dec1-image1

Photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash 

By Jordan Fuller 

If you want to improve your golf game, practice is key. But how often should you practice golf in order to get better? 

Whether you’re just learning how to play golf or you’re more experienced, if you don’t practice, your game will never get better. In fact, if others are improving, you may even find that you get further and further behind. 

Practice is essential. In the end, it all depends on what your golfing goals are. Here’s our suggestion for practice frequency and content to boost your golfing ability. 

Depending On Your Goal… 

3 to 4 Times a Week 

If you’re looking to break 90 or consistently shoot scores under par, then the biggest key to improvement is practice. 

To see any real improvements, you’d need to get solid practice sessions at least 3 to 4 times a week. Make sure you plan each practice session so you can focus on specific skills, such as your course management, short game, ball striking, and swing speed. 

Also, pay attention to your coordination when practicing. This can help you identify an improper swing feel, early extension, or a hip slide. You can then add practice sessions to help you improve these, which can make a massive difference on the course. 

1 to 2 Times a Week 

If you’re looking to simply maintain your current skill level, then you should practice 1 to 2 times a week. You should still put a practice plan together to make sure that you’re improving the fundamentals of your game. 

Check out how to create a home practice space here, for those days when you can’t get to the range or course. 

Tips On How to Practice For Best Results 

Practice Both On the Range and the Course 

You’ll see a remarkable improvement in your game if you practice both at the range and on the course.

The range will help you develop consistency and muscle memory. Use the range to improve your aim by picking a target and playing with different clubs. This will allow you to get feedback on how full a swing needs to be to get distance or how to get the ball higher or lower. 

Playing on the golf course will help you to develop your course management and strategic thinking when it comes to shot selection and dealing with hazards. 

Practice Your Long and Short Game 

Both the long and short game are vital to knocking shots off your game.

For your long game, power and distance are important as they allow you to approach the green in as few strokes as possible. Most golfers will spend more time practicing their long game. 

But it’s the short game that can make or break your round of golf, as it requires accuracy. This includes chipping, putting, and bunker shots. 

Improving your short game will relieve the pressure, and you’ll swing more freely if you’re not worried about missing greens and fairways with your short game shots. 

Pay Attention to Your Body 

The repetitive motion of golf can cause injuries, which is why it’s important to pay attention to your body. 

Before any practice or round of golf, make sure to warm up properly, focusing on your shoulders, hips, lower back, and legs. This will help you to condition your body and develop proper movement patterns. 

This can reduce your risk of injury and you’ll find your game is more consistent. 

Conclusion 

Remember that it’s less about how much you practice and more about how good your practice is. Make sure your form is right every time you hit the driving range or course, choose quality over quantity, and use your best junior golf clubs for both practice and real golf rounds. 

Rather hit 40 excellent balls than 100 mediocre ones. The more good quality practice you get in, the faster you’ll find yourself improving. Make your practice fun and track your progress, and you’ll get better each passing week. 

Bio: 

Jordan Fuller has been playing golf for decades and coaching for nearly as long. He shares golfing information, equipment reviews, and how-to guides for amateur to intermediate golfers on his website, Golf Influence