Sam Burns' Pre-Shot Move: How a Simple Rehearsal Stabilized His Swing

At the 2025 U.S. Open, Sam Burns quietly leaned on a small but powerful detail in his pre-shot routine. Before every shot, he rehearsed the takeaway: making sure the clubhead stayed outside his hands.

The Flaw: Inside Takeaway, Costly Misses

Burns had long struggled with the club getting too far inside during the takeaway, leading to blocks and hooks. That early misstep disrupted the rest of his sequence.

The Fix: A Purposeful Rehearsal

Before starting his backswing, Burns would lift the club into a brief takeaway position, visually confirming the clubhead stayed outside his hands. This kinesthetic checkpoint reinforced his intended swing path and face orientation.

Why It Worked

• Pre-performance routines stabilize attention and reduce cognitive overload
• Visual and kinesthetic feedback before execution reinforces motor patterns
• Simple, targeted checks are more effective than complex swing thoughts