Warm-Up Swing - Grass?

[Miney]

When playing my first hole with each different club i use, i always try to have a few warm-up swings. With this, i never move on and strike my ball until i am getting consistent, 'good' amounts of grass contact. By good i dont mean digging divots but just a steady amount of contact.
I am just wondering whether this is such a big deal after all. I mean, should i worry if i hit an 'airy' when im warming up?

I was just interested as to what other's think and whether they do the same...

[georgep]

I think it's important to take a practice swing because it helps you rehearse the shot you're about to make and it helps you get loose and hopefully relaxed before the "real" swing. If where the club is at contact (getting good contact with the grass) is something that you need to work on then go with it, but don't worry too much about making a "perfect" practice swing. That could be counter-productive if it frustrates you and makes you more tense for the actual shot (plus it may annoy your playing partners and those behind you on the course if you're taking 10 practice swings each time ).

I feel like two practice swings is about right for me. I think mostly about tempo and shot shape when I take a practice swing, and I usually just brush the grass or stay above it entirely.

[TourSpoon]

I make sure to brush the grass more so on the wedges than any other club. There is nothing that frustrates me more than blading a sandwedge 130 yards from 100 yards out.

[907golfer12]

I also make sure that I have a good and consistant swing, also grazing some grass on my practice swing. I feel that it helps me groove my shot and feel confident that I will hit the shot that I want.

[fastfed]

Just make sure you're taking REAL PRACTICE SWINGS, nothing looks as stupid as the guys who get up to the tee box and do that funny, half swing, slow motion swing, THAT'S A PRACTICE????


When I practice hitting baseballs, I don't go into the box and have the machine throw me 30mph fastballs, HELL NO, If anything I want it to be faster, 90-95mph.

Same with golf, I always! make full swings as if there was a ball there, I usually put a broken tee in the ground and take a couple swings at it as if it was the ball, if I am doing an Iron shot I want to make sure I am taking a nice divot AFTER the tee.

lol, I still get a kick out of the slow motion practice people do, what's funny, now that I said this, as a pro told me, you will notice it more and more now.

[supercow]

lol, I still get a kick out of the slow motion practice people do, what's funny, now that I said this, as a pro told me, you will notice it more and more now.

Tiger Woods effect most likely... Seems as though whatever he seems to do other people tend to mimic.

[$2 Nassau]

I rarely take "actual" practice swings. I might swing the club back and forth a little before certain shots to relieve tension, establish tempo or practice a certain swing path.

I tend to only really rehearse my swing on those pesky pitch shots under 70 yards where you are required to shorten your backswing. I really need to gain feel on those shots, in those cases I try to brush the grass and mimic my exact swing.

EDIT: I agree with some of the practice swings certain people take, they appear to be a waste of time, but who knows, whatever works for you. It's just that they stand there extremely stiff, head stuck down into their chest taking 5-6 all arms practice swings as quickly as possible, almost like they are required to take practice swings and just want to get it over with.

[Lemay427]

Just make sure you're taking REAL PRACTICE SWINGS, nothing looks as stupid as the guys who get up to the tee box and do that funny, half swing, slow motion swing, THAT'S A PRACTICE????

i take slow practice swings because i am trying to groove my swing that i will be making. i want to make sure my hands are correct and taking a full, fast swing really wont ingrain that into my brain.

[Xbmchs12X]

I never take an actual pracitice swing unless im under 100 yards, I just make a few short back and forth motions along the grass to simulate impact, and then after I get over the ball I wagle the club once or twice. I just started using this routine about two weeks ago and have been hitting more consistent shots sence then.

[fluxcapacitor]

To me it would be more important to get warmed up before you tee off. Some one told me the best way to break 100 (judging by our similar handicaps we haven't done that much) is to have the same routine before every shot.

I know this may seem minor, but it has helped me. If I have to take a couple extra swings on a particular shot, I'll take a step back and start the routine over again.

[itzzzberny]

Just make sure you're taking REAL PRACTICE SWINGS, nothing looks as stupid as the guys who get up to the tee box and do that funny, half swing, slow motion swing, THAT'S A PRACTICE????

this is the most novice post i've ever read.... there is no right/wrong way to take practice swing. each player take a practice swing either to remind themselves to no bend their arm closest to the target, gauge the distance they are trying to reach, keep loose, etc.

odviously your 24 handicap is so pro.... grow up little one...

[Lemay427]

^^^ agree

[VanillaEps]

When playing my first hole with each different club i use, i always try to have a few warm-up swings. With this, i never move on and strike my ball until i am getting consistent, 'good' amounts of grass contact. By good i dont mean digging divots but just a steady amount of contact.

Funny you should mention that. During my lesson yesterday, my instructor told me that every practice swing I take should be touching the ground. Sweeping the grass or the mat.

[GolfGuy]

Warming up your body before you hit balls is even more important before a round. Just like an athlete would do their pre-game warm up, so should a golfer .

[Lemay427]

for beginners i would beleive in that concept. it helps you stay down with the shot and make contact, rather than coming up out of the swing and topping it. as you get better you will realize that you rarely make a sweeping swing, barely touching the grass. if i took a practice swing the way i swing when i am hitting a ball, i would destroy the ground. i dont take huge divots but i do hit the ball first then take grass. you will realize once you understand your swing more, practice swings will be used for muscle memory and taking slower swings will ingrain that into your brain more. as stated before from someone else, the only time i am taking swings that touch the ground is around the green from 70-80 yards in. i am focusing on how i want to come through on the shot. i dont hit down hard on a shot that i want to stop fast when i am closer to the green. i am focusing more on skimming through the shot and not a downward blow.


to each his own on taking practice swings but i do beleive that taking full rips before a shot will not really help you at all.