Ask any avid golf fan if it’s possible to play too much and, chances are, the response will involve laughter and a defiant ‘no!’ – but is that truly the case?
Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. Due to its low-impact nature, it is a sport that can be enjoyed by everyone from young children to seasoned veterans. Not only that, but it is also good for the mind as well as the body as, according to a study by Roy Morgan Research, golfers are less likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, stress, and panic attacks.
So, surely if something is good for you both mentally and physically you couldn’t possibly play too much? It’s not quite as simple as that.
How Often Should You Play Golf?
Without trying to come across as overly philosophical, the answer is inside you. By that, we mean listening to your body. If you are playing two or three rounds a week and you’re not enjoying it, either because you are hurting through fatigue and/or injury, or you feel frustrated with your performance – this is a sign that you should consider cutting back, even if only temporarily.
Surely practice makes perfect, though, right? It does, but if the game ever begins to feel more like a chore than a pastime then this is your cue to spend less time on the course. Playing more golf than your body can handle will only cause serious injury that will enforce you into a prolonged break.
Playing through aches and pains may seem like the ‘done’ thing – believing that you can play through the pain – but if you are experiencing discomfort when you play then you should listen to your body. Get yourself checked over by a medical professional and take heed of their guidance – a couple of weeks’ break may be what you need to come back better.
Golf is just as much a mental game as it is a physical one, so if you are suffering from mental burnout then this is another sign to put the clubs away for a while. Professional golfers play a lot of golf all around the world and they understandably suffer from burnout and a need to get away from playing to recharge their batteries. Though you are probably not playing anywhere near as much as the likes of Rory McIlroy, taking a step back may still not be a bad idea.
Every golfer goes through lulls in their game when it feels as though nothing is going right. Playing hole after hole with low confidence and becoming frustrating isn’t helping anyone – least of all yourself. Putting the clubs away for a few weeks will allow you to wipe the slate clean and come back fresh.
How Often Should You Play Golf to Improve?
You only develop your game by playing the game. While we have just gone through some of the reasons why you should consider taking a break from the game if you are just getting started playing golf then the only way to improve your game is by getting out onto the course.
For beginners, it is important to familiarise yourself with technique and become comfortable with it – otherwise old habits will soon creep back into your game. Professionals teaching amateurs stress the importance of practising gripping the club correctly to the point it becomes second nature, with many beginners failing with the basics of their swing.
Players that have just taken up the game will make huge strides very quickly, seeing their scores and handicaps improve. This serves as huge motivation to play more and more, with the player enjoying seeing their visible progress relayed on the scorecard. However, sooner or later development will slow down and, while still there to see, the improvement won’t be as vast as it once was. The golfer’s game has reached a certain level where it becomes challenging to continue to see visible progress.
At this point, golfers tend to go one of two ways. They either up their time on the course in an attempt to develop their game at the same accelerated rate as they began, or go the other way and play less/stop playing altogether.
Golfers should only ever play when they are enjoying the game. If you feel that the amount of golf you are playing means you aren’t enjoying it as much, then try a short break. If it is stagnated development that has caused your enjoyment to wane, then before you step away from the game you shoulder consider what it was that enticed you into picking a club in the first place. A professional will teach you that you should treat every hole as a fresh challenge. Don’t put too much pressure or expectation on constantly improving your score and play with freedom…this might just be what you need to push through.
Enjoy the Game
Above all else, just enjoy the game of golf. As an amateur player, you shouldn’t carry the same burden as the professionals do on the course.
You have the gift of playing with freedom, knowing that what happens on the course does not affect your life off it.
