Where do you get your practice in - on the range or on the course?

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By george t

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  • 30 Replies
  1. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    Down time has been fleeting for me this season and finding time to hit the range has been darn near impossible.  As a result, I'm trying to get into playing shape with the occasional 18 on the course.  Not a recipe for success, but considering the cost of a large bucket and the fact that I tend to just wear myself out on the range pounding balls (resulting in permanent, but not perfect habits), I'll take my chances on the course.

    For those other weekend warriors out there, how and where are you getting your practice in?

  2. Michael W

    Michael W
    Westbrook, ME

    Range.. I'll go a day or two after work, and before every round (this not so much for working on things).. I don't think I would if my membership didn't include range balls though. I feel like you can get a decent game for one or two courses by only playing, but the get a game that travels you have to have good work ethic and plan on the range.

    Maybe others are different.

  3. wormburner

    wormburner
    hawaii

    George,

    I feel for you, I know time is the essence.  I try to, but can live with a day on the range for an hour, maybe Weds or Thurs.

    I hit a small bucket,  I divide my range balls.  I usually hit only 1 low iron, 1 high iron or hybrid, and driver.

    The balls are divided 3 each (12 balls) set aside for the end for scoring shots.  I warm up using the other balls, then imaging on the golf course using one drive and one of the other club (1 drive 1 9 iron, 1 drive 1 5 iron).  I try to Image hitting the drive then the second shot. (6x).  Full routine, teeing up, standing behind, aiming for the target, set-up, then pulling the trigger. This take me about 40 minutes.  

    Then I go to the putting green to putt for about 15 minutes.  You can do a lot of putting in 15 minutes if you concentrate on putting.

    I also practice putting on the carpet at home throughout the week.  I also just swing a club at home throughout the week too.

    This isn't like playing 9 in the afternoon, then 18 on weekends.  .This kinda works for me.

    Good Luck to finding your recipe....

  4. Davis L

    Davis L
    Lafayette, CO

    I practice A LOT! I spend time on the range but I make the putting/chipping green my home. I love practicing my short game and I can really notice my practice in action on the course since my game relies heavily on short game.

  5. Sirhc

    Sirhc
    Sacramento, CA

    George - the range.  I tend to practice once a week.  This year, I have spent much more time (at least half of it) on the practice green, with positive results (what a shock!).  My wife plays soccer a ½ mile from a local course.  I often drop her off at soccer, go to the range for an hour, and then catch the last part of her game.  It never hurts to take an interest in the significant other's activity!  You might be able to find more range time by combining it with a family member's activity.  Good luck.

  6. Gary B

    Gary B
    Jacksonville, NC

    Lately, I have been hitting the range 30 minutes prior to playing my round.  Usually have a Wednesday afternoon round, with Saturday morning and/or Sunday afternoon depending on what's going on with the family on weekends.  Monday, all of that changes, as my daughter's high school golf team starts practice.  Monday - Thursday from 3 - 5, I will be hitting range balls and putting with the team, as I am an assistant coach.  I really saw my game take off each of the last 2 years when practice started.

  7. Chris A

    Chris A
    Woodstock, GA

    I enjoy being on the range when I'm practicing with a purpose, but sometimes that doesn't always happen. I found myself sometimes just mindlessly pounding balls down the range. If I have the time and my local coarse isn't to busy I love to play a practice round either with a buddy or by myself. Hitting multiple shots from different areas. It's hard to do that on most coarse this days, but if the opportunity is there I like to take it. 

  8. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    Both. Use the range 3 times a week and play 2 to 4 times a week. I never practice shots when playing with my buds but on occasion when I play 9 or fewer holes by myself I may play 2 or 3 balls if there is no one behind me.
  9. Bomber3

    Bomber3
    Lake St Louis, MO

    Military

    In the past I would practice on the range once or twice a week and sometimes use a round to work on something new I was trying to incorporate into my bag of tools.  Since I retired last year and I'm playing a lot more this summer, I find that I am practicing less...significantly less.  I hit the range early in the season probably 4 or 5 times (March & April), since then maybe 3 times.  Playing multiple times a week has really helped me to keep my game sharp without to much practice.

