Practice Swings

[TarDawg]

Who here takes them and who doesn't? Pro's or Con's for either???


Personally, I never take a practice swing. I've tried to force myself to do it and 99% of the time the actual swing is much worse than when I just step up to the ball and hit it.

For me it works best if I start behind the ball. Get my target. Step up to the ball. Set Up. Look one more time at target. Swing.

I think it's because I don't let myself get into my head and start having way to many swing thoughts.

I keep my swing thought simple. "swing through the ball at the target"

[MI Rob]

I usually do a practice swing or two. Helps me focus a little more and loosen up real quick.
Once in awhile it does get me thinking and having a bunch of swing thoughts and i will mess up.

[MiniMoe]

I never do a full practice swing. I instead swing the club a little to visualize and feel distance and shot selection. I do this on putts and chips too. I take little half swings or quarter swings just to get the club moving while I get a good sense of feel, trajectory, and distance. It takes me all of 2 seconds to be ready to hit a shot.

[opie]

I never do a full practice swing. I instead swing the club a little to visualize and feel distance and shot selection. I do this on putts and chips too. I take little half swings or quarter swings just to get the club moving while I get a good sense of feel, trajectory, and distance. It takes me all of 2 seconds to be ready to hit a shot.

I'm very similar.. never a full "official" practice swing.. more like a BIG waggle :D

[Comeback City]

I take either 1-3 practice swings. I usually try and do take one swing though... If my first practice swing feels right then I step up and hit it. If it doesn't I take another until I feel good about it. Sometimes I'll hit it worse, but I find most times that it helps.

[iacas]

I rarely take practice swings. More like rehearsal moves on occasion, in two situations: 1) when I'm working on something in my swing, 2) when I'm facing an unusual shot (lie, shot shape, etc.).

[walk18]

I take 1, nice and easy.

[misty_mountainhop]

Not always but I'll take one if I'm trying to get my tempo right or help groove a particular thing I'm working on.

[David in FL]

When I hear "practice swing", I always think replica of the actual swing that you're about to take. I don't do that. I'll take a smooth swing to loosen up a bit (it's hell to get old..... ) and will visualize the shape and result that I want, but I don't try to replicate the actual swing unless the shot I'm trying to play or the lie are really unusual.

[Jell0b0y]

I take at least one on every shot. I am starting to hook my driver some so I do a half swing to ensure my face is square then a full swing just to help me visualize what I need to do. I am a hacker and anything to get my confidence up on a shot is a plus. I am seeing a huge difference in my Driver and Iron play with less fat and bad tee shots. Now if i can get my putting to come around I would be in business

[bogeyhitter25]

None for me. Only a couple of waggles.

[mdvaldosta]

I take two swings prior to all shots, it's a routine. Not full, hard swings and not a "practice" swing per se, just to loosen me up and stay in a groove.

[CalBoomer]

Seems like there is a lot of personal variation here. I have always assumed that what most pros do is usually correct because of their Darwinian need to find the best possible way to make shots. I have never seen a pro not take a practice swing of some kind. Has anyone seen any pro just step up and hit the ball?

[Incognito]

My "practice" swings are more of a rehearsal of tempo and balance. Trying to get a feel of a smooth swing and appropriate balance on uneven lies.

Usually, if your actual swing is a lot worse than your practice swing, especially for high handicappers, you may be standing over your ball too long before you swing. Make your swing thoughts before you get over the ball. Once you setup over the ball, don't stand there stiff too long. Just make your swing.

[Bauer]

I take about 1 practice swing with my driver sometimes only on the first hole. After that I am usually good. A few with my irons. 0 when putting. For putting I pick my line and go hit it. Only time this changes is if I am behind a slow group, in which case I take some more practice swings.

[Brooklyn]

my practice swing is more part of my pre shot routine. It keeps me slow. If im not paying 100% attention i will mess up every shot.

[microcrayfish]

I very rarely take practice swings, I'll only do it if I'm trying something different like working it around a tree to get the feel of a different swing. I'm more of the big waggle type. I see way too many people take far too many practice swings trying to get one that "feels right" only to mess up their shot. Plus it slows things down.

[JaY_B]

Seems like there is a lot of personal variation here. I have always assumed that what most pros do is usually correct because of their Darwinian need to find the best possible way to make shots. I have never seen a pro not take a practice swing of some kind. Has anyone seen any pro just step up and hit the ball?

loads of times, although mainly when hitting tee shots.