Practicing versus Playing

[Pillo]

I start off with a question that has always been kind of mysterious to me.

First of all, my golf club is a driving range with a small pitch&putt; course. I don't practice a lot (100/200 balls a week). Then, as well as playing the pitch&putt; course once or twice a week, I play at a nearby 18 hole course once a month. But I'm still struggling to improve my game.

Aside from technical aspects, I was wondering how to manage my time better.

So the question is: what's the good balance between practicing and playing? Is it better to play and try the course more often or practicing is fundamental and you need to focus more on that?

What about you? How did you do to improve your game?

[Lihu]

  Pillo said:

I start off with a question that has always been kind of mysterious to me.

First of all, my golf club is a driving range with a small pitch&putt; course. I don't practice a lot (100/200 balls a week). Then, as well as playing the pitch&putt; course once or twice a week, I play at a nearby 18 hole course once a month. But I'm still struggling to improve my game.

Aside from technical aspects, I was wondering how to manage my time better.

So the question is: what's the good balance between practicing and playing? Is it better to play and try the course more often or practicing is fundamental and you need to focus more on that?

What about you? How did you do to improve your game?

Welcome to this site.

Try reading this thread for starters:

http://thesandtrap.com/t/73197/so-you-joined-tst-and-posted-a-member-swing-thread#post_962481

[Patch]

I am of the opinion, the more you play, and/or practice, the more you learn. I did not say the faster you learn, just that you will learn more about your own swing. Part of the problem with practice is if you are practicing correctly, or incorrectly.  If you practice how to swing the club poorly, when you get on the course you will still swing the club poorly.

When I practice it's always with a purpose in mind. Most of the time that purpose is distance and accuracy. Along with distance and accuracy I have two fundamentals I work on. Those are alignment, and a repeatable rhythm (speed) to my full swing. If my alignment is good, my accuracy is good. If my swing rhythm is good, my distance is good. Rhythm is also good for accuracy to some extent.

My situation is that I can practice a heck of a  lot more than I can play. I live quite a ways from the nearest golf course, but I have a good practice area near by. When I do get to the course, I usually have a decent round because I practice more than I play. If I had to put it in percentages, I would guess 55% of my golf time is spent on practice, 20% on exercise, and 25% actual on course play.

In a little while I will be killing two birds with one stone so to speak. I will be hiking (exercise) 4 miles, while hitting balls (swing practice) with my 4 iron off thin, firm sandy lies. My aim point could be a bush, or even a rock for all I care, as long as there is something to aim at.

[David in FL]

Welcome to the site! :beer: Here's a thread you might enjoy.... [CONTENTEMBED=/t/73316/get-off-the-darn-range-and-go-play-golf layout=block][/CONTENTEMBED] I almost never practice, which is why I'll probably never be very good, but I just love playing too much. If I've got the time, I'll almost always play rather than practice. I know I could benefit from the range time though....

[Lihu]

  David in FL said:

Welcome to the site!

Here's a thread you might enjoy....

I almost never practice, which is why I'll probably never be very good, but I just love playing too much. If I've got the time, I'll almost always play rather than practice. I know I could benefit from the range time though....

I dropped about 2 strokes since playing more regularly. It seems to help with strategy, approach shots, short game and putting.

At a 35 handicap level, it might benefit you to take some swing lessons before venturing out on the open course. I say this only to keep you on pace, and out of harms way from impatient golfers behind you. This commonly happened to me 4 years ago.

[smaug81243]

It completely depends on what you need to improve as to which is more effective. As a 35 handicap I'd imagine you still have major flaws in technique. I would recommend fixing those for pitching while taking lessons or practicing the full swing. I'd suggest starting with the pitching technique posted in instruction and playing tips (will link to it later when I'm not on my phone). It's pretty easy to learn, fairly forgiving and will at least allow you to get the ball on the green once you get reasonably close. The 5 simple keys video threads are another place you will want to look for full swing help. Once you start getting to the point where you aren't worried about hitting the ball solidly is when the course can be much more beneficial for improvement. Play as much as you want and have fun with it but the most efficient way to improve at your skill level is going to be practice.

[mvmac]

  Pillo said:

I start off with a question that has always been kind of mysterious to me.

First of all, my golf club is a driving range with a small pitch&putt; course. I don't practice a lot (100/200 balls a week). Then, as well as playing the pitch&putt; course once or twice a week, I play at a nearby 18 hole course once a month. But I'm still struggling to improve my game.

Aside from technical aspects, I was wondering how to manage my time better.

So the question is: what's the good balance between practicing and playing? Is it better to play and try the course more often or practicing is fundamental and you need to focus more on that?

What about you? How did you do to improve your game?

"Good" is different for everyone, some guys play more than they practice and some practice more than they play. What is important to note is some of the best practice can be done at home for 10-15 minutes a day. Good practice doesn't mean you pound balls for 4 hours. Focus on one or two important pieces that apply to your swing and when you play golf, just play golf.

Some good info on practice.

[saevel25]

  mvmac said:

"Good" is different for everyone, some guys play more than they practice and some practice more than they play. What is important to note is some of the best practice can be done at home for 10-15 minutes a day. Good practice doesn't mean you pound balls for 4 hours. Focus on one or two important pieces that apply to your swing and when you play golf, just play golf.

