Playing vs Practicing - What's the Ideal Balance?

As the daylight dwindles and playing time is more difficult to come by, winter tends to see me practice more.  If I'm honest with myself, I probably don't practice enough in summer as I'd rather get out and play.  So I got to thinking, what is the ideal balance between practice and play?  I want to practice enough to improve, but play enough to see the benefits.  And there's some practice that can only really be done on the course (course management for example).  So here's two questions: -

To start it off, here's my thoughts: -

I think practice is dependant on your level, what you want to achieve and whether its an M.O.T. or a full service. Its about quality, not quantity, i.e.a targeted practice with specific aims. For example, if you are struggling on the green its about green time, not range time. If your FIR is good whats the point in spending 2 hours hitting the driver. And its about practicing good technique, not ingraining a bad habit.

The amount of time that should be spent practicing at any one time? That depends on stamina, and how long it would take to get from your current level to the level you want to achieve. Equally you may have set aside x hours to learn a particular technique but learn it far quicker. Don't practice when you're tired, as you'll do more harm than good.

Learn before you practice. You need to know the technique before you can practice it. Make sure you've sourced the right technique from the right place before trying to ingrain it into your game/swing - would you ask a plumber to rewire your house??

How much do I practice? Virtually never. Its 5 mins on the putting green before a comp, although I did go out with a new driver last week for a couple of hours. That said, I've spent tons of hours in the past learning the game. And after 44+ years I know my swing and what I should be feeling.

I prefer to just play ,but when I do practice I make sure I alternate the glass in each arm. You dont want to build up an imbalance muscle group, http://www.golfshake.com/scripts/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/wink_smile.gif" title="wink" width="20" />

Dave, when you practice do you still real Guinness or do you use Carling Airballs??

Defo real ones Brian, on a serious note as for practice I generally only chip and pitch as that's my weakness ,but I'm looking forward to some nice new Cleveland wedges to hone in .http://www.golfshake.com/scripts/ckeditor/plugins/smiley/images/wink_smile.gif" title="wink" width="20" />

Im probably about 1% practice and 99% playing at the moment due to naff practice facilities at my new club. This is one of the main reasons why another new club is being considered. I didn't realise how much I would miss the practice field at my old place!!

I spend around 3 hours a week split to 2 evenings on a floodlit driving/practice range. £2 worth of balls, first chipping/pitching then putting with alignment being the bit that needs sorting atm. Then out on the range for the long game, I must admit I have to make myself do it some evenings but it's worth it because I enjoy it once I get there. 

I play every Sunday and some Saturday's  so I probably don't practice enough, but I do feel as if I benefit from it.

When i was a junior and a member of high legh i use to practise a great deal, they had a lush chipping green and area and also the putting greens were faultless.

No i am at Runcorn, as much as i like the course and club i can't help but feel the practise facilitys here are terribe.

Due to this i dont practise half as much as i should which is a shame and instead i go to the driving range now in warrington but again you cant practise your chipping ect.

1 hour a week spent at the driving range working on what my I have been taught in my lessons. The current one is how to gain more distance off the tee.

Hit it like happy!