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Ground Your Game in a Routine to Play More Consistent Golf

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

Harris English of the United States lines up a putt on the 17th green during the final round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 27, 2021 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

After witnessing the incredible 8-hole playoff Sunday at the Travelers Championship my longstanding thought on one of the most important aspects of playing consistent golf was reaffirmed. This concept is simple yet seems a difficult one for many amateurs to follow consistently.
A routine can help keep your thoughts grounded while playing a round and will set you up to score closer to your potential.
Very often, golfers possess a skill set that does not correlate with the scores that they shoot. Meaning, the ability to hit shots or execute shots in practice doesn’t always translate to their game on the course for a score.
Tour players separate themselves by being able to execute the shots they are capable of hitting while competing in tournament play because they are fully aware of the importance of a routine. It is not just the notion of a pre-shot routine either, it is also the mindset, and prepared approach that they take when competing. 
It's not easy to stick to a routine, especially when emotions are constantly pulling at us during a round. Take for example the 8-hole marathon playoff Sunday at The Travelers. Harris English and Kramer Hickok both showed tremendous resolve in sticking to their routines but also being flexible enough to adjust to circumstances that arose.
This idea of sticking to a routine, or more specifically, a consistent pattern, is not easy. In major championships, with the game’s best of the best playing their hearts out, you see leaderboards thinning out down the stretch on Sunday…the pressure at that level is immense and inevitably, many succumb to that pressure.
I asked Steven Yellin, founder and developer of the Fluid Motion Factor his take on this idea…
“Because there are different circumstances on each shot, one should not necessarily be married to an exact routine on every shot but rather be flexible within the framework of a consistent routine. Consistency of a routine is important because it allows golfers to be able to relax easier and settle into the shot. At times, amateur golfers get overwhelmed out there and get out of their routine while professional golfers usually are comfortable regardless of the circumstances.”
Working solely on the technical aspects of the game will only take you so far. Working on the mental side as well as your planning and preparation while playing is equally, if not, more important to your long-term success.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.