Once-a-week golfers, how do you keep your game up?

[pmcuk]

As title - if you play around once a week, how do you keep your game up?

 

How much time on range, how much short course, how much putting?

 

How many lessons? In person lessons, or video lessons?

 

What's the most constructive use of your time?

[Golf Monkey]

Hi PMC, I compete once on Saturday's with a match play fixture during the week at the height of the season. I practise for two sessions during the week of about 45 mins to 1 hr concentrating on the harder to hit clubs (3/4 iron) working on the basis that if I can hit them the rest will come easier. I spend little time on the driver as I feel these modern drivers are the easist clubs to hit in the bag...putting... I focus on holing out between 5 and 10 feet as these are usually the good birdie opportunities that may arise during a round.
Lessons...one in November...to allow any changes to settle in by March. I tend to arrive early for a comp. to concentrate on chipping as I believe that the short game is largely feel which changes day to day.

[jmvargas]

great question and i'm interested in the replies too...

am turning 70 in oct and used to play at least 2x a week with a range session in-between but find myself playing only once a week nowadays due to some minor health issues...

i have also stopped going to the range lately due to a heat wave nowadays but thankfully my game has not really suffered that much as my mechanics are pretty solid after 57 years of playing this game..

as a minimum i would imagine going to the range(which should include short-game sessions) at least once a week would do for most players plus at least a 30 minute warm-up--mostly stretching and short game--prior to your round..

[ABG]

Due to a young family, I only manage to get out to the course for a full 18 holes once a week if I'm lucky. I do try get to the range at least once during the week during my lunch break, and now with the longer days, I try get in some golf early in the morning before having to take my daughter to nursery school, or in the evening after work. I'm far from playing my best, but it allows me to play a bit of golf

[360_CS]

In winter I will always try and play on Saturday and/or Sunday. During the week I practise my putting inside and spend a bit of time in front of a mirror. My chipping and pitching turns to custard though.

[DevilDog]

For me, I simply focus on that which I can control and can practice at home even indoors and that is my setup. Find the setup that lets you hit the ball consistently and then make a mental note of every nuance. Practice it at home. Setup is really the only thing in golf you can control and being set up properly gives you the best chance of hitting the ball well.

[gators78]

Practicing drivers and putts under 10 feet.

I also hope I have a strong enough stomach to weather the ebbs and flows. Gotta keep it big picture, it's really hard to keep it sharp only playing once a week.

[bazinky]

I only get to play 18 holes once a week (Sunday AM), with a 9 hole work league round during the week. I don't really get any time to practice. I'll usually have time to hit balls after my weekend round (since I play early), so I'll try to work on whatever aspect of my game wasn't working that day, along with chipping and putting.

I keep more detailed stats from my rounds now, and pay a LOT more attention to course management. As much as it irks me, you simply have to be more conservative when you don't get to play much. Joining a private club has really helped with this, since I can actually see how much more most of the guys that have similar handicaps as mine are playing (I'm currently playing to a 5).

The most important thing is to be realistic. You will hit a lot of bad shots only playing once a week. Chipping and putting becomes really important to avoid blow-up holes, which is why I spend most of any practice time on my short game.

[Fade to Black]

[quote name='ABG' timestamp='1433320998' post='11680140']
Due to a young family, I only manage to get out to the course for a full 18 holes once a week if I'm lucky. I do try get to the range at least once during the week during my lunch break, and now with the longer days, I try get in some golf early in the morning before having to take my daughter to nursery school, or in the evening after work. I'm far from playing my best, but it allows me to play a bit of golf
[/quote]
Word for word what I would have said.

[Southern Golfer]

Range 2 to 3 times a week for an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Hit balls on the range as if I am playing the next course coming up, 30 mins. Then chip and putt the rest of the time. Also built a mat in my garage where I can take 75 good swings an additional 2 to 3 days a week. Take all of 10 minutes.

[PapaJohick]

I am usually a once a week player (sometimes more but not usually). For me, what works best is to keep it very simple since I don't get a lot of range time. Basic thoughts. My swing thought is slow back, feel like I am bowing my wrist up top (although in pictures it results in an almost flat wrist), and then accelerate from the top. I am a huge fan of Monte and revisit his videos from time to time to get those thoughts back into my head but for the most part I try to keep it as simple as possible.

