C7usk
Well-known member
I've been watching the AP invitational and have been amazed at how many pros do not take practice swings with putts... They spend a ridiculous time lining their putts up... But hardly any take a practice swing...
How many practice putts do you take..?
- Thread starter C7usk
- Start date
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I take one. I swing it as if I'm hitting the actual putt to get a feel for what I think the right length of swing is for the distance required, before I then try and replicate that on the actual putt.
I went through a phase a while ago of trying to putt with no practice stroke. Because there was a mental coach guy on Twitter who said they were bad - something to do with keeping the target fresh in your mind and a practice stroke weakens that because the line isn't the same from where you practice or something like that. But hitting a putt without a practice swing just made it feel like I was completely guessing how hard to hit it so I had to bring the practice stroke back.
Those who advocate not practice swinging would probably say "you don't practice swing your arm when you throw a ball of paper into the bin", but then, you wouldn't care if you missed that either.
I went through a phase a while ago of trying to putt with no practice stroke. Because there was a mental coach guy on Twitter who said they were bad - something to do with keeping the target fresh in your mind and a practice stroke weakens that because the line isn't the same from where you practice or something like that. But hitting a putt without a practice swing just made it feel like I was completely guessing how hard to hit it so I had to bring the practice stroke back.
Those who advocate not practice swinging would probably say "you don't practice swing your arm when you throw a ball of paper into the bin", but then, you wouldn't care if you missed that either.
Lucifer MorningStar
Well-known member
No proper practice strokes but 1 kind of practice stroke.
Once I’ve read the line of the putt I stand directly behind the line of the ball and make a feel stroke whilst looking down the line of the putt.
Nothing mechanical, no swing thoughts just a feel for the length of the stroke whilst looking down the line from behind allows me to visual the ball going in the hole on the line I’ve picked. Always done since I was a kid practicing on the putting green, I’ve always been a decent putter and very much a feel player.
Weirdly watched a Dan Grieve video few weeks ago where he played with Rachel Drummond and he go her to do the same thing as she was struggling to put line and feel together.
Once I’ve read the line of the putt I stand directly behind the line of the ball and make a feel stroke whilst looking down the line of the putt.
Nothing mechanical, no swing thoughts just a feel for the length of the stroke whilst looking down the line from behind allows me to visual the ball going in the hole on the line I’ve picked. Always done since I was a kid practicing on the putting green, I’ve always been a decent putter and very much a feel player.
Weirdly watched a Dan Grieve video few weeks ago where he played with Rachel Drummond and he go her to do the same thing as she was struggling to put line and feel together.
nickjdavis
Head Pro
I normally have two....the first is an aggressive practice stroke that i know would send the ball several foot past the hole....it relieves any tension in my arms, the second is a stroke that would be obviously underhit. Then I take the putt proper.....i like to think that my distance control is pretty good.
Backache
Assistant Pro
None, nor for most strokes.
Occasionally for chipping/pitching when I want to check the ground reaction
Occasionally for chipping/pitching when I want to check the ground reaction
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
None for me with putter (or any full shots with other clubs)
Very much feel putter. After stance and line chosen i glare at the hole for 2-3 seconds, this gives me a strong mental image of putt length that I concentrate on during the stroke
Seems to be best approach for me
Very much feel putter. After stance and line chosen i glare at the hole for 2-3 seconds, this gives me a strong mental image of putt length that I concentrate on during the stroke
Seems to be best approach for me
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Rarely take a practice swing with any club....
For me it does nothing.
And for most people it barely resembles the real thing...
It's in your head.
For me it does nothing.
And for most people it barely resembles the real thing...
It's in your head.
KenL
Tour Rookie
I read Dave Stockton’s book in which he recommended not taking any.
I usually don’t take them except on really long putts.
I don’t take practice swings either on full shots, a waste of energy.
I usually don’t take them except on really long putts.
I don’t take practice swings either on full shots, a waste of energy.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
Are they practice strokes? Bit late to start practicing when you are stood over the ball
C7usk
Well-known member
Interesting.. I am a bit like orikoru. I try to replicate a stroke that has the correct length and pace of swing to get as close to the hole as possible. I tend to take 3 practice swings. I may look to reduce that and see how it goes. I think it may affect my distance accuracy though.
I take 1-2, just to get a sense of rhythm in the stroke. I'm a straight back and through putter and I just like to get that locked in, rather than wobble on the backstroke.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
I really don't think the practice swing is wildly different on a putt surely?
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Watch closely next time you play...any resemblance will be minor...even on a putt...I really don't think the practice swing is wildly different on a putt surely?
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
Pros spend hours a day practicing so don’t need to on the greens.
Their swing is honed .
Most practice swings is for me just to get a feel for length.
Full practice swings is just loosens you up I do this while pps are playing.
The older I get the more a practice swing helps.
Their swing is honed .
Most practice swings is for me just to get a feel for length.
Full practice swings is just loosens you up I do this while pps are playing.
The older I get the more a practice swing helps.
Orikoru
Tour Winner
For me I think it's a confidence thing? If the practice swing is bad I think "thank God I got that out on a practice swing and not the real swing". And if the practice swing is good I think "Great, just replicate that one more time with the ball." Sounds silly and they aren't conscious thoughts as such, but it's just a kind of mental reinforcement.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
None for me.
The only time I take a practice swing for any shot is when I have to manipulate the ball for an out of the usual situation.
You might see me take some sort of pre-shot swing on some occasions but this is more for loosening up the body rather than a practice swing
The only time I take a practice swing for any shot is when I have to manipulate the ball for an out of the usual situation.
You might see me take some sort of pre-shot swing on some occasions but this is more for loosening up the body rather than a practice swing
Burnsey
Well-known member
I'm in the none category for all clubs.
I waggle though.
I waggle though.
Voyager EMH
Slipper Wearing Plucker of Pheasants
Varies.
Tap-ins don't have a practice swing, apart from when a matchplay opponent has not conceded it. Then I might mark my ball, clean it, take a few practice swings, before tapping it in.
One or two practice swings once over the ball is most common.
3 or more with decreasing frequency of occurrence. Simply depends on my thinking at the time.
Tap-ins don't have a practice swing, apart from when a matchplay opponent has not conceded it. Then I might mark my ball, clean it, take a few practice swings, before tapping it in.
One or two practice swings once over the ball is most common.
3 or more with decreasing frequency of occurrence. Simply depends on my thinking at the time.
