Is It Better To Play Or Practice Golf?

If like most golfers on the planet you’re looking to improve, you may be considering the best approach. Is it better to play or practice golf? Should you hit the range and hit bucket after bucket of balls? Should you get on the practice green and start putting like mad? Maybe you should just head to the golf course, play as much as possible and see where it takes you?

What is practice and what is playing?

Before we can say what the best approach is, it’s important to understand what playing is and what practising is.

So, what is practice when it comes to golf? Well, realistically, for an amateur, almost everything can be classed as practice. If you’re on the range, then it’s practice. If you’re on the putting green, it’s practice. Even if you’re out on the course, unless you’re playing in a competition of some sort, it can still be filed under practice.

Practice vs playing golf

Understanding that there’s no single type of practice is key. Which type of practice is best? This really depends on your goals. For most amateurs the goal tends to be overall improvement, with many looking for greater consistency. If this is you, then you probably want to keep the practice varied. Sure, hit the range, but get out on the course as much as possible too.

It’s also important to understand how to practice. Have a strategy. Decide what you’re going to work on and when. Stick to it. Simply turning up at the driving range and aimlessly hitting balls won’t cut it. If you practice, make sure you practice the right shots. I prepared another article with my TOP 9 most important golf shots to practice, check it out!😉

How to practice golf

You need to be focussed. Set goals. Be specific. For example, don’t just spend half an hour hitting each of your clubs without any real structure. Instead, focus on one area at a time. Let’s say its approach shots from 100 to 150 yards. Take the few clubs that you’d usually hit within that distance range and zone in on that, practice hitting at different targets, work on the consistency of that particular shot type, and then do the same for other areas.

And remember, on the range, you should think quality, not quantity. It’s better to take your time, really focus, and hit 30 solid shots, than to rush it, hit 100 shots, only a handful of which turn out to be any good.

On the other hand, if you want to work on your technique, set one goal, use one club (usually a 7i or similar club) and try to repeat a shot after shot, but still don't rush it. You need to correctly swing the club and try to be consistent as possible.

Practice should never be just about technique, remember that! Even if you want to improve your swing, focus on your performance as well!

Is it better to play golf or practice short game?

Similarly, if you go out and work around a practice green, don’t just hit chips aimlessly. Practice certain shots, from certain distances. Try to replicate the sort of situations you’re likely to find yourself in out on the course.

When to play golf instead of practice it?

The trouble is that most people think the course isn’t where to practice. They think about practice, and they see themselves on the driving range. If you’re not a professional, or competing in a club competition, treat everything as practice.

Even if you go to play 18 holes with some friends, treat it as practice, play without fear. Forget about what other players are doing, just focus on your own game. Pinpoint what you’re doing both well and not so well. Having this mindset will aid improvement.

On the course never overthink the swing technique. Focus on your goal, on the flagstick, or on the middle of the fairway. To practice on the course set a goal, but not as a result... Set a goal for example to choose the correct club every time, or to aim for the center of the green every time and see what this means for your game. Or to focus that every pre-shot routine is the same etc.

Conclusion

The answer to the above question of is it better to play or practice in golf is quite simply both. The best option for most golfers is a combination of the two. Practice on the range, practice on putting greens too, hit different types of chips and putts, but don’t neglect the course.

Get out there and hit real shots. Doing so will allow you to practice under conditions similar to those faced when playing with others or in a competition. The best place to practice various shots is generally out on the course. Even if it means playing alone. If you’re serious about improving, just get out there and go for it.