I just dont have the time to play......

[Craggles89]

Hi all,

first post.

Due to work restrictions and childcare obligations, I get to play a maximum of 2 weekends a month and (in the summer months) once a week twilight round. Now the sun is evading us, the twilight rounds are out of the question, so I am relying on my weekend rounds. the problem is i forget all of the little things about my swing and the game as i dont play one week to the next, and feel like im starting all over again every week. On the odd occasion i have played a few times in a week, ive done really well finishing around 15-18 over par (usually struggling to break 90)

How do i make the time i have to effectivley get some good playing time to take that into the next week / game, or is it simply 'play more'?

 

[CMAC]

Hi all,

first post.

Due to work restrictions and childcare obligations, I get to play a maximum of 2 weekends a month and (in the summer months) once a week twilight round. Now the sun is evading us, the twilight rounds are out of the question, so I am relying on my weekend rounds. the problem is i forget all of the little things about my swing and the game as i dont play one week to the next, and feel like im starting all over again every week. On the odd occasion i have played a few times in a week, ive done really well finishing around 15-18 over par (usually struggling to break 90)

How do i make the time i have to effectivley get some good playing time to take that into the next week / game, or is it simply 'play more'?

only you can answer that one


we're all/mostly all in the same boat.........plan ahead.

oh and welcome to the forum:thup:

 

[Khamelion]

I was in the same boat, being on-call every other week, meant I could only play every other Sunday, but to make the most of the weeks I wasn't on-call I go to the driving range on the way home.

I kow what you mean about forgetting stuff, I went 4 weeks without lifting a bat, due to work and when I did pick up a club it was like starting from square 1.

How you find the time to play and practice, only you can answer, but you could get yourself a putting mat to practice in the house, rig up a practice net in the garden if space allows, or like I've done I chopped a broom shank down to about 18inches, it allows me to practice technique in the house. So there are ways and means without actually going to the course or DR that lets you have a family life and keep your hand in.

and, Welcome to the forum.

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Just use whatever time you have wisely. Practice the scoring shots (120 yrds in) and use any range/practice ground time to work on a solid routine. This means a good setup such as alignment, any one basic swing trigger/movement and a good mental image such as shot shape.

With a consistant routine you'll save time messing around with extraneous thoughts and just focus on the shot in hand. You will also be able to easily pick up where you left off from a previous session as there's already a pre-determined routine to go through. 15-20 min sessions here and there are plenty for any amateur to help take something useful to the course.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Practice is over rated,just get out & play when you can & enjoy it. It's only a hobbie.
Welcome to the forum

 

[Craggles89]

Thanks guys, for the varied advise. I think i am going to replace my weekly twilight with some lessons over the winter, then if i am not playing as much as i would like, i can take things picked up in a lesson to put into use next time i hit the course. Instead of using 18 weekly holes to work on my game, a lesson is the option at the moment.
Appreciate the feedback though!

 

[Keeno]

Practice is over rated,just get out & play when you can & enjoy it. It's only a hobbie.
Welcome to the forum

Agreed

 

[Garush34]

Thanks guys, for the varied advise. I think i am going to replace my weekly twilight with some lessons over the winter, then if i am not playing as much as i would like, i can take things picked up in a lesson to put into use next time i hit the course. Instead of using 18 weekly holes to work on my game, a lesson is the option at the moment.
Appreciate the feedback though!

If you are struggling now to get time to practice/play then I don't think lessons would be much help. You need time to work on what is taugh in a lesson, if you just go to the lesson every week or two weeks without having practiced you'll not get the full benefit from them.

Certainly lessons will help but make sure you spread them out so that you have time to work on stuff to get it feeling natural.

 

[Khamelion]

Practice is over rated,just get out & play when you can & enjoy it. It's only a hobbie.
Welcome to the forum

Agreed

OKay so you guys don't like the practice and prefer the real deal, but the OP said he hasn't got a lot of time to play and it's so long between games that a lot is forgotten, hence in this instance practicing aroud the house and garden would keep him in good form for when he does play and no doubt he would enjoy the round a whole lot more.

From a personal note, practice for me is key, I can't get to the course as often as I would like so the DR and putting mat is the only way I'll get better.

 

[Craggles89]

I agree, Khamelion. Practise is going to be an important thing for me as i dont get to play a lot. If i dont practise, the only time i play would then be at the course, which is few and far between. Stepping up to the first tee for the first time in a month is confidence filling, its like I'm stepping out there for the very first time every month. Think im going to try some lessons, one a month maybe, and take from each lesson something to go practice when i get to the course next. Hopefully have a handicap this side of Xmas!!!

 

[Golfmmad]

OKay so you guys don't like the practice and prefer the real deal, but the OP said he hasn't got a lot of time to play and it's so long between games that a lot is forgotten, hence in this instance practicing aroud the house and garden would keep him in good form for when he does play and no doubt he would enjoy the round a whole lot more.

From a personal note, practice for me is key, I can't get to the course as often as I would like so the DR and putting mat is the only way I'll get better.

I agree with Pin-seeker and Keeno, but I don't think they necessarily mean not to practice around the house, as you do, which I think is a good idea by the way. A Pro once told me that even just 10 minutes a day swinging a club will do wonders for in bedding the swing.

IMHO I've always thought a beginner is best having approx. 6 lessons to get the fundamentals, and then just go out and play. Once you get a handicap and shoot a reasonable score then perhaps have more lessons and even a 6 hole playing lesson will reap more benefits.

Plus.......... getting a few tips on here!!

 

[macca64]

I don't practice, don't have the time, only play mostly Saturdays and comps once or twice a month on a sunday, never really got the practice bug, don't enjoy it much,

 

[HomerJSimpson]

One thing practicing but another altogether doing it with a purpose and objectively. I am a big fan of http://www.mygripzone.com/ to add a competitive edge. Alternatively I've used a range with 6060 golf on it which is useful too http://www.6060golf.com/Website/

 

[Foxholer]

I would recommend that you don't have lessons until you can devote some practice time to ingrain the changes that result from the lesson.

Playing on the course is definitely not the time to do that - it's the time to enjoy playing Golf and to simply let the (hopefully ingrained) swing just happen!

 

[Pin-seeker]

I would recommend that you don't have lessons until you can devote some practice time to ingrain the changes that result from the lesson.

Playing on the course is definitely not the time to do that - it's the time to enjoy playing Golf and to simply let the (hopefully ingrained) swing just happen!

Good advice :thup:

 

[Craggles89]

Good advice :thup:

Thanks guys, appreciate all advice. Hoping to get to the range more in coming weeks. Also hard to find playing partners in Essex!!

 

[sev112]

I've had to revert to this position, also because of family and work, this year , and instead of playing 2 to 3 times a week, I'm now playing once every 4 to 5 weeks.

Once I decided I'm going to smile my way round and now worry about playing to the standard I used to, I enjoy it more.

For what it's worth, putting in the hall is always worthwhile
If you've got space in your garage to swing and 8 iron with foam balls, that also helps (although that don't happen any more since I filled the garage with cycling paraphernalia)
Good luck