Other ways to practice besides driving range/course?

[JJLinn]

Hey guys, I was wondering if any of you could recommend alternative ways to practice besides the driving range or the course.

The reason I'm asking is because my local driving range sucks. They have grass tees but never open them, and I hate hitting off the mats. The stupid rubber tees make it literally impossible for me to hit my driver. I shank or top every single shot off of the damn things, yet I hit the club fine when I'm at the course swinging the same way. Any suggestions?

[James_Black]

I practice chipping in the back of my garden chipping from either end of the garden.
I practice putting in my house with a putt returner.

You could get a net and hit golf balls into it.
You could get foam balls that will curve left and right like a normal ball but only travel 30 yards.
and there's probably a load of other things to do aswell.

[The Road Dog]

Check with your local park district, some have designated golf practice fields. You might be lucky.

[Fore-Play]

I use to go to a playground after 9;00 P.M. at the local elementary school to practice shooting out of the sandbox/bunker. The night janitor was a good friend of mine and would turn on the lights for me.

[JJLinn]

Check with your local park district, some have designated golf practice fields. You might be lucky.

There's a few no golfing signs posted, sadly.

I use to go to a playground after 9;00 P.M. at the local elementary school to practice shooting out of the sandbox/bunker. The night janitor was a good friend of mine and would turn on the lights for me.

Haha, that's awesome.

The bad things about my backyard are that 1) it's not level anywhere and 2) it's littered with dog crap, so I'm afraid I'll either step in it or hit balls into it.

[holeinon3]

Get a net or a bucket and just chip balls into it.

[WUTiger]

The last two pros who gave me lessons both emphasized motion drills to groove your swing.

Some you do in front of a mirror, others indoors without mirror, still others in your yard.

Also, I close-mow some areas in the back yard. After I mow at normal level, I drop the mower down to low level. I have a close-cut rectangular box at the north end - fairway/teebox grass - and an oval "green" at the south end. If I work on chips and pitches inside 25 yards in my little set-up, I get several up-and-down pars next time I play.

Most of us would be better off if we practiced something specific for 20 minutes five days a day than if we beat balls at the range for 2 hours once a week. (Some weeks I'm dedicated, other weeks that 20 minutes never gets done).

[Koth]

I practice putting daily on my living room carpet. It has made a pretty big difference in my putting stroke, and made me a lot more comfortable on the green. I just do it while watching tv or something.

Plus, my cat loves chasing the balls, so she has some fun out of it too.

[Tow3l]

You could also get a little creative. If you have a fence in the backyard you could just hang an old carpet or something on it and hit into that. Although, you won't be able to clearly see what your hitting exactly... whether it be a hook, slice, etc.