Partial swing 125 yards and in

[inthecup]

I have been experimenting with a partial swing.  For now I have limited it to a single partial swing so I can groove the feeling of it.

It is arms parallel to the ground back swing.  With it I can control distance from 120 yards and in.  My 56 degree goes 70 yards.  I have been experimenting with lower lofted clubs and and found that I hit each progressively lower club an additional 10 yards.

As an example last night I was hitting approaches from 120 with a 7 iron.  It is a very controlled swing, much more predictable.  The ball flight is down from a wedge swing but the balls stops.

Is this a flawed approach?  At this point I have more confidence in a partial 7 iron then a full PW?  If I am missing something I don't want to travel down this road and waste time.

[1par2win]

A flawed approach? In my opinion absolutely not. Controlling the flight to achieve predictable distances is EXACTLY the right way. You watch the pros in their approaches and more often than not they are flighting the ball lower than what a lot of mid-cappers attempt. That, my friend, is the difference between playing a golf shot and playing golf swing. Kudos to your approach! (no pun intended)

[TN94z]

It's not a flawed approach and will come in handy in your future golfing years.  With that being said, why not spend that much time working on the reason your PW doesn't give you the confidence too?  Imagine having the confidence in both!

[inthecup]

Originally Posted by TN94z

It's not a flawed approach and will come in handy in your future golfing years.  With that being said, why not spend that much time working on the reason your PW doesn't give you the confidence too?  Imagine having the confidence in both!

My irons have not been cooperating lately.  Typical story for me.  I was playing the best I have ever played a couple weeks ago and now something is off.  Even when I am off I was hitting greens where I wanted to be with the partial swing.  I also really like is being able to dial in distances that are less then a full swing for my highest lofted club.

[TN94z]

Originally Posted by inthecup

My irons have not been cooperating lately.  Typical story for me.  I was playing the best I have ever played a couple weeks ago and now something is off.  Even when I am off I was hitting greens where I wanted to be with the partial swing.  I also really like is being able to dial in distances that are less then a full swing for my highest lofted club.

Nothing wrong with that man.  I know what you mean about going through ruts!

[xxsoultonesxx]

I've been taking a similar approach to shots 100yds and in. I can hit a 3/4 PW and 100 is a great yardage for that. And anything inside that is all feel with the wedges.

[NuclearMike]

A partial swing can be controlled better than a full swing so I know that you're on the right track if you know your 3/4 swing distances and can reproduce them from shot to shot.  Knowing what the full shot can do (like a full wedge over a tree where a 3/4 swing won't work, for example) should be something that you know as well.  If you get the 3/4 swing down the full shot and increased confidence should follow.

[Spyder]

I was never able to be consistent with a 3/4 swing unfortunately. I had more success learning to flop with an open face or close the face for a lower trajectory and spin. My swing is usually always full though with the obvious exception of chipping and putting. If I need to go 60-70 yards, I'll usually play the SW with a slightly open/flat club face and put the ball center stance. Or, move the ball back off of my right toe and pick the ball off of the turf as I'm not much of a divot golfer. I can leave a divot though an do when spin is needed.

My suggestion is do whatever works for you. Look how many professionals get critiqued by the guys in the booth when they make stupid comments like "What an ugly swing!", "Well, you definitely would not teach that swing!". Really? It's ugly yet he's cashing checks. You wouldn't teach it? Good, you don't need to. It works for him. Golf is a very "individual" game in my opinion. Set standards don't always apply as so many golfers have so many very different techniques and swing styles, so I say good for you and do what brings you success and results. Those are the 2 things that matter most - as well as fun (and beer, women and money but that's a different and longer story most likely).

[redpro]

Not a flawed approach at all. I find with a 1/2 swing I get better control and the shot goes straighter and most often, longer. Control of the ball is what golf is about. Good for you!

[clubchamp]

I play a shot from 75 and in sometimes with my 52* that's basically a punch shot. It has a very low flight and if I hit it properly it will one hop and stop on the green. IMO being able to have controlled shots from short yardages is a very good weapon as it gives more option than a full shot.