Couple range session questions

**timastyle** · August 17, 2010

I have a couple questions that I have been curious about since the last couple times I have been at the range, so I thought I would bounce it off of you all and see what the answers are.

1. The range I go to have limited distance balls, which obviously means that they aren't traveling as far as a regular ball one would use on the course. For those of you that go to similar ranges, how do you calculate what the distances are on your irons?

2. I am currently working on changing my swing path and reducing my weight shift on my backswing, which has helped me hit the ball more solid, but I'm spraying the ball a little right now. When you're working on a swing change, do you not worry about where the ball ends up until you have the change(s) incorporated first or is the accuracy just as important throughout the change(s) you're working on?

Thanks!!!

**JGus** · August 17, 2010

I measure and write down distances while I play using my rangefinder, but when I am on the range I sometimes just pull out old balls to use that I find on the course, they aren't that much better than range balls, but my distances are pretty solid right now.

Not an expert on your second question, but I would say accuracy is just as important when changing your swing. I have went through a few changes the past 8 months after taking lessons and working harder on my swing and I feel accuracy is built in with the swing changes.

**The Recreational Golfer** · August 18, 2010

1. Go to an empty field with a friend and hit shots. Your friend puts each ball back down where it landed. After you have a tight enough pattern, step off the distance. You want to know how far your clubs carry, and that's the most sure way to do it.

2. You won't really know this unless you're under the guidance of a professional. I've had some lessons where the fix worked right away, but one where the pro said, "You'll be pushing a lot of shots until you get used to what you have to do," because the change was a harder one for me to make all at once.

**timastyle** · August 18, 2010

1. Go to an empty field with a friend and hit shots. Your friend puts each ball back down where it landed. After you have a tight enough pattern, step off the distance. You want to know how far your clubs carry, and that's the most sure way to do it.

The problem with finding an empty field in the Los Angeles area is that there really isn't any. I would have to drive an hour and a half away to find one probably. I'm pretty good on the distances right now, but I'm thinking with some of the changes in my swing, I won't really know how it's affected my yardage until I get out...

**alomar123** · August 18, 2010

I guess the best way for you would be is when you are playing just guess what you think your average is and then just tweak the numbers until they are true. I love my gps.

**Zeph** · August 18, 2010

1. The range I go to have limited distance balls, which obviously means that they aren't traveling as far as a regular ball one would use on the course. For those of you that go to similar ranges, how do you calculate what the distances are on your irons?

I use the course to find out how far I hit it. Having a rangefinder of course makes this a whole lot easier.

2. I am currently working on changing my swing path and reducing my weight shift on my backswing, which has helped me hit the ball more solid, but I'm spraying the ball a little right now. When you're working on a swing change, do you not worry about where the ball ends up until you have the change(s) incorporated first or is the accuracy just as important throughout the change(s) you're working on?

Depends what I'm working on. If I've got a pull in my swing (closed clubface), and work on my hip slide, I don't mind if the ball goes left. If I'm working on keeping the clubface square at impact, I certainly care where the ball ends up.

The thing is that you have to know what you are working on, why, and how you can know when you are doing it right.

**timastyle** · August 18, 2010

The thing is that you have to know what you are working on, why, and how you can know when you are doing it right.

Right now I'm trying to keep my weight on my front foot mostly, even on the backswing, because I have noticed that I tend to stay back and not get most of my weight forward when I shift my weight too much. Even still right now, I fell it's gotten better on the backswing, but on my downswing, I feel like I still leave a bit on back foot and end up skying the ball (probably due to flipping the wrists).

**ohiolefty** · August 18, 2010

I wouldn't go to a range with limited flight balls. I can't stand to hit those types of balls.

I'd go to a different range. Hermosa Beach? You should have some options.

**timastyle** · August 18, 2010

I wouldn't go to a range with limited flight balls. I can't stand to hit those types of balls.

I go to The Lakes of El Segundo, which is a few blocks from my work and on my way home, so it makes it very convenient, but to be honest, I don't remember any of the driving ranges in the area having regular balls. Any suggestions?

**soloredd** · August 19, 2010

I've discovered my iron distances more from playing than the range. I really am not sure about the balls at my range and if they are limited, I tried googling for Pinnacle Practice balls and nothing came up about that. So, I've come to use my GPS a lot to measure shots and get a pretty good idea for distances. I spend pretty much all my range time with the 8 iron up through the 60*, using designated targets.

As for incorporating swing changes, for me it's been helpful to get the swing down first and then make a tweak or two. For example, I used to come way inside on the takeaway, something that was found on video. It took me a number of trips to the range to get the correct feeling, and I still find it creeps in on occasions. When I was working on swing path I also had to fix my alignment and grip. I was way too strong on the grip and aligning right, I hooked the ball A LOT. Alignment is still an issue but I seem to be at the point now where I know what my correct swing should be and I can make these minute tweaks when needed. If you are spraying at the range, don't worry too much about it. Your new swing feel is still new, everything will click soon enough.

