This number obviously varies greatly from person to person. People like Ben Hogan and Vijay Sing hit an amazing number of balls a day just to ensure they won’t lose the secret to their swing. Others feel like they need to play, and only play.
The best advice we can give to anyone is to only hit as many balls as you can while you are able to give it 100% focus. Once your focus wanes, take a break or go to the putting green. You will never be doing anything positive for yourself or your game without focus and a plan.
Always keep in mind that the quality of practice is much more important than the quantity. Coming out to the driving range three times a week and hitting one bucket will usually benefit you much more than coming once a week and hitting three buckets!
Make golf part of your daily life. Even if it’s just taking a few swings in your living room at night, or hitting a few putts on your lunch break, you will start to bring your shift from a conscious effort, to an unconscious one. That’s when your game will truly come alive! Keep up the practice over the fall and winter and you will see the results next spring!