Course practice facilites

[Deleted member 3432]

And I have no problems with that - some will no doubt enjoy that but for me it's all about on the course - my game improved so quickly when I moved away from ranges or practise areas and went onto the course instead - finish work at 5 in the summer then up to the course for a quick 12 holes - found it far more productive for me. I really think if people just got onto the course more and just play the game you will learn so much more. If people don't want to do that then fine but if the game has stagnated or going backwards what harm is there. You read about it on here many times about how people can't transfer range to course or HC going up despite countless hours on the range or practise area - try something different

Out of interest Phil, how many rounds do you estimate you play a year?

And how many competition rounds?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Out of interest Phil, how many rounds do you estimate you play a year?

And how many competition rounds?

No idea about how many rounds in total - try to play 3/4 times a week including quick rounds in the evening for 9 holes on my own

Comp rounds

This year only managed 19 comp rounds

 

[Deleted member 15717]

That's the one thing that let's our place down I'd say, we have no chipping green

You could use the greens on the practice area but they aren't the best.....and they're miles away if you just fancy 5 minutes chipping

Yup, we're quite lucky that the chipping green and one of the practice putting greens are right behind the first tee. The other practice putting green is about a 30 second walk away from the first tee too, although it is a lot smaller.

 

[Deleted member 3432]

No idea about how many rounds in total - try to play 3/4 times a week including quick rounds in the evening for 9 holes on my own

Comp rounds

This year only managed 19 comp rounds

No wonder you don't feel the need to use the practice ground! I reckon that's about 8 years golf for me.

I am going to play devil's advocate and suggest if you had a structured practice routine you would be lower than you are now. I know I would be.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

What about those people that have tried rocking up, just going out and playing and then not found a swing until the 5th hole after which the score has gone south and they are already not enjoying their game? For some they need to hit a few balls to warm up in the net first as a minimum. They need to reaffirm that feeling they had on the range to feel confident on the first tee. It seems that it's a minority swimming against the tide, which in itself is fine and one size doesn't fit all in golf, but not then being persuaded over and over because it works for them it must be the correct way to practice and that it has to be on course or not at all. For most that simply doesn't work

 

[Fyldewhite]

I see practice facilities as part of the clubs offering. It would be nice to have a course that's empty and just nip down and do a few holes, throw a few balls down, spend 20 mins chipping, 10 mins in a bunker and maybe hit five or six 7 irons into a green but 90% of courses aren't like that. If you want to practice at our's that's what you have to do though, usually late in the evening is the only time you can. Otherwise it's simply "learn from your mistakes" which for some is apparently the only way. I practice putting regularly, spend a hour after work on a nice evening. Would love to be able to do some proper short game practice too, a nice way to spend some time and which is of benefit. Can't guarantee I'll take it on the course and it will work but it can't do any harm. I think the biggest reason many mid handicappers don't improve much is because they don't do this sort of practice, ever. They rely on their course play and never actually improve their technique much as it never gets ingrained and repeatable. Just remains inconsistent which is the real problem.

 

[ger147]

No idea about how many rounds in total - try to play 3/4 times a week including quick rounds in the evening for 9 holes on my own

Comp rounds

This year only managed 19 comp rounds

Do you struggle to keep your game in shape thru the winter when you can no longer play in the evenings?

 

[PaulyMcK]

I'm a member at Brucefields GC in Stirling, fantastic course and membership fees for all. I've been a member for two season and this is the perfect course for me as a beginner. It currently has a 300 Yard Driving Range, 9 Hole Par 3 Course ranging from 50 Yds - 135 Yds and also two putting greens with 18 holes on them. There isn't a chipping green but you are allowed practise play on the main course, obviously if you aren't holding up play.

Could potentially be moving to Hayston GC or Dullatur for the next season and these two courses don't have these practice facilities but do have nets and a short game area but I'm in two mind whether to pay nearly £500 more a year to join them.

 

[ger147]

I'm a member at Brucefields GC in Stirling, fantastic course and membership fees for all. I've been a member for two season and this is the perfect course for me as a beginner. It currently has a 300 Yard Driving Range, 9 Hole Par 3 Course ranging from 50 Yds - 135 Yds and also two putting greens with 18 holes on them. There isn't a chipping green but you are allowed practise play on the main course, obviously if you aren't holding up play.

Could potentially be moving to Hayston GC or Dullatur for the next season and these two courses don't have these practice facilities but do have nets and a short game area but I'm in two mind whether to pay nearly £500 more a year to join them.

Dullatur has a full length hole practice area with a large green at the far end and several smaller greens at the near end as well as the large putting green outside the pro shop and the short game area next to the 1st tee.

