Team Titleist Range Tips

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By David A

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  1. David A

    David A
    Greenville, NC

    I am continually efforting to improve my golf swing.  I hit buckets of balls at least 2-3 times a week on a local range as well as about 2 rounds a week.  My normal practice routine for one of my range sessions goes like this:

    1.  Stretch

    2. Start with my 9 Iron to warm up

    3. Once I sense my muscles are warm and loose and my turn is strong I begin "practice"

    4. Sticking with my 9 Iron, I begin to aim at flags/points on the range and swing away.

    5. I then move to my 8...my 7...my 6....you get the point.

    6. Finish the bucket  with my driver.  

    That's it.

    What do Team Titleist members do on the range to improve their swing?  

    I read you should simulate a hole...example; Start with Driver....then maybe a 8 Iron to the hole etc.  try to imagine different holes, varying distances, on courses I've played, and play them out on the range.

    Any tips/thoughts would be very much appreciated.

    Thanks in advance!

  2. David, great question. This is my practice rountine when I am at the range, does not include short game practice session.  Fortunately out club has unlimited range balls so I am speculating I go through about 200-350 balls per session depending on what I am working on that day.  I try to have a "lesson plan" on a specific topic to focus on such as shoulder turn, take away, right hip stability, tempo, contact etc....

    1. Stretch before hand for at least 10 min at home or on range

    2. Hit 56 or 60 degree wedges to feel tempo and loosen up body further.

    3. Since I hit almost every day I switch back and forth between odd and even numbered clubs each day as I work from wedges up to driver.

    4. Always hit at targets such as flags, trees, bunkers, bushes, out of bounds stakes etc...

    5. After I move through the driver I go back to wedges and work on 50-115 yard shots in 10-25 yard increments.

    6. Finish with short game session in putting, pitching and putting.

    This may be over simplistic for some in this community but it seems to work for me!

    Cant wait to read others routines....maybe I could enhance my practice with others input!

    Chris

  3. Blake B

    Blake B
    Harbor Springs, MI

    Different days call for a different process, but I typically start with a light stretch (very light, I don't get too intense although I probably should.) From there I move on to my 4-iron and work my way up. Unfortunately, most flags at the range don't hold an equal distance to move up to 5-iron, 6-iron etc so I tend to go to a 6-iron after my 4, then 9. 

    Big point: I was advised to set goals for each shot, as we all should. From time to time I will simulate a hole, but most times I will think the shot through in my head of what I would like to do on approach at the target. I do not move on to a new target until at least three shots pan out the way I wanted them to (i.e. an over-draw to miss the green you will start fresh back at 0.)

    Hope that doesn't sound too confusing!

  4. Spudstarch

    Spudstarch
    Walnut Creek, CA

    Good topic David,

    Thinking about it more, I believe my range sessions usually just focus on whatever is losing me the most strokes since my last round. It could be driving one day, irons shots another, long shots, chipping, or putting. I probably do no more than 2 of the 5 areas in one session so I don't lose focus on what I am trying to improve.

    My most recent rounds show that my driving has been stable and my putting has gone back to normal, but my GIR could improve. So lately I have been working to tighten up my dispersion with my iron shots. And the goal for the session may vary depending on the problem. It might be poor contact, swing path, over swinging, etc. So I will focus on one issue specifically. 

    If I notice I am overshooting flags a lot, I will put in a session to figure out my distance control and gaps. If I have one too many 3 putts or have trouble getting up and down to save par, then I will work on chipping and putting.

    If I feel like everything is going well, that's when I work on the fun stuff like trying to gain more yards off the tee, punch shots that have to carry a pond but stay under tree limbs, controlling the curvature of my shots, putting from fringes, and any other bad stuff that can possibly go wrong.

    Routine wise, I am not sure I follow anything specific after stretching and warm up. I just try to be aware of my positioning and analyse my ball flight so I can narrow down the issue. Then when I fix the problem, I grind the correct swing until it's constant.

  5. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military

    I would suggest that you try two things. First, when you are aiming at a target hit a maximum of 3 before choosing another target and keep track of the percentage of on target shots. Two, play imaginary holes on a course you know and keep score of the targets hit based on your goal. For example, how many pitches landed withing 10 feet of your target. For putting and chipping, using one ball, do up and downs and keep track of your score. Good luck

  6. Aricb

    Aricb
    Idaho Falls, ID

    Aloha David,

     

    My typical practice routine goes.

    - Stretch/Warm up - 10 minutes

    - Start with 54/58 1/2 shots to target/flag 30-50 yards

    - Once I am warm, I start working my way to longer targets. Work on using different clubs at the same target.

    - Hit my 3-wood off the grass and teed up.

    - Hit a few with my driver.

    - Before I end, I play imaginary holes usually about 4-5. Tee off with both my driver and 3-wood. If it's a good drive I will pick a shorter target, bad drive longer. You get the point.

    - Than always end with 10-15 balls 100 yards and in.

    Hope this was somewhat helpful.

     

    Cool seeing what others do at the range, nice to mix it up.

     

  7. Steve L

    Steve L
    Framingham, MA

    great topic but where to begin. 

    I have dozens of range session I cycle thru.  I alway start with a wedge, work up  and finish with  a wedge.  I spend more time with any club that I'm not as comfortable with.  I never want to feel as though any club is not a good club. make your weaknesses a strength.  I try not to hit the same shot twice, even its the same club. I'll focus on trajectory, fade, draw, and even distances that are not 100 %.  Honestly , how often do you have the perfect yardage for most clubs. I'm also a firm believer of visualization for ALL shots.  Pick small targets. Its so easy to convince yourself that a bad shot is good when the range is 100 yards wide. 

  8. I remember Tom Watson sharing that he started warming up with a 3 iron, not a shorter club. This was intriguing to me. Here are a few reasons why.

    Watson said:  "The 3-iron is about the hardest club in the bag for me to hit, so I swing it first, at a moderate speed. If I flub a shot or two, well, no big deal. It's supposed to be a more difficult club. But if I hit it dead flush right off the bat, my confidence is heightened. I think, I've got it today! There's also a physical aspect. Swinging a longer club a few times creates my rhythm for the day. My swing is stretched out. Most people take a short club first and make abbreviated swings."

    I have gone to this approach. And it works for me. Establishes rhythm Builds confidence, Lengthens swing. 

    Paul

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