Maybe, with respect, you ought to have a teaching pro take a look at your swing. You could be practicing wrong. He now has me lined up properly and not swinging as hard.

Definitely going to be my next golf investment. I'm currently self-taught with much YouTube input. Some of it has been helpful, some of it fluff.

If you use the same muscles over and over again without a break , they begin to tire and wear and then eventually injury and damage, so having some breaks won’t hurt you

Do you get a chance to "play" golf rather than "work" at golf? Sometimes it's fun just to get out a course and get in 18 and shoot a score rather than hitting practice balls.
I do like the idea of having an abandoned course still in good shape being very near my house! That would be pretty cool...

I practice a lot, however I must force my self to take breaks. Physically, sure body needs it, but the mental game is equally as important. (example) When I know I am not "practicing with a purpose" but rather just hitting balls, its time to stop

Practice right!!!

Swing it good !!!

There is practice & then there is proper practice with a purpose. I go to the range maybe twice a week when time permits. I play 2-3 times a month to see if the range has helped in real golf situations. But the muscles can wore out and your swing will suffer from time to time. so practice smart & with a purpose. It's about how much of your practice time is quality VS just hitting balls. The latter usually does you no good overall.

Also being self taught, I would suggest at least getting in to be fitted for your clubs if you were not. I would also suggest a few simple lessons from a quality, qualified Pro to make sure your swing is in a good place.

DM

Thanks Darryl. I did get a "quick fitting" at the local Edwin Watts where they determined I needed 1* upright lie clubs and regular flex. So i bought a set of P!NG blue dot irons (blue = 1* up) and my game has steadily improved having the right clubs in hand.

I like to think that i'm practicing with a purpose as I've had small discoveries along the way. Once that discovery is made, i will drill it, but obviously to the point of pain. I would say my purpose in practice is muscle memory and repetitive motion.

FWIW, here are some critical discoveries that have really helped my game:

"The face sends it, the path bends it." I heard this on MeAndMyGolf YouTube and it just made so much sense. I began deliberately swinging in to out, out to in at just a 50% swing speed and all of a sudden i could control hook/slice! Game changer!

Small discoveries:
Keep arms extended through release. So many times i was chicken-winging the club causing a slice.
Keep your head down. I would lift my head and top the ball.
Hips before hands. This is my latest swing thought. When my hips start rotating a fraction before my shoulders turn, i generally get turned properly creating lag, speed, and a good swing path.


M

Sounds like your making progress, and with a set of clubs that fit you I am sure your game will continue to grow.

Good Luck & keep us posted on your progress..on the range & on the course

DM

Tell my good and long time friend Jack Hinkle I said hello. Have shopped with him since 1985 when I first started playing golf. Bought my first set of clubs from him. Wilson Staff FG17 irons. Tried to talk me out of blades but would not listen to good advise. Those were the 100+ days. Sold 11 hdcp now. Playing T300s, when I recover from surgery, Dr releases me and I get a tuneup from my teacher.

Wow you have a lot going on there Corey. It sounds like you're on the right path. I remember for a couple of months straight I would practice on weekends with out playing. Love to hit golf balls. I decided one day I should actually go play. An old and sudden realization was the fairways are not level like a practice tee. I play more now than I use to.
A lot of good advice in this thread about taking lessons.
Corey.
I like your 50% swing speed. I'm going to have to try that as I'm working on an out to in side path.
Best of luck to you!!

I practice every day and also walk and carry my bag for 1-2 rounds per week. Between the two, I'm usually pretty sore. It's been about a month since I've not been sore.

BUT, I do work on the right things. I'm in the middle of making a big swing change, so I need the various types of use to make the changes stick. Also, I have a simulator (that's where I play and practice every day when I come home). I'm addicted to this game.

Some time off might help me, but I just can't bring myself to it. Maybe after I know I have these new moves ingrained....

This! I feel addicted to this game even though I suck at it! I just love seeing that ball come off the club clean and straight. I broke 100 last year and I WILL BREAK 90 this year. Hoping I can do it before summer. Going to play 9 holes on Saturday and a full 18 on Monday.

Thanks for the support!

YOU CAN DO IT!

I was there once.

My current goal is breaking par.

Such a great thing to be addicted to, given the alternatives. You get exercise, nature, camaraderie, and yes, the thrill of hitting that perfect shot every once in a while.

#Itjustfeelsgood

B. A. is right; you'll get there Corey. Now that you've broken 100, 90 is next. 80 after that.Historically, I've never been one to practice much.That said,when I'm playing an event or another course, I'll get a small bucket and just hit 7 and 9 irons too loosen up.

If you practice as much as yo say you do, you may want to enlist the help of a friend to record one of your practice sessions, just to make sure you're practicing the correct swing mechanics.

You can groove a swing with improper technique just as easily as you one with proper technique.

Not doubting what you say, Mike, but when i look at all the various swing techniques on tour i tend to think, use what works for you. I mean, there are the basic's like face, path, and attack angle required to hit a straight shot, but outside of the club orientation at impact, it seems to be whatever works - bring it!

