Range vs. Course

[treebound]

The courses in your area are probably fairly pricy so I'll suggest an angle to try.

Pick up one of those golfball shagbags that hold 50-100 balls with the tube on the bottom, round up a bunch of balls, and head out to the desert or the perimeter area of a business park after hours and do your practicing there. You might be able to practice more, hit an area on the way home or on the way to work for 15-30 minutes. Take a walk at lunch with your wedge and 3 balls and practice pitch shots.

Also if one of the courses you play have a practice area for putting or bunkers or wedges you might be able to use those without cost if the course allows it.

Once you've got your swing under control I'd vote for playing more.

[Mathew]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

My monthly golf budget allows me to either hit the range once a week and play 18 holes once. I found a executive course (mentioned above) that has a twilght rate that is a great deal ($20 after 2pm, with it light out until 7:30pm now I get play it after work, on the Saturdays that I have to work). Playing that course twice a month with no weekly range only increases my budget by $5, and I still get to play a full 18 par 72 course once a month. I was thinking that playing 3 times a month might get my on course game to improve. I probably should have stated all this in the original post. That info along with my off the tee issues, would that change anyones mind that I need to work more at the range or keep up the 3 rounds a month?

[Chief Broom]

I don't know what your options are regarding available courses, but I would recommend looking for the lowest cost course and walking (thus saving the cart fees). Where I live there are a lot of low cost courses where you can join for $50-60 a month (or less) and play as much as you'd like (walking). Doing something like this can allow you to get out and play 9 prior to work (say teeing off at 6:30 or 7), during lunch, or after work. You can mix that all up and not take away from time with the family, the job, and doing necessary stuff around the house (not to mention working in practice time).

[Woodtek]

I have to say that I'm supprised at the play VS range leaning towards play. Some other forums stress "range time". For once I'm in the majority. I find it fairly easy to start groving a swing on the range while actually playing I never know what kind of leave I'm hitting from. I vote for play .

[Teklabz]

I have to say that I'm supprised at the play VS range leaning towards play. Some other forums stress "range time". For once I'm in the majority. I find it fairly easy to start groving a swing on the range while actually playing I never know what kind of leave I'm hitting from. I vote for play

I second that, with your new info from your latest post Mathew, especially if your ranges nearby have mats instead of grass, there's just such a huge difference.

Edit: actually what I'd do is a combination. One month play three rounds, take notes, even if just mental ones. The next month play just one round, toward the end of the month and after a few sessions at the range working on what you made note of from your rounds. See if what you've worked on at the range translates to the course. Hopefully, to some degree, it does, then the next month back to the course neglecting the range. That's what I'd do I'm thinking!

[Mathew]

Edit: actually what I'd do is a combination. One month play three rounds, take notes, even if just mental ones. The next month play just one round, toward the end of the month and after a few sessions at the range working on what you made note of from your rounds. See if what you've worked on at the range translates to the course. Hopefully, to some degree, it does, then the next month back to the course neglecting the range. That's what I'd do I'm thinking

Thats a great idea. I can take my course play from April and work on what I need to work on at the range in May, then back to the course's in June and so on. I like that. THANKS!

[kyle92]

On the course as much as possible

[jamo]

It depends on what you are looking to improve. If you go to the range with a purpose, to get better, and use the short game area or putting green, do that. But if you are more worried about improving course management and experience, play more on the course.

I would lean more towards the range heavy option just because there are more days when you are playing. About 5-6 versus 3.

[Brant17]

Playing will help you learn to score...

Unless you have a very consistant swing I would stay away from the range and just play. Sometimes the range can get you thinking to much and you will create even more bad habbits. The range is a great place for consistnant players to work on little things. Most amatures will just go to the range and hack! Stay on the course as much as possible...

[BonoVox]

I am at a period where I am trying to get better after a multi year layoff. I am playing once to sometimes twice a week. I try to hit the range at least 3 to 4 days (I live 2 minutes from course and bought a range card that should last me all Summer). I am also taking lessons. Most my range time is grooving in with the drills the pro taught me.

For me right now it is about getting my ball striking and tee shots up to a consistent level. Once I do that, it will be playing on the course and short game practice mostly going forward.