Why do golf instructors encourage practice swings?

[chriskzoo]

This boggles my mind and is the most frustrating thing in any given round - watching somebody in front of you who sets up to the ball, takes two full practice swings, then moves closer for the full swing, hits it fat, rinse and repeat.

You will almost never see the pros taking a full practice swing unless they are in the rough and trying to test the lie. Usually you see them take a 1/2 speed swing just to get their swing plane/rhythm down, but rarely a full-on practice swing.

Every newer golfer I have encouraged to drop the practice swing has hit the ball better and silently I thank them for speeding up play.

[1par2win]

Some instructors are trying to get their students to "feel" the shot by taking a practice swing. Mine didn't but I have heard others instruct that way. Personally I take a couple of 1/2, 3/4 swings just to get the feel of the club in my fingers. Then set-up and pull the trigger. Everybodys pace is different.

[jonnythan]

Mine hasn't said anything about it one way or another, but I've done better since I've ditched the 1-3 full practice swings.

I will often take one or two back behind the tee box or on the fairway while waiting, though.

[RandomRaiderTTU]

I took practice swings a long time ago but have been free of that for a good couple of years.

About the only time I take any practice swings now is for less than full wedge shots. On those, I'm trying to get a feel for how much swing I need to get the distance I want.

I too have had friends can the practice swings and it hasn't hurt them and speeds up play.

[Greg]

The only time it might be really helpful is on the 1st tee if you didnt really take time to warm up as many dont to help loosen you up or if the group in front of you is holding you up and you have to wait anyway to stay loose and give yourself something to do. Its kinda funny, my friend who I play with quite a bit will have a good practice swing and then he'll say, well I wasted the good one because his actual shot wont turn out as well.

[Drennen13]

Its different for every person. Some newer golfers love the practice swing just to get the confidence that their going to hit a nice shot. Which then results in an immediate look up apon contact just to see where the ball is traveling and end up hitting it fat. I address the ball, set up my feet, 1 or 2 slow motion swings just to determine my wrists, and have at it.

[pinhigh27]

Its different for every person. Some newer golfers love the practice swing just to get the confidence that their going to hit a nice shot. Which then results in an immediate look up apon contact just to see where the ball is traveling and end up hitting it fat. I address the ball, set up my feet, 1 or 2 slow motion swings just to determine my wrists, and have at it.

Pretty much exactly same, the only thing I ever look at is my left wrist.

I make a practice swing from ankle height to back through just to simulate the club going through impact and to make sure I come back inside with the club through the ball.

[dansensel]

I don't take any if I am hitting the ball with some consistancy that day. if I am spraying the ball all around, i will try and use a practice swing to figure out what i am doing wrong in my swing. Never if we are playing slow, or someone is wating. Usually, while I am waiting ont eh group in front or something.

[golfmentalist]

golf instructors encourage practice swings probably becasue it will give you time before each shot to make sure all mechanical changes are in proper order.

[mdvaldosta]

I only take a half swing prior to striking a ball with a full swing, so that I can get loose or get a feel for something I'm trying to work. Chipping and putting is different though, I usually take two practic swings to visualize/feel what I'm trying to do or the speed.

[daveh]

What are these people doing to slow down play? Two practice swings should take 3 seconds.

[DJYoshi]

I take 1 or 2 practice swings...sometimes full..sometimes not...just to get me loose and envision the shot...and kind of see my target that I was aiming and the shot I picked was the right one when I was standing behind the ball.... I don't think I slow down play any....I love playing fast golf..but hate rushing shots or making other people rush shots.

[CG031]

I take 1 or 2 practice swings...sometimes full..sometimes not...just to get me loose and envision the shot...and kind of see my target that I was aiming and the shot I picked was the right one when I was standing behind the ball.... I don't think I slow down play any....I love playing fast golf..but hate rushing shots or making other people rush shots.

Yup, I agree. Helps me loosen up a bit, and try to stay, or find my tempo. I do agree with the OP that I've seen guys take 4-5 practice swings, and they take their practice swings slowly, and STAND OVER their practice swings as if it was there ball there. Them they proceed to get over the ball, and FREEZE for 15-30 seconds...only to hit it 30 yards down the fairway. THAT gets annoying when play is already slow or the course is packed.

I did know a guy who was a +1 handicap, and a hell of a player, who NEVER took a practice swing. He simply stood behind his ball, picked his line, and went. When I played 18 holes with him we'd finish in 2 hours.

[2bGood]

For me it really depends, I never take full swings but I do take a few "light strokes" while I wait to hit. I am a fast golfer and even with practice swing my foursome and I can and have finished 18 in 2.5 hours when we get the first tee time of the day.

For short shots, I take as many swings as I need to "find" what I am looking for. Sometimes that is one some time that is 5. Even with 5 I assure you I take less then 15 or 20 seconds

[Taylor Shrake]

My golf instructer must have a thing for practice swing. Whenever I get a "dud" shot, he always makes me do 2 practice swings. He says it helps relieve tension and gives you a better view of the swing path you should take.

[P3R3]

I could not imagine not using a practice swing before a shot. I have to envision the shot I am about to hit.