Driving/Practice ranges - really that good?

**RichF** · April 17, 2008

When I have a basket of balls at the range, my usual routine is that of Woods, Nicklaus: SW, 8-Iron, 6-Iron, 4-Iron, 3-wood, driver
Maybe, 5 balls with each then I'll try and hit 3, 4 or 5 balls in succession as I would if I was playing a proper hole.
However, with me, all it takes is one shanked/sliced/hooked shot and the snowball effect starts.
And it can spread to every other club in the bag.
And it's tough to get out of and the only option is to 'down-tools' and leave.

Sometimes I actually wonder if extensive time on the range is a good thing. Example: a bucket of 60/80/100 balls and the time it takes to get through them = 30 mins? 60 mins?

I just think it can be detrimental to one's game when you're blazing through that many balls in that amount of time. You lose the form, the stance, the setup, the swing and the result is severly affected.

And I very much doubt anyone spends the same amount of time on the range that it takes to play 9 or 18 holes.
Do they?

Thoughts?

**klaymon** · April 17, 2008

I find range work very important at this stage of my development. Like you, I've had a bad shot turn into 30, but I stick with it because I know the good ones are in me and I have to get back to the mechanics that make it happen.

Just this past Tuesday I went to the range. I bought a big bucket (120 balls or so) and got to work. I hit my first 3-5 shots like I had been playing for years. Then I kicked one straight out to the right and the downward spiral began. Even half-swings were worthless. I went through half a bucket before I realized what I was doing wrong. Had I left and said to hell with it, I wouldn't have figured it out. So, I finished my bucket hitting like I know I can, then I bought another big bucket to try to cement my swing a little bit. It was one of my best sessions to date.

I take about 1-1.5 hours to do one big bucket. At this stage, I'm paying extra attention to getting my grip like I want it and picking out a target. I don't just whack balls out into oblivion.

**RichF** · April 17, 2008

I find range work very important at this stage of my development. Like you, I've had a bad shot turn into 30, but I stick with it because I know the good ones are in me and I have to get back to the mechanics that make it happen.

I very rarely use the driver on the range....the 3-wood I'll only use off the mat (a shot I really struggle with).

Mainly, I use 6-9 irons for positioning, ball-flight, trajectory, distance, etc - but I'll only ever go through maybe 30-40 balls tops . Then I'll leave and maybe go back 2 days later. I can't see the value in hitting 100s and 100s of balls, during a 90min 2-hour period, unless it's to purely tighten up your swing. And again, if you start a period of shanking/hooking/slicing, I also can't see the point in trying to hit your way out of it. Pre-18 holes, I'll maybe hit 20 balls and spend more time on the putting-green instead.

**ShotCaLLa** · April 17, 2008

I find that it is crucial to take your time on the range. I go through my pre-shot routine for every single shot. I pick a target, visualize the shot, take my practice swing(s), get aligned and pull the trigger.

What you were describing as the Nicklaus/Woods routine is what I do for my pre-round warm up.

When working/practicing on the range I believe you can mix it up a little bit more. I really hit a lot of 5 irons when working on different aspects of my swing, forces me to maintain a good tempo.

**dkglf98** · April 17, 2008

From Gary Player "The more I practice the better I get"

From Ben Hogan " Every day missed practice takes two days to get back"

I practice at the range every day, it takes me 2 hours to get thru a bucket.

Do not rapid fire, it is useless and you get no results, go thru your routine on each swing.

**klaymon** · April 17, 2008

I very rarely use the driver on the range....the 3-wood I'll only use off the mat (a shot I really struggle with).

While you do not see the value or the point, I have proven to myself the value and point of it. I did "hit my way out of it". Had I stopped with 30-40 balls, it would have been a session that ended with huge frustration and a real shot to my confidence and I wouldn't have learned the source of my problem. Sticking it out taught me a lot about my swing.

Nothing in golf is good for everyone. You have found that extended range work is not for you. I have found it is the most important thing I can do besides play on a course.

**niblick** · April 17, 2008

From Gary Player "The more I practice the better I get"

Actually, Player said "The more I practice, the luckier I get." And Hogan said “Every day I don’t practice is one more day it will take to get better”. But yeah, practice like you play - sound advice.

**RichF** · April 17, 2008

While you do not see the value or the point, I have proven to myself the value and point of it. I did "hit my way out of it". Had I stopped with 30-40 balls, it would have been a session that ended with huge frustration and a real shot to my confidence and I wouldn't have learned the source of my problem. Sticking it out taught me a lot about my swing.

Weird thing is though - after such a session on the range with a 60-ball bucket, I fell into a 'shanking-trap' and couldnt hit my 6-9 irons to save my life.

3 days later on the 18-hole, I was fine!

**klaymon** · April 17, 2008

Weird thing is though - after such a session on the range with a 60-ball bucket, I fell into a 'shanking-trap' and couldnt hit my 6-9 irons to save my life.

I've had that happen as well. However, I am not content with myself to just let things go. What helps me push through sessions like that is, I know the good ones are in there. I've seen them, my playing partners have seen them. It makes it hard to quit on a bad streak when I know I have the capability to really hit the ball well. I just take a minute and really slow things down and the problem usually comes to light.

**JerseyThursday** · April 17, 2008

I always have more success going to the range right after I play a round. I work on the part(s) of the game that were not up to snuff (I couldn’t bring myself to say, ”par”).

**NM Golf** · April 17, 2008

Hit enough balls to properly achieve whatever goal you have set for that practice session. You always need a plan before you go to the range and with that comes a specific idea of what you would like to concentrate on and what goal you want to accomplish.

Most of the time I have a couple of areas I want to work on specifically. Examples may be, alignment, ball position, tempo, trajectory, working the ball, etc. I hit balls working on those specific areas only. Each swing I start behind the ball pick a target, take my stance, and swing. I only take practice swings if I am trying to get a feel for something specific. Taking a practice swing before each shot would be counter productive as it causes fatigue. Also, its good to take a break every so often during a practice session to rest and help clear your mind. Don't just beat balls. Beating balls down the range without thought will most times cause more faults than it'll fix.

I normally hit around 120-150 balls in a good practice session then I go to working on short game, putting etc.

**Lemay427** · April 17, 2008

For the golfer who is trying to find a swing and learn to consistently hit the ball, yes, it helps. For those that have a swing, i would say no. spend your time on the green and from 100 yards and in. I only go to the range when I have a major flaw to fix.

**NM Golf** · April 17, 2008

For the golfer who is trying to find a swing and learn to consistently hit the ball, yes, it helps. For those that have a swing, i would say no. spend your time on the green and from 100 yards and in. I only go to the range when I have a major flaw to fix.

If this is true, why do PGA Tour professionals spend so much time hitting balls? Is Vijay, by chance, still looking for his swing? Bad advice. Hitting balls is good for any golfer, especially anyone who does not have the time to play everyday. Practice builds consistancy.

**klaymon** · April 17, 2008

If this is true, why do PGA Tour professionals spend so much time hitting balls? Is Vijay, by chance, still looking for his swing? Bad advice. Hitting balls is good for any golfer, especially anyone who does not have the time to play everyday. Practice builds consistancy.

Well put.

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Driving/Practice ranges - really that good?

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