From the range to the course...how do you take good practice sessions to the weekly round of golf?

[DAZinKC]

Just took some lessons for the first time in my life. They have really helped, when I practice at the range. I hit the ball crisply and can repeat it. When I play a round for real, I can't duplicate the range success. I lose the proper tempo and it kills the swing. I am always trying to hit the ball too hard.
How do you bring it from the range to the game?

[Gerald]

Go to the course late or early when it is quiet, hit a second ball with a 80% tempo with 1 iron longer after each shot ....... you will soon discover that a 80% shot with a longer iron will get you to par or bogey at least.

Most golfers take to short irons and try to hit theirs best shots time after time and at HC 25 you can not expect to be that accurate.

[JML22]

and they just take their longest iron and try to hit it randomly down the fairway
hit to a certain spot and hit into your money distances
so if you're good at 120 yards and in.... hit to 120 yards and in

[thrasher]

When you're on the course standing over the ball, think about the best shot you hit on the range with that club, and nothing else. You need positive mental imagery to make positive things happen...

[DAZinKC]

Thanks for the responses. I will try them all.
I know the good shots are in me, I just have to get them out when it counts.

[acegolfer]

If you are taking lessons, perhaps it's better not to go to the course before you are certain you ingrained a new muscle memory.

I was shooting around 90 in April. I practiced daily at the range for 4 weeks on new swing. I scored 78 on the first round after 4 week practice. Since then I started playing more and less practicing. I felt like I was going back to my old swing. Time to go to the range daily.

At the range, try to simulate a real condition as much as possible. I'd change the club for every swing. I'll set a target and go through the entire preshot routine for every shot. This may drive other people crazy, if they are waiting behind you.

[Rugger]

Thanks for the responses. I will try them all.

I hear you loud and clear. People I play with see me at the range before they see me on the course and they think I am a lot better than I really am. I have a hard time bringing it to the course, too. For me just relaxing is the best thing to do. Remember it's just a game and it's just one shot. Don't have 10 things running through your head about your swing. You should be thinking about your swing on the range, not on the course.

[socaltaoist]

Try focusing on your round as the main learning tool and your range sessions are there to ingrane swing thoughts/corrections/feelings. Instead of the range being your practice session to prepare for the course reverse the relationship and use the course as a practice tool to then go to the range and work on things.

[DAZinKC]

All great thoughts...thanks.
Golf is funny...trying not to think about thinking while not trying to try too hard.
I think I hit the ball best when I am able to focus on just hitting a spot on the ball. Just let everything else happen...