Can't take a practice hack

[ditchparrot19]

Except for warm-up purposes on the first tee, I never take a practice swing prior to a full shot. I want to and I think my scores would improve if I did, but I cannot make myself do it. It's a psychological hangup. The few times I've forced myself to try, they've been half-hearted half-swings just to get them over with as quickly as possible.

For one thing, I'm worried about "wasting" a good swing without a ball. For another, I'm in a hurry to get to the "real deal" and just don't want to spend the time that a practice swing consumes.

Does anybody have any advice as to how to get over a mental block like this.

[Abu3baid]

By having a consistent pre shot routine you will really be helping your score in the end.. I currently don't take many practice swings but I have noticed that when I do I have less of a chance of an error in the swing.. Best way for now is to really just force your self to do just one practice swing only, no matter what..it is really a habitual thing so keep doing it until you do it subconsciously. Maybe it will help to do it on the range too.. Right before each swing?

[SEVENTEEN 17]

Before I start my pre shot routine I turn the club upside down and make a full swing. This heightens my feel for the shot and gives a great feeling of the club head when I turn the club around the right way.

[joekelly]

So 17,  you are gripping the clubhead and swinging the grip end?  Must be something going on 'down under' that could give any kind of positive feedback from that set-up.

[plum]

the only time id ever take a practice swing is when its a very difficult shot like under a tree, around a tree etc... otherwise i get up to the ball and hit it. same as the OP, i dont wanna waste good swings.

so im interested in hearing others

[billchao]

There's no such thing as "wasting" a good swing with a practice swing, because a swing with no pressure and no ball is a poor indicator of your real swing anyway. I use practice swings to keep loose while I'm visualizing my shot. I can tell you that I "feel" the swing as I'm seeing it in my minds eye, but that's probably bs. My full swing is what it is, and a practice swing can do nothing to improve it, especially on the course. I've hit some of my best shots on autopilot: no practice swing, no routine, just got my number and swung to the target. The only time I would say a practice swing is helpful to me is on partial swings, pitches, chips, etc, and on trouble shots like @plum mentioned. In those situations, I'm trying to test out the lie and feel the length of the required swing.

[Motley01]

Ya taking practice swings are very important. If I don't take a practice swing I feel uncomforable. Just watch the pros, every single one of them take practice swings. Although too many practice swings can be bad also.

[ndb8fxe]

I take at least one practice swing before every stroke.  If the practice swing doesn't go as planned I take another one.  I know it may annoy some that I play with, but it definitely improves my score. Many time the practice swing is bad and if I swung at the ball that way the outcome would not be good.

[turtleback]

Except for warm-up purposes on the first tee, I never take a practice swing prior to a full shot. I want to and I think my scores would improve if I did, but I cannot make myself do it. It's a psychological hangup. The few times I've forced myself to try, they've been half-hearted half-swings just to get them over with as quickly as possible.

For one thing, I'm worried about "wasting" a good swing without a ball. For another, I'm in a hurry to get to the "real deal" and just don't want to spend the time that a practice swing consumes.

Does anybody have any advice as to how to get over a mental block like this.

There are good players that take practice swings and there are good players who do not take practice swings.  Just do not turn into "that guy" who ends up taking half a dozen practice swings complete with Mike Weir-like partial backswings on the practice swings.  I played with a guy like that at an outing recently and it took him longer to tee off and on every full shot than the other three of us combined.  It was both painful to watch and irritating in the extreme.

[Abu3baid]

The best is when they take 10 practice swings all look great and then they duff it into the water or 3 feet in front if them.. At that point you just want to ask them why they think none of the practice swings work!

[BENtSwing]

Whatever helps you relax and focus on the shot...doesn't matter if it's a practice swing or jumping jacks.

It IS pretty badass when I see someone not take a practice swing and rip a good shot though lol.

[Dave2512]

IMO more important than any practice swing is having a consistent way you get ready for a shot a routine. I am not trying to make a good practice swing as much as making sure I am doing specific things in my setup correctly. I don't even take a full swing just trying to feel certain things. For me it's a way to remind my body I am getting ready to move in pattern. I am never amazed how easy it is for me to forget something simple.

[SEVENTEEN 17]

G'Day Joe, Google " Swoosh Drill ". Give it a go ! Cheers 17

[iacas]

Just watch the pros, every single one of them take practice swings.

No they don't. Some do. Some don't. Some do when they are facing a weird shot.

There are good players that take practice swings and there are good players who do not take practice swings.

Yup.

[imsys0042]

There are good players that take practice swings and there are good players who do not take practice swings.  Just do not turn into "that guy" who ends up taking half a dozen practice swings complete with Mike Weir-like partial backswings on the practice swings.  I played with a guy like that at an outing recently and it took him longer to tee off and on every full shot than the other three of us combined.  It was both painful to watch and irritating in the extreme.

I know someone who does that. People encourage him to drink so he speeds up. My favorite is taking so many (6 is his number) and then hits it 50 yards. Long day....

[gregsandiego]

Whatever helps you relax and focus on the shot...doesn't matter if it's a practice swing or jumping jacks.

 

It IS pretty badass when I see someone not take a practice swing and rip a good shot though lol.

There is a woman in our local golf group who walks up like she's going to pick up the newspaper on the porch or something and BAM. No delay at all. I wish I could do that.

[Club Rat]

Just noticed this is bumping a year old thread.

My routine depends on the lie and stance required for the shot I'll visualized or try to execute.

If the ball is down, divot or ruff, or a tight lie, I'll make a couple of swings making sure I hit down and make the club bounce. I'll also pay attention to the position of the club striking the ground in relation to the stance.

On most standard fairway shots, my thoughts are making a good swing, tempo, contact and usually just a waggle to feel impact position will do. Seldom make a full swing unless I've waited a period of time for my turn to play, then it's just a relaxed 80% swing.

The times I'll struggle are usually when my cart partner is on the other side of the earth and I'll rush to make up time loss, or when I'll take 3 or 4 clubs to my ball and have the wrong weapons, then try to execute a dumb shot rather than get the right club.
Playing ready golf in a good flow helps most players play well. Guys with long pre-shot routines every single shot can really disrupt a groups pace.

Club Rat

Edited October 25, 2015 by Club Rat

[Patch]

Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't. It just depends on the shot I have, or the lie of the ball. I think a lot of times I just do it with out thinking about it. 

For the OP I would recommend what ever feels right for you.  You are correct about practice swings sometimes being better than the real deal. That ball getting in the way can sometimes  make a good swing a bad swing. Lol.