[Stevewmac]

I've always found that playing once per week, no practice, is enough to just maintain my game.

[butch33611]

I have a nice net setup in my garage. I hit balls every day. I live in Minnesota so winters are long. Even in the winter I set aside an hour every day to hit balls. On my days off I spend a lot more time in the garage. I hardly ever use the range. On days I play I hit the garage for half an hour, load up and Im 5 minutes from the course and ready to tee it up.

I bought an Optishot a few years ago and use it for practice as well. I also like to get to the course for some chipping and putting if time permits. Even though I only play once or twice a week I still have a club in my hand every day. Im content with my swing so its just a matter of maintaining it until the next round.

[Emthree]

In the winter i visit the practice area about twice a week after work for 2-3 hours. I can usually get out of the city by 6 so in the summer i take a bag of balls out to the 9 hole course at the club and practice without interruption. I only have lessons when there's something wrong i can go 10 months without then have a crash course of 4 in a month to fix something.

Whenever i'm watching the golf Thursday-Sunday evenings i am almost always chipping and putting away in front of the TV. I'd say this is easily the most constructive use of my time. Actually looking at installing a simulator in the shed to further this.

[Dixie Flatline]

[quote name='pmcuk' timestamp='1433318098' post='11680090']
As title - if you play around once a week, how do you keep your game up?

How much time on range, how much short course, how much putting?

How many lessons? In person lessons, or video lessons?

What's the most constructive use of your time?
[/quote]

I used to practice all the time and play at least 6 rounds per month. In the summer, I'd practice and/or play nine twice per week.

Then the baby was born.

Now, I'm a one 18 hole round per week guy on a good week and will occasionally go 3-4 weeks without making it to the course. In the past 15 months, I've had 2 range sessions at the club and 2-3 practice sessions on the putting green.

Despite that, my handicap which went from 2.9 pre-baby to a high of 4.4 after she was born, is back down to 2.4.

Here's how I manage:

At home, I have about 120 yards of backyard. I started seeing improvement when I bit the bullet and bought 72 Almost golf balls. I can hit almost everyclub, though I practice most with six iron, three wood and wedge. I can hit about 30 balls and pick them up in about 20 minutes, so I try to do that 2-3 times per week. I'll also hit a few real balls with wedges. I try to hit a few pitches and chips. With the iphone 5S, I can video a few swing and make sure it looks ok.

For putting, I adopted Aimpoint Express and trust it. I've got a SKLZ mirror and Pelz clips at home and at the office, so I can work on making sure I start the ball online with a good roll. This takes 5-10 minutes here and there every other day or so.

What you have to do is simplify. I don't have time to make a big change to my swing. I know it creates a medium to high push draw with a playable miss. I can tinker with the setup and hit some shots out of trouble, but I'm not really trying to work any approach shots anymore.

With the short game, I learned how to use the bounce and really only have two basic shots, a medium pitch and a high pitch. I can still hit a low chip, but I usually hit it more like a putt or like the medium pitch with less loft. I don't hit any really de-lofted screaming wedges anymore because it brings the leading edge into play and I don't really need them.

I accept that I don't have much touch in the short game and really can't practice it effectively, so I hit 90% of my short game shots with a 60 and a medium pitch. Sometimes that means I'm hitting it to 5' instead of 2', but that's ok. I can work on starting the ball online with the putter reliably so short putts don't suffer.

With the long game, I'm not trying to be tricky. I try to hit it solid with the same reliable shape. I'm not trying to hit it too far. When I'm in between clubs, I take the longer one, grip down about an inch and try to make the same swing, instead of trying to cut it or feather it or smooth it.

I try to be boring. I hit my driver pretty straight and far enough to play my course, so I don't ever really try to smoke it. I just try to knock it out there in play. With the approach game, I'm confidant that if I hit 10-13 greens, I'll end up hitting a few close to the hole, so I mainly just try to hit it the right distance and on the green. I don't chase sucker flags.

Basically, I accept that I'm not good enough or sharp enough to hit any great shots, so I don't try. I just try to hit good shots.

