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Target → Routine →Align → Commit → Execute → Review
(A Deep Dive Into the first “R” of the TRACER System)
A repeatable pre-shot routine reduces dispersion and builds confidence.
You’ve chosen a smart target.
You’ve picked a club you can commit to.
You’ve made your plan.
Now it’s time to stop planning and start playing.
Golfers get into trouble because they don’t know how to switch from thinking to doing.
From analysis to athleticism.
From the Plan Box to the Play Box.
And the thing that makes that switch possible — consistently — is your pre-shot routine.
Why Routine Matters More Than You Think
Most golfers believe their inconsistency comes from mechanics.
But here’s the truth:
Inconsistency can also come from variance in your process, not just your swing.
If every pre-shot looks different:
some practice swings, some not
one look at the target here, three looks there
stepping in from a different angle each time
random pauses, random waggles
intrusive thoughts sneaking in
…then of course your results are inconsistent.
Your swing can only be as consistent as the environment you create for it.
A consistent routine creates a consistent environment…
Routine Eliminates Variance Before the Swing Even Starts
The more consistent your routine, the more consistent your:
alignment
posture
ball position
tempo
focus
confidence
And that leads to repeatable contact and tighter dispersion, or at the very least, allows you to spot trends and areas for improvement with inherent biases (aligning left for example) with the help of Tangent.
When your brain runs the same sequence every time, it has less room for:
doubt
second-guessing
new swing thoughts
external distractions
“don’t hit it there”
Your routine becomes a shield that protects you from your own brain. Literally… It allows you to use the automatic part of your brain with ‘muscle memory’ that feels like autopilot.
It lets you access your actual skill level — not the panicked version of you that shows up on the first tee.
What Should Your Routine Look Like?
It doesn’t need to be complicated.
It just needs to be consistent and ideally… short (according to an RSM study).
A great routine might include:
a deliberate walk into the ball from behind
setting the face first, then the stance
one clear look at the target
two waggles, keep the body loose and ready
one deep breath
one final glance
swing
It should be the same every time — whether it’s the first shot of the day, or the 87th swing on the range.
Great golfers don’t prepare differently for great shots.
They prepare the same way for all shots.
The Routine Starts in Practice
This is the part that most golfers miss:
You can’t expect consistency on the course if you don’t practice consistency on the range.
If you’re using Tangent drills or working through a bucket at the range:
run your full routine before every shot
pick a precise target
align intentionally
eliminate last-second changes
Repetition in practice builds reliability under pressure.
Your routine should feel automatic — not something you “try to remember” on the course. The more you practice the routine, the easier it is for your brain to go into autopilot… also known as ‘the zone’.
What Tangent Helps With
Tangent simplifies the plan so your routine can stay clean.
You get a smart target that fits your shot pattern
You get a club recommendation you can trust
You get clarity on the right miss
You reduce mental noise before you ever step in
You can track when things go wrong
You can learn from trends to improve your routine
Once the plan is set, your job is simple:
Run the routine.
Golf gets easier — and more consistent — when you remove variables.
Your routine is how you do that.
Closing
If Target is the anchor for your strategy,
Routine is the bridge to execution.
The more consistent your routine, the more consistent your swing — and the fewer shots you lose to fear, doubt, and sloppy alignment.
This week, practice your routine with intention.
Bring it to your Tangent drills.
Bring it to the range.
Bring it to the course.
Your dispersion will tighten.
Your confidence will grow.
Your game will feel simpler.
Next up in the TRACER series: ALIGN.
Has TANGENT helped you improve?
If you love TANGENT and want to help us grow, the two best ways are to tell all your friends and to leave a short review on the Apple App Store.
Tell us your story and get featured in a future newsletter by emailing [email protected].
TANGENT not your favorite golf app?
Tell us why at [email protected]. We want to improve together.
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