10 days off

[SiberianDVM]

Yesterday was the first time I have swung a golf club in 10 days. I went out after work and played 9 holes at Forest Hills.

One bad hole: a double bogie on #5. Drive into trees left me with only a pitchout. Almost balanced by a birdie on #9, a par 5. Shot a 40, which is about 5 strokes less than I normally shoot on this course.

So maybe I need to rethink this whole "practice every day" thing I have had going on the last 2 years. My ball striking and putting were decent. The 30 yard and in chips and pitches seemed to suffer the most.

[DaveE]

I haven't played since May 20th so I should be great if I get to play this weekend.

[Johnny Par]

Same thing happened to me. I took about 2 weeks off from the range and then headed out to play 9 holes. I shot my lowest score to date (included 5 pars).

It also got me thinking, excessive range sessions are probably hurting my game. Or maybe it is ok but you really need to be focused 100% during every single session. I tended to get tired from hitting too many balls, sloppy and just hit the ball without thinking.

I think someone here mentioned this previously. At the range, if you hit the ball bad, you start wondering what could potentially be the problem. When in fact, there is not problem, it's probably fatigue setting in which leads to sloppiness.

[ualtim]

I have taken anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks off without hitting a ball and have been able to maintain my swing. The part of the game that really seems to fall off is the short game, specifically putting and chipping. If I could get out and chip and putt every week I would be golden.

[$2 Nassau]

As Sam Snead once said to a slow learning amateur golfer:

"Lay off for three weeks....then quit for good."

I've contmeplated taking this advice many times.

[Ravenous Bugblatter Beast]

I got an unwanted vacation when I was in a cast.

I'm surprised at how well the full swing holds up. It's the short game stuff that you lose a lot of the feel for.

[JEFF4i]

Well, tell us how your next time out is. Kind of a catch 22, usually the first round seems good then the next not so hot. On the other hand, if you have good muscle memory and learn to rely more on that because you aren't playing as much, then it is a good thing.

I practice a lot, and I don't even think practice every day is good. 3-5 days a week, I'm usually doing 5, each weekday, but whatever.

[LeftyHoges]

Have to agree with Siberians theory.

Played for many years but was playing off around 9 as a 16 & 17 year old. Got my licence here in Oz at 18, found other things to do instead of golf. Next thing i know, playing maybe twice a month if i'm lucky and my handicap drops from 9 to 5 with nil practice. Holding 4 handicap easily now by same theory.
Play too often and the form slips... Something in that perhaps????

[chemboy2]

So let me get this straight; practicing less and dropping my driver will lower my scores?

I do need to take a break though from the full swing for a while. That whole, miss just one and start thinking something wrong is the truth. My problem lately has been missing two in a row and then thinking "holy crap, WTF?!" From that moment on the range session becomes counter productive...

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by $2 Nassau

As Sam Snead once said to a slow learning amateur golfer:

"Lay off for three weeks....then quit for good."

I've contmeplated taking this advice many times.

That's golden!!!