Surprisingly, that has me shooting the same scores I'd shoot playing a lot more, which in a way ticks me off a little because it makes me realize I wasted a lot of time before. I will say this though. I used to never shoot over 80. I'd do it maybe once or twice per year. Now I usually have 5 out of 20 in the 80-82 range on my handicap card. Playing the way I do, if you hit a few shots and get some bad breaks, it's not always easy to recover from.

If you can play 18 holes per week and spend a little time with a club in your hand 1-3 nights per week, you can maintain some decent form. You probably won't get much better though.

[Noke]

[quote name='Dixie Flatline' timestamp='1433354372' post='11682982']
[quote name='pmcuk' timestamp='1433318098' post='11680090']
As title - if you play around once a week, how do you keep your game up?

How much time on range, how much short course, how much putting?

How many lessons? In person lessons, or video lessons?

What's the most constructive use of your time?
[/quote]

I used to practice all the time and play at least 6 rounds per month. In the summer, I'd practice and/or play nine twice per week.

Then the baby was born.

Now, I'm a one 18 hole round per week guy on a good week and will occasionally go 3-4 weeks without making it to the course. In the past 15 months, I've had 2 range sessions at the club and 2-3 practice sessions on the putting green.

Despite that, my handicap which went from 2.9 pre-baby to a high of 4.4 after she was born, is back down to 2.4.

Here's how I manage:

At home, I have about 120 yards of backyard. I started seeing improvement when I bit the bullet and bought 72 Almost golf balls. I can hit almost everyclub, though I practice most with six iron, three wood and wedge. I can hit about 30 balls and pick them up in about 20 minutes, so I try to do that 2-3 times per week. I'll also hit a few real balls with wedges. I try to hit a few pitches and chips. With the iphone 5S, I can video a few swing and make sure it looks ok.

For putting, I adopted Aimpoint Express and trust it. I've got a SKLZ mirror and Pelz clips at home and at the office, so I can work on making sure I start the ball online with a good roll. This takes 5-10 minutes here and there every other day or so.

What you have to do is simplify. I don't have time to make a big change to my swing. I know it creates a medium to high push draw with a playable miss. I can tinker with the setup and hit some shots out of trouble, but I'm not really trying to work any approach shots anymore.

With the short game, I learned how to use the bounce and really only have two basic shots, a medium pitch and a high pitch. I can still hit a low chip, but I usually hit it more like a putt or like the medium pitch with less loft. I don't hit any really de-lofted screaming wedges anymore because it brings the leading edge into play and I don't really need them.

I accept that I don't have much touch in the short game and really can't practice it effectively, so I hit 90% of my short game shots with a 60 and a medium pitch. Sometimes that means I'm hitting it to 5' instead of 2', but that's ok. I can work on starting the ball online with the putter reliably so short putts don't suffer.

With the long game, I'm not trying to be tricky. I try to hit it solid with the same reliable shape. I'm not trying to hit it too far. When I'm in between clubs, I take the longer one, grip down about an inch and try to make the same swing, instead of trying to cut it or feather it or smooth it.

I try to be boring. I hit my driver pretty straight and far enough to play my course, so I don't ever really try to smoke it. I just try to knock it out there in play. With the approach game, I'm confidant that if I hit 10-13 greens, I'll end up hitting a few close to the hole, so I mainly just try to hit it the right distance and on the green. I don't chase sucker flags.

Basically, I accept that I'm not good enough or sharp enough to hit any great shots, so I don't try. I just try to hit good shots.

Surprisingly, that has me shooting the same scores I'd shoot playing a lot more, which in a way ticks me off a little because it makes me realize I wasted a lot of time before. I will say this though. I used to never shoot over 80. I'd do it maybe once or twice per year. Now I usually have 5 out of 20 in the 80-82 range on my handicap card. Playing the way I do, if you hit a few shots and get some bad breaks, it's not always easy to recover from.

If you can play 18 holes per week and spend a little time with a club in your hand 1-3 nights per week, you can maintain some decent form. You probably won't get much better though.
[/quote]

What a great response. Thanks for your thoughtfulness.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

I'm a m-f guy at work play sat sun or both. No grass ranges around me that are lit so I don't get any range time mid week. Now that summer is here there is a place I can go before the sun sets but it's 100* outside.

