Course practice facilites

[richart]

What works for some doesn't work for others, if that's how you want to play the game that's great.
I'll bet there's just as many times though you've rocked up and hit it then played crap all the way round as well.
There's a difference between practising properly and warming up before a round.
How good are the golfers you play with?
I also play with golfers around 11/12 range that never practice, they've played of that for years most of them. I also play with county golfers and they practice as much as they play. Boring repetitive shot after shot of the same thing trying to ingrain the swing and habit so they can repeat on the course.

Agree, I just warm up. I was answering the op about whether practice facilities are important in choice of club. For me obviously not.

Yes I play with mid teen handicappers mainly, most are in their 50's and don't want to practice. Time doesn't allow, and to be fair they don't want to practice either, just want to play. To maintain a mid teen handicap when physically fit, I don't think you need much practice. To maintain a low handicap it is more than likely a different story, but you do get the 'odd' one who doesn't.

Of course the majority of my rounds are rubbish with no practice, but when I have they have been probably been worse. I still enjoy golf rounds even if not playing great, assuming the company is good.

I just play golf for fun, and get no enjoyment for practice. What does it matter to me if I got my handicap down a little by putting more work in ? I do notice that if I play more regularly I get better, but once or twice a week at most is good for me.

One thing I would say about practice is you need to be practicing correct technique, otherwise you are just perfecting your faults.

 

[Foxholer]

...
There is no better place to practise than on the course itself - if your aren't getting better it's not because of the facilities it's because of the person holding the club

That's twaddle - imo of course!

Note that I presume you are not actually 'practising on the course', as that's frowned by many/most clubs! There's certainly a requirement to 'take the practice to the course' and the only way to do that is by playing on the course. But practice facilities are an essential part of a club - at least for the vast majority of members! So if they are deficient, then member satisfaction drops!

 

[richart]

That's twaddle - imo of course!

Note that I presume you are not actually 'practising on the course', as that's frowned by many/most clubs! There's certainly a requirement to 'take the practice to the course' and the only way to do that is by playing on the course. But practice facilities are an essential part of a club - at least for the vast majority of members! So if they are deficient, then member satisfaction drops!

Twaddle !!

The vast majority of members don't practice. We didn't have a practice putting green for about 4 years and didn't lose members because of it. Our practice ground is a farmers field that is usually empty when I have gone past it playing the 8th. Where do you get the vast majority of members practice. A big percentage of members hardly ever play let alone practice.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Twaddle !!

The vast majority of members don't practice. We didn't have a practice putting green for about 4 years and didn't lose members because of it. Our practice ground is a farmers field that is usually empty when I have gone past it playing the 8th. Where do you get the vast majority of members practice. A big percentage of members hardly ever play let alone practice.

I'd go with that. Although we do you good facilities they are often either unused or only have one or two people on them.

 

[Foxholer]

This thread is hilarious.....not entirely sure it's meant to be, but hey ho!

For what it's worth i love courses that have good practice facilities....I'd Base my choice of course on this massively.

This year I have practiced the most since I started playing and I've subsequently came down 5 shots.

Just think how much you'd have come down if you only 'practiced on the course'! :rofl:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I'd go with that. Although we do you good facilities they are often either unused or only have one or two people on them.

Our facilities seem to be regularly used by a large number of members especially in the summer and as I've already said. the two local ranges are often inhabited by members of the Sunday roll up and others. The nearest one to the club (Lavender Park) will see a regular influx of members during the day/evening, especially at this time of year, both male and female, there to hit a bucket of balls or maybe have a lesson. No idea where this arbitary 2% comes into the argument or what that is based on but I say, based on my own experience of the roll up that more than 2% of that regular group work on their game at least once a week and that with others doing so, that figure will actually be far higher.

Of course it isn't for everyone as Richart rightly says. If you are happy to turn up, play, enjoy the round and don't get too hung up on scores or your handicap coming down then of course hitting balls or trying new stuff on a course isn't going to be for you. However, there are a large number, both here and at my own club for whom practice is something they enjoy doing and who will utilise the putting/chipping green and practice ground or warm up net before each round.

 

[Foxholer]

Twaddle !!

The vast majority of members don't practice. We didn't have a practice putting green for about 4 years and didn't lose members because of it. Our practice ground is a farmers field that is usually empty when I have gone past it playing the 8th. Where do you get the vast majority of members practice. A big percentage of members hardly ever play let alone practice.

How much of the above is down to the fact that the practice facilities are actually dire though!

You are correct to an extent though! I should, however, add the words 'who are determined to improve' to my 'for the vast majority of members' phrase that you highlighted!

 

[Robobum]

Playing the way i do doesnt seem to have done me any harm - maybe some should give it a try

Wow. You're very modest aren't you.

 

[Slab]

I know we all know this but practice and a pre-round warm up are for many folks two entirely different things, both using the same facilities

My local practice facilities (range) are definitely not going to improve your game, balls are dirty, cut and dimples almost smoothed off, landing area is bare, uneven ground so no chance to see if too much side spin and putting green is diseased, uneven and patchy

So I can only 'practice' before a round at the course, but as I say that's not really practicing, that's just warming up/loosening with perhaps some chipping and 10 minutes putting (but again that's not practice that's gauging roll on the greens that day etc)

Good quality practice facilities (in tandem with good quality practice) will help lower scores... I know I don't have the former and I doubt I do the latter

On course just isn't an option, courses are far too busy to entertain anyone wishing to do any kind of practice play on the course

 

[Liverbirdie]

I've recently installed a beech, ash and oak tree in my dining room to practice keeping my chipper low.

Cant wait for the next forum meet, 42 points min.:thup:

This thread is funny.

 

[hovis]

our facilities are great and the vast majority of the members use them.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Wow. You're very modest aren't you.

Why thank you :thup:

 

[snell]

Just think how much you'd have come down if you only 'practiced on the course'! :rofl:

.....you know what, I'd never thought of that :lol:

 

[garyinderry]

Its not one or the other.


Phil would benefit from hitting a range or short game area from time to time and some of the range rats would benefit from a few more solo holes putting all the range work into real time golf situations where they are not a burden on their playing partners.


I have done both and more often than not ill get both in. Unless its a winter trip to the range I will always get a few holes in if I make it to the club in the summer.