This article was machine-translated from the Korean original. Read the Korean original
There are times when it feels really strange while playing golf. You find yourself repeating the same mistakes only on specific holes or in specific situations. This is usually called a jinx, and typical examples include mistakes made on the 1st or 18th hole, bogeys or out-of-bounds shots immediately following a birdie, or what is commonly referred to as the "birdie value."
Repeating the same mistakes in the same place all the time—I'm sure many of you can relate to that. I don't intend to dwell on those painful memories, but I want to share a few words first. It is a situation that every golfer is bound to face. Stop thinking, "Why am I like this?" and instead, adopt the mindset that "I can overcome this." That is the first step to overcoming a jinx.
01Why do jinxes keep repeating?
If you are a golfer, you are bound to experience the worst shots you ever want to go through again. These memories lie dormant in your subconscious, only to surface at the very moment that matters most, the decisive one. This leads to another mistake, and the next time the same situation arises, your hands and feet break out in a sweat, your body stiffens, and you end up making the same error. Eventually, you come to the conclusion that "this is the only way I can handle situations like this." It is not a problem that can be solved simply by doubling or tripling your practice or overhauling your swing.
I have something similar, though not golf itself. Just as Koreans avoid eating seaweed soup before important events, I try not to eat it the day before a competition. I once held back from eating seaweed soup during a competition in Jeju Island because I really wanted to, but after seeing all the players who ordered and ate it that day get eliminated in the qualifiers, I stopped eating it even more.
02The best preventive measure, pre-shot routine
There is a preventative measure in golf as well. It is a way to hit great shots on the 1st and 18th holes, finish the round with another birdie instead of a bogey immediately after a birdie, and put your playing partners in their place if they believe you will make another mistake today. It is the pre-shot routine.
A pre-shot routine is a consistent and repetitive preparatory movement performed before hitting the ball. If you have the opportunity to watch players in action, you will notice that there is always a movement repeated before hitting the ball, in addition to the swing.
03I'm going to share my routine exactly as it is.
I do two practice swings. The first one is performed in segments, focusing on the technical aspects, while the second is a continuous swing from backswing to finish. I consider the moment I finish the practice swing to be the start of my pre-shot routine. Until then, it doesn't really matter what movements I make.
- Find a single point to aim for.After finishing your practice swing, look at the target from behind the ball and find a spot not too far from the ball. A divot, a specific leaf, or grass of a different color works well.
- Walk in while gripping the handle.I visualize the ball I will hit and the starting line, then I grip the club and walk toward the ball.
- Align and waggle once or twiceAlign the points you've marked and the target, and do a waggle once or twice.
- Look at the target one more time, and as soon as your gaze returns, start immediately.Look at the target one more time, and once your gaze returns to the ball, start it without delay.
04Why exactly 3 seconds?
When you look at a target and then return your gaze, the last image of the target remaining in your mind gradually fades after about 8 seconds. It doesn't stop exactly at 8 seconds; it starts to blur little by little from the moment your gaze leaves. Therefore, it is best to start when that image remains clear. I advise starting within 3 seconds.
Some people, like me, hold the club head slightly and lower it to start the shot once their gaze returns, but it is fine as long as you start within 3 seconds. The longer it takes, the more tension you put in, and you are bound to let various thoughts get in the way. You need to start the shot before thoughts like, "This hole is a par, I can't make a mistake," cross your mind.
05Even the best athletes make mistakes if their routine wavers.
Rory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters. However, if you watch the video of his tee shot on the par-5 13th hole during the second round, his routine wasn't usually fast; instead of reaching the target at the proper timing, he looked at it one more time, and the tee shot ended up in the woods on the right. Although he eventually recorded a birdie on that hole, players like me can spot other players' routines during a game. If I think, "They should have started around this time but couldn't," it is a sign that they are uncomfortable, and a mistake inevitably follows.
06Two things to keep in mind when creating a routine
There are things you need to keep in mind when creating your own routine. The first is that it shouldn't be too elaborate. You don't need to turn it into a ritual, like squeezing your armpits or tucking your arms in a specific direction. It should be short and concise so that you can easily repeat it at any time.
The second point is to start the ball without delay or hesitation once your gaze returns to the ball after looking at the target for the last time. You may or may not take a practice swing, and it doesn't matter how many times you look at the target, but please make sure to follow this final step.
07In the same amount of time, with the same movements
I used to play very slowly too. Driven by my desire to hit well, I would measure the distance multiple times; when I was nervous, I couldn't make sound judgments and wanted to check the lie one more time. There was a time when I felt frustrated because I kept making mistakes at crucial moments and didn't know how to resolve them. Since technique alone wasn't working, I sought out a mental coach and, by listening to the stories of successful players, realized the importance of a pre-shot routine. The subtle difference isn't in the swing or the distance; it comes down to who executes these seemingly trivial things.
There is also a practice method involving creating a routine. You can use a timer app on your smartphone that allows you to set the time and number of repetitions. I always practice on time for 18 seconds. Repeating the same movement within the same amount of time is very important, but even I get slightly off track if I don't practice consistently. As you repeat, you eventually become sensitive enough to feel a significant difference of even one or two seconds.
Let me share one more practice exercise: take your address, look at the target, and once your gaze returns, start the swing immediately without thinking about it. Since this becomes a complete habit, it is absolutely necessary to train yourself to just start before you even feel like you aren't ready.
08Today's homework
Once you have created your own routine, set the timer to your desired time. I set it to 18 seconds, but 20 seconds or any time that is comfortable for you is fine. If you complete three balls in a row, performing the same movement within the same amount of time, you have succeeded in today's homework. I will allow for a margin of error of up to one second.
Having this pre-shot routine will serve as a pillar of support to keep you grounded when you feel nervous on the course. I hope you create a good routine and have fun playing.
