Higher handicaped, driving range hero. Not so good on the course: Tips?

[SQ Bimmer]

I think one of the biggest problems for higher handicapped players such as myself is that once we get off the nice cushy mats and perfect lie hitting surfaces, we choke when playing on a course where our feet may not be on perfectly smooth ground. We might have one foot on a root, and another on wet grass. Our ball might be sitting on hard pan dirt rather than the nice fluffy fairway.

Any suggestions for us hackers to translate what we have learned on the driving range to a not so perfect course? I want to know how I should be hitting the ball out of the following lies:

1) HARD ground, very short or NO grass
2) Divot
3) Shot on top edge of steep bunker, no way to take a "normal" stance
4) Unmaintained rough, grass 6" plus
5) Ball in sand, directly under lip, impossible to get it over
6) Ball next to tree, tree is where your arms would be
7) Semi muddy ground, balance and how to strike ball
8) Sitting on sprinkler head

If people want to add 9), 10), etc to your posts to discuss other trouble spots, feel free. I know there are a LOT of possible trouble spots on the course, and believe me, I have probably found most of them and did not know what to do!

[Supermanwoot]

1) gotta really come down on the ball and compress it and get a clean shot.
2) same thing except result will probably not work out anyway.
3) your screwed just putt it away and chip.
4) just hit it into a fairway as hard as you can. Dont expect any magic with 6" grass.
5) Thats a ridiculous scenario. Try to pick it as clean as possible (my recomendation with ALL bunker shots, I'm good out of sand but thats about it).
6) Hit it lefty? Or punch or POSSIBLY unplayable lie rule
7) pick it clean. Letting your club hit the muddy ground is like suicide, act like its a bunker. a QUICKSAND BUNKER AHH!!!
8) Unplayable lie, take a drop, i believe the rule is one club length not closer to the hole.

I am a novice as well. You gotta understand some spots are not meant to be played from. They are basically a "youre screwed" situation and you need to make the best of it without losing another stroke. your goal should be to put the next shot in the best position possible to score. Good players avoid these situations via good shots. Us newbs are unable to control our shots so well and end up there sometimes. Gotta be creative BUT play the safe shot, youre not tiger and your in a bind, just punch out and regroup!

Keep in mind I'm a newb so I've been there plenty of times!

edit: usually I play better on the course. My novice buddies always say what the heck but its just different on the course, every shot counts and I try to hit it decent when I can. I dunno. driving range just doesnt matter so I just swing away.

[kjb008]

a lot of times when you go from the driving range to the course you don't use what you learned on the driving range because you don't trust that new concept and you revert to what you know and that is your old swing

[mc0388]

I think one of the biggest problems for higher handicapped players such as myself is that once we get off the nice cushy mats and perfect lie hitting surfaces, we choke when playing on a course where our feet may not be on perfectly smooth ground. We might have one foot on a root, and another on wet grass. Our ball might be sitting on hard pan dirt rather than the nice fluffy fairway.

Instead of going to the range to practice. Practice ON the golf course. Once a month play on a slow day and play 2 balls and don't keep score. Focus on staying relaxed on those difficult shots, visualize, and execute. It will translate easier into your scoring rounds...

PLUS, dont you get a free drop if on sprinkler head?

[FHopper]

It is reassuring to be able to go to the range and get reinvigorated by seeing yourself hit balls well. I am sorry if your range is not natural turf.
I have approached my recent emersion into golf with the thousand ball theory.
So far it has proven out. I hit about a thousand balls on ranges before I played a round. I was able to hit the ball most of the time.
The next 5 thousand balls are on the course and low and behold another plateau, the one where you are doing something constructive with your address (your 8 lie issues), and have increased your ball striking percentage. (I am closing in on that.) I figure the next plateau is probably at another 20000 balls, bogey golf. I figure the next plateau after that is more balls than I will hit.
I think you need to see it as time on task and get playing. I expect to play 36 tomorrow.

[mdl]

Instead of going to the range to practice. Practice ON the golf course. Once a month play on a slow day and play 2 balls and don't keep score. Focus on staying relaxed on those difficult shots, visualize, and execute. It will translate easier into your scoring rounds...

I WISH this were possible where I live. Outside working hours, there's nowhere in reasonable distance and reasonable prices where I could do this. I would love this...

[WUTiger]

5) Ball in sand, directly under lip, impossible to get it over

For this one, I would suggest taking an unplayable lie and one stroke penalty. Trying to hit a shot like this, you could:

* Break your club, AND/OR * Break your hand.

[ks8829]

You are right if you practice off range mats some fats shots will feel like good shots.

Hit off grass on your range if they offer this option or go to a grass area near the golf course and practice hitting off difference surfaces as you described most require ball back in your stance and hands forwards to ensure a hitting down motion for solid contact.

[SQ Bimmer]

I found a range I can hit off the grass! My community college has a range, and I am good friends with my old high school coach who teaches the golf class there and he lets me hit off the grass there during his class. In exchange, I help shag balls, demonstrate shots for students, etc. Man, some of these guys have no idea how to swing a golf club. lol

I am already noticing a difference. Just taking maybe 15 3 wood shots off the grass and I am a lot better at it. I can only imagine taking another 100 shots.

[DaSportsGuy]

Most of the ranges around here are grass. I don't go to ranges that use mats to try and keep myself from getting in bad habits.

[uttexas]

I see you have found a range with grass. Hit some balls there off of imperfect conditions.

Find a hitting area at that range with some slope or uneven lies (usually found at the ends of the range). Find a hitting area at that range riddled with divots.

Practice hitting out of divots, practice hitting sidehill, down hill, ball above your feet, below your feet. Practice these shots at the range, and you'll be more comfortable at the course.

Put some pressure on yourself at the range. Don't just hit balls with the same club over and over. Imagine you are playing 18 holes at the course you can remember well. Let's say the first hole is a long dogleg right par four. Hit driver. If you hit it well with a fade, then hit seven iron. If you hit it left and poorly, hit your four or five iron next. When you reach the imaginery green. Go to the next hole.