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When do you use the full swing (to parallel or past parallel) versus a partial swing (3/4 swing or 10:00 position)?

A Driver
B All Woods
C Woods, Long irons
D Woods, long irons, hybrids, mid irons
E All clubs (woods, irons, wedges)
F Depends upon the shot

I only ever use it with irons and it depends on what i am trying to do.

What's it?

If I absolutely want to ensure a smooth swing, I might club up and take a 3/4 swing. If I want to keep it low, 3/4 w/abreviated follow thru; like a low hook w/5 iron.

I use a 10-11 o'clock back swing on all full shots. I have problems keeping the clubface square with longer backswings, so I will stick with the 3/4 swing until it is very consistent before I use a fuller back swing.

I think that if you can hit shots more consistently with a 3/4 swing, you should use it when you can. What's the point of more distance on approach shots if you can't make a solid strike and hit it straight?

That is an interesting way to phrase the question. Because I think of a full swing as my normal swing, and I think of a partial swing as the exception, not the rule. It sounds like for you it is the other way around?

To answer the question:

I consciously make partial swings for short pitches when a full shot would overshoot the green (obviously).
I have a suspicion I may not be making a full turn on approaches with my wedges and short irons, but I do not know this for sure, as I do not shorten my swing consciously.
With mid-irons and longer clubs, I make full swings.

The only time I use a partial swing is when I want to hit the ball less distance than I hit the ball with a full swing and my lob wedge. That means less than 90 yard shots. I did use a full swing with a putter a time, but that was from the lower level of a 3 tier green to get up the fool slope. The first 2 times I putted the ball, it came right back down the dang hill. Almost broke my putter I had to hit the ball so hard.

Basically, I use a partial swing when I want the ball to go lower than my regular full swing trajectory e.g. under a tree, against the wind. But always clubbing up.

I also use partial swings when I want to feel the shot around the green rather than being mechanical with the shot.

I saw your question and thought I would offer an opinion. It's a tough question because I don't know your abilities or mechanics. If you have good golf mechanics and get good results with a full swing, then I would say to use full swing when trying to achieve the maximum distance, usually with a driver. Otherwise it really isn't necessary. Some golfers lose control once they take the club back too far and actually lose distance because they alter their swing plane, mechanics and tempo. If you want a better chance for success take the club back 3/4 and decrease your loft by one or two clubs - same goes for wind shots and almost all other shots. This should give you more control of the club and therefore increase your odds for better results while still achieving the desired distance. Happy Golfing !