How often?

[mr8ball]

How often should a person shoot pool, if you want to get good. I shoot about 4 times a week is that enough?

I played my best when i played 3 days a week. I read the book (The Inner game of tennis) and it put me in such a mindset that i played better then i ever had. To me its the quality of practice when you do it not the amount of practice you do. I also feel that you will only be as good as the amount of practice you put in. This is hard game to be good at and you have to want that more then anything. Good Luck, Doug

 

[Jigger]

Practice required to improve?

As mentioned before: Quality practice time is much more important vs quantity of practice time.

How much is actually needed to improve? I think it depends on your skill level. If your a beginner, 1 practice session a week is probably enough to show improvement. As you develop your skills I would think it takes progressively more time invested to see real improvement. Myself, I'm not very good at commiting time to practice drills alone. I do enjoy playing maybe 3-4 times per week at the stronger local tournaments or matching up with a similar or higher skill level player. Seems to have steadily helped my game but serious practice would get me to the next level quicker.

 

[buzzsaw]

To date the best practice regiment I have ever heard was that of Stephen Hendry years ago. He would set his alarm and wake up at 7 am every day Monday to Friday. Get showered and dressed in the same attire he competes in. Have breakfast and report to his table at 9 am. He would take a 15 minute break before and after his half hour lunch break. He played till 5 pm everyday. He treated it the way most of us treat OUR jobs. He worked 40 hours a week and never called in sick.

To me, THAT is a professional approach to the game that few can say they can or have adhered to.

Yeah, wouldn't that be nice. I am down to about an hour a day 4 - 5 days a week. It keeps me somewhat in stroke, but I can definitely see room for improvement.

 

[Pushout]

How often should a person shoot pool, if you want to get good. I shoot about 4 times a week is that enough?

You say you play, but how much is actually playing and how much practice? Do you do drills? Do you practice specific basics? Do you play better players? Do you compete in tournaments, how tough are they? Do you gamble {yeah, I know, I know} when you play, even or with weight, do you give up weight?
What do you consider "good"? Shortstop speed, Pro speed, place in the local tournaments speed, play better than your buddies? Four times a week may put you in the last category, depending on how you play/practice.
As I'm sure you know by now, it's a TOUGH game. All depends on what you want to get out of it.