Pillo

I'm italian and of course I play in Italy. The main problem with handicap index here is that you can improve it (or worsen it) by playing one-day tournaments. So what's the point? Well first of all, not anybody wants to do tournaments, but here you kind of feel obliged to play them. So there are like 2 or 3 tournaments per week in almost any italian golf club. Then, tournaments cost. It varies from club to club but the average entry fee is 20€. Plus the green fee if that is not your club. So it happens that I can't spend 50+ € anytime I want to see what my exact handicap index is (my golf club is a driving range, so entry fee plus green fee for me). I played my last tournament last June, so what about now? Who knows, I should go out and play some tournaments out there. I will, but I can't do it every week. I know, I could calculate my handicap on my own during free rounds, but the Italian golf association keeps track of your official one that is based on tournaments. So you'll keep seeing a not so up-to-date handicap.

Thank you Keith. :-) My instructor, a pro, checks my swing once or twice a month, so luckily I can't mess it up (at least I try not to). Yes, still I need to make my body move as requested. It's the hardest part. Talking about consistency, it's incredible how hitting from the range is so different from playing the course. And then there's obviously course management, strategy and several situations that you never encounter at the range. In some way, playing the course is practicing as well.

Wow, so many interesting thoughts. Thank you for the precious links. :-) I know that now I have to focus on my technique, but I already took several lessons, so maybe I just need to be at the range or the course more often (or give up :-D). I'll post my swing in the correct section of the forum soon. Meanwhile I'm going to read those threads you suggested me. Anyway, mine was a general question on how, "statistically" (well, considering these forum's users), players behave when they have free time and want to play golf (with the aim of playing better). And if there's correlation between spending time practicing or playing or if, as someone pointed out, it's really relative to oneself. Of course playing is much more fun (well AmazingWhacker, not for anyone), but does it help with your game more than practicing? p.s. Thank you David, I'm going to read that thread too.

I start off with a question that has always been kind of mysterious to me. First of all, my golf club is a driving range with a small pitch&putt; course. I don't practice a lot (100/200 balls a week). Then, as well as playing the pitch&putt; course once or twice a week, I play at a nearby 18 hole course once a month. But I'm still struggling to improve my game. Aside from technical aspects, I was wondering how to manage my time better. So the question is: what's the good balance between practicing and playing? Is it better to play and try the course more often or practicing is fundamental and you need to focus more on that? What about you? How did you do to improve your game?

Hello everyone! I'm an Italian golfer (kind of) and I totally love this game. Sometimes it's so frustrating that I wonder why I keep playing, but the next day I'm at the course. Strange game. Please, don't look at my handicap index, hopefully I'll improve it soon (still quite young, I'm 27 years old). Looking forward to sharing my golf experience with you all!