That darned ball...

[lia41985]

I saw a wonderful clip of Mickey Wright:
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After searching the forum I found this interesting quotation:

If it wasn't for the ball, a lot more people would look like that!

I agree with Mr. Martin. Do you? If so, why do you think this happens? If not, why not?

 

[duckjr78]

It really is an amazing swing. Elements of power and accuracy blended as well as I have ever seen. Even a touch of carry like Snead to account for the swinging left needed to hit a straight shot. Beautiful.

As far as the ball goes, it comes down to fear and trust. We add things (more common) into or take things out of (less common) our swing when there is a ball present because we don't trust our swing to do what it needs to for a given shot. We don't take enough club. We don't know how far we really hit a "smooth" shot. We didn't come up with a plan for the shot in the first place, just grabbed a club and hit it. There are many reasons we don't trust the swing to give us the desired result. This result is why there is fear.

A practice swing has no net result to be afraid of. We can't skank it into the woods, so there is no stress. No stress equals truer swing. Add the ball, you get results oriented stress and a worse swing, for most people.

 

[golfdad]

actually, i think many people, even without the ball, do not practice swing like that.

her body mechanics is very pure.

 

[Richie3Jack]

I saw a wonderful clip of Mickey Wright:

After searching the forum I found this interesting quotation:

I agree with Mr. Martin. Do you? If so, why do you think this happens? If not, why not?

I completely agree with Martin. I know I've taped myself a couple of times swinging at a leaf on the ground and the swing looks unbelievably better. I've also seen other golfers do the same thing and get the same type of results.

I think a big part of it has to do with what the mass of the ball does to the club. Even if you swing without a ball and take a divot, things like an off center strike don't effect the clubhead which goes up the club and effects the golfer's hands, arms, body, etc.

I think there's some psychological effect as well, but I think when the ball is actually struck, that effects a lot of things.









3JACK

 

[birly-shirly]

I agree with Mr. Martin. Do you? If so, why do you think this happens? If not, why not?

I'm afraid I disagree. If my experience is anything to go by, practice swings are only superficially better. They don't generate anything like the same amount of clubhead speed (I'm lucky to get within 15mph of a real swing with a practice swing) and the precise delivery of the clubhead isn't tested at all. Most people's practice swings are smoother - which is no great accomplishment if you aren't generating meaningful speed or squaring the face. My personal opinion is that the dynamics of a practice swing are so fundamentally different to those of a real swing as to make the practice swing almost redundant as a physical rehearsal. Mental rehearsal yes, but not physical.

 

[ScottRob]

I cannot say...I do NOT take practice swings... for full shots anyway! I waggle, but I don't swish the club around. The story behind that is as a junior I used to take dinkem practice swings divots and all. The greens committee made a point to take me to task on the issue. I figured if I was not welcome to take a real swipe at it then maybe I should step up and hit it! The waggle gets enough blood in my fingers and I play fast. It is a well ingrained habit now. On the odd occasion I have a couple swishes if I am pitching out of rough. No practice strokes on the greens either. I feel like I have already made the swing/stroke after visualizing the shot. I don't (like most people) take practice practice swings on the range, so why do it on the course. Old geezers like playing with me...3 hours and 15 minutes and we are done...hip replacements, pull carts and all!

I recommend it. You learn to play a lot of your golf in your head...first. Plus it does not hurt to give the impression that you do not give a rip in a tight money game. I take my time figuring the shot...it is usually gone within 10 seconds of me pulling the club.