Practice??

[Phil110079]

Hi all,

I'm playing 2-3 times a week and hitting 95-105 regularly with 90'ish on a good day.

Not doing any practice, driving range, short game or putting but should I!? My driving in particular has went down hill but is that because since I took a club membership I feel like every time I'm there I should be getting 18 holes in!?

Just wondered what other people do?? I just got my 3 cards in for a 20 handicap and would love to get down towards 10.

Thanks

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Short answer yes. Short game and putting in particular but each facet needs working on. My advice would be to have chat with your club pro, explain what you are trying to achieve and ask him if he has any practice drills or tips he can give you to help, including some sort of structured practice schedule. However don't fall into the trap I did a few years back and practice and practice thinking the hard work would get me down lower and not playing. You need to get out and play as its really the place to learn. The practice ground and range have their place and will help but if you can't take your range swing onto the course it'll never get better

 

[Evesdad]

Depends on what your time situation is? If the playing time us all you have maybe drop one for some practice time. I know what you mean though when the light nights are here I struggle to go to the range as I think I should be on the course. Why not just play a few holes of an evening when its quiet, with two balls or just stop every other hole and practice done chipping or putting. Maybe a short session at range to work on your driver.

 

[pbrown7582]

Depends on what your time situation is? If the playing time us all you have maybe drop one for some practice time. I know what you mean though when the light nights are here I struggle to go to the range as I think I should be on the course. Why not just play a few holes of an evening when its quiet, with two balls or just stop every other hole and practice done chipping or putting. Maybe a short session at range to work on your driver.

This is a good idea maybe hit a couple of balls of the tee only if it's quiet enough on practice rounds I also try and replay any badly hit shot be it a chip pitch iron or drive if the course is quiet enough there is not right or wrong amount if time spent on course/range you just have to balance the time you have the best to suit your situation but if you want to improve a decent amount of practice and maybe a couple of lesson will work wonders IMO.

 

[Hobbit]

I often go out onto the course late on an evening and practice a wee bit there. If I get bored I play a few holes, and then practice putt chip. Then play a few, and so on.

 

[Stub]

I don't think there is any substitute for practice if you want to improve...although my handicap doesn't suggest I succeed with my practice. However I find that if I practice on the range or practice ground things do get better on the course and hopefully the handicap will soon reflect that.

I think it is important to practice with a purpose and not simply bang balls down the range one after another. I am currently using a Mark Crossfield drill, sourced from this forum, to help with weight transfer from right to left side at impact. It worked really well on the range yesterday...will see how well it works on the course today:mmm:.

 

[Imurg]

Practice is important, especially early on.
But it's important to remember that the range and the course are completely different beasts.
How many times have we heard taht we can't take our "range" game to the course...

Different lies, consequences of getting the shot wrong etc etc

Practice, yes

Play - even more.

 

[Snelly]

Practice is important, especially early on.
But it's important to remember that the range and the course are completely different beasts.
How many times have we heard taht we can't take our "range" game to the course...

Different lies, consequences of getting the shot wrong etc etc

Practice, yes

Play - even more.

I completely agree. Practice when you are learning. Play beats practice when you have learned the basics though.


I never practice now - not at all. But as a kid, I played every day in the summer and practiced constantly. Particularly chipping both at the course and in the garden. I still think that the thousands of rounds played were much more beneficial than balls hit on the range.

 

[Andy808]

Practice is imperative whatever your handicap.
You can't work on subtle changes to your swing, go through swing mechanics, tweak your grip, work on alignment etc etc has to be done on the range. Practice what you can at home, putt on different carpets or even on the kitchen lino to get a feel for a variety of surfaces. Use the space you have in your garden, no matter how small, to practice chipping (DON'T do it towards the greenhouse!!).
For me practice isn't important it's vital and should be no matter what your handicap if you wish to improve.