I had a conversation with a friend who insisted on practicing at the range a few times a week. He doesn't play competitively, or even for money. I asked him why he practiced so much, and he said to polish his game. I asked why he needed to polish his game outside of playing on a course if he's only playing for fun/personal satisfaction, and he responded, "Good question."
Since golf is a singular sport, I see practice as playing the sport itself, not going to a range/putting green. Sure, if you play competitively, you have to get an edge and practice is the answer. But if it's just for fun, unless you find range time as fun as playing a round itself, why do it? I mean I play computer games but don't spend an hour before every round repeatedly clicking my mouse at a blank screen for practice.
So, why do you practice? The only other logical reason I see people wanting to practice is if they simply don't have enough time for a full round, and range time is all they can get with their schedules. But for me, I don't like the range at all, and I never blame a bad shot during a round on a lack of practice. I just learn from the mistake I made and remember how to correct it the next time...aka I'm practicing when I play a round.
Since golf is a singular sport, I see practice as playing the sport itself, not going to a range/putting green. Sure, if you play competitively, you have to get an edge and practice is the answer. But if it's just for fun, unless you find range time as fun as playing a round itself, why do it? I mean I play computer games but don't spend an hour before every round repeatedly clicking my mouse at a blank screen for practice.
So, why do you practice? The only other logical reason I see people wanting to practice is if they simply don't have enough time for a full round, and range time is all they can get with their schedules. But for me, I don't like the range at all, and I never blame a bad shot during a round on a lack of practice. I just learn from the mistake I made and remember how to correct it the next time...aka I'm practicing when I play a round.