full swing vs. 3/4 swing vs. 1/2 swing

[jgreen85]

How much distance is lost going from a full backswing to a 3/4 swing to a 1/2 swing? I know, I know, "it'll be different for everyone," but on average how much distance is lost? (assuming equal contact with the ball)

I'm asking because I've been using a 3/4 swing all season, and wondering if it's worthwhile to go to a full swing.

[Kicker]

The real question is not what distance you might gain, but wheter you can maintain proper clubhead alignment going to a full back swing. I noticed with my swing that i actually hit the ball better with a 3/4 back and 3/4 follow through

[jgreen85]

I know that. That's why I said "assuming equal contact." If it's a 5 yard increase, then I'll stick w/ the 3/4 swing, but if it's a full club or more, then I'd spend the winter working on a full.

[saevel25]

I don't think in terms of half swing and full swing. Though if i think 3/4th swing i usually get parallel, i am big overswinginger ;b But i usually just feel the shot out.

[upah]

Assuming equal contact, why not overswing? Why not Happy Gilmore? To answer your question, I think its a full club. Maybe a bit more even, but it doesn't work that way. What's the point in ever hitting a 3/4 shot if you can hit it just as crisp with a full swing?

[motteler621]

I think you should definitly work on getting the proper shoulder turn and your arms where they should be.

[Arsenal8807]

Well I would stick with the 3/4 swing. "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" assuming your distances with your clubs are fine with you and you aren't coming up short when you should be hitting the greens?

I know when I am pushing the ball a little I slow things down or I'll just go to the root of the problem and fix it on that hole with the next shot making sure I am releasing the club and maintaining a nice plane throughout the swing.

A swing that is 3/4th's of a full swing can be beneficial and help you find a good tempo, I know it works for me and I just carry that into a full swing. I usually practice using one on my practice swing a couple of times then when I tee off I use a full swing but the same tempo I was using during the 3/4th's swing and it helps me big time.

P.S. Don't worry, everyone has their own swing and just use what works for you 100% of the time bud. Look at Camillo Villegas' swing, he doesn't have a full swing at all lol and it works for him, still gets distance and everything.

[goblue107501]

For me it is about a half a club. The specific yardage depends on the club. It might be 5-6 yards for an 8-iron, but 8-9 yards for a 4-iron. I do a bunch of adjusting on my grip as well. A 3/4 swing with a 3/4 grip is about a full club difference for me.

My advise would be to continue doing what you are doing if it is working for you. One thing to practice would be a full shot, just to see where the ball goes. Every once in a while it is better to max out a shorter club rather than try and take off a longer club. It can be a good shot to have in the arsenal, even if you don't need it that often. Just like most of golf, it takes a lot of trial and error to figure it out.

[jgreen85]

Thanks for the thoughts all. I'll give it a shot the next couple of times I'm at the range and see how it goes!

[iacas]

Trick question. Most people's "full swing" is actually so long that they lose power overall. Some people hit the ball farther with what feels like half a swing.

[kurisu]

Trick question. Most people's "full swing" is actually so long that they lose power overall. Some people hit the ball farther with what feels like half a swing.

true dat. guilty as charged.

[Blades4me]

How much distance is lost going from a full backswing to a 3/4 swing to a 1/2 swing? I know, I know, "it'll be different for everyone," but on average how much distance is lost? (assuming equal contact with the ball)

]

If found my 3/4 swing to almost as far as my full swing and usually more accurate. It is a very good idea to learn the 3/4 swing b/c it is the basis for the swing. When I am having a hard time controling my ball I'll go back to a 3/4 swing.

[kurisu]

Actually when I start pulling/duffing/topping shots, it's because I overswing, i.e. do what feels like a "full swing", but what actually happens is that my arms get disconnected, my wrists flip at the top, and I start the downswing with my arms instead of my hips.
A 3/4 swing feels almost like an approach shot, but I am able to start the downswing with my hips, come down from the inside, get cleaner contact, and a baby push draw that goes MUCH farther than any of my "full" swings.

Whatever you feel is "smaller" but gives you much improved consistency and almost no loss in distance is actually your full swing.

Sure, I may get lucky and hit the club with an overswing, and gain 7 yards. But 99% of the time that will result in some crappy outcome: OB, duff, top, slice, pull, shank...

Golf is about consistency above distance. The "perfect" swing is the one that you can repeat throughout the round, and that makes the ball go where you want it to go. And usually, a smaller swing will increase your chances of hitting the sweet spot and will result in longer distance anyway...

[Lefty-Golfer]

my full swing is really about 3/4...it comes from sitting at a desl like a piece of veal and not working out enough...but hey round is a shape!!

honestly when i am playing well my swing is 3/4 and very tight...many guys comment on how far i can hit the ball with a 3/4 and how they should consider trying that...LOL only a few of my buddies realize it is due to me not being flexible.

My aren't that short 7i = 155, 8 145, 9 135, w 125...when swinging well they sometimes go higher on a given day. i don't see any reason to get away from from the 3/4 for golf....

[Leftygolfer]

I'm similar to lots of others. I actually hit the ball farther and better with a shorter compact swing. I don't loose any distance at all. My backswing is complete when I can't turn anymore without loosing my inclination to the ground which is right around 10 o'clock with my right arm. When I am hitting it poorly this is something I come back to as I can almost guarantee I am getting to long with my backswing.

[Open-Faced Club Sandwedge]

Trick question. Most people's "full swing" is actually so long that they lose power overall. Some people hit the ball farther with what feels like half a swing.

Very true for me. I've changed my swing as a result of several lessons over the last couple months, and my new swing is about 3/4 of my old swing. I haven't gained distance, but I've gained consistency without losing any distance. I think by the time I reach real comfort level to where I'm really getting after the ball with the new swing, I will have gained significant distance by going to a 3/4 swing (or at least what feels to me like a 3/4 swing).

-Andrew

[sean_miller]

. . . Whatever you feel is "smaller" but gives you much improved consistency and almost no loss in distance is actually your full swing.

In the last couple seasons I've been asked a few times about my "3/4 swing" with driver and long irons. It's not 3/4. I can't get the club any closer to parallel without cheating somehow (e.g. bending the left arm or overcocking the wrists) and ultimately losing power and consistency.

[Open-Faced Club Sandwedge]

I can't get the club any closer to parallel without cheating somehow (e.g. bending the left arm or overcocking the wrists) ...

Out of curiosity, how do you define "overcocking" the wrists? My definition is that I've overcocked them when the club goes past parallel, but your comment makes me wonder if there's a better definition.

-Andrew