Do you go to the practice range before every round?

[mmoan2]

For public course golfers like myself, there are not as many possibilities to hit balls before you play, unless it is offsite. I normally stretch and take a few practice swings, but not much more before playing. However, when I do get the opportunity to hit balls before a round, I only hit a few shots before going to the putting green.

The history I have with hitting more than a few balls is that I shoot more scores above my average than below. I don't think it is loss of focus. I feel if I hit too many balls, new swing thoughts creep into my head that I try on the course, often to my detriment.

Definitely agree with this. When I warm up now, it's just to get loose and see the ball flight of a few shots from different clubs. I may have one overarching swing thought present, but that's it. I usually do the old AW/8i/6i/4i/3hy/3w/D thing hitting about 3 or 4 shots with each. I'll mix a few low punch shots and major-league fades/draws just to have that memory there.

[bradsul]

Never.  I play 4-5 times per week so I just stretch to loosen up and take some practice swings.  Half the courses I play don't have a range and I couldn't be bothered to take the time anyway.

I used to always hit a small bucket when I only played once per week, but I play enough now it doesn't seem to matter one way or the other.

[WUTiger]

I do some dynamic stretches when I first get to the course, and then I hit some chips and putts and warm-up shots.

I have an arthritic right hip, I need to hit about 20 full shots to really get loose. It's easier to get loose from May through August because the weather is warm.

If I'm going to a course without a practice range, I'll pull some plastic wiffle balls out of the trunk and hit those around before tee-off.

[iacas]

I'm surprised. I've found that warming up too much can become an issue, but as an expert, would you recommend warming up with putting, short game, and full swings before a round if you have the time?

I'd probably spend 10 minutes hitting some shots, starting with some little pitch shots and working up to a few drivers over that time.

Then hitting putts for five minutes. Chip or pitch a few if possible to see how firm the greens are. Then play. 30 minutes or so would be a longer warmup.

Is it a preference thing that varies from person-person, in your experience?

Yeah, it can be. Some players need to actually stretch, work on their knees, etc. when they're warming up. I can still just head to the first tee, make some swings, and go.

Do PGA Tour pros vary greatly on this point?

Most of them have about a 45-minute to a one-hour routine.

[Fourputt]

Never any more.  I used to do my warm up on the chipping green, but my new courses don't have them.  I've never been one to spend time on the range, even when I worked at the course with 50 grass hitting bays and got unlimited range balls.  When I go to play golf, I want to play golf.  Batting balls on the range is a total bore to me, so I just don't bother.

The one exception is when I play with my brother.  He always wants to hit a few balls, and since the courses we play together often have free range balls included in the green fees, I'll sometimes hit 10 or 12 balls just to pass the time until he's ready to go to the putting green.  It never seems to make the least bit of difference in how I play on the course if I do it or not.    I usually hit my best shots on the first 2 or 3 range balls, then it goes down from there, so I figure why waste them.

[twkca]

If range balls are free then yes, but no more than 8 full swings with any club. There are fun drills that I do that include hitting the ball but only 1/2 swing. If no free balls, I pitch, chip, and putt and take a few easy swings with driver slowly increasing arc, then I put the cover on and do it again, then lastly again with the cover off.

[saturday]

If range balls are included I definitely like to get out a bit earlier just to loosen up. Some of the range prices are so high for a tiny bucket of balls here it's not worth it. I'll hit a wedge, 7 iron, 4 iron, hybrid and a couple drives, been like that since I was a kid. Then head off to putt a tiny bit.

[Uncle Peter]

Chipping and putting practice for sure and occasionally a small bucket of balls if I have some extra time.

[Jeremie Boop]

Depends on where I'm playing and how much time I have. I prefer to warm up, but it's not always feasible.

[The Recreational Golfer]

Some of the courses I play don't have a practice area. Other times, when I go out by myself for a quick nine, I get loose at home before heading to the course. Other than that, I'll hit 25 balls or so before I play.

[Golfingdad]

Whenever it's feasible I do, but certainly not always.  (So I voted no)  The range I always practice at is a 10 minute shuttle ride from the course, so when I'm actually playing there, I never bother.  Also, if I'm playing super early in the morning, 30 extra minutes of sleep is way more valuable than warming up to me.

Otherwise, though ... yeah, I will warm up whenever I can.

[Scotsclaff]

I'm teeing off in a couple of hours,won't bother with the range.

10 mins on the practice green.

[tefunk]

I like to have 15-20 mins to loosen up via static & dynamic stretching, hit about 20 balls, hit a dozen chips and a dozen putts.

[AmazingWhacker]

Nope.  I either play or I go to the range . .but never both.  I used to golf with a "serious golfer" every now and again.  One time he paid for us both to play a really nice course and insisted we go to the range first . .who was I to say "no"?  I didn't find it helpful at all.

But you have to consider the circumstances and the golfer.  I couldn't care less if I shoot 88 or 90 or 95.  I enjoy golf but I'm not a "serious golfer".  When I was shooting 120+, I was really motivated to get better.  As my scores dropped into the 90's, though . .I stopped caring.  I go out on the course, I hit some good shots and some bad ones.  I took a look into the mirror of truth . . I'm in my 40's . .I might be as good as I'll ever be and I'll certainly never be good enough to impress anybody . . . .maybe I could work really hard and get into the mid to low 80's . .but who cares?

I still go to the range a lot - but not to practice . .I just like to hit balls.

[mailman]

It all depends on what I'm doing. If I'm playing a social round with the lads then I'll just hop on the putting green (mainly to take the p1ss out of the lads as they miss putts:) and then walk straight on to the first tee. On the other hand if it's a big tournament or a knock out match then I'll spend time on the range getting warmed up and stretching muscle groups etc so that I don't hit the first tee cold! Regards Mailman

[PooN]

If I have enough time, yes.  On the nicer course, almost always.  Regardless, I always chip and putt on the practice green for 10 minutes or so.