Practice structure

[Newbie Collection Agency]

Would some of you low-handicap players give me an idea of how you've honed you game to that degree?

I'd like to know how often you practice (and in what way) and how often you took lessons.

Thanks.

[iacas]

Would some of you low-handicap players give me an idea of how you've honed you game to that degree?

I never took a lesson. But I did average about 36 holes a day plus practice every summer three years running.

But I'm pretty sure everyone who replies here will say variations of the same thing: be dedicated and spend your time wisely.

[SheriffBooth]

Like Erik says, I think most low handicappers will tell you that there was some point in their lives where they played an awful lot for an extended period and that's when they really lowered their scores. For me it was during my summers in college, and once you get your swing to a point where you can shoot in the low 70's, barring injury, you should be able to maintain a relatively high level of play even with infrequent play.

It's said so much that it's become cliche, but spend as much time on your chipping, pitching and putting as you do hitting balls. If you can eliminate some of the anxiety about missing greens, then you can relax on your approaches and actually start hitting more greens.

Also, when you're playing for practice, don't be afraid to drop a second ball when a shot goes wrong - you need to train your muscles to do things the right way and if you don't eliminate the negatives immediately then your body won't learn. If I'm able to get out for 9 after work I'm always hitting second shots or hitting extra chips or bunker shots - you don't always have to worry about your score.

[neudi]

I am 20 years old and have been doing this for years now. When I lived in Okinawa, Japan ( dad was military), I lived 5 minutes from the course. I would take my pull cart and my bike and ride down to the course...play like 36 holes and ride back home...did that EVERY DAY during 3 summers. Then I moved to Ohio and played almost as much. I have never really hit the range hard for hours. I will go out there and hit like a bucket or two...putt some on the putting green...but in my opinion the range is pointless if you can't do the same thing on the course. So when i say practice I actually go out and play the course.

[iacas]

I am 20 years old and have been doing this for years now. When I lived in Okinawa, Japan ( dad was military), I lived 5 minutes from the course. I would take my pull cart and my bike and ride down to the course...play like 36 holes and ride back home...did that EVERY DAY during 3 summers. Then I moved to Ohio and played almost as much. I have never really hit the range hard for hours. I will go out there and hit like a bucket or two...putt some on the putting green...but in my opinion the range is pointless if you can't do the same thing on the course. So when i say practice I actually go out and play the course.

It's funny, too: Dana Quigley says "forget the range. You don't learn to hit shots on the range." Then other players will say "practice 2x as often as you play" (and they don't count practicing on the course as "practice").

I think it depends on your personality and your interests. Some times I can be very interested in "practice" and other times only "play" will satisfy me. So I mix them up depending on how I feel.

[NM Golf]

I tend to beat a lot of balls on the range and practice my short game and putting in a practice area. During the summer I will play more often than I do now but family keeps me from playing 36 holes a day. I did have 2 summers where I did play a a lot of golf and it was during that time when I went from a 20 Handicap to a 7. I like to hit range balls, I always have, and I find If I play too much without practicing I see a decline in my game, but that is just me. I would say most people get better playing.

[sioutdoors]

any time i get away from the ol lady and to the course i wana play, but sometimes she wont give me a pardon for that long so i hit the range