Amount of practice?

[JM2334]

Hi guys,

Just wondering everyone's opinion on how much practicing per week people feel is optimal for progress, I've noticed a few varied opinions on here?

I work away for a month at a time but then have a month off work, I get itchy feet and find myself on the range or course most days.

After two weeks of 2x10 holers and 1x18 holer with one range session I improved from mid to high 90's to low 90's, scoring x2 90's and x2 91's the following two weeks.

I then, invigorated by the progress, next time hit 50-75 balls every day on range with atleast 6 holes after it, and 3x18 holes per week.

My striking quality decreased hugely in the latter period, swing felt poor! Is this just too much golf!?

Cheers

J

[iacas]

As much as you can without getting sloppy.

There's no "good amount." And virtually everyone is going to be limited, because they have a job, families, sleep, etc.

[Buckeyebowman]

When I got pretty good at the game, I practically lived at the range. "Lived" in the sense that I was there almost every day, but not for a long period of time. I don't think it's necessarily the "amount" of practicing you do, but the "frequency". I never hit more than one large bucket, and usually hit less than that. Then I might go play nine. 

These days I never hit more than a small bucket (40-50 balls), and I will take well over an hour doing so. Like iacas said, you don't want to just go slugging away and getting sloppy. Devote the same concentration to each shot on the range as you do on the course. 

[Patch]

I practice, or play everyday. Everyday I do something with a golf club.

Difference is for me, I do it to stay in golf swing shape. Also, not so much to improve, but to keep the golf game I have, for as long as I can.

 Sure, every year at this point, I lose a little something due to getting older, but by continuing to practice/play daily, I am losing that "little something" at a much slower pace. 

Another thing is that probably 95% plus of my practices are on specific shots, and not so much on drills. Those shots I practice are the same ones I see most of the time when playing, that can save me strokes. Shots from 100 yards, and in, are good examples of my practices.

Other times I will practice shots from various problem areas, so as not to be surprised when on the course, playing for a score. Out of the rough, side, and uphill lies are good examples of those problem area shots. 

I do, do some drills from time, to time, but only as they would contribute to my swing. My golf swing, after so many years, is what it is. There is no need, or enough time to try and reinvent it. That said, I am not against golfers doing drills to improve their game, as long as the drills work, and improvement actually happens. 

Last, but not least, in the amateur ranks, the natual golf swing talent a golfer has, will dictate how much time said golfer should spend on practice. Less natural talent needs more practice, where as more natural talent can get by with less practice......if they decide to go with less practice.

Personally, I think all golfers should practice/play as much as possible to make the most of whatever natural talent they might have. 

[JM2334]

Great thanks for the replies guys. I think @iacas makes a very good point, some days can be getting sloppy after 30 balls another can do 150 full concentration no bother

[p1n9183]

As much as you can. Every hour with a club in your hand it´s better than doing nothing at all.
Obviously 1 hour of pure focus on every shot could be better than 3 hours just smahing one ball after another with nothing in your head.

[Hacker James]

My practice regimen is tantamount to being an obsession in that I spend every day swinging into a net at various times throughout the day and sometimes even after dark. I do work on specific drills for specific purpose. It is just outside the sliding bedroom door which makes it too easy to jump outside. I might read a tip or idea and try it, sometimes finding an "A ha" moment (most of those are fleeting and sometimes NOT what one should do).  It is done on a mere whim.

One could say that my golf game is not evolving but rather revolving, going back to tried and true routines that are consistently proven to be valid, but not discounting new ideas from time to time. Back to Basics is a good, sound, theme for me. I have not really counted, but I probably get in six or more hours per day, counted in usually no more than frequent, ten minute, sessions. Full Swings, Chips and Pitches from 45 feet, flops, shot shaping, low, high, left, right. Putting not so much. 

That being said, I do not get out on the course more than 2 or 3 times a month owing to other priorities stemming from needs and dictates from S.W.M.B.O. and the frequency of gaming trips to a number of local casinos.

[RayG]

Too much of ANYTHING is bad... Practices sessions just getting worse and worse, so I bagged the clubs and will take a break for as long as it takes to get back my mojo and stop over thinking everything when a slight miss happens. Either at the range or on course. 

Practice without purpose is probably the worse thing you can do. Just beating balls all over the joint is no way to improve. Neither is just playing figuring you will improve by doing all the same things wrong all the time.