Practice area vs course.

[kid2]

Seeing as this season will be all about the scoring clubs for me I've decided that I'll base the majority of my practice on the course.

I know the practice area has it's meeits but ours being only 180mtrs long your not really going to be training a driver swing.

Last night I hit the course with nothing in the bag only my 9 iron to Lob wedge, putter and 2 balls.
I played 9 holes from 120mtrs in and i had to get up and down with both balls. Effectively a par 3 challange. But to mix it up i played from both the rough and the fairway from various lies..

Anyway it seemed much more appropriate practice as the practice area is only flat ground and all your really achieving is technique.

I finished 8 under par for the 2 balls. But it was an enjoyable practice.
Going to do the same tonight from the bunkers only this time and see what happens...

 

[Shooter McPowick]

Sounds like a great thing to do.

Our driving range is still playing off mats which is OK for driving but Ive found it useless for iron practice.

Im just fitting in a game on the course as often as possible at the moment...

 

[Tiger]

We've got a tighter 9 hole short course that is all par 3s and 4s. Unless I've got something specific to work on I spend my practice time on there. Often quiet so can get round in an hour but the greens play the same as the main course. Love it 👍

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Been playing with my pitching from 30-70 yards on the practice ground, playing with techniques, clubs etc. Having some great fun just mucking about with it all at the moment as I've not been near the course for two weeks. The last time I played and came second in a big Sunday roll up, my pitching was top drawer and felt very pleased that the work had transferred to the course. I like the OP's idea and may have to give that a go at some point (when it warms up)

 

[kid2]

Been playing with my pitching from 30-70 yards on the practice ground, playing with techniques, clubs etc. Having some great fun just mucking about with it all at the moment as I've not been near the course for two weeks. The last time I played and came second in a big Sunday roll up, my pitching was top drawer and felt very pleased that the work had transferred to the course. I like the OP's idea and may have to give that a go at some point (when it warms up)

.
Ya it was bloody cold last night Homer .
Temperature had dropped to 4 degrees by 9 I click just before the darkness fell.

 

[t0m]

Styal has a par 3 which is good for practice. It always surprise people how hard it is

 

[Tiger]

I think if you can get tight and solid from 150 yards in it makes such a difference. Having a solid par 3 or short course nearby is really positive. I find I'm great in practice but that goes to pot on the course when you get one bite at the cherry...

Good post kid 👍

 

[Fish]

I've probably got the best par 3 course in the country on my doorstep, being Nailcote Hall, unfortunately you tee off mats though, so, a question to those in the know, how much of a variable or what kind of major difference can you expect teeing off mats against the fairway, I don't tee anything up but obviously the mat can help & hinder in different ways to a bit of grass?!

 

[virtuocity]

I've probably got the best par 3 course in the country on my doorstep, being Nailcote Hall, unfortunately you tee off mats though, so, a question to those in the know, how much of a variable or what kind of major difference can you expect teeing off mats against the fairway, I don't tee anything up but obviously the mat can help & hinder in different ways to a bit of grass?!

It's about honesty. Hitting off a mat, you KNOW whether you've hit the ball then ground, rather than mat then ball (which lets you get away with bad strikes as the club bounces off it into the ball). Would love a shot at Nailcote.

 

[Karl102]

I like the idea, but unless you went around our place very late on, you would be pulled up as you are not allowed to play more than one ball and practice on the course.....

 

[Canmore]

So much truth in what has been posted. The summer I spent playing par 3 courses a lot with my wife who was just starting out in the game, my short game became so much better, and more consistent. It can't be a coincidence I ended up winning a board comp that year!

 

[Jacko_G]

I like the idea, but unless you went around our place very late on, you would be pulled up as you are not allowed to play more than one ball and practice on the course.....

This ^^^^^ plus your a greenkeepers nightmare, more divots, which even if you repair and replace take time to heal. Extra plug marks again which cause damage. Practice area's are there for a reason as are short game areas.

Everyone occasionally drops a second ball but deliberately practicing on the course is poor etiquette.

 

[Joff]

This ^^^^^ plus your a greenkeepers nightmare, more divots, which even if you repair and replace take time to heal. Extra plug marks again which cause damage. Practice area's are there for a reason as are short game areas.

Everyone occasionally drops a second ball but deliberately practicing on the course is poor etiquette.

No it's not.

 

[Jacko_G]

No it's not.

Yes it is.

 

[Canmore]

It's an interesting question...

Taking two balls - how is this different to a 4 ball - assuming only 2 players hit the green in regulation?

Although I have seen players with a big bag of balls hitting into a green for practice - which is obviously poor form

 

[williamalex1]

We are allowed to play 2 balls while practising/playing on the course, as long as you don't hold up play.

 

[Jacko_G]

Most clubs I know have it in their constitution or in their course etiquette booklet saying practice on the course is forbidden.

Hence poor etiquette.

We've all been there in a medal or a matchplay competition, that area 100 yards out and it's littered with old divots or sanded divots. Do you really not add to the problem by practicing from that area?

Easy to practice specific distances or shots at the range or practice area.

Replacing divots only helps to an extent, the roots need to recover and establish themselves again, birds lift out divots, greenkeepers need to sand or turf really badly effected areas.

 

[SteveJay]

Most clubs I know have it in their constitution or in their course etiquette booklet saying practice on the course is forbidden.

Hence poor etiquette.

We've all been there in a medal or a matchplay competition, that area 100 yards out and it's littered with old divots or sanded divots. Do you really not add to the problem by practicing from that area?

Easy to practice specific distances or shots at the range or practice area.

Replacing divots only helps to an extent, the roots need to recover and establish themselves again, birds lift out divots, greenkeepers need to sand or turf really badly effected areas.

Still don't get the difference, as Canmore posted, between playing 2 balls (when its quiet on the course) and a 3 or 4 ball playing. Guess I am lucky being at a small club with plenty of unused tee times, even at weekends, but if the course is geared up to accommodate 4 balls at every tee time through the day, that would create more potential wear wouldn't it?

 

[patricks148]

we are allowed to play 2 balls if you wish, but if i'm going to practice i go on the short game area or play our 9 hole which has small greens and has 5 really short par 3 that are just wedge holes

 

[Bunkermagnet]

The difference between a 2/3/4 ball and a singleton playing multi balls is that all the singleton divots will be in the same small area.
We don't allow practising on the course, but you still get the odd person who thinks it's ok to take a rack of divots all within a 2 foot circle.