Handicap -v- time spent on course

[Bump-n-MI]

Thought it might be cool to compare handicaps to time spent on the course. I'll play 27 or more holes and spend about 2 hours practicing per week.

[Jay-Bird]

Per week: Play at least 36 holes. Hit 30-90 balls on the range. Putt at least 2 hours. Chip and pitch in the backyard at least 2 hours. Handicap is already down from 4.5 to 3.0 this year - I've played 25 rounds since Jan. 1.

[PiKapp23]

I typically play 27+ holes a week and once the grass tees open on local ranges I'll practice 2-3 hours a week (counting short game and putting practice). I haven't practiced a lot yet this year because I do not like mats and will only hit driver off them. My goal is to get under an 8 handicap this year (I got down to 8.9 last year and was a 9.8 when this season started, but had 2 rounds in 70's drop off my handicap rounds, being replaced with low 80 rounds).

A lot of times I will go play a 'par 3 course' instead of banging balls on range because it allows me to work on different lies, plus is more fun. When I'm on range I practice driver, woods and hybrids more because of time spent on these short courses. When playing isn't possible, I 'play' a round on the range - using a scorecard from a local course and 'playing' those holes in order, letting my next shot be based on what position the previous shot would have put me into. This at least makes range time more fun and maybe even more productive.

[David in FL]

I'm a minimalist, though not necessarily by choice, there just aren't enough hours in the week.......

Play 18 weekly. With luck, sneak out on a Friday afternoon and get in one other round once a month. Only 16 rounds so far since the first of the year. A trip to the range every other week or so.....

........I'm probably lucky the index is where it is, and it's no wonder that I can't get it back down to where it really needs to be.

[Bump-n-MI]

I typically play 27+ holes a week and once the grass tees open on local ranges I'll practice 2-3 hours a week (counting short game and putting practice). I haven't practiced a lot yet this year because I do not like mats and will only hit driver off them.

Sounds a lot like my weekly golf schedule.

Hopefully more people chime in. It will be interesting to see how course/practice time correlates to ones handicap.

[Fourputt]

I play typically about 54 holes a week, and spend some time on my short game at the chipping green. I don't set any sort of schedule or routine... never been much for practice on the range, I just get bored there. Since I work at the course, I occasionally get there an hour or so early and take a few balls and a couple of wedges up the chipping green and work on that part of my game for a half hour or so. That is also how I warm up for a tournament round.

Lack of practice is probably why my handicap has never been lower than 9 , but at the same time, I'd rather be on the course than on the range. I'm mostly satisfied with my game, and that's all that really matters.

[atrapasuenos]

I only have the chance to play 18 holes per week. I will really love to play at least 36 per week but I can't. If I have some extra time I go to the range to hit 50 balls.

Greetings!

[JCDot33]

I try to play 36 holes a week and practice (about 80 - 100 balls with a full range of clubs, and short game work) 3 times a week ... sometimes, though, I just feel like I am embedding a lot of bad habits when I am on the range.

[thr33]

usually just one round a week (weather's still soggy in seattle) and probably a good 6 hours a week practicing (~500 balls)

[65withatriple]

I play anywhere from 36 to 72 holes per week throughout the year. I spend very little time on the range and maybe 30 minutes every other week putting.

[Guest]

Time on the course is more important to me. I spend a lot of time when nobody is behind us hitting extra chips and pitches, and usually only hit balls about 2 times a month. During the summer months I will play 3 + rounds a week.

[underparnv]

I play 18 per week (sometimes more...) and I sometimes have to miss a week of playing. During the spring/summer months I try to get to the range on my lunch breaks to hit a bucket, but it doesn't happen that much...

[ZaPPPa]

Try to do 18 holes per week and spend at least an hour every other day on the practice. Hit at least 100 balls on the range per time.

I started using the backyard as chipping practice. The pool makes for an excellent hazard.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

In a good month, I will play once a week. However, I probably average 54 holes/month.

I might chip 5-10 minutes here and there in the yard and hit a bucket about once a week. I have only been playing for 2.5 years, so I am not sure how indicative my handicap and practice is vs. others who have been playing their whole lives.

[misty_mountainhop]

Try to do 18-27 holes per week. Hit some balls on the range and get some (2-3 hours?) putting practice in. Not enough I know .

[Mr3Putt]

Like most of the world, my issue is time. That and the fact that I hate whacking balls.

I play 18 on Thursdays in my league, and 18 on Saturday in my skins game. Anything else (outings and such) are a bonus.

I swing my heavy club and/or medicus 5 iron most mornings, and occasionally play chip and fetch with the best dog on the planet.

[Ill St. golfer]

During the summer, when no school. I get in around 36 holes a week and an hour or so practicing wedges in the yard and putting on the practice green.

After school gets out this year though I will be at the course nonstop. I want to get in around 5-8 hours on the range a week and a half hour to an hour on the putting green to go along with 18 a day.

[Dr_Fu_Manchu]

Like most of the world, my issue is time. That and the fact that I hate whacking balls. I play 18 on Thursdays in my league, and 18 on Saturday in my skins game. Anything else (outings and such) are a bonus. I swing my heavy club and/or medicus 5 iron most mornings, and occasionally play chip and fetch with the best dog on the planet.

THREAD JACK

Do you think the heavy club helps? I have been interested in the training tool. What exercises/drills do you do with it? /THREAD JACK