**timastyle** · August 19, 2010

I've discovered my iron distances more from playing than the range. I really am not sure about the balls at my range and if they are limited, I tried googling for Pinnacle Practice balls and nothing came up about that. So, I've come to use my GPS a lot to measure shots and get a pretty good idea for distances. I spend pretty much all my range time with the 8 iron up through the 60*, using designated targets.

The golf balls at my range actually say "limited distance" on them. I asked the marshall who I know and he said that they are 70% distance balls, but that doesn't make sense to me. If I calculate what I'm hitting at the range vs. what my actual distances are on the course are less than the math if I try to convert my range yardage. For example, I hit my 7i 165 yards on the course, but at the range with the limited flight ball, I'm hitting it 145. If you convert the 145 a

**timastyle** · August 19, 2010

The golf balls at my range actually say "limited distance" on them. I asked the marshall who I know and he said that they are 70% distance balls, but that doesn't make sense to me. If I calculate what I'm hitting at the range vs. what my actual distances are on the course are less than the math if I try to convert my range yardage. For example, I hit my 7i 165-170 yards on the course, but at the range with the limited flight ball, I'm hitting it 145. If you convert the 145 a

Sorry, my dog hit reply. So if you convert the 145 at 70% to it's 100%, it comes out to just over 207 (took me a while to remember how to cross multiply. Been a while). This is why I'm a little confused and wondering how much my swing changes have affected my yardages as I haven't played on a course for a few weeks.

**Blades4me** · August 19, 2010

I have a couple questions that I have been curious about since the last couple times I have been at the range, so I thought I would bounce it off of you all and see what the answers are.

#1--all range balls are made to be abused, so in turn they don't generate distance like regular balls. I've heard that, depending on the ball, are only 70-80% of the length of regular balls. So the only things I work on at the range are rhythm, tempo & alignment. It is much better to know the distances your clubs generate with your ball than to know your range distances. LOL, last time I checked we didn't post scores from the range.

#2--I have my alignment stick(s) I use for swing path, you can also use a club for this. Accuracy is always improtant. For the wt shift try putting a ball underneth your right foot, (if right handed, left foot if left handed) and swing. This will keep you from loading up and staying on your right leg and get you to come thur the ball better.

**timastyle** · August 19, 2010

#1--all range balls are made to be abused, so in turn they don't generate distance like regular balls. I've heard that, depending on the ball, are only 70-80% of the length of regular balls. So the only things I work on at the range are rhythm, tempo & alignment. It is much better to know the distances your clubs generate with your ball than to know your range distances. LOL, last time I checked we didn't post scores from the range.

What do you do when you're working on rythm and tempo? Any particular drills? I think some of my worst shots come from getting too jerky rather than smooth and flowing.

How do you use the alignment sticks to work on swing plane? I've tried putting a ball under my right foot, but my golf shoes are narrow so it basically puts my hole right foot off the ground. I think I need to get some sort of block that's not as tall as a golf ball to try that one out.

**golfro** · August 19, 2010

Sorry, my dog hit reply. So if you convert the 145 at 70% to it's 100%, it comes out to just over 207 (took me a while to remember how to cross multiply. Been a while). This is why I'm a little confused and wondering how much my swing changes have affected my yardages as I haven't played on a course for a few weeks.

i think you're taking the "70%" ball a little too literal...

**motteler621** · August 19, 2010

i think you're taking the "70%" ball a little too literal...

yea i agree. Your not going to hit a club 207 that you hit on the range 145. To me the most your going to pick up is 10 yards if your lucky

**golfro** · August 19, 2010

You really sjhouldn't be trying to calculate distance with limited flight balls.

the whole 70% thing is just something they say but there is a lot of inconsistencies with range ball distance, especially limited flight. I'd say for the most part, for irons, you can see a 20 yard difference...but again, don't try to calculate that.

**Zeph** · August 19, 2010

It depend on the balls and how well you hit it.

In any case, I would not use distance on the range as guideline for your on course distances. Also, 70% sounds like too much really. For me, it seems like I reach a peak with the balls, at which point I can't hit it any farther, even though the sound and feel of a shot is better. I'm using the feelings, sound and initial takeaway as guidelines moreso than the actual distance. I hit some shots today with my normal swing, then worked on some things which I know will give me more distance. I could see from the ball flight that it was a much better shot, but the ball didn't fly much farther. Kinda hard to see on this range though.

If you play golf regulary, it should not take long to figure out how far you usually hit it. Make sure you find out how far you got to the flag, center of the green etc. and note which club you hit. If your ballstriking is not consistent, you will experience some shots going 10-20 yards longer than others. There is a risk and reward with going for the good shot every time. I often hit a club that will be short if I don't hit it well. Not because I'm stubborn (or perhaps a little), but because I don't want to have a mindset on the shot where a mishit will give me the best result. I might hold back and not ever get consistent with the good shot. If I have a club I know I can reach the green with on a perfect strike, I have to give it all I got to get there.

When I'm hitting the ball well, I can juice up the shots. If I'm using a club or two less, I don't want to hit it perfect, since I'll just fly the green with it. I'd rather be short when I mishit and always go for the good shot. That said, if you hit the 7i 130 yards 90% of the time, you are probably better off hitting it all the time from 130 yards. If you work on the swing, you are bound to get better in time.

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