If only I could hit the ball with my practice swing!

. . . . . I would be about 5 handicap instead of 15!
Does anyone know a drill to help me repeat my nice smooth, online, powerful practice swing when the ball is there?
As soon as the ball is there I come over the top and hit at it and don`t follow through much past 10 o`clock.
If I do ever get into the classic follow through position, it`s all contrived, but if I ever try to stop my practice swing at 10 o`clock . . . . well I can`t without breaking a finger (I tried it and had to stop playing and go home!)

The problem with a practice swing is that it has no result. You can't top, chunk, shank, blade, scoop, slice or hook a practice swing. So it feels great, and you can imagine a beautiful shot.

The thing I used to do was line up to a dandelion (or leaf, or light spot of grass) and use it as my 'ball'. Then I'd close my eyes and make my swing. Then I'd make mental note of how the swing felt, and I'd look at where the divot started. Then I'd address the ball (moving up or back based on my practice divot), close my eyes, and swing.

Now, I use a practice swing just to see where my divot starts.

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True Length Technology Fitter - www.truelengthtechnology.com
It's live! - www.ShipShapeClubs.com
PCS Class 'A' Clubfitter

A new highlight: Golfing the home course on Christmas Day.

I say it too often: If it's golf club shaped, you can play with it.

For the record, I'm a club doctor, not a swing doctor.

I agree with Ben. What is happening is you are swinging through the target zone with your practice swings and hitting at the ball with your actual swing. I would suggest going out to the driving range on a day there is no one out there and hit balls blind folded. You will have to swing through the ball. It you hit at the ball, you will likely just miss the ball.

but his practice swing might be good.

sometimes your practice swing feels good because you're thinking simple swing thoughts, and when you step up to the ball you're thinking "ok ok ok, repeat that exact swing. repeat" and you think about that.