What playing a lot does is keep you sharp. Sharp in the short game, and accuracy of irons. After I got married and had kids I was down to once a week - and I had to fight for it. My handicap went to 9 and stayed there for 30 years. I can play good in spurts, but there's always a double lurking to kick your score up. Last year I had a front back score of 43/33. I can still get hot - but 9/10 times I'm struggling to shoot in the 70's.