Pratice Swings
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hp12c
New
Very important to take practice swings, for me . Does it effect your actual swing? dont know enough about you. But for me yes. If I dont take practice swings before I strike the ball I feel Im going to do something without a plan. I have a set routine before every shot.
Art
Art
Jim Kobylinski
Super Moderator
i don't take practice swings unless i am having a problem with something that day. i'll take a waggle and that's about it.
everyone is different though, just make sure no matter your routine just "keep up" with play.
everyone is different though, just make sure no matter your routine just "keep up" with play.
I think this is in fact a really intersting issue. Practice swings are definitley a waste of energy. "Everyone" makes them though. There's no way on earth that you can repeat your practice swing, it's impossible, right? So whats the point?
I'm gonna try playing without one for a while...
I'm gonna try playing without one for a while...
faux_maestro
New
I stopped making full practice swings, usually only a rehearsal of a particular move I'm working on. Jeff Overton does the opposite, as does DLIII. Must be a Bob Rotella thing.
Olof Karlson
New
I only make a practice swing if I've been standing still for a long time, or if I'm going to hit some special shot where I really need to modify my swing. When I'm really struggling with my swing, I sometimes also make an exaggerated move where I "overcorrect" my fault. Otherwise, most of times, I feel more confident just going up to the ball, taking good aim, and giving it a good hit.
Jared Willerson
Super Moderator
No practice swings for me....your first swing is usually your best swing anyway...
How would one know that if your only hitting the ball with 1 swing? You would need to play 2 balls and do a comparison over a sufficient period of time to determine which swing the first or second is the best or maybe a 3rd or a 4th one is the best one...lol.
Jared Willerson
Super Moderator
Ha...I just don't like practice swings, they take up too much time and slow everyone down. Take all the practice swings in the world on the practice tee but I hate seeing some 20 cap get in tour mode on the course with the rehearsals and practice swings, just gets on my nerves.
In my unofficial, nonsensical observations, the best players never take practice swings, they may take a little waggle stepping up to the ball but never a full dress rehearsal.
In my unofficial, nonsensical observations, the best players never take practice swings, they may take a little waggle stepping up to the ball but never a full dress rehearsal.
My favorite course has very few flat lies or stances on the first nine, so my concern is always about swinging in balance and making sure I brush the grass in the right place.
For me, swinging out of balance always leads to inconsistent contact. In fact, I think balance isn't emphasized enough for beginning golfers. I will see them with a decent follow thru but they are squirming all over their front (loaded) foot at the finish.
So my practice swing is about finding my perfect balance and having the impact where it needs to be.
And I still get around the course < 4 hours as often as other players allow for it.
For me, swinging out of balance always leads to inconsistent contact. In fact, I think balance isn't emphasized enough for beginning golfers. I will see them with a decent follow thru but they are squirming all over their front (loaded) foot at the finish.
So my practice swing is about finding my perfect balance and having the impact where it needs to be.
And I still get around the course < 4 hours as often as other players allow for it.
faux_maestro
New
Special circumstance.....I will take practice swings in this case. Also for short game shots. I take a lot in those situations but they are quickly done and I set-up to the ball, take one look and hit it quickly. Try to get the feel right and go quick before I forget the feel.
I agree, if I do take a " practice" swing it's just to stay loose and I do it before I get on the tee box, what's worse is on the green with the 3min routine starting off with the plumb bob and proceeding on to a visual from every angle known to man and then a further plumb bob just for good measure followed by 6 practice strokes and then missing it by a foot wide and 2 feet short or 4 feet long, my personal favorite is then the look of surprise as how could I have missed that 2 footer.
ricklmartin
New
I'm inconsistent w/ my practice swings - use them a lot in short game shots (pitching/chipping and putting). I also will use them on the tee w/ a driver/wood. Maybe will use if I'm working on something particular (ie shortening the backswing, working on my takeaway). I do find it will reduce tension in the swing sometimes if I'm suffering from paralysis by analysis.
faux_maestro
New
Right now for me it is mostly just back and forth drill with a feeling of keeping my tush line. Usually done before my turn to play so I don't hold things up.
welshdentist
New
Depends on what you use the practice swing for........
If it's so your ego can grab onto a feel to consciously copy and force.....bad idea
If it's to rehearse a special shot (stance/lie/trouble shot/partial shot), or some thing you need to do to relax then have a practice swing. Just make sure you don't consciously try to replicate it.
Essential on shots that are not full shots, for some people.
If it's so your ego can grab onto a feel to consciously copy and force.....bad idea
If it's to rehearse a special shot (stance/lie/trouble shot/partial shot), or some thing you need to do to relax then have a practice swing. Just make sure you don't consciously try to replicate it.
Essential on shots that are not full shots, for some people.
Richie3Jack
New
I take 2 swings, but they are usually a bit half-hearted. Just something to loosen up a bit and get my eyes reoriented with the club, ball, target and ground. And the more I'm working on something, the more 'serious' the practice swing is, keying in on whatever I'm working on. For instance, right now I'm altering my grip a tad...so it feels a little funny so the practice swings help me prevent it from feeling funny. The more difficult the shot, the more serious the practice swing is as well. A lot of it is just habit.
I play generally pretty fast out there. But in tournament play or even a weekend round, I'm bound to get slowed down by other golfers, so a good pre-shot routine helps slow me down a bit instead of getting all anxious over having to wait every shot.
3JACK
I play generally pretty fast out there. But in tournament play or even a weekend round, I'm bound to get slowed down by other golfers, so a good pre-shot routine helps slow me down a bit instead of getting all anxious over having to wait every shot.
3JACK
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