  10. DANNY

    DANNY
    Huntington Station, NY

    There's a PGA Superstore on my way home from work. So rather than sitting in traffic for an hour, I go there every night to work on my swing. And when I go I practice a specific part of my swing. Whether it's my takeaway, my release, or any other parts of my swing, I practice with a purpose. As a result, I have been able to drop my H/C down from a 10.6 to a 7.1 within the past couple of months alone. The only time I get to work on my short game is on the course, though...

    Practice makes BETTER!...

  11. Speedy

    Speedy
    Newmarket, NH

    Range but not enough..   Playing a good amount of golf this year but not enough time practicing at the range...  There are times i'll hit some balls in the yard against the net..  It's tough to tell where the ball will go obviously, but I can tell when i hit the ball well at impact..  

    If i could get one range session a week, I would be happy with that.  And it would be a meaningful session and not just hitting ball for the sake of it... 

    Hope to catch up with you soon George!

  12. William B

    William B
    Gresham, OR

    I'm retired, but that doesn't mean I have extra time--she sees to that.  I still work on skills and problems while I'm playing, mostly because the range is not realistic.  I'd rather have a mixed group of odd lies, since that what we see when we play.

  13. Nation

    Nation
    Justun, TX

    Military

    Definetly on the course

  14. Mike M

    Mike M
    Roanoke, VA

    I typically hit on the range once per week. Then I try to play 9 during times when the course is relatively slow in order to have the flexibility to practice with different situations. If the course is slow, I'll chip and putt on different holes as well. Seems a bucket of balls is close to the cost of 9. I agree, pounding buckets of balls sometimes results in imperfect habits..for me at least.
  15. Ryan W

    Ryan W
    Southwest Harbor, ME

    I practice at the range.  I am lucky enough to work 2 minutes away from one of the courses that I belong to.  I take my lunch hour to either hit balls or work with the pro on swing techniques.  It has helped my significantly.  I try to get out 2 times a week at a minimum plus whatever I can squeeze in on the course during the weekend.  

  16. tdogg21

    tdogg21
    Chambersburg, PA

    Unfortunately, with work and family obligations this summer, my golf time is severely limited.  So any time I have for golf is spent on the course.  We all want to get better and play our best, but at this stage of my life, golf is my time to have fun with friends.  Maybe as the kids get older, things will change, but for now I'm happy spending my golf time and money on the course.

  17. No'l

    No'l
    Palmdale, CA

    When I'm working on something from a recent lesson, may it be long or short game, I like being alone on the range for that purpose. Also, I'm lucky enough that I can stay after a round on a course and play a practice round without much anyone around. Not on all the holes or all the shots, but there are those shots that I may need to drop a couple extra balls and experiment or try a shot or two on a given tee or approach and sometimes even in a chip/pitch. Either or both are fun to do.
  18. Sawyer Nix

    Sawyer Nix
    Belton, SC

    I generally go to the range to work on full shots, half wedges, and putting.  Occasionally I have gone to Golfsmith to practice indoors in the air conditioning for free :)

  19. george t said:

    Down time has been fleeting for me this season and finding time to hit the range has been darn near impossible.  As a result, I'm trying to get into playing shape with the occasional 18 on the course.  Not a recipe for success, but considering the cost of a large bucket and the fact that I tend to just wear myself out on the range pounding balls (resulting in permanent, but not perfect habits), I'll take my chances on the course.

    For those other weekend warriors out there, how and where are you getting your practice in?

    I hit the range maybe twice a week. My course is a short drive away with a short game area so I'll spend time there as often as I can during the week prior to my actual weekend round with my buddies. Also, I'll play a practice round maybe once or twice a month just to translate things I've been working on the range to the course. 

  20. Will E

    Will E
    Cuyahoga Falls, OH

    I do a vast majority of my practicing on the range. My clubs range is pretty short (only about 180 yds) which is good for me because it forces me to dial in my scoring clubs. I also prefer the range so I don't tear the course up with multiple shots from the same spot.

