practice or play?

which do you prefer to do to improve? not which you enjoy more..

Practice has never been one of my best ways to spend a day. Playing every time for me.

Both.

You don't know what you need to practice without playing. And you don't know if your practice is working without playing.

TheLyth 

play 100%

Got to be play for me. If I've got the time I'll get on the course. Perhaps that's why my handicap won't come down.

Play for me.

Although I do find a good range session very handy. Think it helps getting consistancy in your swing.

Surely any non-competitive round is "practice" just not repetition

Both for me. I find that I can 'practice' the long game on the course but the delicate chips & pitches which require half shots etc need to be honed in on the practice field.

Im with Mr flood on this one!!

Practice on the range when I can't get on the course but when the course is quiet I practice on the course. A few chips and putts from different places around each green improves my short game hugely.

play for me as you just dont get the feel on a driving range

I never practice. Although I dont play a lot of competitve rounds apart from the occasional society. So I suppose nearly all my rounds are practice in a manner af speaking. I think any new ideas I have are tested on my next social round. Last round I was practicing getting 20-30yd chips to bite. Also a radical new putting stroke ( to me ) that seemed to work.

Dave CAC handed Geordie

If I have enough time to play 18 holes then I play.

If I don't have enough time to play 18 holes then I practice.

There are times when I'm out on the course and there is nobody behind me then I'll play three or four balls from 100 yards in,

Again, if I'm playing on my own and I catch up with the group in front I'll practice chipping/pitching from different points around the green.

Russ

I agree with John Flood, the long game usually takes care of itself but from 100 yds in, and especially from 30yds in including putting) , it's an ongoing process that needs my constant attention though paradoxically, for me anyway, I do think too much chipping has resulted in the 'yips' (possibly trying to be too precise and resulting in chaos). Stiil must press on.

I would normally say play but I have reached a point where I need to regroove my swing, and paticularly my iron play, through repetition.I will therefore be visiting the practice area/range in the near future.