Practice too much?

[trog2233]

Since its cold and snowy here lately i setup a net in my garage to hit into. Then i have a putting green setup also in there. Well i've been practicing about 2-4 hours a day with everything for the past 3 months. I know hitting into the net is basically just gonna help on ball striking. Is it possible to practice too much and get into bad habits cause i cant see the ball flight?

[kfowler]

Too much bad practice can certainly be bad. The problem with hitting into a net is that since you don't see ball flight, you really don't know how well you struck it. I have a net at home and I feel your pain. Think about times on a course or at the range where you swear you pured it but ended up hitting a hard push or slice.

Taking it one step further, I've found that practicing too much on the range can hurt. Eventually you have to take it to the course.

[Keep It Simple]

Unfortunately yes. Even golf domes for the longer clubs don't show enough of your ball flight to determine how well you struck the ball. I also agree with trog2233 about driving ranges. I stopped going completely a few seasons ago because I found time on the course much more valuable. The range can promote a "machine gun" approach to hitting golf balls. On the course you need to be a sniper.

[Yukari]

Yes, practicing too much hitting into a net can groove a bad habit.

As for practicing too much on the range, I would have to disagree with the two above posts. It is only bad if you practice badly. Meaning that you just hit without much thought. When I go to a range, I try to work on a specific problem. For example, today I was working on the finish position. I tried to get to a balanced finish after each swing. Until I got the hang of it. In addition, I don't just swing and try to get into a balanced finish. I practice as if I am on a course. I line up each shot, check my set up, concentrate on turning the shoulder on the back swing, and concentrate on a balanced finish.

If "too much practicing" on a range is bad, then all the pros would be in trouble. It is bad only if you just step up and hit one ball after another. The key to practicing is not the quantity but quality.

[WUTiger]

Unfortunately yes. Even golf domes for the longer clubs don't show enough of your ball flight to determine how well you struck the ball. ...

A few weeks ago I saw some

"33%" practice balls which only go about one-third as far as real golf balls. Supposedly, the 33%ers have the same flight characteristics as real balls, they just don't go as far. Do any of the golf domes let you use 33% balls? Also, do the 33% balls really act like real golf balls?

[steve8820]

IMO, you cannot practice too much IF you are practicing with a purpose. If you just beating balls into a net, then yes too much can/will cause bad habits. However, this approach at the range would do the same. Living in Florida, the weather of course does not dictate my practice schedule. However, my 9 mos old at home does. My only practice nowadays is when he goes to bed.

That said, I used a net in the garage. However, I use a few training aids to get me in correct positions when hitting into the net, Swing Extender, Path Pro, and Tour Tempo. Before the baby, I would hit balls at the range and not really get any better. My practice time is now less, but I feel the quality of practice is better. I also save $$$ on range balls....... :)