18 or 36

[canuck63]

Hi guys, fisrt time poster but long time lurker here.

My buddies and I often try put in as many rounds in a day as possible when we have chance to golf. 27 to 36 holes a day are the norm.  One must figure the score on the later holes shouldl be much better than the early ones right. But our scored card often showed the opposite.

Just wonder, does any one here experience the same? or would it be better if we just concerntrate on 18 holes instead?

BTW, our group score in the high 80s to low 90s.

[Grndslmhttr3]

27-36 holes a day? Man your hands must be getting callused by now. Honestly, I begin to lose focus towards the end of an 18-hole round; no way could I do 27, let alone 36. I just think, for me anyway, that it would end up like most trips to the range, which inevitably end with me just hitting ball after ball without thinking about it. That's the main reason I haven't gone to the range much.

[parbreaker]

I would expect that to be a common reaction. As the day goes on you will tire both physically and emotionally. I have always respected the early champions of golf when the final day always consisted of 36 holes, especially in the summer heat.

The key to maintaining your performance through such a long time period is physical conditioning, staying well hydrated and fueled, and a tough mentality. If you do find yourself losing focus and performance I would advise shortening your days until you can build back up to a 36 hole day. This is primarily because you are in danger of ingraining bad habits while you are tired and exhausted, plus it doesn't help confidence very much.

[Spyder]

I'm in pretty good shape, but I have to admit that 36 holes a day is crazy! To answer the question, I definitely see it being possible to drop off in scores after so many holes. Your core and legs play a huge role in accuracy. Weak legs (weak as a result of fatigue) will definitely drop your accuracy a ton. It becomes common to push and pull a lot of shots when your legs are tired.

[benredik]

I will do 36 holes only off season on golfing trips to warmer climates. Then I would typically do 18 walking and 18 in a cart.

[deasy55]

I have walked 45 holes in a day a few times in the past. I find it a great experience to go out there and play until dusk.

[Cut68]

Often times, when I'm walking a longer or more hilly course, I'll play poorly the last couple of holes. I don't see that on shorter courses or when I ride. When I do a golf trip in the winter, we play 36 a day (usually 2 different courses) and when we do this, typically the morning round will be ultra competitive, with the second round will be more casual (often times with many cocktails involved)

[MrElculver2424]

That's a lot of golf for one day.

No, I can't ever remember playing more than 18 in one day. I focus on 1 round and then I'm exhausted and I either go to the range or just practice putting at home.

If you don't get tired from it and really think that playing 27-36 holes is helping you improve, then it's fine, but it would probably be too much for me.

[wmiller]

Before I married, (almost 20 years ago) I went through almost a two year period where I played 36 on Saturday, and 36 on Sunday. Every weekend. Always walked the first 18, but sometimes would ride the second 18 if it was over 100.

I used to go into the club house between rounds and have lunch, maybe watch a little golf on the boob-tube, then head out. The rest and food made all the difference.

I was really hard core back then...

[Whiskey84]

I would play 27-36 in my younger days, but I've been sticking to 18 lately.

[stealthduffer]

Personally, the times I played 36 (usually on a golf junket with a bunch of guys) I would play the middle 18 as my best (back 9 of the first round and front of the second).  By #10 on the first round I was warmed up and had a feel for the course we were playing.  By the back 9 on the second 18 my legs and brain were starting to get tired and, well, sometimes it didn't end well.  Still, I knew there was good food, cold beer and good company afterward so the score didn't really matter.

[darkhunter139]

The most holes I have ever played in a day was 27.  That second 9 was probably the best 9 I have ever shot at 46 and that's including a 9 on one hole.

[BuckeyeNut]

LOL....I used to walk 54holes with my dad a few times a year in the 1990s.  We lived 140miles apart at that time, and we'd meet at a "halfway" course a few times each summer.

What I remember most was trying to get out of my car after the 1hr15min drive home after walking 54 holes.....Hahahahahahahah.....big props to my dad because he did it too!!!!!  I was always hobbling out of the car.............

[awmgolfer]

I actually just got back from playing 36 holes, not too uncommon. Our golf season is in the fall so many times I will have kids get in touch over the summer asking if I can play throughout the day. I actually got down with my 36 about an hour ago and one of the kids texted me asking if I can play 18 this afternoon so back out I will go. Usually my playing goes downhill as I get above 36 holes. Today it will probably be the opposite. The finally put the final top dressing on our greens and now they are running about an 11 on the stimp compared to the 9 they were running a couple of days ago and it really took me off my game today. Finally used to them but normally I go downhill as I play above 18 as I start to lose my focus.

[mdl]

I don't have time to do it that often, but when I have I've found I score similar on the first and second rounds.  I've always been disappointed that the second round ends up scoring like a normal round instead of one where everything starts off dialed in.  I'm in good shape and don't feel too tired for the second 18, but maybe slight effects from tiring exactly offset (for me) the slight effects of having tuned up for a round?

[tomahawktim]

We've had a sunny and warm spell here in southern Ontario recently and it has been just great for golf.

This past week I've done 41 holes, 20 holes, 33 holes, 36 holes and several 18s here and there. With the exception of the 41, it was all walking.

Practising proper nutrition and hydration goes a long way towards being able to play that much at once.

I've scored better on the later holes than on the first 18 in most instances.

What accounts for the improved scoring, I think, is the freewheeling attitude that comes with playing extra holes.

The other night, we were getting as many holes in as the setting sun would allow. The fast and loose play led to a string of pars.

It was fun, fun, fun and we all play better when we're enjoying ourselves, don't we?