Best Bucket I've Ever Hit

[David Hillman]

I rarely, if ever, go to the range. Normally, I'd much rather get in a quick nine at my neighborhood par 3 than hit a bucket. When I do go, it's usually with my wife so I'm not concentrating on my game.

She bought me a TaylorMade Burner 3-wood for our anniversary and I played it for the first time Sunday evening. I haven't even carried a 3 in more than 10 years, so I had a lot of trouble adapting. I decided I needed to actually practice with it ;) Also, I haven't hit my driver straight in a couple years, except for a brief time last summer.

So I hit the range last night at 9, and only took those two clubs. Hit the first third with the driver, and just concentrated on getting my hands through, and I hit it great. Striped every one with the fade that I haven't yet really tried to tackle. Switched to the 3, and hit the first one dead straight but sky-high. Checked the club face, and had a strong imprint right at the top, and noticed I even chipped the paint on the top edge. I always tee the ball low, and have to search the range for the lowest tee, but even that was too high for the 3. I hit the rest of the bucket off the mat with the 3, and striped 'em. I even played around with my grip, which is usually disastrous. I found that by strengthening my grip, in fact rolling my right hand all the way under so that my palm faces up, I actually killed the fade and hit the 3 dead straight.

I was even noticing things I'd never noticed before, like the effect of moving my right foot back a couple inches, and to my surprise, I can actually see the club head and some of the shaft out of the corner of my left eye at the top. I didn't think I went that far anymore.

Anyway, it was good. Maybe I'll hit the range more often, 'specially since I hit the whole bucket in only 20 minutes ;)

[DDBowdoin]

I feel the same way about the range. Our local range is pretty nice, I guess. Somehow they rank driving ranges and this one was on the top 100 list. What makes it a top 100, who knows... who cares. But to get to the point, it's 11 dollars for a large bucket. I'd rather spend a little more and play 9 holes or whatever I can get in before it gets dark at my local track.

I'd be a range hound if I was a member at a club who had a grass range. There's really only one grass range around here and its nothing to write home about. I think mats are a complete waste of time.

[lhshurdl3r]

I feel the same way about the range. Our local range is pretty nice, I guess. Somehow they rank driving ranges and this one was on the top 100 list. What makes it a top 100, who knows... who cares. But to get to the point, it's 11 dollars for a large bucket. I'd rather spend a little more and play 9 holes or whatever I can get in before it gets dark at my local track.

agreed with the mats. i hate em. if i do end up at a range with mats and no grass tees, i'll just go off to the side and hit out of the rough with my irons. then just implant a tee of mine into the mat for my driver.

[rmgr]

My local range has grass tees but they're only open on weekends. That's kind of dumb in my opinion, since I hate mats too. The only good thing I like is that they have a second floor and I like hitting from the top because it just feels cooler. I still don't go very often simply because I like playing better.

[Mhinderaker]

Funnily enough, every single course near my house (probably about 10 within 20 minutes driving time) has grass ranges.

[Dent]

when its grass tees for the day, there is no grass left, its all divots and it is so hard to hit off, so at the range i cannot hit off grass, I love the mats.

[DDBowdoin]

the driving range near my house, McGolf in Dedham, MA was ranked as a top 100 driving range. about 4-5 years ago an investment group offered the owners 30 million for the range and they were turned away. It's such a profit machine, 11 for a large bucket and 7 for a regular. Very little overhead cost, maintaining the facility and the electricity to run the large lights. Labor... easy, they employ 3-4 adults who "run" the range and a number of minumum wage 15 year olds.

The only downfall of this facility is that they lack a grass section. The range is very large, consisting of two sections. I don't understand why they turn one side, or even a small section, into a members only grass range. I would definately be interested in spending 600 or whatever for unlimited range and bunker access.

[alf174]

The majority of driving ranges near me are grass and well kept (they move the line in order for sections to regrow). My favorite range replaces their balls every year or so, a bushel of 135 is $10, they have a tricky par-3 9-hole that is kept in good shape ($9 walk, $12 includes a cart), and they have punch cards that get you freebies every ten purchases. Competition is good for the consumer!

[David Hillman]

the driving range near my house, McGolf in Dedham, MA was ranked as a top 100 driving range. about 4-5 years ago an investment group offered the owners 30 million for the range and they were turned away. It's such a profit machine, 11 for a large bucket and 7 for a regular. Very little overhead cost, maintaining the facility and the electricity to run the large lights. Labor... easy, they employ 3-4 adults who "run" the range and a number of minumum wage 15 year olds.

Do you really think the business model for a range is that great? I'm betting the $30M was for the land, so they could build townhouses on it, or a strip mall.

Let's say they have 50 stalls and about 15 acres, which is an estimate of the range I was at last night. With every stall full they can gross up to $350/hour at $7/bucket. That's not bad, but I've never seen more than 20 people hitting there, and I drive by a lot. If they average 2/3rds of that, which they don't, it's ~$100/hour, or about $1000/day gross. Plus they have grass tees for $10/bucket, but hardly anyone uses them. Maybe they get $100/day. Expenses: 1 manager, 2-3 staff, figure $40/hour total. Electic bill to run the lights, etc. Upkeep, 15 acres to mow/trim plus equipment ( $300+/week ). Gas for the ball cart. Range balls. Liability insurance which is probably crazy. That's got to eat up $1100 pretty quick. Labor at $40/hr will be almost half that for a full day. Maybe your range is different, but I'd have grabbed the $30M and run ;)