I'm a Range Super Star

[Mr. Desmond]

Great advice! I do know that I have a tendency to lose focus during my round and that is something I definitely need to work on. I know it cost me quite a few strokes through out my round. But I do also need to work at the range on better preparing to play then just hitting balls at the range. I also think I worry too much about scoring than just playing the game and focusing on each individual shot. My goal is to break 80, and I think I focus on that more than my actual play. Again more mental than anything I think a lot of the time when it comes to my game, but again, I think I need to prepare better as well.

I am with you ... trying to break 80 again .... this time consistently.

[MrDC]

This is easy, at the range you get a perfect lie on the mat, it's practically teed up, also you stand on perfectly level ground.

On the course even a fairway lie is down a bit, it's not as good as a mat, and it's rarely level, even a small change in grade back/forth/sideways can cause all sorts of issues with a swing, you have to learn how to feel and adjust to those things.

And then there's the first swing issue, at the range how often can you grab a club and hit it well on the first offer? does it take a few to get going? you only get one on the course, also you're warmed up and swinging at the range, on the course you could be waiting 5 minutes before the next hit, try that at the range and see if you hit a 5i well on the first swing.

That's pretty much it, being relaxed at the range helps a lot too.

[Dave2512]

Also "good" shots on the range could be "bad" shots on the course. You have no way of knowing that 15 yard push that lands safe in the range wouldn't have landed behind a tree or something on the course. It looks okay even if it's not your typical shot because it's landing in a large flat area. Our range is probably 4x wider than the widest fairway and 5x wider than the biggest green. Everything but worm burners and really bad shots look half decent.

I laser everything and hit to those targets on the range. If I am hitting driver or longer clubs to simulate a fairway target I pick a start line and try to land it between to target poles/flags to get a picture if I am really doing what I think I am. I usually pick a target and then put something in front of me to see if my ball is starting where I want it to and landing in the right spot. When we use FlightScope it's always revealing to see how erratic the scatter really is. Even tossing the really bad shots out the pattern isn't as tight as it looks to the eye.

[mvmac]

I think u might be right that I'm probably not preparing at the range the way I should. I think I am also trying to do scenarios but I know I'm not. I do think I have mental lapses during my round though as well.

Yeah I think we all do, even the pros. Just work more on creating on-course scenarios when you practice or games where something is on the line.

[Lihu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeGotGame

I think u might be right that I'm probably not preparing at the range the way I should. I think I am also trying to do scenarios but I know I'm not. I do think I have mental lapses during my round though as well.

Yeah I think we all do, even the pros. Just work more on creating on-course scenarios when you practice or games where something is on the line.

This is the biggest benefit I see in training for the Combine test. If I'm going to spend $$$ on this evaluation and time on the Trackman, I'd better have the best possible swing I can produce at this time.

[vangator]

Someone posted about being loose on the range versus the course. Lately I've really concentrated on being loose for my shots, both on the range and on the course. I usually always hit a small bucket before I play. Partly to warm up and then to get the right feel for my swing. I work on tempo, starting the ball at my target and shot shape. I actually hit the ball better on the course than the range probably because I concentrate more I'm more deliberate. I think most golfers tense up on the course. Work on getting loose. I won't make my swing until the tension is gone from my hands and arms. I used to do a drill where I would keep my index fingers straight (not wrapped around the grip). This would force me to only grip the club with my 3 lower fingers. The thumb and index fingers act like pinchers. Haven't needed to do that in a while. I played as a single yesterday and followed this twosome that was just terrible. One guy had a death grip on his driver and tried to hit it 400 yards every swing. I doubt he broke 120. I got into a nice groove and shot 69 yesterday. Putting was still off but my ball striking was the best it's been all year.