standing over ball awhile

[motteler621]

Guys, Ive always stood a little while over the ball imagining the feeling of good contact while im over it. I also make sure my posture is right. I dont wait really long, but probably about 5-6 seconds. Someone said to me that I shouldnt stand over the ball that long. I looked it up online and there are people that teach not to stand over the ball to long because your muscles tense up. Im comfortable with the amount of time I stand over the ball tho and feel rushed if I try to hit fast.

What do you guys think about standing over the ball too long?

[nuck81]

I'm in constant movement in an effort to stay loose. But I always have a lot of tension in everything I do, from playing golf, to playing my euphonium, and I even have to wear a bite guard at night when I sleep from how bad I grind my teeth.

It has helped my game tremendously to adopt a ready...aim....fire mentality. Especially in my putting.

[zeg]

Everyone is different. If it works for you, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

That said, I really try not to stand over the ball very long, it leads to second-guessing my shot plan. If it's windy, or if it's a chip where I'm really trying to get the feel of how to hit a particular shot, I'll spend longer. If it's just that I'm uncomfortable, I will step back and relax, then set back up and swing.

[Blades4me]

After my waggle and some movement, I pause and then go. However as earlier posted, whatever works for you best.

[Ash1974]

I used to be a ready, aim, fire guy, but lately I am getting into the address position and then have a 3-4 sec pause before starting the takeaway, this helps me swing smoothly.
For me a decent shot comes when I take my time so the pause is helping me big time

[Zeph]

There is no definitive answer to this. It is generally adviced to not stay static over the ball for too long a time, but it is individual. Just look at the PGA Tour if you need confirmation. Some players stand over the ball for like 5 seconds, while others barely stand still before starting the swing.

Find what works best for you. I stand still a couple of seconds over the ball myself.

[SpoiledRotten]

I'm the ready, aim, fire kind of guy. My wife stands there so long, you'd think she is praying over her shots, but then, that's her style. You've got yours.

[saevel25]

It drives me nuts to stand over the ball for a long time. I start thining of stuff, i get to concentrated on the ball, bad things happen.

I get the target line i want, i set up to the ball, i do a waggle, then let it rip. probably 3 seconds at most.

[Where's the Cart Girl?]

I'm guilty of this, and I've heard the same argument about inviting tension in when you stay over the ball for more than a few seconds. It's admittedly a habit I would like to break because I have felt at times that it did cause me to swing out of tempo. It's fairly ingrained in my game though and swinging earlier has developed an unnatural feeling, just as you stated.

It's all preference though and no one has the right to tell you to swing before you're ready. Go to the practice range and give yourself five seconds from the time you address the ball. Just count it down in your head and force yourself to swing before time runs out. Hit a bunch that way and see if the results are positive. If they're not... debate over.

[mtsalmela80]

I played with a real chump who stood on the tee box for about 30-40 seconds, stepping down his feet over and over again, pausing, and then stepping again. Really freaking annoying.

[saevel25]

I don't mind that, as long as your moving waggling, but if your just standing still your now inviting tension, swing thoughts, ect. I could care less if a player is slow, thats his pace. As long as he is ready to choose a club to hit by the time its his turn. Ready golf, the way i was tought to play, the way i always play. But if my preshot routine was 30 seconds long, i will make sure that 30 seconds start when it needs to.

[sean_miller]

I played with a real chump who stood on the tee box for about 30-40 seconds, stepping down his feet over and over again, pausing, and then stepping again. Really freaking annoying.

I'd be biting my tongue so hard - probably nip the end right off. Even the 6 second guy, if he was completely motionless, I'd have to look away.

[spaindaddy]

Just don't slow it down for your foursome or the people behind you...5 to 6 seconds is definitely reasonable to set up a shot and go thru your swing intentions

[The Recreational Golfer]

I don't stay over the ball at all, because I have the feeling of my "perfect" practice in my head and I want to swing at the ball before that feeling fades. I'm sure people who linger do it for a reason, but I can't help but think that spending less time would work better for them. However long it takes to prepare your mind, though. Some people can do that faster than others.

[zeg]

I'm the ready, aim, fire kind of guy.

I'm usually more of the ready, fire, aim kind. At least that's what my scores suggest...

[Dubya D]

Standing over a ball 5-6 seconds with out a waggle would be too long for me but, works for you.
I wouldn't change anything.

[DaSportsGuy]

I played with a guy yesterday who would stand over the ball for a good 15 seconds just shifting his weight back and forth until he began his backswing. I'd never seen anyone who stood over the ball that long but he was actually a pretty decent ball striker and about a 10 handicap.

[motteler621]

I strike it good too. Im just working on getting my back straight at address and I have to physically feel it because Im so use to slouching at address. I dont stand there long at all but if thats what it takes then i dont care what people think. Maybe it will throw them off their game, lol.