Practice Swing in Golf

[BlackSnake]

I'm driving through Trophy Club today and I catch this guy on the course practice swinging as he is waiting on the group ahead and it got me to thinking.

What is the true reason for a practice swing or swings? Keep in mind that I'm speaking about irons. I mean, isn't the ideal swing taking a divit? You don't take them when you practice. So conclusively, you are just spinning your wheels loosening up all the while you are screwing up your swing by not swinging properly. No?

Anybody that has ever played with me knows that I never take practice swings.

[Sleeper]

If I make w practice swing, i usually just don't bend my knees. I rarely take them, I have better luck running a couple swing drills.

[davbrucas]

Muscle memory....repetition of correct form increases your chance of reproducing it when the ball is there.

I play at least 3 rounds of golf every round I play...just most of the time there is no ball being hit...ie, I take a lot of practice swings.

[jakesford]

Its all about muscle memory and it gets your body prepared for the swing... if I'm not on a strange lie I usually take a loose / slow deliberate swing, then I take one true "practice" swing like I plan to make on that shot, I even take a divot. I back off and stand behind the ball to check my alignment and conditions then swing away. If it is slow and I'm waiting on the group in front the last thing I do is sit there and take 50 practice swings. That messes with my head.

[347Mike]

In a nut shell:

http://www.wimp.com/perfecttip/

[BlackSnake]

Muscle memory....repetition of correct form increases your chance of reproducing it when the ball is there.

I play at least 3 rounds of golf every round I play...just most of the time there is no ball being hit...ie, I take a lot of practice swings.

Wouldn't you have to say,"partial muscle memory"? Because if you are not fulling mimicking the proper swing, you are not teaching the brain properly.

Just a thought.

[347Mike]

Wouldn't you have to say,"partial muscle memory"? Because if you are not fulling mimicking the proper swing, you are not teaching the brain properly.

Just a thought.

There are so many things that can screw up your swing, moving an inch or half an inch closer to the ground to grab a divot isn't that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.

[Butch]

I would rather play golf in the rain than with someone that takes a bunch of fucking "practice" swings, then knocks the ball within range for me to stand there and piss on it.

[BlackSnake]

There are so many things that can screw up your swing, moving an inch or half an inch closer to the ground to grab a divot isn't that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things.

I would agree to that for most players, cause taking a divot usually comes by accident for the casual player. But I think it takes effort to take one and a equal amount of effort not to. Again making for two completely different swings.

[jakesford]

Wouldn't you have to say,"partial muscle memory"? Because if you are not fulling mimicking the proper swing, you are not teaching the brain properly.

Just a thought.

Ah, but your swing plane changes depending on the club, or if are trying to work the ball for example. So the driver you just hit has a much flatter swing plane than the 8 iron you are hitting on your approach shot. The practice swing(s) get your body adjusted to the change.

[BlackSnake]

Ah, but your swing plane changes depending on the club, or if are trying to work the ball for example. So the driver you just hit has a much flatter swing plane than the 8 iron you are hitting on your approach shot. The practice swing(s) get your body adjusted to the change.

Best explanation so far.

[tribaltalon]

I would agree to that for most players, cause taking a divot usually comes by accident for the casual player. But I think it takes effort to take one and a equal amount of effort not to. Again making for two completely different swings.

The ideal swing requires making a divot? what??? i bet your golf course hates you. The only time i ever make a divot is when i'm working around the green and putting backspin on the ball.


I take alot of practice swings, mostly on the teebox to get my mind off KILL mode when swinging the boom stick.

[DON SVO]

The ideal swing requires making a divot? what??? i bet your golf course hates you. The only time i ever make a divot is when i'm working around the green and putting backspin on the ball.


I take alot of practice swings, mostly on the teebox to get my mind off KILL mode when swinging the boom stick.

Scared of touching the grass?

[BlackSnake]

The ideal swing requires making a divot? what??? i bet your golf course hates you. The only time i ever make a divot is when i'm working around the green and putting backspin on the ball.


I take alot of practice swings, mostly on the teebox to get my mind off KILL mode when swinging the boom stick.

Correct.

[tribaltalon]

Correct.

incorrect. just sayin'. Now if you're WANTING to put backspin on the ball, okay. but i wouldnt call that the general "ideal golf swing".

I would say the ideal swing is the one that gets the little dimply ball down the fairway and onto the green somewhere by the little pole thingy with the flag. It sounds like you golf experts know best-er. good luck with that 20 handicap.