When I play ready golf, one practice swing is enough for me. Two at most. I make it a real rehearsal of the shot I’m about to hit, then I step in, set up and swing. Five or six practice swings before every shot won’t make you more accurate. They slow your group down, and in my experience they make you tighter, not looser.

I love a good practice swing. It’s a useful tool. But when it turns into a long ritual before every shot, it starts costing everyone time.

What You See in My Video

In the video, I finish one practice swing beside the ball, step in, set up and hit. Then I walk straight after my ball. No extra rehearsals, no long pause over the ball. One rehearsal, one shot, and I keep moving.

That’s what ready golf means to me: I keep my routine, I just cut out the waiting.

Why I Don’t Take Too Many Practice Swings

They add up fast. A few extra practice swings feel like nothing, but across 18 holes and a full flight, they add minutes to everyone’s round, including the group behind us.

They don’t make my real swing better. After one rehearsal, I already have the feel I need. More swings only give me time to doubt, tense up or get tired.

They can cause trouble. Big practice swings on the tee or fairway can take divots, and a swing too close to the ball can accidentally move it.

I’ve written before about why a single practice swing helps in take a practice swing first. This time I want to talk about keeping it to one.

My Four Practice Swing Habits

1. I take my practice swing while others play. When it’s safe and I won’t distract anyone, I make my rehearsal before it’s my turn, away from my flightmates and out of their line of sight. When my turn comes, I just step in and hit.

2. I make it a rehearsal, not a warm-up. I swing the way I plan to hit the shot: the same length and the same tempo. If I need to loosen up, I do that before the round. Here’s how I warm up before I play.

3. I keep the number the same every time. One practice swing, every shot. A consistent routine is faster, and it’s easier to repeat under pressure.

4. Once I set up, I swing. I don’t stand over the ball for a long time. I look at my target, take a breath and go. That’s why I always say commit to your target.

Practice Swing Etiquette I Follow

• I swing away from people. Never toward another player, and never close to anyone.
• I don’t take divots on the tee. I swing over the grass, not into it.
• I stay away from the ball. A practice swing too close to it can move it.
• On the green, I keep it short. One or two practice strokes beside my line, then I putt.

Mistakes I See (and Try to Avoid)

• Taking a new practice swing after every waggle. Decide, rehearse once, then go.
• Waiting until it’s your turn to start rehearsing. Do it while others are playing, when it’s safe.
• Trying to fix your swing mid-round. Save swing changes for the range.
• Making full, hard practice swings for a short chip. Match the rehearsal to the shot.

Questions I Often Get

How many practice swings should I take? I recommend one, two at most. Keep the same number every time.

Is a practice swing allowed under the Rules? Yes. A practice swing isn’t a stroke. Just don’t make it so close to the ball that you move it.

What if I feel I need more practice swings? For me, that’s usually a sign I need more time on the range, not more swings on the course.

Can I skip practice swings completely? Yes. Some golfers play better without them. Do whatever keeps you relaxed and quick.

My Key Takeaways

• In ready golf, I take one practice swing, two at most.
• I make it a rehearsal of the actual shot.
• I rehearse while others play, when it’s safe.
• Once I set up, I look at my target and swing.

How many practice swings do you take? Try a one-swing routine on your next round and tell me how it feels. New to golf? Start here.

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