Stupid driving range!

[Soup Fan]

I think I might be putting my driver back in my bag because of the range today. I decided to give it a whirl and I hit it really well (relatively speaking) and I feel like I may be able to hit it with some effectiveness now. The only time that I sliced it was when I pulled my head out or overswung, both things which I have been working on not doing. I also pulled some straight left, although they weren't hooking...just dead straight and left. The bulk were either high and slightly fading or some were just dead straight (even hit the 250 marker twice!).

Either way, they felt controllable, but things tend to go completely differently when I actually get out on the course.

I think what I need to do is bring it with me and learn to control my temptation to bust it out on every par 4 and 5.

[MrSandman]

There are three approaches I take at the range:

1. Warming up, getting loose, making contact with the ball. Usually before a round. Not working on anything, not trying anything new, just swinging and getting the clubface on the ball.

2. Working on my swing. If I'm hooking the ball, why? Try to throw out some fades, mix it up. Try a new swing technique, etc....

3. Attempting to simulate on course pressure. See the thread on Practice Techniques from last week if you want to know some of the drills I do. But, something I do not do is simply pound balls during this time. I will take a few seconds between each swing, etc...

You might want to try a little bit of #3. Try to hit 1 shot at a time, don't cruise through a bucket.


Also, in regard to the driver, I do this a lot:
- Hit 10 good drives. At my range, there is a deep net 200 yds out, about 40 yds wide, I make sure I hit 10 balls into that net in the air. Not the perfect swing, but a shot that would be acceptable on the course.

Sometimes this may take 15 shots. Sometimes this may take 20 shots. Heck, it may take 30 shots if I'm swinging poorly.

Do not just stand up there and pound the shots. Hit no more than 2 at a time. Keep a loose account of how many it takes you to get to 10 good ones.

This will do a few things for you:
1. It will get you hitting good drives. Even on my worst swinging days, I do reach 10 good ones, and I am generally swinging better by the end.
2. It will get you accustomed to the pressure of counting your hit (as opposed to just beating balls).
3. Expectations. Pay attention to your percentage. If it takes you 20 shots to hit 10 good drives, when you hit a bad one on the course just realize that is within your realm of percentages. If I throw out a bad snapper, I don't get pissed, I realize that in my 10 good drive session I will always have at least 1 snapper, the percentages are in favor of me having at least one on the course during a round (just hope it stays in play and I can salvage the hole).

[marpr]

There are three approaches I take at the range:

Good call.

i totally agree!

[MunkeyGolfer]

I always hate going to the driving range. The saying, "leaving the good ones on the driving range" is totally me. I can hit my driver nicely on the driving range but moving over to the course I am just not consistent. I will have to try MySandman's tips.

[ks8829]

A friend once told me not to be afraid of any club in your bag including your driver.

The driving range is fine but I notice that if I work on my tempo and pitching to 30 yards on a grassy field it helps me before I play a round more than hitting a large bucket of range balls.