Scores fluctuate more now than they have in the past when I had a split schedule and played sun/wen. Shot 74,72,76 last three rounds then boom back in the 80s on the same track as the 72 the weekend prior. Game comes and goes in spurts will put up 3-4 decent rounds then a couple stinkers etc just not as consistent as I was when my golf schedule was better.

I just take it for what it's worth now and if the full swing is in full gear great if it's off it's off and frustration kicks in

[aust1nkk]

I pull the a club out my bag and do drills.

[NoTalentLefty]

Jameson. It makes the round into the best round ever....until I can see the scorecard the next day.

[Nard_S]

Good topic, I think the real challenge is the commitment one can muster considering the demands of real life.

I basically do 1-2 hours a week at the range, 1-2 hours to putting and chipping and another hour to pitching. More than that I have a specific thing I work on every time. I work on weaknesses. I go technical , then I go performance or game mode.. I've been dedicated for the last several months and it is starting to pay off.

Edit: I wanted to add that I do go to the gym on steady basis, it has done a tremendous amount of good for my game and has added at least a club in distance.

[Colby327]

Driving range during my lunch breaks. I used to play 2-3 times a week after work, but now with an "almost 2" year old at home, lunch breaks are really the only free time I have. My handicap has creeped up a few strokes, but I seem to have it going in the right direction again.

[sui generis]

Two ideas:

1) Orange Whip on the back porch ... ten swings every morning when you're watching the dog take his morning pee.

2) Keep notes. Techniques for the short game and swing thoughts for the full swing. Review often and update frequently.

[Badgergolfer2]

Honestly, I dont practice. Ever. It makes me wonder how good I could be if I actually did practice.

[aflackhook13]

I feel like once you can get a proper stance, alignment, grip, and tempo one can maintain their ballstriking.
Course mangament is huge.

Knowing your game can help o

[Cwing]

Good thread

[golfinray]

Such as it is I "own" my swing.

I have been playing for 50+ years so I make the same swing every time.

And I put in almost all of my practice time on pitching and chipping.

If I have a chance to get to the course early, I do nothing but chip.

Up and downs is what I live on.

[cdennisau]

I have a 3 and 1 year old at home, so I play every 2ish weeks at the most, with spurts of more play on vacations. I've actually lowered my handicap from 7 to 4.3 within the past year and a half, and I've done so my echoing some of what Dixie said above.
- I get to the range once a week, and I've worked really hard at getting a consistent shot shape so I only miss on one side now instead of spraying it both ways. I actually switched from i3s to apex pros to help work it a little more, and I know I'm hitting a draw with those, so I can eliminate one side of trouble.
- practice putting some in the house. If you can put the ball on line, you will naturally feel putting speeds for the most part.
- chip in my backyard. Chipping is the hardest area for me to keep sharp while not playing, so I keep it simple and play a bump with my gap, and a regular pitch with my 60 and a flop.... I don't get cute, and if I'm shortsided I make sure to get the ball on the green with a chance for par, no matter how far that chance is.

I've found if I keep it in play and at worst have a chance at par every hole, I tend to score really well and my game has really benefitted.

As others have said, I think course management matters more because you can't pull off the shots you want to, so you tend to think about what you are doing a little more

[Denny71]

Just be realistic. Know you aren't going to hit them all great since we play so little. Once you have that mindset, it really relaxes you. You'll have more fun and play better knowing your limitations

[Enfynet]

I putt around the house and hit wiffle balls with my short irons.

I'm down 4strokes (per9) from last year. I'd love to get out more. I just have a strange schedule and prefer to line up time with a friend to get out.

[msg]

Sorry for reviving this thread. But it seems like I will be taking the route of playing once a week this year due to changes in my life. I am wondering if any of low handicappers here or single handicappers ever maintained or even improved playing once a week max? I am just wanting to get some updated responses here, experiences and tips?

 

I'll be happy if I stay at 9 or if I get it lower, playing once a week, that will be a bonus.

 

I have a practice area at home where I can hit any club up to the driver and I am thinking of practicing on weekdays and playing on the weekends. I am just not sure if this will work for me. Since I started golfing again 6 years ago, my minimum games was at least 2 a week. Last year we got a membership and played at least 3 x a week.

 

I am excited to see how this ends up this summer. I was offered a great membership deal but I turned it down because I want to play all over and see if once a week will be any good.