at the range

[rusty35]

general question:  when going to the range, do you always have something specific you are working on that day, or do you methodically work through your bag?

I will tend to start with something easy to hit that helps me to warm up, usually an 8 or 7 iron.

>step down 2 clubs and hit 6 or 5

>hit some 4 irons.

>back up to either pitching wedge or gap wedge (mainly to help tempo)

>hit some drivers and/or 3w

>back to some scoring clubs at intermediate targets to finish the bucket

>finally off to the putting green and I usually play a game with a buddy to keep competition stress high

that is a decent lunch hour for me.

what is your routine?  or do you have one?  Do you always go to the range with a specific thought(s)?

[Osnola]

I start with a 9i for probably a fourth of a large bucket of balls.  Will hit my 3w about 8-10 times then hit wedges for maybe a quarter of the bucket.  I finish up back at the 9i then off to the putting green for about 30 mins. then I am done...

[MrDC]

I used to work through the bag but not anymore, I've actually been dialing back my range time altogether, used to be there frequently but now feel it's better to just go a little, range mats are bad practice IMO, but when I do go it's like this-

Start with 4 iron and try to get that going, I'm not a believer in starting short, I actually don't even hit many short clubs on mats anymore because it's all about hitting down with those and mats don't help that at all.

Once the 4 is working I'll go down to a 7-8 for a few and then it's driver time.

I don't like waiting to hit driver, I want max energy for that club so the sooner the better, also driver is the best practice one will get at the range with mats.

Then it's hybrid and 3W.

For the most part I don't hit many balls at all though, mostly just swing mechanic practice, when I do hit balls it's all about the long balls that require a neutral swing though, and driver, always looking to hit a target down range.

[saevel25]

general question:  when going to the range, do you always have something specific you are working on that day, or do you methodically work through your bag?

Yes,

When I practice I am working on the piece that my instructor has told me to work on. I know trying to change my swing will take a lot of time to make it 2nd nature for play on the course.

If I was to go through my bag, I would try to hit balls like I am playing a course. Hit driver, then an iron, maybe a pitch. Go back to driver, hit another iron and so on. Maybe imagine I need to hit a cut, or draw, or maybe a low shot.

I never work through my bag just so I can hit every club.

My 6 has been hit way more often than any club in my bag because it's the one I use to practice with. Then my driver is next, followed by my 56 degree wedge. Besides that my other clubs rarely come out on the range.

[DaveP043]

Friday after work (and before happy hour) is my normal "practice" session, so this is on my mind today.  I'm not trying to change anything, so my practice time is generally intended to reinforce the basics.  I work on setup and alignment, using clubs on the ground.  I work on easing tension before the swing, starting in my grip and extending a feeling of relaxation through my arms, shoulders, back.  I try to reinforce one swing thought, recently its been starting the forward downswing movement with my legs and hips, and letting my arms, hands, and club follow along.

I always do a few stretches first, aimed at legs, torsion in my back, and shoulders.  I warm up with shorter clubs, thinking of the keys I noted above: alignment, pre-swing relaxation, and one swing thought.  Most of my real "practice" at full speed is done with a longer iron, 4 to 6.  I make a few driver and wedge swings mixed in, but mostly with the longer iron.  I don't practice for real long, I find that my attention span is maybe 40 minutes or so.  After that, its just exercise.  I usually get one beer from the tavern, take it to the range to sip slowly.  When the beer is gone, practice is over.

I'll usually spend 10 minutes or so putting, divided about equally between longer putts for distance feel, and shorter putts to reinforce alignment, stroke, and the knowledge that I WILL make them on the course.  Again, I'm not trying to make changes, just maintenance.