Practise Swing.

[akiwi65]

Hey all. One of my (many) golf problems is before I address the ball to hit it I take a practise swing. I look at the scuff mark on the grass and see it is straight, I follow through end up on the front foot and so on. It feels good. So I address the ball. Having being taught recently to have a strong grip (to help to cure my slice)

After I hit the ball I realise Im on my back foot and the divot from the club is right to left consistently. Any ideas how to cure these 2 problems?

One other thing, I enjoy my golf quite a bit, how can you tell a good pro from a bad. ie the ones who want to help and the ones who want to sell you something?
Thanks

[nosaradan]

Re: Practise Swing.

I used to do this same thing, and I think this is fairly common -- great practice swing, something less than great when the ball is involved. I believe it comes from having a "hit" mentality rather than what we should have -- a "swing" mentality. Our practice swings are perfect (as can be) because there is no ball and no pressure to hit at something -- hit it far, hit it straight, whatever. But when we step up to the ball, our focus changes. We're really not simply swinging anymore, we're trying to HIT something, maybe we get tense, and our perfect, no pressure practice swing goes away. If we focus on the swing itself rather than the ball -- just swing the club and allow the ball to get in the way -- the "hit" that is produced will be much better because the swing is relaxed, and our swing thoughts are on form, timing, etc. rather than just that blasted ball. Keep your eye on the ball, keep your mind on the swing.

What worked for me was to swing through practice balls at about 30% of my normal swing speed, taking the club only halfway back sometimes, thinking only about the different parts of the swing, sometimes closing my eyes while swinging, not caring where the ball ended up. (shots are rarely bad while doing this, by the way.) I gradually increased my swing speed to my normal full swing. I did this with loads and loads of balls, and it and allowed me to get used to swinging the club with a ball in front of me and not have "hit" as my focus. Hope that wasn't too long-winded and hope it helps.

The pros? they all want to sell you something! But there are probably several in your area who are also interested in helping -- Ask some of your golf buddies or ask around at your local range or golf shop who some of the trusted, helpful, local pros are.

Dan

[Shamed04]

Re: Practise Swing.

My advice is this. You simply need to practice more. Hit the range several times a week for a couple of weeks, then go back out and play and see if you have the same problem. One thought that goes through my head after reading your comment is that
1) when approaching the ball you are probably trying to hit it harder than needed, therefore you are not keeping your head still and might be moving it back in your backswing to try and shift more weight, which is not necessarilly needed. Remember the bottom of your divot is usually where your head is positioned.

[vp27519]

Re: Practise Swing.

Hi Kiwi,

In the first instance, you need to be able to sit down with your coach and speak with him about your goals and expectations. In return, he should speak his mind too.

A plan needs to be implemented to reach your goals which should be reassessed and revised at times.

Both should be able to speak freely without fear.

Honesty is the best approach.

With regards to your practice swing, it should be executed as if you are actually hitting the ball. Afterwards, if it feels right, say to yourself 'that's it.' Then address your ball.

[ilang]

Re: Practise Swing.

HI, I think the hardest thing in golf to learn is"tempo"Your practice swing is properly much smoother than your actual swing.I know the sweetest irons i hit,are when i am laying up.The transition from back swing to down swing is critical to good shots.If you jerk the transition you will go out of plane,which it sounds like you are.
Cheers Ilang.

[pgmetcalf]

Re: Practise Swing.

I never practice direction, I just work on a smooth turn (spine angle, tempo and weight shift) and keeping my hands leading the club head. The reason I don't work on direction is because I have to set up for the swing directly afterwards so there doesn't seem much point, when you practice swing you may not be even facing the way you wish to send the ball.

[Scragger63]

Re: Practise Swing.

Is it just me, or does anyone else find the bloke that takes 3-5 practice swings before every shot, for the whole round, very frustrating to play with...

And, someone who does this is more likely to be a high capper, so, 100 or so real shots plus anywhere between 200 - 400 practice swings for the round...???

If nothing else, tiredness would be winner...

For me, the hour before my round is generally spent like this...

10-15 minutes of stretching. 10-15 minutes on the range before the round working on loosening up for the full swing, and 10-15 minutes of chipping, and 10-15 minutes of putting and its off to the first tee... Something like that...

I may be guilty of one or two practice swings for any shot during a round that is anything less than a full one, but that is just to get a feel for the distance I'm wanting to hit the ball.