Tour player practice amount

[jackn]

I am wondering how much tour pros practice daily, and how much they focus on each part of the game (long game, short game, putting, etc) I have heard that it is six hours a day, but I would assume its probably more. Also, how many balls do they hit on the range daily? 500?, 1000? I would like to set some golf goals based off a tour players practice routine. 

[RandallT]

Just to give an alternate opinion- while it's interesting, I don't really concern myself with the pros, as I'll just assume it's a good deal of practice and there is a lot of variability among them. In my life, I just strive to practice smart and consider that the best I can do. These elements are what I think are related to practicing smart:

1. Practice a little bit frequently, not long sessions fewer times per week
2. Focus on one thing, or may two, and don't just pound balls. 
3. Have an expert assign me that priority thing to work on
4. Use video to assess my progress
5. Use the five S's: https://thesandtrap.com/forums/topic/54840-simple-specific-slow-short-and-success-the-five-ss-of-great-practice/
6. Consider these ratios (and answers one of your questions about long/short/putting): 

 

 

[phillyk]

9 hours ago, jackn said:

I am wondering how much tour pros practice daily, and how much they focus on each part of the game (long game, short game, putting, etc) I have heard that it is six hours a day, but I would assume its probably more. Also, how many balls do they hit on the range daily? 500?, 1000? I would like to set some golf goals based off a tour players practice routine. 

When you have practically unlimited time and money to practice golf to make a life on tour, you can afford to do 6 hour days or more.  I remember a while ago about Tiger hitting at least 1000 balls a day, 9-18 holes, and at least a 2 hour fitness portion.  This is not for you though.

3 hours ago, RandallT said:

Just to give an alternate opinion- while it's interesting, I don't really concern myself with the pros, as I'll just assume it's a good deal of practice and there is a lot of variability among them. In my life, I just strive to practice smart and consider that the best I can do. These elements are what I think are related to practicing smart:

1. Practice a little bit frequently, not long sessions fewer times per week
2. Focus on one thing, or may two, and don't just pound balls. 
3. Have an expert assign me that priority thing to work on
4. Use video to assess my progress
5. Use the five S's: https://thesandtrap.com/forums/topic/54840-simple-specific-slow-short-and-success-the-five-ss-of-great-practice/
6. Consider these ratios (and answers one of your questions about long/short/putting): 

 

 

Do this instead!

The only reason I would talk to people about hitting more than a medium bucket is when they are purely there to take their swing and get every single club in line (as in a scratch golfer or better).  Having a fitness routine is always a good idea though.

[Buckeyebowman]

Long thought short, it's a full time job, just like any other! Except you get to do yours in more glamorous surroundings. And when you go on vacation, and hang out with your buds, it doesn't make quite the splash in social media!

[golfdu]

Tiger did NOT hit >1000 balls a day, that's a myth. Think about it, starting pitchers in the MLB stop after 100 pitches on game day and on their off days, they only throw around 50 pitches on average. Tiger did practice for more than 2 hours on his full swing, but only averaging 30 balls an hour. Nicklaus would be on the range for an hour at a time and wouldn't go above 60 balls. It's completely counterproductive to hit >100 balls at a time, you're just making yourself tired and less likely to maintain your swing mechanics, which lead to bad habits. Try and throw 1,000 pitches in one day and get back to me so I can recommend you for Tommy John surgery.

[Buckeyebowman]

I can completely agree with this. I used to be very much into archery, and was on an archery web forum much like The Sand Trap is for golf. There was a guy who posted that every night after arriving home from work, he would throw a dozen dozen sticks at the target.  A gross of shots!

I asked him if he hadn't figured out how to shoot his bow yet! For me, it was always make the first shot count! Once I knew how to shoot the bow, it was all up to me. Guys like that remind me of one of my buddies. The guy who always has the extra ball in his pocket, or goes running to the cart to get one when they hit a bad shot. And they go "Tin Cupping" it all around the course.

I told him those second shots don't matter! That he's been playing long enough to know how he hosed up his first shot. But, it doesn't seem to matter. He still does the Tin Cup routine!

EDIT: I read a great tip years ago. When you're playing well, go play! When you're playing poorly, go practice!

Edited August 31, 2017 by Buckeyebowman