And I know Brucefields very well, spent a lot of time on the range and short Par 3 course there and lots of cash in the shop...😂😂

 

[richart]

What about those people that have tried rocking up, just going out and playing and then not found a swing until the 5th hole after which the score has gone south and they are already not enjoying their game? For some they need to hit a few balls to warm up in the net first as a minimum. They need to reaffirm that feeling they had on the range to feel confident on the first tee. It seems that it's a minority swimming against the tide, which in itself is fine and one size doesn't fit all in golf, but not then being persuaded over and over because it works for them it must be the correct way to practice and that it has to be on course or not at all. For most that simply doesn't work

When I played Trumps course with the forum, I went on the practice ground before the round. Thought I would try all the facilities for my dollar. Hit the ball great, but when I went on the course I have never hit it so badly. Total embarrassment. A quick few hits in the net is all I need to warm up. That is what it is, a warm up. At Camberley I didn't have a putt before the round, no warm up shots in a net, straight on to the tee and didn't play too badly. There are different ways to play the game.

I am not saying what others should do, just what I do. Surely I am allowed to express that ? Minority is interesting as I play regularly with a group of eight to ten golfers, and not one of us practices, and some don't even hit have a hit in the net or a practice putt before their round.

Perhaps the golfers on the forum are more keen to practice, and get their handicaps down. They may take the game more seriously than the average club golfer that just rocks up and plays. We don't all play with teh one intention of getting our handicap down. Perhaps the fact your golf ability is judged by a handicap has something to do with it ? Tennis players don't have handicaps, and I can't think of one player I know that practices. They all just rock up and play.

I think the number of club golfers that practice on anything like a regular basis, if at all are in the minority.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

When I played Trumps course with the forum, I went on the practice ground before the round. Thought I would try all the facilities for my dollar. Hit the ball great, but when I went on the course I have never hit it so badly. Total embarrassment. A quick few hits in the net is all I need to warm up. That is what it is, a warm up. At Camberley I didn't have a putt before the round, no warm up shots in a net, straight on to the tee and didn't play too badly. There are different ways to play the game.

I am not saying what others should do, just what I do. Surely I am allowed to express that ? Minority is interesting as I play regularly with a group of eight to ten golfers, and not one of us practices, and some don't even hit have a hit in the net or a practice putt before their round.

Perhaps the golfers on the forum are more keen to practice, and get their handicaps down. They may take the game more seriously than the average club golfer that just rocks up and plays. We don't all play with teh one intention of getting our handicap down. Perhaps the fact your golf ability is judged by a handicap has something to do with it ? Tennis players don't have handicaps, and I can't think of one player I know that practices. They all just rock up and play.

I think the number of club golfers that practice on anything like a regular basis, if at all are in the minority.

Couldn't have put it any better myself

Certainly don't think people who just rock up and play are in the minority - every roll up i play do that bar the odd quick putt on the green - the odd person may pop to the net for a quick swing but that's it - I can't see how they are in the minority.

Just look at forum meets - most are in the bar having a chat or coffee , then out to the tee again maybe with a quick putt but straight to the game. Think there is always the odd one at the practise ground whilst everyone else is socialising.

My best round I arrived at the club with my PP going to the tee - quick change of shoes , quick stretch and 67 shots later my best ever round

 

[Spear-Chucker]

I would be reluctant to join a course with no/poor practice facilities as they are important to me, personally. We don't have world class facilities as our budget is tiny but we have a nice putting green, chipping area, net, bunker and a practice ground good enough for mid-irons.

I've always practiced more than I play on the course due to work and family stuff - not complaining at all, it's just best I can do - as short 20-30 min sessions are great to learn something. Even if I had all the time in the world I'd still hit the practice ground lots as I enjoy the process and the confidence it brings to the course.

There's nothing like being stood on the course facing a difficult shot and thinking "I've hit dozens of these on the range, bring it on!".

We're all different however in terms of our objectives and expectations of the game and have varying lifestyles, so we cut our cloth accordingly.

 

[Simbo]

When I played Trumps course with the forum, I went on the practice ground before the round. Thought I would try all the facilities for my dollar. Hit the ball great, but when I went on the course I have never hit it so badly. Total embarrassment. A quick few hits in the net is all I need to warm up. That is what it is, a warm up. At Camberley I didn't have a putt before the round, no warm up shots in a net, straight on to the tee and didn't play too badly. There are different ways to play the game.

I am not saying what others should do, just what I do. Surely I am allowed to express that ? Minority is interesting as I play regularly with a group of eight to ten golfers, and not one of us practices, and some don't even hit have a hit in the net or a practice putt before their round.

Perhaps the golfers on the forum are more keen to practice, and get their handicaps down. They may take the game more seriously than the average club golfer that just rocks up and plays. We don't all play with teh one intention of getting our handicap down. Perhaps the fact your golf ability is judged by a handicap has something to do with it ? Tennis players don't have handicaps, and I can't think of one player I know that practices. They all just rock up and play.

I think the number of club golfers that practice on anything like a regular basis, if at all are in the minority.

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.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

When I played Trumps course with the forum, I went on the practice ground before the round. Thought I would try all the facilities for my dollar. Hit the ball great, but when I went on the course I have never hit it so badly. Total embarrassment. A quick few hits in the net is all I need to warm up. That is what it is, a warm up. At Camberley I didn't have a putt before the round, no warm up shots in a net, straight on to the tee and didn't play too badly. There are different ways to play the game.

