Noise control at the driving range

[ClintonM3]

Is it bad etiquette to be distractful, even indirectly, such as chit chatting with friends? Is it bad etiquette to tell someone to have a warm glass of shut the @#$& up? Should the range noise level be like it is on the course? What's your stance on the subject?

[jcrew]

i think chatting with buddies while on the range is perfectly acceptable. as long as it's not obnoxiously loud and distracting.

[The Rambler]

the worst is having two or three of the sumo or cobra speed drivers on the range at one time.

[NM Golf]

It depends, at your local muni you cannot expect to have total silence while practicing. I fortunately can go to an area where I can be alone, but the noise really doesn't bother me.

[countjyro]

I like just letting the noise be and working on being calm and focused on my shot. Don't let it get to you, work on your mental sharpness!

[DDBowdoin]

depends on the range, especially on the clientele. The range I go to (usually on off hours) is a popular artificial mat range where 95% of the people there don't play golf and just like to hit some balls. With that in mind a weekend afternoon/ night is deadly... kids yelling and crap. It sucks!

I want a grass range where its just people who are dedicated to this sport. If you want to chit chat thats fine but just keep the conversation down.

[FIJIGolf23]

This is where an Ipod does wonders. People being loud and rowdy, just put the earbuds in and tune them out completely.

[The Rambler]

i love my iPod on the course(if i am alone) or at the range its awesome

[Everardo]

I like just letting the noise be and working on being calm and focused on my shot. Don't let it get to you, work on your mental sharpness!

Exactly, I'm amazed sometimes of how sensitive some golfers can be about noise

This is where an Ipod does wonders. People being loud and rowdy, just put the earbuds in and tune them out completely.

Great on the range!

[ChvyKc]

I'm forntuate enough to have a range close that is grass and most of the people that practice there are avid golfers. It's just a crappy range with a rusty car and a couple of markers out there but he does keep the box grass very well kept. It's cheap and the owner is really committed to keeping his customers happy.

If we do ge some people out there making noise it doesn't bother me. I'm usually so focused on trying to fix something that I don't even notice. I've never thought about the iPod thing though. Thats a great idea. I actually use a Palm Pilot with an SD card to listen to music so it is a little large to use on the range I believe.

[supercow]

This is where an Ipod does wonders. People being loud and rowdy, just put the earbuds in and tune them out completely.

How do you stop the cables from getting tangled up while swinging?

[FIJIGolf23]

How do you stop the cables from getting tangled up while swinging?

I generally clip it onto my belt in the back. I will run the cables up my back and put the earbuds in. It stays out of the way and doesn't tangle.

[Elsfan]

I dont care about noise, only hacks that hit the ball sideways and distract me by thinking I am about to get hit in the head.

[bluenar9]

I keep my iPod in my pocket and run the wires under my shirt. Even if I don't have an iPod, noise doesn't really bother me, because sometimes I'm the one making the noise if I'm helping my girlfriend or something.

[ahnh666]

don't mind some chit chat....."oh..when did you get at r7 superquad?..may i try?".....having a few beers....small wagers amongst friends..."closest to the blue flag....$2".......it's just practice....

i don't know why...but i tend to follow bowling etiquette..you know..you wait until the lanes next to you have bowled before you bowl....i don't know why..but i tend to do the same at the range with a driver...

[WhiteSoxFan]

It doesn't bother me, and I think as long as it's not totally obnoxious and going on forever it's fine etiquette-wise. I use it as an opportunity to practice hitting good shots with distractions - makes it easier to block it out when you are on the course.

I use my ipod on the practice putting green, but I haven't used it on the range yet. I'll give that a shot. I put the ipod in my back pocket and run the wires up through my shirt.

[Hackey Hackerson]

I usually don't find the noise a distraction as much as the 12 year-old a couple of spots down out driving me.

[geezer]

depends on the range, especially on the clientele. The range I go to (usually on off hours) is a popular artificial mat range where 95% of the people there don't play golf and just like to hit some balls. With that in mind a weekend afternoon/ night is deadly... kids yelling and crap. It sucks!

I'm with you on that. My nearest range is artificial mats and I hate hate HATE them. I dream of a slightly dewey morning on a pristine range with no-one elso about, like you see pictures of pros practicing on.

Like this or this would be nice.