The waggle.

Seldom mentioned although Hogan did stress it's importance.How many times have we watched players stand perfectly still for what seems an age then go into what can only be described as a lift and a heave. I would like to hear opinions on what I consider an essential element of the swing.

Tommy Armour (How to Play Your Best Golf All The Time) considers it important enough to dedicate a full (albeit brief) chapter to the subject.

He and iirc quite a few posters on here regard the waggle as "one of the very important parts of a successful attack on the game".

I'd agree with one caveat; when a waggle is part of my pre-shot routine and I'm disciplined enough to perform the routine calmly and carefully my best shots almost always result. However, for me at least, when the waggle almost becomes too important, when it becomes an end to itself then a tense stilted swing is not too far behind.

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I firmly believe that we should try to experience all that life affords, except, perhaps, bestiality and of course Morris Dancing.

That's interesting Robin. Very good point and well put.

I don't waggle - although I do have a nice b u m . Nor do I waggle the club.

I try to focus on the ball just before I start my downswing. I find when I do this the shot comes off pretty well. If I don't, I find myself coming out of it.

Give me a good reason why Fella's is it good to waggle in the pre shot routine?

Hi Nicole

I knew I needed to change my playing partners - not a nice b u m amongst them

I can only tell you why I find a waggle a good idea - but look round any course and range and you'll see as many variations of approach as there golfers. Many better golfers than me (like you) don't waggle, so, as ever, its what works for you.

First it takes my focus OFF the ball - one of my long standing problems is worrying about hitting the ball rather than swinging the club.

Secondly, on a good day (see my OP) as long as I go from mini swing (waggle) into full swing fairly seamlessly it relaxes the whole process.

Thirdly it gives me one last chance to see "if it feels right" - in the past I've lost count of the number of I messed up and said "it never felt right but..." now I'm still not disciplined enough to walk away and start again all the time but at least with the waggle I get the opportunity.

Lastly the waggle is the trigger at the end of my pre-shot routine. Like many high caps I expect, a large proportion of my worse shots come when I neglect my routine but thats a different story.

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I firmly believe that we should try to experience all that life affords, except, perhaps, bestiality and of course Morris Dancing.

When carried out as described by Hogan it does eliminate the question of club face alignment at top of swing. There is is a likely pitfall , you concetrate so much on waggle you fail to complete shoulder turn. If carried out correctly you should arrive at top with club face in neutral position, IE neither open nor closed.

Nicole,

I would rather see your waggle that these guys any day I tell you what! I will show you mine if you show me yours?

getting back to golf Ben Hogan was a great proponent of the waggle, he suggested it should be a mini practice swing where you get the right feel of the shot you wish to play, you set the tempo and feel for the swing. He suggested the waggle was not a takeaway, he did not move his arms away, it was more a small rotation of the forearms where the right elbow rotated slightly into the right hip (Bit difficult to explain but if you have his book, "the 5 lessons" he devotes a lesson to it).

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Best Regards
Brian

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Funny o'l game!

I don't waggle, in the sense of flipping the club around loosely. I do one or two partial takeaways, a la Mike Weir, and slowly "rehearse" the impact position.

Also, this season I've abolished practice swings on full-swing shots (but not chips, pitches, bump & runs).

Changing the subject slightly, I've altered my preshot routine. When I've address the ball I do not look at the target.

Got this from another site. It does relieve the anxiety somewhat. The author is right - the target won't move.