Tiger tips: how to drive it on target when the heat is on - Lesson Tee - golfer Tiger Woods: preshot routine, and interview - Interview

I have a preshot routine for every shot, but none is more important than when I have to hit a big drive in a pressure situation. Not only does my preshot routine allow me to focus on the task at hand, but it also keeps me in my natural rhythm. Every 300-yard bomb in my bag starts with a preshot routine that has a calming effect on me as much as anything.

My preshot routine, taught to me years ago by my father, didn't come naturally or easily. Like most kids I was of the grip-it-and-rip-it mentality. I had to learn patience and how to find my natural rhythm. Pop finally convinced me a preshot routine was necessary for consistency, and I've used the same one ever since.

Every shot begins behind the ball, and so does my preshot routine. I pick out a spot somewhere in the fairway where I want the ball to land and then move into the shot.

Tiger Talk

Q: In this year's Ryder Cup, why didn't you wear the red team shirt on the final day? Is it true you were sick?

A: I started feeling bad on Friday afternoon and took a whole bunch of vitamins. It hit me pretty hard Friday night, and I wasn't feeling very good. I wore a long-sleeve, white mock turtleneck every day because I was cold. That's the only reason. On Sunday, it was 70 degrees and I was still freezing. We were trying to keep it away from the Europeans and didn't tell anyone. We didn't want to give them any extra adrenaline. Then I get ripped for not being a team player or showing any emotion. I played in every match and was the last player to my ball. I started taking antibiotics on Saturday and didn't start feeling better until the following Tuesday.

Q: Did you agree with Curtis Strange's lineup for Sunday?

A: On Saturday night, all of the players had complete input on the Sunday lineup and were in total agreement before Curtis left to turn it in. As close as the match was, we thought it would probably come down to the last few singles matches.

We liked the middle part of our lineup and just felt if we could win one or two of the early matches we would be in great shape if Europe didn't get off to a fast start. And if they didn't, they were going to be in a world of hurt. If one of those early matches had turned from a loss to a win, how smart would Curtis have looked?

Q: A lot has been said and written lately about your relationship with Butch Harmon. What's the deal?

A: I guess some people don't believe me, but Butch is still my swing coach and remains a friend. Have things changed? Yes. We really haven't worked that much together the last two years, but I think that's only natural. A good coach is supposed to get you to a point where you can fix your own mistakes, and he's done that. I've become pretty good at dissecting my swing and know what I do wrong. When I need help, I can still go to Butch or use a video camera.

RELATED ARTICLE: Proper alignment is critical.

Pop borrowed the second part of my preshot routine from Jack Nicklaus. After I pick out my exact target from behind the ball, I step into my address position and pick out a spot several feet in front of the ball to establish my target line. I align my feet, hips and shoulders parallel to a line extending out from the ball through that spot to the target and set my clubface square to it. I try to shape the shot to fit the design of the hole and to give me the best angle for my approach to the green. That decision is determined by pin location. For example, if the flagstick is located on the right side of the green, I want my drive to end up in the left portion of the fairway. After a couple of waggles to relieve any tension in my arms, I take one final look at where I want the ball to wind up before pulling the trigger.

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