Pro Golfer Emilio Gonzalez Shares the Do’s & Don’ts of a Perfect Pre-Shot Routine in Golf originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When it comes to a pre-shot routine in golf, so many amateurs overlook it and disregard its importance. But a trusted pre-shot routine is the key to creating repeatable execution — and pro golfer Emilio Gonzalez and his golf coach Tony Ruggiero help explain why.
The Tricks to Mastering a Perfect Pre-Shot Routine
As Ruggiero states towards the beginning of the video, one of the most popular questions he gets from amateur golfers is how they can be more consistent.
But when he sees them practicing on the driving range or while playing a few holes, the golf teacher sees a flawed system.
“When I watch them, the way they go and get into the ball is never the same,” Ruggiero says. “Yet, when I got to an event with you [speaking to Gonzalez], the way you step in and get ready to hit the ball is almost always exactly the same every time.”
So what’s the secret sauce? It’s having a trusted pre-shot routine in golf, which allows Gonzalez to go from his “think box” behind the ball to his “performance box” as he addresses the ball.
“I think you should always start your pre-shot routine behind the ball, and keep it directly between you and the target,” Ruggiero says.
This isn’t just to eliminate any pre-shot jitters before addressing the shot, but also to help with your aim, giving you a wider view to see what lies ahead.
Next, Ruggiero says more amateur players need to follow the lead of great pro golfers and set their grip from behind the ball before stepping over it for a shot.
“I don’t like to see players get [over the ball] and then try to fidget with their grip,” he adds. “It’s just not very consistent, and it takes away from focusing on the shot and the target.”
Finally, Ruggiero has Emilio Gonzalez setup for his golf shot, having him demonstrate how consistent his pre-shot routine is once he addresses the ball.
“If you notice, he found the back of the golf ball with his trail foot and it’s square to the target line, then he’s aiming the face, and then he sets his feet” Ruggiero shares. “Now take a good last look at your target before letting it go.”
While the pre-shot routine in golf may not feel important to many amateur players, by incorporating one that you trust, it’ll lead to a calming routine that allows you to focus on the shot at hand. In due time, better results will occur because of it.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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