Drivers at the range should be banned.

[James_Black]

As a owner of a VERY loud sounding driver I know how irritating the noise can be.
Why is it at the driving everybody automatically takes out the driver?
20 people hitting a driver at once makes it pretty hard to concentrate......

Anybody else think they should be banned?

[trog2233]

Really? haha no sorry I dont think it should be banned. I never found it to be that loud or annoying? I'm also sure alot of the driving range customers go there just to hit a driver. Most people wont even get an iron out of their bags.

[Bullitt5339]

And I think that those little gnats that buzz in my face in the middle of the summer should be banned from the golf course.............

I think noise around you while you're practicing is good, it conditions you to block out things happening and still make good shots. But then we couldn't blame the guys whispering behind us when we're on the tee box for that horrible slice we put into the trees anymore, so maybe that wouldn't work.

[Ignorant]

Buy ear plugs if you cannot bear the noise. Or visit driving range at night

[ControlJunkie]

Ok, so then where should one be allowed to hit the driver? On the course only?

The driver is one club a number of players struggle with. So what, then, is your suggestion for practicing with the driver and getting in lots of repetition? The course isn't the best place because then groups behind that player get held up.

I mean, come on, think about what you're saying here.

[Tiger Spuds]

Yeah.. Drivers being a fundamental part of the game, and one of the hardest clubs to hit straight, obviously people will want to practise with it a lot.Banning them would be a bit mental, and as a result everyone would be useless with it come your round at the weekend!

I do agree however that people maybe shouldn't take it out straight away and start bashing balls.I believe it's a massive help to start with a wedge or short iron and work your way up.That way you're warmed up when you get to driver and swinging easier.I've seen people go with the driver first a few times, spray it all over the place, get frustrated and have a terrible session.

[sean_miller]

I could be dead wrong, but I think if somebody has properly warmed up, and gone through all other clubs in the bag, they shouldn't need to hit more than a handful of balls with their driver. I'd say they're an absolute beginner, they're working on something, or they don't have the right driver. I guess those three groups would include a lot of people.

[parplease]

I don't mind the noise. I had a guy next to me at the range with his kids telling them to be quiet. I turned and said it's the driving range, make as much noise as you want kids. I just hate when people go to the range looking for absolute quiet like they are warming up for the PGA.

If you don't want to hear anything, wear an ipod.

[colin007]

I don't mind the noise. I had a guy next to me at the range with his kids telling them to be quiet. I turned and said it's the driving range, make as much noise as you want kids. I just hate when people go to the range looking for absolute quiet like they are warming up for the PGA.

this. the range is not the course.

[jamo]

Ummm, no? Why would you ban drivers? Most people (in general, this forum is no where near a representative sample) hit their driver worse than any other club. I actually kind of like the sound, except the sound of Nike SUMOs. The square ones sound like they are made of tin, but I'm not going to tell anyone they can't hit them.

[James_Black]

Ummm, no? Why would you ban drivers? Most people (in general, this forum is no where near a representative sample) hit their driver worse than any other club. I actually kind of like the sound, except the sound of Nike SUMOs. The square ones sound like they are made of tin, but I'm not going to tell anyone they can't hit them.

guess you've never heard cobra drivers if you don't like Nike SUMO'S.

Honestly, I'm embarrassed to hit mine at the range.

[Par Fore]

I love my driver.....it's really loud, sounds like a golf cannon....thank you Mizuno!

Most people hit driver....drivers keep food on the plates of driving range owners.....and I'm not a big fan of banning anything....

Usually only hit driver on the last 10 or so balls in my bucket anyway.....this early in the season, I'm just trying to groove my 7 iron....

[parplease]

Ummm, no? Why would you ban drivers? Most people (in general, this forum is no where near a representative sample) hit their driver worse than any other club. I actually kind of like the sound, except the sound of Nike SUMOs. The square ones sound like they are made of tin, but I'm not going to tell anyone they can't hit them.

The new Dymo makes a lot less noise. I was afraid it would be as loud as the old ones, but it's fairly quiet compared to the old SQ 5900 and my cleveland driver. The Cleveland driver will give you tinnitus in a confined driving range booth.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Guys that come to the range with staff bags should be banned. Ironically, staff bag man and range pro are usually the same dude..

[jamo]

The new Dymo makes a lot less noise. I was afraid it would be as loud as the old ones, but it's fairly quiet compared to the old SQ 5900 and my cleveland driver. The Cleveland driver will give you tinnitus in a confined driving range booth.

Yeah, I'd agree with both of those.

[zeg]

I could be dead wrong, but I think if somebody has properly warmed up, and gone through all other clubs in the bag, they shouldn't need to hit more than a handful of balls with their driver. I'd say they're an absolute beginner, they're working on something, or they don't have the right driver. I guess those three groups would include a lot of people.

I see this sort of sentiment a lot, but I really don't understand it. At some point, you have to practice with the driver. I just got a new one and it's taking some time to find how to hit the sweet spot since it's very different from my old one. There's no way I'm going to work this out other than by spending a bit of focused effort on that club. Sure, it's clear that the driver is not the most important club for your score, so spending all your time bashing it mindlessly is not a good recipe for success, but it certainly is important to be able to hit it.

I guess this falls into the "working on something" category you mention, and now that I re-read your post, maybe you're not saying there's anything wrong with it. Sorry if that's the case, but I do see the sentiment expressed by the original post in any case. So anyway, I have no problem with drivers at the range. Sorry if you don't like the sound, but that's life. Get some earplugs. If you can't keep your driver near your own fairway, go practice on the range to kill your slice or hook. It's a lot safer and more likely to be productive.

[chilly]

A buddy of mine was bitching about my Hibore XL being loud while I was warming up next to him, I called him a few choice names and kept ripping drives. It's a driving range, not church.

[thenormankid]

That's why when it's packed at the driving range I usually use my Ipod due to bad advice and to much unnecessary noise rather hear good music in its place.