Practice versus play.

[slash5969]

I'm less than a year in after a 10 year lay-off from golf. I played poorly for the most part before I quit. I had a nice touch around the greens, and I could make some putts, but my long game was always pretty bad.

Last summer, an old golfing buddy enticed me back out. I fell in love with the game again, and decided that I was going to learn how to hit a golf ball properly.

I joined the local country club and I signed up for a series of lessons. My practice routine involves spending the first 30 minutes or so working on the previous lesson. Then I spend another 20 - 30 minutes on irons, because I need it.
The last 12 or 15 balls I hit the driver - I've gained 20 yards or so since my first lesson, but I need 20 or 30 more.

Then I chip for 20 -30 minutes from all around the chipping green, playing the last 8 or 10 from the sand.

Finally, 20 or 30 minutes on the putting green. I spend about half of that time practicing long putts, working on speed - then I finish with 10 balls in a 3-foot circle around a cup, concentrating on making as many as I can in a row. My personal best at this point is 33, and my goal is to make 50.

Total time is around 2 hours, and I do it two nights a week. Every other Thursday, I play in a 9-hole scramble after work. On the weekends I play at least 18 each day, sometimes more. Last weekend I played 36 on Saturday and another 36 on Sunday.

All four rounds were under 90. Before I started this routine, I couldn't break 100. My goal is to drop my handicap below 15 by the end of the summer.

[Felenah]

A great practice facility makes a big impact as well. The range I go to has a series of three flags about 100 to 150 yards where you can hit balls all day long. Hit about 50 to 60 balls, walk down pick them up, hit another 50 to 60 balls and continue the process.

[Brakkus]

I would say this is where most recreational golfers go wrong.If you have always shot high numbers and are stuck shooting 3 figures then it maybe practice is the key.If you are able to play every week then it's probable that you will improve as lie of the ball greatly affects a players ability to shoot a great round.However for those of us struggling to play consistently,you just have to be willing to practice away from the course.I was fortunate enough to move to an old cottage outside town and I have land back and front of the house.I have a driving net for full swing,wow what a difference on the course.

I have always enjoyed practice whatever sport I have played,but golf in particular is a sport you just can't go and expect to play well without practicing.My biggest weaknesses from the start were chipping and short pitches.If I could take a cut at the ball,I always seemed to hit it well.Finesse and touch came later and are still my main focus.I've hit hundreds of wedges already these past couple of months.I feel like I've slept with my wedges.

Instant gratification when you practice because you can see results,because on the course it takes time for that to be obvious.You may shave a stroke here and there over time even though you have worked hard.You have to earn the right to play well.

[Woters]

Practice is over-rated...pure natural talent will always out!
No seriously I practice as often as work/family commitments allow on top of game time, so realistically 36 holes a week & 2 practice sessions.
Plus I carpet putt at home a lot for feel.

[WUTiger]

In years when I regularly broke 90, I would start the season with a two-week period when I would "pick up the clubs" at least 10 times. This was practice a day each of short game and full shots, then have a day with warm-up practice, nine holes, eat lunch, hit corrective balls. You can't play every day, or all day on the designated days, but you get into an early-season rhythm. Alternate this, and then try for 18.

You'll find maybe your fairway woods may be off, but your wedges better. Take a tune-up lesson to get help on any glaring faults.

I haven't done this since 2004, which is the main reason my hdcp is where it is. I'm doing some of this in the current season, I'm just getting a late start.

Also: My pro is known for an excellent short game, and he said he developed it by combining play and practice. He worked at a course during HS and college, and he would tee off after the last group of the day had started. Then, he might hit 10 sand shots out of the right front bunker on No. 1, hit a dozen draw-fade alternations into No. 2 green, etc. He was practicing situations rather than just beating balls.

Not sure if you course will let you empty your shag bag onto No. 4 green, but you could probably get in some practice shots along the way if the course isn't crowded. If one green each nine gives you fits, spend a half hour chipping and putting from different angles to see how it really rolls. Deception and optical illusion is a major tool of course designers.