Fulton: Schwartzel's pre-shot routine leads to success

text size

How/Getty Images

A solid pre-shot routine, along with some strong nerves, allowed Charl Schwartzel to win the Masters.

This year is just another example that you never really know what is going to happen during the final round of a major championship. I must say, I was very surprised to see Rory McIllroy struggle during the final round on Sunday. After looking so good for three days, the young star just couldn't put together one more solid round. With so many players - including an improving Tiger Woods - with a chance to win the green jacket, it was a different young gun from South Africa -- 26-year-old Charl Schwartzel that won the first major of the year.

Charl Schwartzel is a guy I have been keeping an eye on over the last couple of years. Like so many other young players in today's game, Schwartzel has tremendous full swing and short game skills and with four birdies over the last four holes on Sunday afternoon at Augusta National, I would say the guy has the nerves and mental game as well.

What I liked the most about Schwartzel this week was just how committed he was to his routine. You may have noticed before every shot how Charl took two practice swings before he started to establish his alignment and body position over the ball. These practice swings were not just movements that were aimlessly being maneuvered but rather they were swings that appeared to be very calculated and had a specific purpose. In fact, each practice swing almost appeared to have two steps to it where he would first start very slow half way back and then secondly, work it up to the top of the swing.

One of the most common questions we get at the TOUR Academies is how do I take what I am working on at the practice facility to the golf course? This can be a very difficult transition for a lot of us as we all know the environment on the golf course can get us thinking about the consequences, rather then what we should be doing in order to hit good golf shots.

Chances are we have all heard from time to time the importance of a pre-shot routine as a good routine has so much to offer in pursuit of overcoming these barriers on the golf course. For so many professionals, the practice swing is a very important aspect of their routine because it is at this moment where they can take that one thing -- or maybe two -- that they have been working on at the practice facility and implement it into their procedures on the golf course. For example, you may have noticed again this week how Tiger Woods was very methodical about his practice swings trying to continue to feel and commit to the changes he has made over the last year.

The TOUR Academies are one of the most recognized golf instruction brands in the world. With eight permanent locations (with more to come) and a traveling school, students all over the world are benefiting from the industries top golf schools, private lessons and Get Golf Ready programs. Learn more

Like Tiger, this week with Schwartzel we were treated to another very detailed approach to a practice swing that really set the stage before every shot. You could see the importance to Charl on moving the club and body in a certain way through both steps that not only confirmed these thoughts but helped him transition these same feelings to execute over the ball. Each time coming down the stretch, it was like clockwork as he just continued to build confidence with each routine and actual shot.

Afterwards, Schwartzel referred to the lessons his dad taught him where if something went wrong, it would probably be one of five things: Grip, Posture, Stance, Rhythm & Balance. Although five things seem like a lot, perhaps Charl was mentally checking each one off as he went through his practice swings before every shot.

So this week take a page from this year's Masters Champion. What is it that you are currently working on in your full swing and short game that helps you hit good golf shots? Take this component and build it into a practice swing that serves this specific purpose. Maybe it's your backswing, downswing, finish or a shape or feeling that defines all the above. Whatever it is, pay attention to it and build it into your routine so you can continue to bridge the game from the practice facility to the golf course.

Just Because

Lots to think about after this year's Masters Tournament. One thing is for sure and that is the game of golf is as international as it has ever been. Where the LPGA seemed to take on more of this look a few years ago, the PGA TOUR -- or at least its big tournaments -- is beginning to take on this worldwide international flavor as well.

Personally, I think its fun to watch as week in and week out it is wide open as ever on who is going to win. It's very interesting to watch all of this young talent like Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIllroy and world's No. 1 player Martin Kaymer mixed in with superstars like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. And don't forget about all the up and coming stars that seem to be entering the prime of their career like Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar and so many more that are all playing some great golf.

So many great players in today's professional game as it continues to be an exciting and unpredictable 2011 season.