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Practice
swings are a vital component in our golf games. They help
us to make changes when we are learning a new skill. On the
golf course, they are a rehearsal for the upcoming shot. If
not done for any other reason, they allow us to relieve the
tension that builds between shots.
I frequently
hear from my students that they have a great practice swing
but can't repeat the same swing with the ball. It is a universal
problem for all golfers; the ball seems to cast a spell that
prohibits them from making a good and efficient swing. This
happens for two reasons.
One, when
we take a practice swing we are doing just that, swinging.
It is a fluid motion that swings out there, towards the target.
When the ball is placed before us (ball swing), the ball itself
becomes the target and our major concern becomes hitting that,
the ball. The
brain translates hitting that into a downward blow that goes
crashing onto the top or side of the ball, the ground, or
just about anywhere but the most efficient place.
Two, there
is now a result by which to criticize and judge ourselves.
A lack of confidence takes over, tension creeps in, and that
fluid practice swing becomes quick and uncertain. The end
result is a bad shot. Proof that indeed, we can't perform
the same swing with the ball. The
following is a drill to help alleviate this scenario.
Practice
Swing / Ball Swing Drill
Focus
on a particular element of your swing on which you are working;
perhaps your takeaway or shoulder turn. Make a practice swing;
concentrate on that one area only. Feel it, envision how it
looks, become totally aware of what is happening in that one
area. When you believe you've made your best swing and you
know exactly how it feels, tag it a number 10, meaning it
is perfect. Then
repeat the swing with the ball. You are now hitting the ball,
but all of your attention is still focused on that one area.
Do not think about the ball or the result, only about that
part of your swing on which you are working.
After
completing the ball swing, by using a scale of 1 to 10, determine
how close your ball swing was to your practice swing. This
is no time for self-criticism, be totally objective. If it
was a 5, then go back to your practice swing until you feel
a 10. Then swing with the ball. You must place your total
awareness on the particular element of the swing on which
you are working. Keep repeating the drill until your ball
swing feels the same as your practice swing, a number 10.
Then repeat it over and over until it becomes natural.
In order
to make this drill effective, it is crucial that you be disciplined
enough to keep your attention focused on the swing and not
the result. During this process, you must give up your concerns
about the outcome and be willing to take the risk of hitting
the worst golf shot imaginable. How can you expect to repeat
the swing when it counts, if you don't really know how it
feels to begin with?
This drill
helps to close the gap between the practice swing and the
ball swing. Along with gaining an awareness of what your swing
really feels like, you are sending a signal to your brain
that says I can do this with the ball. With time and practice,
you will no longer look down at the ball and allow it to cast
a spell over you. Then you'll be in control of your swing
and will be ready to take your game to the next level. Have
Fun!
©
Melissa Whitmire 2000
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