I play twice a week, but I am a confirmed hacker, and happy to be known as such.
My problem is that I didn't take up golf till I was 45, and by that time it was too late to ingrain a proper swing. I was probably carrying a little too much weight, had been through spinal surgery, and was showing the first signs of problems with the supraspinatus tendons in both shoulders. Add to that over the last year in particular increasing arthritis in my hands, and it helps to keep the handicap up.
I was on 19 twelve months ago, but that's blown out now to 25. I'm actually quite happy about that, because it makes it a lot easier for me to get a reasonable Stableford score, and at least win the odd ball. There's far too many burglars out there scamming their handicaps, mostly the older blokes playing in the vets catagory.
I figured about 18 months ago something wasn't quite right when I went to pick up my hoard of 5 balls for the previous 6 month, and the old codger in front of me picked up 3 dozen. So he plays 3 times a week, but there's no way anyone could play at such a consistent standard and keep a handicap which they can play to so often. They must deliberately really tank the times when they don't score a ball.
In spite of all that, I love the game, and I'm happy to keep playing as long as I can. I'm one of the odd guys who loves putting more than anything else. I use a simple classic technique, and it works often for me. I'm beyond thinking I need to drive the ball out of sight off the tee.