Practice vs Play

[sirhacksalot]

The last topic on this i found was four years old.  My work has slowed considerably and even though salary I have been offered to work 40 hrs a week.  I am supposedly at the moment able to allot those hours any way I see fit. The options I was considering were 630-3 or so and then I would have to about 5-530 before the wife and kids are home. Or working my standard 9 hour shift and having every other friday off to play a blitz at the local course.

I am leaning to the come in early and get off early which is where the "practice vs play" comes in.  If you had what you considered an extra 2 hours every week day how would you balance practice vs playing 9 holes vs loosely playing 9 our how many ever just working on stuff (more practice than play- unfortunately most of my playing as a single turns in to this).  I know the ratios about what to practice  when I practice but not so much the one of successful mid to high handicap practice vs play to improve.

[vangator]

That sounds like a plan.  I could do that as well, but I try to limit my play to once per week, maybe two.

You'll be a little cold this weekend.  It will be cold here in Florida, so Georgia will be worse.  Cold golf is better than no golf though.

[Patch]

If I had an extra 2 hours, every work day to give my own golf game, I'm thinking it would be 60% practice and 40% play. 

In my situation I enjoy practicing as much as I do playing. I just like hitting the ball. There always something to work on in my own game. Plus a lot of times I make it a game of practice. 

Now in real-life, I have lots of time to give to my game. So much so, that I could easily burn myself out with the game. This is the main reason I have other out of doors hobbies I like to do.

[RH31]

I'd split it up more or less 50/50 dependent upon how I'm meeting my goals. I'd want to play at least once a week or practice becomes stale to me. If I'm not out there trying to shoot a score, I really don't know if what I'm working on is sinking in.

That said, a structured, disciplined practice routine is needed to really improve your game.

[Marty2019]

If all I had was 2 hours, I would not practice unless I had something specific to practice.   I would make playing the priority, and then decide how/what/when to practice based on how I play. 

[ButterCuts4Dayz]

I would try to play 9 holes on a regular course 1 day a week, practice 3 days a week, and then try to play 18 holes on a par 3 course if you have one near your house. I have found that playing a par 3 course one day a week is more beneficial to me than playing a regular course. It really allows me to dial in my shorts irons and wedges. It also helps me tremendously with distance control. Also, when I play a par 3 course I do not tee up any balls. I hit my tee shots off the ground and pretend I am hitting an approach shot from the fairway

Edited January 22, 2016 by ButterCuts4Dayz

[Patch]

1 hour ago, ButterCuts4Dayz said:

I would try to play 9 holes on a regular course 1 day a week, practice 3 days a week, and then try to play 18 holes on a par 3 course if you have one near your house. I have found that playing a par 3 course one day a week is more beneficial to me than playing a regular course. It really allows me to dial in my shorts irons and wedges. It also helps me tremendously with distance control. Also, when I play a par 3 course I do not tee up any balls. I hit my tee shots off the ground and pretend I am hitting an approach shot from the fairway

I use to have a par 3, 9 hole course near me. I played that course as much as possible and called it "short game" practice. The greens were really small, something like 10' X 10' on average. It was a test to be sure. 

[ButterCuts4Dayz]

1 hour ago, Patch said:

I use to have a par 3, 9 hole course near me. I played that course as much as possible and called it "short game" practice. The greens were really small, something like 10' X 10' on average. It was a test to be sure. 

Those courses are very challenging especially when they have small greens. Great practice to work on ball flights and working it both ways. My buddy and I @Drive4ShowPuttOnPoa play a 9 hole par 3 course out here called Sun Valley National. We hit two balls on every hole. One ball you have to hit a draw and the other you have to hit a fade. I like playing the baby fade and the power draw. He likes to play a bleeding cut fade and baby draw

Edited January 22, 2016 by ButterCuts4Dayz

[DrvFrShow]

Well, considering playing as a single doesn't count anymore toward your HC, you might as well use the round as practice for your course management skills and just fun. Choose the wrong club? Oh crap, that was a bummer. Drop another ball and choose the right club this time. Top it? Crap. Drop another ball and flush this one.

But I'd still spend time on the driving range. Evening the range will be open. Most of the time the ranges aren't open before 8 at many courses. 

[GangGreen]

Good question, I typically go for a with a 2:1 ratio (2 practices and one full round a week) with my current schedule.  If I had more time, I'd probably look to practice 3x a week, play one full weekend round, and add one 9 hole weekday (after work) round if I could. 

[Dave325]

If I have a block of time, I would generally try to play a round, but on a daily basis... I would split up my time between practice and play to make sure that I am working on the priority area and not just hitting the ball around the course.

I am very flexible with my work schedule (work from home).... And take a lot of short breaks and hit balls in the backyard or garage, if the weather is not cooperating. My course is about 30 minutes away, so I need a decent block of time to get there, play a round and get back.