The Range

[spidermanning]

I have a question for you guys about the range.  I have most of tomorrow off and would like to go spend at least a few hours hitting balls.  I played last night and had a lot of frustration with my game due to inconsistency, and feel I need to just go hit balls for a while to work some things out.

So my questions to you guys is, what do you do on the range when you practice to keep it challenging and interesting?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t love going to the range, but after about an hour I start to either want to go out on the course or call it.  I’m curious what others do to keep themselves in it.

[CuppedTin]

Originally Posted by spidermanning

I have a question for you guys about the range.  I have most of tomorrow off and would like to go spend at least a few hours hitting balls.  I played last night and had a lot of frustration with my game due to inconsistency, and feel I need to just go hit balls for a while to work some things out.

So my questions to you guys is, what do you do on the range when you practice to keep it challenging and interesting?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t love going to the range, but after about an hour I start to either want to go out on the course or call it.  I’m curious what others do to keep themselves in it.

I don't believe in going to the range and just hitting balls. I believe in studying (your/my) swing and then going to the range with a plan, never ever go to the range just to hit balls. Go to the range with a specific thing to work on and do not EVER deviate from that plan.

[carpediem4300]

I just spent an hour at the range but only hit 60 balls, the thing i focus in most is a repeatable swing, especially as i have just switched to stack and tilt, ive been taking 4 to 5 practice swing, ibserving the divots then try and replicate this Once ibe hit a few balls i play a mental round on the range, i.e hit driver....then 9 iron.....then a wedge and so on

[nevets88]

Sometimes I start with woods instead of short irons. Half swings just past P2 (shaft parallel to ground), half tempo, knockdowns because I need those for recovery shots, an occasional hard swing, flying wedges, preset weight. Switch clubs between every swing - fairway wood, 5I, wedge, 3I, 7I, 4I, 9I, 3I, etc...  I also switch between different sets of irons.

[CuppedTin]

Originally Posted by carpediem4300

I just spent an hour at the range but only hit 60 balls, the thing i focus in most is a repeatable swing, especially as i have just switched to stack and tilt, ive been taking 4 to 5 practice swing, ibserving the divots then try and replicate this

Once ibe hit a few balls i play a mental round on the range, i.e hit driver....then 9 iron.....then a wedge and so on

I have a friend that plays on the mini tours and he does this exact thing. He basically plays a full 18 holes at the driving range. I think the range can be the worst thing if not done correctly, I have yet to see a hole that is 300 yards wide by 600 yards long...

Here is what I suggest. I buy only (1) bucket and I spend 1 hour on the chipping range doing shots up to 40 yards. Then I pick those balls up and play 18 holes on the range taking practice swings as mentioned above...

[carpediem4300]

I must be doing something right haha I need to work on my chipoing and putting game immensley I see whay you mean about fairway with, i aim for a yardage marker like the 200 or 250 and allow 30 yardd either side of.that for a half decent drive, any further and i know im flirting with my imaginary bunkers and rough

[spidermanning]

I like the idea, I’ve thought about doing that before.  Pretend the range is an 18 hour course and approach it as such.  That way you are continuously switch up your clubs and targets just as if you were on the course.

A side question to this, for when I am out on the range tomorrow does anyone have a good drill to help improve ball striking?  I know the one comment was pick one thing and focus on that while on the range.  My biggest issue right now is hitting the ball consistently.  I quite often I hit fat or even thin shots.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Timmy]

Interesting.  This is something I'll definitely have to try.  Thanks for the idea guys, the 18 hole range round sounds like a much better time than simply drilling over how bad I'm hitting one certain club at the time.  Makes you change, constantly adjust, and focus on the next "shot".  Brilliant!