Less Time the Better?

[APowell1990]

I have been playing everyday since school started, but I have been at it constantly. I finally decided to stop playing a day (Thursday). I come back and play with my dad and a friend and shoot 35. I didnt have enough time to play 18, but I birdied 10 and 11. Number 10 is a 430 yard par 4 that requires a huge hook or a high ball flight to get over the trees off the tee. I blasted it over the trees inside the 150. I then drained a 30 footer for birdie. I messed around on a short par 5, but hit a tiger-ish chipshot. It took the exact perfect line I was looking at and fell in for birdie. I then had to leave lol. So does anybody think that playing everyday can hurt you?

[JEFF4i]

Well don't overdoe it to where it becomes taxing on your body.

Other than that, I would say no, except for one or two days to rest. On your off days still try and do some excersizing, and definately stretch, but I think 7 days a week 54 weeks a year would just get to be too much.

[APowell1990]

Yeah I have had numerous back problems the last few years. It has not bothered me this year though. I have had some rib problems this year when I get tired. I am 16 btw. My swing just felt sharp and smooth yesterday after a day off.

[JEFF4i]

Yeah, it's a bit easier for us youngins to get out and play, and physically handle it.

[APowell1990]

Yeah I am a pretty big guy. I am around 6'0 and 220 pounds. I am not playing football, because our golf is in the fall. Another reason for those problems is that my swing is the same speed with every club basically. I swing my irons just like my driver. I just think it is easier to stay in tune that way.

[nsherman2006]

Originally Posted by JEFF4i

I think 7 days a week 54 weeks a year would just get to be too much.

Yeah, it really does get to be too much when you start adding weeks onto the calendar just to get in another 14 rounds

[FKA19]

between work, school, and my playing hockey as well as football practise every day after school, ive hardly had the time to play at all. i hadnt played in two whole weeks and went out for a quick nine today. i was expecting something 41-44, but actually started playing solidly, and shot +1. ( 1 bogey, 8pars). wish i coulda played the back and broke 75, which is my best score so far this year. im not too bothered though, since it gotted added with a lone 40, to make for 77 combined, in the computer. down to 9.2

[cypressperch]

as much as you want to. Down the road, there will come a time when you can over-do it. Long before that, I would advise some back strengthening exercises. Many of these actually strengthen the abs which in turn help the back.

If you had a tournament coming up, I would think that even at a young age, it would be unwise to play and practice a large amount as you got close to the tournament date. Hit a few shots with various clubs just enough to retain your feel. Practice the short game stuff. Watch out for too much putting practice with no breaks because that can get to your back more than just about anything. At least it gets to me.

Some pros certainly do practice an awful amount. Vjay, Hogan, Trevino come to mind. I think I side with Jack Nicklaus who said that when you are practicing a certain shot stop hitting balls when you got it. I have not always followed that advice. I would start hitting great five-irons and just keep on hitting them, but eventually the crispness would start to leave. Then I would force myself to hit until I got it back. Fatigue sets in, and if you continue too long, your back might not like it that much. I was a teacher and a coach and in pretty good shape. I would hit practice balls behind the school, and sometimes I might hit three or four hundred shots. One day that was too much, and my back could not take it. I had some of the most terrible pain I have ever experienced, and from then on I have followed Jack's advice. It may happen sooner or later, but eventually there will come a time when there is a such thing as too much practice. Listen to your body, and I think you will be OK.

Sincerely, Cypressperch