Some good info on practice.

Yep. I recommend buying a mirror. Even a cheap 1 foot wide by 5 foot tall mirror from Walmart. You can still check positions in the swing easily with a smaller mirror.

[BuckeyeNut]

A person most definitely needs to play regularly to get better.    Sporadic play won't cut it........   golfers that play 2+ times a week will show noticeable improvement.  There is no substitute for playing.   I never practice, but I know a little range time will do me good.   For me, practice is like work and playing is well.......playing/fun!!    I've had free range privies since 2000 and haven't hit a bucket since 1995.

Golfers that play in the single digits or lower play OFTEN.  The vast majority play 3-4 times a week or more.  If they don't, there was a time in their life when they did!!!  ....then they just maintain and stay respectable by playing a couple times a week.   To get good which is relative, it's gonna' take a lot of work and or play!!!   There are no short cuts.........

[David in FL]

  BuckeyeNut said:

A person most definitely needs to play regularly to get better.    Sporadic play won't cut it........   golfers that play 2+ times a week will show noticeable improvement.  There is no substitute for playing.   I never practice, but I know a little range time will do me good.   For me, practice is like work and playing is well.......playing/fun!!    I've had free range privies since 2000 and haven't hit a bucket since 1995.  Golfers that play in the single digits or lower play OFTEN.  The vast majority play 3-4 times a week or more.  If they don't, there was a time in their life when they did!!!  ....then they just maintain and stay respectable by playing a couple times a week.   To get good which is relative, it's gonna' take a lot of work and or play!!!   There are no short cuts.........

And like you, I'd rather play than work! :beer:

[Lihu]

  BuckeyeNut said:

A person most definitely needs to play regularly to get better.    Sporadic play won't cut it........   golfers that play 2+ times a week will show noticeable improvement.  There is no substitute for playing.   I never practice, but I know a little range time will do me good.   For me, practice is like work and playing is well.......playing/fun!!    I've had free range privies since 2000 and haven't hit a bucket since 1995.

Golfers that play in the single digits or lower play OFTEN.  The vast majority play 3-4 times a week or more.  If they don't, there was a time in their life when they did!!!  ....then they just maintain and stay respectable by playing a couple times a week.   To get good which is relative, it's gonna' take a lot of work and or play!!!   There are no short cuts.........

I noticed that in the past month where I am playing 4+ times a week, I dropped a couple strokes, and feel like in another month I can drop more. Also, hoping that reading and applying LSW, that I can even drop a significant number of strokes more.

[inthehole]

IMHO, there's no substitution for seat time.   I play ALOT of golf.    You get in a groove.   Granted, if I practiced more, I"m sure I would improve faster, but I just like to play ...

[Lihu]

  inthehole said:

IMHO, there's no substitution for seat time.   I play ALOT of golf.    You get in a groove.   Granted, if I practiced more, I"m sure I would improve faster, but I just like to play ...

I have to admit I am having more fun now, but without the swing work it would not be fun at all.

[BuckeyeNut]

  Lihu said:

I noticed that in the past month where I am playing 4+ times a week, I dropped a couple strokes, and feel like in another month I can drop more. Also, hoping that reading and applying LSW, that I can even drop a significant number of strokes more.

It's a long process of ups and downs.........   keep at it over time, and your game will continue to improve.   Keep at it!!!    I've hit brick walls and played my way though plenty of funks.........

I've reached certain points along the way when I thought I would never get better because I got stuck at a certain level for multiple years.   In all honesty, I accepted my fate and was OK with it and them........BAM...out of complete nowhere........I break through to another level.   I was stuck at 7-9HC for almost 10 years!!   Then I started playing better and whittled my way to a 0 at one point.  Golf is a crazy game.

[AmazingWhacker]

For me . . .it's 95% practice and 5% play.  I practice regularly . .haven't played a round this year.  I realize I'm odd . .but I don't really care for playing golf.  I find it overly time consuming and annoying.  I do, however, enjoy hitting balls and I love the idea of hitting balls as perfectly as possible.  My swing has gotten soooo much better since the last time I played . .I often wonder what I'd shoot these days . . but it's not worth it to find out.  Maybe this winter I'll play a round . . maybe not.

edit - I realize I misspoke.  I played one round this year . .in May.

[David in FL]

  AmazingWhacker said:

For me . . .it's 95% practice and 5% play.  I practice regularly . .haven't played a round this year.  I realize I'm odd . .but I don't really care for playing golf.  I find it overly time consuming and annoying.  I do, however, enjoy hitting balls and I love the idea of hitting balls as perfectly as possible.  My swing has gotten soooo much better since the last time I played . .I often wonder what I'd shoot these days . . but it's not worth it to find out.  Maybe this winter I'll play a round . . maybe not.      edit - I realize I misspoke.  I played one round this year . .in May.

You realize, this one is going directly into the "you aren't a golfer" thread, right?! ;-)

[AmazingWhacker]

  David in FL said:

You realize, this one is going directly into the "you aren't a golfer" thread, right?!

Fair enough . . I used to play a lot . . .it's fair to say I'm not a golfer these days.

[mvmac]

  AmazingWhacker said:

For me . . .it's 95% practice and 5% play.

Yeah that's not the best way to get better, better as in shooting lower scores