Examples: Jim Furyk, Matt Wolfe, and Bubba Watson are 3 fairly unique swings.

Again, I agree that some professional lessons are in my future. FWIW, i do have one of my kids record my swings in slo-mo on the iPhone so i can see if the club is getting shallow or if my head is coming up.

I agree with you Corey, not everyone has the same swing,and I'm a prime example of that. I don't have a one plane swing; I bring it way inside,loop it at the top and load very late, with a heavy release.I was a decent athlete as a kid with good hand/eye coordination.I was self taught,transitioning from baseball, and developed the swing I have today by feel; I didn't have anyone to tell me I was starting the club inside.The key to my swing is that even though I'm older (63), and can't get anywhere near parallel anymore, I maintain the 90 degree angle between my left arm and the shaft for a very long time.

I've been playing for almost 50 years, so trying to change went out the window long, long ago.I'm still a single digit (6), so I have no complaints.

My point is that bad habits can creep in,so cell phone video can go a long way in helping to alleviate fundamental errors in grip, stance, takeaway etc.

Yes, it is true, but the thing that is the same or close to it with all of those swings is IMPACT. So yes, swing your own swing if you'd like, but if you want the ball to go in the direction you expect and fly how you plan, impact is key. If you only practice one thing, that is it.

What has worked for me has been go at it hard for a few days, working on different aspects, short game one day, irons the next, and long clubs. Then I take a couple of days off then go play and since I had my back surgery this has worked best for me. I have seen my handicap drop down to a 6 and it was up to a 10 to 11 before. Main thing I believe is focus hard and listen to the pros and teachers. They know what they are talking about.

I also had back surgery a few years back and was concerned if I would ever be able to play the game again at the level I was and I was amazed at how my games improved due to slowing my club swing and adding more rotation I hit the ball farther and with more accuracy than I ever did before. And of course watching a lot of videos and a lot of game play by the pros they do know what they are talking about LOL

Honestly, sir I do believe and always have believed that if you do something, my Dad always told me over 40 years ago, If you do something, you do it 100& , no excuses. You can never practice too much, nonsense, you can only practice wrong, the other fellow was right, if you are not getting better with much practice, than you need your swing analyzed. Believe me once you get a good lesson from a good teacher, you will find practicing to be so enjoyable, you cant wait to get to the range, Like James had 3 surgeries in the back, and I had to adjust to play but like him im hitting the ball more accurate than ever after a lesson with a pro on the senior tour. was very blessed to have had these lessons from a pro who taught many of us at West Point with PGA Hope..... These guys gave up they're time to take care of myself and 100's of other veterans who served.. I am thankful to PGA Hope and the Marines Corps. for giving me hope to push on with life after trauma I would not wish on anyone... But golf is great and if you love the game like I do , you should practice as often as you can year 'round. I wish the hope for all who love this awesome game of golf...…. if is the best therapy in the world and sometimes the worst "lol"

Thanks for the encouragement Semper Fi Marine

I usually practice a lot

Once your swing fundamentals are solid and correct, you must practice with a purpose. There is a difference between warming up on the range prior to a round and true practice with a specific goal in mind. In both instances, you should stretch properly to warm up your muscles. Check out “stretching exercises for golf” on the internet and select a suitable routine. You are on the right track and I commend you for your commitment. And above all else, Have fun !

Back in the Fall last year I found myself unable to stay away from golf a single day. I’m addicted and I’m trying to get good enough to win my club championship this year. At the time I was hitting the range at least 3 to 4 times per week and was playing a full round 2 to 3 times per week. I was hitting off of the mats at the range which are not good for you because of the amount of impact you take from hitting the ground. I began to develop a terrible stabbing pain in my right hand and it was affecting my game. It would randomly flare up and I would lose grip strength. Instead of listening to my body I kept playing and practicing. After about two to three months of this it got to a point where everyday my hand hurt and it began to cause pain up my right arm and to my right elbow. I finally had to see an orthopedic surgeon because it was getting so bad. We determined I was suffering from cubital tunnel syndrome (pinched ulnar nerve). He suggested I take a month or so off of golfing and begin some simple PT. I already stretched everyday but then I began some nerve gliding exercises that really helped loosen up the muscles and tendons in my arms. But most importantly, I also learned that this was aggravated severely by holding my CELL PHONE TOO MUCH!! Since all of this began I have changed my daily routine. I stay off of my cell phone as much as I can and use an IPad now on my lap. I also began going to the gym to strengthen my body to help prevent from injured. I stretch everyday and use a massage gun to keep my muscles loose. I still practice a couple of times a week but no longer on the range mats. And I still play 2 to 3 times per week. The biggest thing is just listening to your body and taking care of it. If you’re going to play often then you need to STRETCH and EXERCISE!!! These are key to playing golf in the long run! Good luck!

Alex hit it on the head. Stretch and exercise are the key. You can never practice too much if you do you due dilligence before and after practice. Prevention is the key. Success is the result. Keep practicing.

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." - Thomas Jefferson

Practice is always good, but sometimes you should take a break and give your muscles time to relax and regain their previous strength