Is There a Best Time of Day to Practice?

[Hacker James]

This is one of those questions that is very subjective and dependent on many factors. 

Often, my best practice sessions are in the early morning, or late evening. Of course a lot has to do with simple fatigue, body temperature.

There could be physiological reasons as well.  I do know that I can go outside early in the morning and have many very good swings in succession with seemingly little effort. In the early afternoon, when the sun is high and the temperature rising, I find myself very erratic and stamina waning.   Obviously, this is a sign of fatigue, or maybe lack of concentration, or trying too hard as opposed to just "letting" it happen.

If, on the other hand, I wait for the sun to go down, I can experience similar results as the morning session even though I may have had several sessions throughout the day.  So, I guess the jury is still out on the correlation of these facts/suppositions, Thoughts?

Edited September 20, 2018 by Hacker James

[billchao]

The best time to practice is whenever I have the free time to. Generally for me it's after dinner which coincides with active mosquito time so I get two things done at once: practice golf and feed mosquitoes. 

The sun sets earlier every day though and soon my practice time will cease to exist altogether.

[dennyjones]

Whenever the sun isn't in your eyes!   A local driving range near me faces west!   It's almost impossible when the sun is low.  

[nevets88]

I think this a depends on the person question. And many of us cannot pick and choose the optimal time because life.

Optimal time is when you're mentally sharpest, not physically worn out, range has least distractions. Too early not caffeinated enough, too late, not as sharp.

Going into the sun, if you have slow motion video, that will help a lot. Since I have a camera pretty much all the time, if I don't see the ball, no worries, let's go to the videotape.

I hate practicing during peak hours when ranges are a zoo, some people smoke, talk loudly, drunk, all sorts of annoying crap, can't go to a quiet corner because there are none.

[Vinsk]

All day.

[Hacker James]

1 hour ago, Vinsk said:

All day.

just like Lionel Ritchie, only different.

[Patch]

I am a morning guy. Ambient temps are more tolerable, an my energy level is higher in the early am. 

However, the reality is that I will practice, or play when ever the chance presents itself. 

[JuanTheGolfer]

The best time to practice is very person and environment dependent.   I am retired, so I have lots of options...others who work and still have kids at home may have more limited options.

I remember an interesting article by Adam Scott, who plays on the PGA Tour. He looked at this scores from tee times throughout the day, and found that he scored better when he had been up for at least three hours before his tee time.  Given that data, he would make sure he began his day 3 hours before tee time.... if it was 7 a.m he was up at 4 a.m. , etc. etc.

For me, I enjoy getting out about 8:30-9 a.m. when the dew is no longer on the putting green or the range.  This time works in the summer in Florida... since the temperatures can be in the mid-90s in the afternoons AND there is always a chance of a thunderstorm.   However, when winter comes I prefer to go out when the temperature is at least 60 degrees, which means a little later in the morning ....     I have NO interest in practicing in the rain, or when it is below 60 degrees...

I find if I do not get out earlier, then there is always something to be done...   so I prefer early, then I have later in the day to do all those "chores" or just relax and read a book, ....