 3 tees. My driver tee gets stuck in my hat (the band at the back, I just stick it in there)

[pBiRXp8u]

Get dressed appropriate to the course and the weather. Drive to the course. Play 18 holes. Maybe have a beer after, maybe not. Drive home. That's about it. My clubs are always in the trunk, as are a jacket, rainsuit, wind shirt, etc. (in a small duffel bag), so there is nothing to load up. The only time I take any of them out is to wash them, then they go straight back in.

I have a preshot routine, but I don't think of it as a ritual. It's not just done as a habit, but as a functional part of my game. It helps me with my focus and alignment, so I don't see it as ritualistic.

[forebirdo]

I like to eat a big breakfast before I play and I check everything in my bag and pockets. I put 10 balls in my bag and 2 in my pocket along with 2 tees - I always have 2 tees in my pocket throughout the round. I bring 2 gloves and 3 Epi-pens. I always wear my medical ID bracelet - won't play if I don't have it on. I bring a lot of snacks and water and Gatorade too. I stretch at the course and practice putting.

I don't go to the range because I hit so often on the course - I'd be exhausted by the 9th hole.

I only take practice swings when I have a difficult lie and I don't add up my score until I get home. I clean my clubs after every shot, but never put them back in the same place in the bag. I tried that and it caused me stress to be that organized. I also tie my shoelaces with double knots.

Disclosure: Cheerleader mode.

Start hitting some balls before you play. At least a few different types of pitches, chips, and full wedges, and several drivers. That should take a couple shots right off the top of your score.

I've all ready stated my rituals.

Kevin

[DrazAdwamoi]

Disclosure: Cheerleader mode.

Start hitting some balls before you play. At least a few different types of pitches, chips, and full wedges, and several drivers. That should take a couple shots right off the top of your score.

I've all ready stated my rituals.

Kevin

I can do that. We are planning to play on Thursday or Friday - weather permitting.

[forebirdo]

I can do that. We are planning to play on Thursday or Friday - weather permitting.

It will improve your feel for your first few tee shots, as well as those first few chips. You'll be more comfortable with a club in your hand.

In another thread you said one good shot keeps you coming back. I know what you're saying because I've said it myself. You should start thinking you want to hit at least one good shot-on each hole. Time to raise those expectations.

Kevin

[DariushPetresku]

pre round...
get online and check the weather...
eat a decent sized meal...
check my bag to make sure its stocked... add snacks/drink...
jump in the car an try to get to the course at least 1/2 hour before teetime...
load/unload my pockets... (remove keys/money/wallet/etc... if its cold ill put a glove in my left pocket to warm it up... everything else ill be carrying goes in my right pocket... 2 balls 1 to tee up and 1 just in case... 2 small tees... a couple of lucky ballmarkers usually in rotation... divot tool)...
hit the putting green... 5 3 footers from diff angles... 5 6 footers... 3 "long" ones just to see if i can read putts that day...
hit the chipping area... hit various shots to get the feel going...
find the starter and chat about the conditions/course...

during round...
tee ball up...
get behind ball to line up a target...
depending on the shot(or if the course is slow)... ill take a practice swing or 2...
address the ball...
waggle...
take one last look at where i wished my ball would go...
bombs away...
repeat until i get on the green(hopefully not repeating too many times)...
on the green ill mark my ball... pick up my ball... step 5 steps behind my mark... read the green... align my ball with the line straight at the hole regardless of break... take 1 practice stroke then hit my ball...
write down score.. over or under par only... and whatever stats i wanna track...

post round
cry

[BrianGoldsmith]

I don't eat, I hate the full feeling when I play. Maybe a candy bar at the turn. Start with 3 natural wood tees and My pivot tool in My left pocket don't restock tees 'til there gone. Always use whatever pieces of tees I can find on the par 3's and only use any painted pieces as a last resort. Never a full one.

[FoetAgerhot46]

I try to eat a meal before playing, nothing too filling but something that wont have me thinking about food during the round. A hungry rhino is an unhappy rhino .

I leave early and try to get to the course 1 hour before tee time (never know traffic in LA). Once at course I get a small bucket of balls and loosen up, hit a few wedges and work my way up through the irons and maybe one or two with the woods. I then go putt a few and get ready for the round.

As for pre-shot I stand behind the ball, locate my target and then find one close to ball that is in line. With my feet together I line the butt of my club up with my belly button move my legs about shoulder width apart (Thanks for the tip Andy!!! ). Take a practice swing or two and then take a deep breath and swing.

Prayer and cursing are also involved but at different times and not always the same things are said, depends on how bad the shot was.

[vasyasvc]

Dent - What is a loonie?

I think it's a Canadian dollar coin. I used to use one as a ball mark years ago.

Correction: I used a toonie.

The Toonie is one of my all-time favorite coins.