Let’s clarify one thing right off the bat, er, club. The term “driving range” is a misnomer. Teaching professionals refer to those large patches of terrain as “practice ranges” for good reason. In fact, most pros will advise you to use your driver sparingly on the range, as you would on the course.
Whatever you call them, these ranges are ideal for practicing with just about every club in your bag. Many have putting greens and sand bunkers, as well as areas specifically for chipping and pitching.
Even if you have yet to pick up a club, you probably have gone past a practice range on the highway. Many have huge nets supported by tall wooden poles to keep balls from escaping the range. At night, lighted ranges are visible from blocks away.
At one end of the range is an area for hitting balls. Sometimes it’s a wide swath of grass where golfers can practice hitting off the ground or off tees. At other ranges, golfers hit balls off synthetic grass mats or rubber tees. Yardage signs provide distances to various areas of the range. Many ranges have miniature greens with flagsticks to take aim at.
By the Bucket
Commercial ranges are open to the public, except when special clinics or lessons take place. Many public golf courses also have practice ranges. In most cases, you can use the range without having to play the course.
You rent a bucket of balls from the range or pro shop, usually for as little as $2 for a container of 20-25 balls. Larger buckets of 50-75 balls can keep you occupied for a half-hour or more if you follow a routine for improvement. If you don’t have any clubs, some practice facilities rent them for a small fee.
Many golfers mistakenly approach a large bucket of balls as they would a marathon. They hit one ball after another at a rapid pace, only with the finish line in mind.
The goal of using a practice range should be to build the golf swing. Start with your wedges and short irons, progress to your longer irons, then your fairway woods. Finish practicing your full swing with, yes, your driving club, whether it’s a 1-wood or 3-wood.
First-timers should concentrate on making good contact, hitting as straight as possible and getting the ball in the air. Don’t be disappointed if the ball dribbles off the tee now and then, or goes astray. Just step back, take a deep breath, and make a correction. Take several practice swings to develop a tempo. When you’re ready, focus on the ball.
If you are not satisfied with your swing, get professional help. Most ranges have a teaching pro who can analyze your swing and suggest adjustments. Sure, these lessons cost money, but that’s the price you pay for improvement. It certainly will help you prepare for your ultimate goal of playing on an actual course.
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Whatever you call them, these ranges are ideal for practicing with just about every club in your bag. Many have putting greens and sand bunkers, as well as areas specifically for chipping and pitching.
Even if you have yet to pick up a club, you probably have gone past a practice range on the highway. Many have huge nets supported by tall wooden poles to keep balls from escaping the range. At night, lighted ranges are visible from blocks away.
At one end of the range is an area for hitting balls. Sometimes it’s a wide swath of grass where golfers can practice hitting off the ground or off tees. At other ranges, golfers hit balls off synthetic grass mats or rubber tees. Yardage signs provide distances to various areas of the range. Many ranges have miniature greens with flagsticks to take aim at.
By the Bucket
Commercial ranges are open to the public, except when special clinics or lessons take place. Many public golf courses also have practice ranges. In most cases, you can use the range without having to play the course.
You rent a bucket of balls from the range or pro shop, usually for as little as $2 for a container of 20-25 balls. Larger buckets of 50-75 balls can keep you occupied for a half-hour or more if you follow a routine for improvement. If you don’t have any clubs, some practice facilities rent them for a small fee.
Many golfers mistakenly approach a large bucket of balls as they would a marathon. They hit one ball after another at a rapid pace, only with the finish line in mind.
The goal of using a practice range should be to build the golf swing. Start with your wedges and short irons, progress to your longer irons, then your fairway woods. Finish practicing your full swing with, yes, your driving club, whether it’s a 1-wood or 3-wood.
First-timers should concentrate on making good contact, hitting as straight as possible and getting the ball in the air. Don’t be disappointed if the ball dribbles off the tee now and then, or goes astray. Just step back, take a deep breath, and make a correction. Take several practice swings to develop a tempo. When you’re ready, focus on the ball.
If you are not satisfied with your swing, get professional help. Most ranges have a teaching pro who can analyze your swing and suggest adjustments. Sure, these lessons cost money, but that’s the price you pay for improvement. It certainly will help you prepare for your ultimate goal of playing on an actual course.
www.golfproductnews.com
