Would you classify an evening pounding balls and drinking beer at Top Golf practice? For some, any activity with club in hand is practice. I have never been to a Top Golf. Sounds like fun but that’s not practice.
Guys in my Myrtle Beach travel group have gone to the PGA Superstore on a rainy day to hit balls in the bays with the new drivers, and putt on the indoor green. Nope, not practice either. We used to stay at The Legends in Myrtle Beach. When we found out our room cards worked in the driving range dispenser, we’d play 36 holes, eat dinner, and then go to the range for practice until the lights turned off at 10:00 p.m. THAT was loads of fun and we did help each other root out our swing faults for the day, but that took a lot of energy. I’d call it practice.
I generally practice alone, but on occasion join up with friends. Both types are valuable. The last couple times at my club was with friends and the light banter was great, as we worked through long game, short game, and putting. Sometimes these sessions can evolve into a contest on the range or putting green. A couple weeks ago it turned into a swing film session. But the key is the personal interaction. It’s especially important to socialize at a time when folks can over-isolate themselves. If you don’t have four hours for a golf game, try half the time at the practice facility. It works great.
Regardless of how I practice, I enter notes in a spreadsheet on what I worked on, and grade the session. After the last few with friends, the grades weren’t that high. Clearly, I do my best work alone. Today, I went early and alone to the local muni to work on short game and had a great session. If you time it right, there are drills and games you can play that aren’t possible with friends or at a more crowded facility. My real work gets done alone.
Tomorrow afternoon, I’m back at my club with friends after playing some tennis in the morning. This tennis-golf routine on the same day is a great cross training aid. I call it a “Nicklaus” because Jack often spoke of playing tennis. I also tend to go easier on myself with the golf practice after tennis.
So, what’s your opinion, is Top Golf practice? How do you practice best, alone or with friends?
Play well!
All About Golf 
Playing golf and drinking alcohol is not real golf, just fun.
Pete, great to hear from you! Hope you are getting plenty of both!
Brian