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Do swing practice truly Does it help you, or does it do more harm than good by making you think about the shot in front of you?
Because practice makes perfect, give yourself the feeling and confidence to succeed thanks to the Law of Recentness – meaning that, when all things being equal, the things learned last will be remembered best.
This is why training swing is so important; I offer ten reasons why below.
1. Turn thoughts into feeling
Whenever you need a little more thought, golf becomes simpler. I like to think of swing practice as a way to turn your thoughts into feeling. Once you feel it, come up and repeat with the ball. It is easier to re-create than to reinvent.
2. Get used to the chosen club
When you practice the range, you can get used to hitting the same club over and over again, becoming accustomed to a specific club length. However, when you play on the course, you are constantly changing clubs, so you need to test drive things before going to the metal!
A practice swing will help you get used to a longer or shorter club, which will help you with consistency.
When a golfer moves to a longer club and doesn’t take a practice swing, I often see a big putt. When a golfer moves to a shorter club and doesn’t take a practice swing, I often see a top or lead putt.
So take the time to get to know the tool you’re using.
3. Feel the power of the driver
When practicing a swing with a driver, you should hear a “swoosh”. This lets you know that you are generating speed.
It is also important to avoid hitting the ground when practicing your swing with your driver. If it hits the ground, it’s a sign of a steep swing, which can cause huge losses in distance or pop-ups.
If you tend to fire your drives, pay special attention to hearing the thump and not the thud of the ground.
4. Improve rhythm
Swing drills can be very helpful in improving cadence with both full swings And The swings are shorter the closer you are to the green.
Try to make your training swings real, simulating what it would feel like in the real shot. Take as many swing exercises until you feel comfortable if necessary.
5. Feel the length of the backswing for the short game
When you practice swinging in your short game, you have many responsibilities.
First, you need to make sure your club hits the ground – ensuring that the ball hits the air. Second, you want to make the true length of your backstroke, making sure that you are preparing to carry the ball the desired distance.
This allows you to repeat the movement, rather than having to think a lot and create it during the shot itself.
6. Practice outside the dugout (before entering)
When you’re in a dugout, take the practice swing before you get in, and make sure you hit the ground. This can be especially useful for green traps, when you really need to be prepared to take in a lot of sand.
7. Check the bottom of the bow before cutting
Being able to use the bounce of your club while slicing will give you better control over your shot. So make sure you clear the lawn before you hit your shot by practicing your swing.
Ideally, the club you choose will stick out slightly forward from the center of your stance. So when you take your training swing you can check your setup by seeing where the club hits the ground.
This setup then allows you to make minor adjustments (if needed) before hitting the ball.
I suggest using division board To help get that feeling.
8. Position – feel the length of the stroke
On the green, before committing to the putt, always take a practice swing. This helps distract your mind, and allows you to focus on the shot at hand.
The length of your backstroke controls the distance your ball rolls on the green, and practicing this move is the most direct way to become great at rolling your putt close to the hole.
When you watch good players prepare to putt, they will often make their practice strokes when looking at the hole, which helps them visualize distance and helps them gauge the size of their backstroke.
9. Make the swing exercise risky
If you’re a golfer who prefers not to practice your swing – but still struggles with consistency – you should consider a hack practice swing.
This means that you take your chosen paddle and shake it from hip to hip, having it brush the turf a bit before setting up the ball.
By doing this, you will feel the weight and length of the paddle, and it will give you the feel needed for brushing your lawn.
10. You feel uneven lies
When you have an uneven lie, such as trying to practice swinging on similar ground. Naturally, this helps you repeat the situation you are about to face.
Whether the ball is over your feet or under your feet, you want to get a good feel for how the shot is executed, ensuring that the ball is not chipped or overshot.
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