Practice swings

[Adi2Dassler]

Since the start of the year I've stopped taking practice swings when putting.My thinking is that as a mid-handicapper I'm only repeating eratic swings.So I stand behind the putt, choose a line, set up and go.I've found that I'm holing more short ones and lagging more long uns.

I've since stopped any kind of practice swings and concentrate on swing thoughts (in to in, soft hands,chin up) and it's also helping.

Am I alone?

 

[Oddsocks]

im with you 100%, putting with no thoughts is awesome

 

[Alex1975]

Some days I don't practice swing at all, I rarely do with my driver as I hit it so well, my body just seems to know what to do and I think with the high tee I always feel confident.

However it has been so cold of late I have found that I need to get my body moving before any shot or I will just be lazy and stiff.

Interesting point about putting though, I do make those manic pre putt swings...

 

[Pants]

It's part of my putting routine.

Having decided on line etc, I stand nearly at the address position and swing the club back and forth 2 or 3 times with the power I want while looking at the intended line - visualising the ball rolling along the line into the hole. Move to the ball, pull the trigger and watch it miss.

 

[Aztecs27]

Yep. Never practice swing with the flat stick. I get the line, stand at the side of my putt so my brain can gauge the distance then I putt (cheers Gary), more often than not the long ones get near and the short ones go in.

 

[CMAC]

I tried it on hol once, 3 rounds in a row I was a demon putter.........didnt last back home for some reason.

Mickelson went through a phase of something similar, he would practice putt nowhere near the ball, then walk up and putt, it was working very well

 

[Region3]

I never practice swing a putt any more either. Not sure why... it almost feels like superstition now!

 

[sweatysock41]

I'm the opposite - putting is the only practise swings I take, been that way for a year or so now. Just to get the feel of rocking the shoulders.

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Good to hear others do the same.I'm putting more value in the visualisation of the shots that the physical repetition prior to attempting the shot.Bad practice swings can only lead to doubt or bad actual swings.

 

[sydney greenstreet]

I always get the line of putt stand close then ALWAYS 3 strokes then set behind the ball and go, the reason for the practice is to get a feel for how much to put on it.

 

[pbrown7582]

i think i read an article by dave stockton reccomending the this very idea not tried it myself but sounds as if it works for a few

 

[ash01]

I don't practice swing the club in order to try and emulate the distance of backswing and follow through, I swing to check that my "Lock, Cock and Rock" action is in tune.

Then I step up, look at the back of the hole, visualise the line I have picked and knock it in!

Ash!!

 

[StrangelyBrown]

Once I've picked a line I have a practice swing or three to make sure that I'm getting the same feeling as when I'm practicing with my v-easy, then it's a quick look at the hole and pull the trigger.

 

[Achilles]

I don't take a practice swing with my putter but do for everything else. I used to always have a practice stroke with the short stick but for some reason that I can't remember I no longer do it. Seems to be working at the moment as my putting is probably as good as it's ever been.

 

[garyinderry]

i like a practice swing on the putts to guage how hard i want to hit it. helps muscle memory apparently.

one of my playing partners doesnt take any practice putting strokes and is awsome with the flat stick.

 

[AmandaJR]

Never take a practice swing with the putter but always take one with every other club - a couple for pitches and chips...

 

[Imurg]

Pretty much given up on practice swings altogether...
Maybe take a couple on a tricky pitch or chip but that's about it.

 

[CMAC]

I swing to check that my "Lock, Cock and Rock" action is in tune.

wrong forum buddy

 

[moogie]

I changed my Routine about end Aug / Sept last year
I may take a practice swing away from the ball, but Never next to it
But I also stopped 'drawing' a Line-Up line on the ball, or even Lining up the Logo of the Ball down the line of the putt, I just place the ball down with a 'blank' ball to look at, and therefore only look at my line I want to hit it on, instead of focusing on something on the ball.
I feel it may be the Latter which has had the biggest change in my mindset, less thoughts going on in head

 

[Timh27]

I dont take practice swings on putting but do on everything else i tent to find i will have a bad practice swing from time to time then can take another one to get it right.