Practicing on the hole you live on

[sirhacksalot]

For those that live on a golf hole and can sneak on to practice a bit regularly  what are the SOP's for doing so. Putting, chipping, and sand play is pretty self explanatory. But what about hitting irons into the green? Should I use a mat?  

[David in FL]

Unless you're a member, with unlimited play privileges, what you're doing is no different than someone who drives from their home across town to "sneak on" and practice without paying to do so.  The fact that you live closer than they do doesn't give you any more right to trespass.  

Having said that, in answer to the actual question, anything more than putting, including chipping and bunker practice, can cause significant wear and tear to the course, which is why every course I know prohibits on course practice by homeowners.

 

[saevel25]

I agree, living near or next to a course isn't a free pass to use the course. 

[jsgolfer]

We have several members that abut the golf course I play and when I've seen them out on the course, it is mostly putting and chipping, although I have seen a couple hitting wedge shots to the greens, but this is maybe once or twice during my three years at the course.

I'll agree with @saevel25  and @David in FL that if you aren't a member and "sneak" onto the course, it is trespassing.  So I wouldn't recommend that.

[sirhacksalot]

5 hours ago, David in FL said:

Unless you're a member, with unlimited play privileges, what you're doing is no different than someone who drives from their home across town to "sneak on" and practice without paying to do so.  

Sorry I should have clarified, we are building a house on the course that I "am" currently a member of.  I can walk play / anytime with the exception of tournaments, and weekend morning walking.  What i meant by sneaking on was simply not calling the clubhouse and telling them that i am on the course playing the hole that my backyard backs up to. This would most likely be at a time where they were near closing or even closed. 

5 hours ago, David in FL said:

 answer to the actual question, anything more than putting, including chipping and bunker practice, can cause significant wear and tear to the course, 

 

I was kind of figuring this even though its what i need to work on the most. That's why i was considering lugging a mat out.  I would like to improve but also wouldn't like the hole to start looking like a driving range from 100 in because of me.  

 

[David in FL]

1 minute ago, sirhacksalot said:

Sorry I should have clarified, we are building a house on the course that I "am" currently a member of.  I can walk play / anytime with the exception of tournaments, and weekend morning walking.  What i meant by sneaking on was simply not calling the clubhouse and telling them that i am on the course playing the hole that my backyard backs up to. This would most likely be at a time where they were near closing or even closed. 

I was kind of figuring this even though its what i need to work on the most. That's why i was considering lugging a mat out.  I would like to improve but also wouldn't like the hole to start looking like a driving range from 100 in because of me.  

 

Even with a mat, you risk damage to the green hitting repeated approach shots.

I'd still recommend sticking strictly to putting, and save the other practice for the practice area.

[Groucho Valentine]

I wouldn't hit irons into the green, like others have said. Id keep it to chipping putting and bunker shots. Make sure you rake it properly. 

[RussUK]

21 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Even with a mat, you risk damage to the green hitting repeated approach shots.

I'd still recommend sticking strictly to putting, and save the other practice for the practice area.

Plus with a mat its even more difficult to leg it when you get spotted by the green keepers or members 

[Ernest Jones]

14 minutes ago, RussUK said:

Plus with a mat its even more difficult to leg it when you get spotted by the green keepers or members 

That's why you use the mat you stole from the driving range. That way, if you gotta ditch, you can just leave it!

[RussUK]

2 minutes ago, Ernest Jones said:

That's why you use the mat you stole from the driving range. That way, if you gotta ditch, you can just leave it!

Thinking outside the box, like it!

Although it would be a laugh to see someone running off a hole with a rolled up mat then diving over a fence.

[Hacker James]

1 hour ago, RussUK said:

Thinking outside the box, like it!

Although it would be a laugh to see someone running off a hole with a rolled up mat then diving over a fence.

sounds like a missing clip from "Caddie Shack".