  21. Steve L

    Steve L
    Framingham, MA

    My practice is split between the range and my backyard.  I have a real feel mat and net which get used daily and a yard that is 40 yards long for pitch shots.  I love to visualize my trajectory and landing spot at home but I need a practice green to know spin and roll out.  The net is great for full swings and I never feel the desire to oversewing but I go to the range to check trajectory , distance, and ball flight.  once I'm on the course its game on..

  22. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    In general, I like to practice at the range.  In years' past I have been able to work regular range sessions in with short game sessions.  i would generally spend as much time (or more) in the short game area as I did hitting full shots on the range.  I use the past tense here because it seems I have been too busy with work, family and golf tournaments this summer that I have not really put in any time on the range.  This summer, it seems I spend some time going through my warm up, but then all of the activity is out on the course.  My play has been ok, but I really need to get back to the regular practice sessions to keep the game sharp (or at least as sharp as it can get for me).

  23. Tyler M

    Tyler M
    Montgomery, TX

    I usually practice on the range. Here in Houston where I live it is kind of hard for me to find a course or a driving range that has a decent quality hitting surface and range balls that is not private. I recently found a place about 15 minutes away that will allow me to hit PRO-V1's and the turf is not a pasture. They have a very nice putting green and chipping area which is really what I have needed practice on the most.

    There are quite a few golf courses around that I could get on and play a quick 9 holes, but if any of you live in Houston you know with traffic after work there is no way that 9 holes will be quick. I usually play 18 on the weekends and practice 2 to 3 days out of the week. When I am on the range I usually get a large bucket or two and just hit. It is all about consistency for me and trying to get that muscle memory. The place that I can hit Pro-V1's allows for unlimited balls all day so if I really wanted to I could camp out all day and practice.

    Once this dang Texas heat starts dropping I will be getting out there more than what I am now. That could be next month or that could be November. 

  24. Paul P

    Paul P
    Rochester, NY

    Not a big fan of the Range..I would much rather play.  But I still get in a lot of practice.  Believe it of not the practice golf balls (not the whiffle) are a pretty good alternative if you want to hit some in your backyard.

    I have a pretty long yard , so I will hit all my irons and my driver with these balls.  I have a bucket of them and replace them as they break.  But rather than go to the range, I am hitting in grass with different lies just like the course. 

    In fact with the weather still nice here in the Northeast I am still going out and spending and hour smashing those balls .  

  25. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    Range 2-3 times week. Play on the weekends.

  26. Jonathan K

    Jonathan K
    Advance, NC

    I enjoy practicing on the range but the practice must be focused and specific. I try to switch clubs after one or two shots and sometimes I will play my home course on the range. I do this by going through each hole and hitting the tee shot, 2nd shot, and 3rd if it's a par 5. This is great practice and fun. Chipping, pitching, sand shots and putting are always done around a green. I believe putting practice should be done by always changing to a different putt and read the green as you would on the course.

  27. Parthur

    Parthur
    Marshfield, MA

    The best players practice a lot, typically with focus and a plan. That's why I'm firmly entrenched in mediocrity. I always prefer playing to practicing, but do regard a fair amount of my play as practice: Noting types of shots, lies, stances, conditions, thought process and result. I do practice a bit at the beginning of the season; this year will be more so after surgery. But once I'm playing, I'm playing and practice sessions are few and far between.

  28. Gabriel G

    Gabriel G
    Cedar Park, TX

    Military

    I like to practice on the range.  Using the information from my last lesson.  I will work on specific things.  Not too many things, just one or two.  Just work on what the PGA instructor told me.  I played last week and had trouble with my sand wedge so I plan to just work on that.  I lost two strokes from miss hitting the SW.  Darn..

  29. Jason B

    Jason B
    Stamford, CT

    In the winter time, especially in the northeast you have to find your nearest heated bay or indoor simulator.  

    Come spring and summer during my lunch break I'm at the nearest range practice for a good hour before I have to head back to work.

  30. BR

    BR
    Dundalk, Louth

    winter here so driving range during the week and the short game area at my club during the weekends.

  31. Richard H

    Richard H
    Grand Prairie, TX

    I try to do both as well as practicing my putting and stroke mechanics at home. In season though, I probably do more practicing on the range, but I like to reserve a round or two (at least) where my only focus is to practice shots that I either have trouble with or just don't see very often.

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