I am not saying what others should do, just what I do. Surely I am allowed to express that ? Minority is interesting as I play regularly with a group of eight to ten golfers, and not one of us practices, and some don't even hit have a hit in the net or a practice putt before their round.

Perhaps the golfers on the forum are more keen to practice, and get their handicaps down. They may take the game more seriously than the average club golfer that just rocks up and plays. We don't all play with teh one intention of getting our handicap down. Perhaps the fact your golf ability is judged by a handicap has something to do with it ? Tennis players don't have handicaps, and I can't think of one player I know that practices. They all just rock up and play.

I think the number of club golfers that practice on anything like a regular basis, if at all are in the minority.

Interesting points. I was referring to the minority on this thread that either don't practice, but particularly those that are saying playing and learning on the course as being the right (and in some cases only way) to learn. As for me being handicap driven, then that's incorrect I'm afraid and I've argued the point often (usually when the same old names are mocking the handicap increasing) that my handicap is only one way at looking at whether I feel I am moving forward. It isn't the be all (certainly not in 2016 when health has dictated otherwise).

Of course you are entitled to express an opinion (it would be a boring old place on here otherwise) and the points you make about your own experiences are valid, and do prove that in your case, warming up isn't a requisite. What I alluded to was a constant inference on here that it has to be done a certain way as it's worked for one or two on here (hence the minority part) and that in a lot of posts on here, it has to be practice on the course that works and because it works for them is somehow what needs to be accepted as the correct thing to do. I play in a roll up of 25-30 most Sunday's and a lot of them will hit a few putts at most. That isn't to say though they don't practice though which was what the thread was originally about, and while they may not utilise the clubs facilities especially in the winter, I have seen most at various local ranges on a regular basis.

You have been clear and articulate on what works best for you and I take your point 100% but it shouldn't shrink into a person v person validation and argument on how to get the most from their game (and I am probably partially responsible along with other replies) for this. The thread itself from the OP is an interesting one, and as I and others have said, decent facilities are an important requisite when looking to join a club and that many see them as a valuable asset in trying to get better.

 

[PaulyMcK]

Dullatur has a full length hole practice area with a large green at the far end and several smaller greens at the near end as well as the large putting green outside the pro shop and the short game area next to the 1st tee.

And I know Brucefields very well, spent a lot of time on the range and short Par 3 course there and lots of cash in the shop...

Ahh, you could maybe help me out. I am looking to join Dullatur, will send you a PM.

 

[Crow]

So after almost 100 posts it looks like some people like to go to the course/range specifically to practice their game, while some don't.

Also some people like to have a practice putt and maybe hit a few balls before they go out, while some don't.



Who'd have believed it?

 

[Deleted member 1147]

So after almost 100 posts it looks like some people like to go to the course/range specifically to practice their game, while some don't.

Also some people like to have a practice putt and maybe hit a few balls before they go out, while some don't.



Who'd have believed it?

How dare you tell me that's how I have to infer the posts in this thread...there may be other ways of looking at things:angry:

 

[Slab]

So after almost 100 posts it looks like some people like to go to the course/range specifically to practice their game, while some don't.

Also some people like to have a practice putt and maybe hit a few balls before they go out, while some don't.



Who'd have believed it?

But where’s the fun in accepting what other folks like or prefer... isn't it all about proving to the rest of the Internet that the other guy’s wrong (& taking dozens of posts to do it)

 

[fundy]

Because of a handful of people on the forum ?!

I reckon out of the swindles I play in there must be about 1 person who practises regualry out of the 40/50 people - yet at least 40% of them have had HC improvements - how they heck did they manage that without practise ? By going out on the course when they can and playing - 3 holes here and there couple of 9 holes when time allows.

Any course I go to the amount of people you see filling up the practise area is very small - a handful. If I had to guess at the amount of people that practised at a range or in an area then I reckon it would be under 2% of golfers - everyone else just goes out and plays the game whenever they get the chance - always see people out playing as singles , using two balls , trying two drives , couple of practise putts on the green.

So yes for me there is no better practise than on the course itself with the hole in front of you including all the dangers or hazards and the shots needed to play

Couldn't have put it any better myself

Certainly don't think people who just rock up and play are in the minority - every roll up i play do that bar the odd quick putt on the green - the odd person may pop to the net for a quick swing but that's it - I can't see how they are in the minority.

Just look at forum meets - most are in the bar having a chat or coffee , then out to the tee again maybe with a quick putt but straight to the game. Think there is always the odd one at the practise ground whilst everyone else is socialising.

My best round I arrived at the club with my PP going to the tee - quick change of shoes , quick stretch and 67 shots later my best ever round

you want to back track any further or you happy where you are now?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

you want to back track any further or you happy where you are now?

Sorry but please read what you have highlighted

I said that I reckon it's about 2% who prob regualry practise

And then I said I don't believe people who rock up and play are in the minority ?

So where is the backtracking ?