It can be an endless debate: should you take a practice swing? When you watch the best players on television, do you see them taking one? The answer, almost all the time, is yes.
If they need one, you likely do too. A practice swing is a tool — and it should be taken seriously if you want to shoot lower scores.
Here are some ways you can improve your game and lower your score simply by paying attention to your practice swing.
1. Turn thoughts into a feel
Most of us don’t have perfect golf swings, and many of us don’t have the time to practice enough for technique to become automatic. If that sounds like you, use your practice swing to rehearse the proper motion with intention. This often requires conscious effort.
When you make that correct motion, your body begins to remember the feeling. Once you complete your setup, you can simply repeat that feel instead of overthinking it. Over time, this process can help improve your technique just by playing with more awareness.
2. Get used to the length of the club
On the course, you’re constantly switching between clubs of different lengths — from driver to wedge. Going from the longest club to the shortest without a practice swing can be difficult. Your body needs time to adjust.
If the ball is on the ground, your practice swing should brush the ground (with the exception of the driver). If it doesn’t, you may be unintentionally rehearsing a topped shot.
You may notice this especially in your short game — sometimes it takes a few swings to get the club to properly reach the ground. That’s often because the club is shorter than the one you just used.
3. Uneven lies
Uneven lies require setup adjustments.
For example, if the ball is above your feet, you may need to grip down on the club. A practice swing helps confirm whether you’ve adjusted correctly. If you haven’t gripped down enough, the club may slam into the ground, which is clear feedback that you need to adjust further.
These small rehearsals help you learn how to adapt to different lies, so when you step up to the ball, you can feel more confident in your setup.
4. Use the bounce
For high pitch shots around the green, you want the ball to launch and stop quickly. Because these swings are shorter and slower, it’s important that the club glides through the turf rather than digging. This is where bounce comes into play.
Modern wedges have built-in bounce, and you can also open the clubface to increase it. This helps the club glide, even if you contact the ground slightly before the ball.
Your practice swing gives you valuable feedback here. You want to hear a soft “thump” as the club brushes the turf instead of a deep, aggressive divot.
If you’re taking large divots, it may indicate a closed face or too much shaft lean, both of which reduce loft and bounce. Use that rehearsal to make adjustments before stepping into the shot. It can save you strokes.
5. Move the low point forward
For low, running chip shots, the club should still contact the ground, but slightly ahead of the ball. Ideally, this happens on the target side of the ball and is created by a proper setup, with your upper body positioned slightly forward.
If your practice swing shows the club striking the ground too far back in your stance, it’s a sign to adjust your setup by shifting your weight and center forward.
Again, this feedback allows you to make a correction before hitting the shot, leading to more consistent contact.
