Most golfers struggle with not being able to play enough golf and very rarely have to worry about playing too much golf. However, I have seen people in the past that have certainly pushed the limits and potentially played more golf than they should.
The golfers often find that they have a range of issues with their golf game simply from spending too much time golfing. If you have heard of runners having to take some time off or even football players having an off season, should golfers do the same?
Let’s take a look at the factors that lead to golf burnout and why sometimes you may be playing enough golf to damage your game.
Is It Possible to Golf Too Much?
It is possible to golf too much and have it impact you financially and physically. However, this is a rare occurrence. With the obligations of work and family, golf often takes a backseat, and most people don’t have the time to golf enough.
There are a few key factors to consider when deciding whether or not you are golfing too much.
Finances
Golf is not cheap, and most golfers have to pay greens fees or cart fees every time they go out to play.
Over time this can add up to be hundreds if not thousands of dollars a month. If your finances do not allow it, you may have to tone down how much golf you are playing. Essentially plan on playing golf as much as you can afford.
For players that enjoy playing golf almost daily, it can sometimes be more cost-effective to join a private country club. Your cost per round could be considerably lower.
In addition, when you walk the golf course, expect to get a much better deal on the cost of your golf round. It also helps to burn a few extra calories.
Other Obligations and Relationships
Golf is an addicting sport.
Sometimes you may want to skip the family BBQ for a round of golf with your friends or even just a driving range session to work on stripping that 5 wood. However, this can cause problems with people, and it’s generally not a good idea.
If your house is a mess, you are behind on bills and your grass hasn’t been cut in a few weeks, chances are you are playing too much golf. I understand that it never feels like there is enough time to play.
I have worked on becoming more intentional and focused on the things I NEED to get done so that I have more time to do the things I WANT to do.
Get your stuff done, and then head out to the golf course!
Physical Health
Golf can be a great thing for your health.
It will help you become stronger and even help some people looking to lose weight and get in better shape. However, your physical health can also be impacted if you play too much golf.
Some golfers push the limits of what their bodies can handle. They end up straining their back, knees, or hips because they play too much and potentially even swinging the wrong way.
It’s very important to learn to swing correctly, use the push cart instead of walking with 40 pounds on your back and pay attention to your water and food intake when on the golf course. If your knee is terribly swollen after a round, take the next day off and give it some time to heal.
Mental Game
One of the most exhausting things about the game of golf is how hard you must focus on playing a great round. It’s important to consider how much your mental game can tolerate when deciding if you are playing too much golf.
Some players will notice they start to make poor decisions about shot selection. In addition, you may find that you get lazy with certain swings because of mental burnout and trying to focus so much.
This is why I always suggest making some of your rounds a little more casual where you don’t focus on the score so much, as it can really impact your ability to shoot low rounds.
Actual Golf Game Results
I have had times in my golf career where my game struggled because I played too much golf. Playing too much golf is a problem that can sometimes make your play sloppy.
I found that the best solution here was to properly mix the amount of time I spend on the golf course with the amount of time I spent on the putting green and practice range. If I only play golf and never practice, my swing starts to do some strange things.
If I only practice and never play, my on course golf game starts to struggle. Finding this proper balance between the two can take a bit of time. Don’t assume that golfers that play Monday through Sunday will be the best players. They may struggle on short chips, slicing the ball, or even topping the ball.
Goals
All golfers have different goals. These can be as simple as getting rid of a slice (even though that’s not always all that simple!) to qualify for a US Open. If you are trying to become a professional and you hit balls or play golf every day, it’s probably considered part of the job.
If, however, you are an average golfer trying to fit in a round of golf each day with a house, family, work, and other obligations, it may be pushing it. If only we could figure out a way to make things just a bit faster out there!
Is It Healthy to Play Golf Everyday?
Every golfer needs to find the right rhythm for their game. As a beginner player, you probably push it a bit if you play golf daily. For a retired person that wants to play golf every day before anybody else even gets out on the golf course, it can be completely acceptable.
I would highly recommend that if you are going to play every day, you work some practice sessions into your week as well. Sometimes poor mechanics can set in without much practice, regardless of your skill level.
If you play golf every day, try to get involved in some various games and vary the course you are playing. Learning to hit different shots and keeping your mind fresh is a great way to stay young.
How Many Times a Week Should You Play Golf?
Most players find the ideal number of times to play golf each week is 3.
A Saturday morning round is pretty standard, followed by a Sunday afternoon and then potentially even a Wednesday afternoon round. However, some golfers find it too difficult to fit in that extra round during the week.
Driving Range
The driving range is a place where you should schedule practice sessions at least 2 times a week. These sessions could consist of you just hitting 30 golf balls, or it could be a few hours of work on all areas of your game. This really depends on the current status of your game and the type of player you are.
Practice Rounds
Sometimes playing a quick nine holes on your own is a great way to check that golf box without feeling like you are overdoing it. These types of rounds are sometimes best to play with a speaker on your golf cart, and it really isn’t necessary to keep score.
Playing The Course
Most of the time, golfers try to play at least 2 and up to 4 rounds of golf per week. Those playing more than 4 rounds of golf are probably pushing the limit a bit on golf burnout. Again, only you know how you feel and what is the right amount of golf for your game.
Number of Miles Walked for 9 Holes
One of the reasons that golfers get tired when playing too much golf is because they are covering quite a bit of ground during the course of a round. Of course, if you use a golf cart, you won’t get quite as many steps in, but if you walk, it’s a long distance.
An average golf course is about 3 miles for 9 holes. This will include those steps to ensure you find your golf ball in the woods, the distance between the tee boxes, and walking around the birdie putt a few times.
If you are interested in walking more golf courses, it is certainly best to start with 9 holes and see where it takes you and how you feel. It’s also smart to use a pushcart to ensure you don’t damage your back or knees over time.
Number of Miles Walked for 18 Holes
Walking 18 holes of golf is usually the equivalent of walking between 5 and 6 miles. It often takes golfers a bit of time to get to the ability to walk this much distance and still have some stamina left to swing the golf club.
If you plan on walking 18 holes, it is worth investing in a quality push cart to ensure you don’t get tired early in the round.
However, walking 18 holes is very beneficial for your health and your golf game. The focus you can have on the shots you are trying to hit is considerably better when you walk than when you ride the cart. Try walking to see what it does for your mental game; you may be pleasantly surprised.
Brittany Olizarowicz
Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.