Range Time, Practice or Wait?

[Hacker James]

First off, I am not an ardent fan of the driving range.

I do realize the benefits of feedback relative to ball flight, distance e.t.c.  I do not like range time shortly before a round citing fatigue and other factors.

I am a anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new driver and anticipate the experience of trial run on the driving range. Meanwhile, I am hesitant to visit range with my current driver noting that there is nothing particularly wrong with but at the same time want to "get into a groove" before hitting a new driver. Does that make any sense? OTOH, hitting the range "cold" is akin to clearing the pallet as in wine tasting.

 

[David in FL]

1 minute ago, Hacker James said:

Does that make any sense?

 

No

[Hacker James]

7 minutes ago, David in FL said:

No

uh...Okay...at least I am consistent in that quite often what I say doesn't (except to me). 

[Patch]

I don't spend much tme on the range myself. Probably not enough time if I was truthful wth myself. My gripe is the range balls, and the inconsistencies when compared to my regular game balls. That, and rubber mats when real grass is not available.. 

However the the range does have it's place when using longer clubs, and when the short game area doesn't allow for enough room to use those longer clubs for a full swing.

If I were expecting a new club, or clubs, I wouldn't for go my my range time. I would keep practicing. The new club(s), I would hope would be per my my current swing specs. I would want to keep those swing spec as current as possible, for a better fit when the new club(s)arrive. 

[Hacker James]

2 minutes ago, Patch said:

 

If I were expecting a new club, or clubs, I wouldn't for go my my range time. I would keep practicing. The new club(s), I would hope would be per my my current swing specs. I would want to keep those swing spec as current as possible, for a better fit when the new club(s)arrive. 

yah, that is partly what I was referring to, but then again, I am fickle. Its nearly a moot point given   I don't like range time to begin with, but am also thinking I should get a little acquainted with new equipment prior to an actual round. I would hate to take 18 holes to finally figure things out.

 

[billchao]

52 minutes ago, Hacker James said:

First off, I am not an ardent fan of the driving range.

I do realize the benefits of feedback relative to ball flight, distance e.t.c.  I do not like range time shortly before a round citing fatigue and other factors.

I am a anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new driver and anticipate the experience of trial run on the driving range. Meanwhile, I am hesitant to visit range with my current driver noting that there is nothing particularly wrong with but at the same time want to "get into a groove" before hitting a new driver. Does that make any sense? OTOH, hitting the range "cold" is akin to clearing the pallet as in wine tasting.

I think you're overthinking it. If you use the range, go. If you don't, don't go. I like to try out a new club at the range, too, but I won't change my routine in anticipation of a new club's arrival.

[Hacker James]

1 hour ago, billchao said:

I think you're overthinking it. If you use the range, go. If you don't, don't go. I like to try out a new club at the range, too, but I won't change my routine in anticipation of a new club's arrival.

Probably.  Too much time on my hands.

[gregsandiego]

5 hours ago, Hacker James said:

First off, I am not an ardent fan of the driving range.

I do realize the benefits of feedback relative to ball flight, distance e.t.c.  I do not like range time shortly before a round citing fatigue and other factors.

I am a anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new driver and anticipate the experience of trial run on the driving range. Meanwhile, I am hesitant to visit range with my current driver noting that there is nothing particularly wrong with but at the same time want to "get into a groove" before hitting a new driver. Does that make any sense? OTOH, hitting the range "cold" is akin to clearing the pallet as in wine tasting.

 

It's an interesting piece of golfer self analysis - yet still somehow confusing. 

I get you are not sure if you should practice with old driver before taking the new driver out.
But not sure I understand, or even agree with your clearing the pallet metaphor.
 

 

5 hours ago, David in FL said:

No

Come on it makes some sense....

 

[Hacker James]

49 minutes ago, gregsandiego said:

It's an interesting piece of golfer self analysis - yet still somehow confusing. 

I get you are not sure if you should practice with old driver before taking the new driver out.
But not sure I understand, or even agree with your clearing the pallet metaphor.
 

 

Come on it makes some sense....

 

I dunno...I am prolly full of it...I guess my reasoning was to start fresh without having any influence feed over from the current driver. The wine tasting metaphor was more or less tongue in cheek...pun intended. 

[Dunit507]

I tend to only go to the range when I am going bad and lacking confidence. Prior to a round I try and hit no more than 20. Last time out 2 wedges, 2 8 irons and 6 drivers. Went out and played great. I certainly believe that you can tire yourself out if you over do it prior to a round. Never could I go out and hit the amount of balls the pros do before a round!

[DaveP043]

I think I'd continue my normal routine as much as possible.  I DO think that taking a few swings with a new club on the range, where it doesn't matter, is a good idea.  But I enjoy my range time, albeit in small doses (typically 45 minutes or less).  I continue to work on specific swing changes, and I can do that just fine with a mid-iron.  My normal practice session includes mostly those mid-irons, with maybe a half-dozen driver swings.  Same with my typical warm-up before playing.  The way I think of it, if you need to learn a new swing to go with your new driver, you bought the wrong driver.  So do whatever you normally do to maintain or improve your normal swing.

[Hacker James]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

  The way I think of it, if you need to learn a new swing to go with your new driver, you bought the wrong driver.  So do whatever you normally do to maintain or improve your normal swing.

yah, sounds about right. I do not expect much of a change or learning curve in the transition. The new driver appears similar. Current driver is 440 cc (Tour Edge XCG7 beta) and the new will be 443cc. appearance similar in shape weight distribution and COG probably won't change that much. Heck, had I not seen the Titleist the other day while playing, I would not have even thought about it, but as it were...got a little star struck. One good thing is that in the event I want another shaft adapter, there is a place near that makes them for all the top brands (Billy Bob's Golf) and I already have a couple or three shafts on hand. I also ordered the Titleist torque wrench and head cover just in case mine doesn't fit.

Edited September 6, 2018 by Hacker James

[Hacker James]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

I think I'd continue my normal routine as much as possible.  I DO think that taking a few swings with a new club on the range, where it doesn't matter, is a good idea.  But I enjoy my range time, albeit in small doses (typically 45 minutes or less).  I continue to work on specific swing changes, and I can do that just fine with a mid-iron.  My normal practice session includes mostly those mid-irons, with maybe a half-dozen driver swings.  Same with my typical warm-up before playing.  The way I think of it, if you need to learn a new swing to go with your new driver, you bought the wrong driver.  So do whatever you normally do to maintain or improve your normal swing.

also, I can work on swing from my at home set up which I have described ad nauseum.

[David in FL]

Although I admit my response was a bit tongue-in-cheek, it really doesn’t make any sense.

The new club will (hopefully) give improved performance, but with the same swing.  He’s not going to be changing his swing to somehow accommodate the new club.

There’s absolutely no reason not to continue to do whatever he’d like to do in the meantime.

[Hacker James]

14 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Although I admit my response was a bit tongue-in-cheek, it really doesn’t make any sense.

The new club will (hopefully) give improved performance, but with the same swing.  He’s not going to be changing his swing to somehow accommodate the new club.

There’s absolutely no reason not to continue to do whatever he’d like to do in the meantime.

I enjoyed your response and wit. Sounded like something I would say. Curt and to the point 

 

 

[RFKFREAK]

I've been hitting the range a lot lately.  I feel like I'm improving my swing so as a 29 or so HC, I'm sure it's quite more dramatic than someone who is quite a bit better and doesn't see as much improvement.. 

[TN94z]

3 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

 The way I think of it, if you need to learn a new swing to go with your new driver, you bought the wrong driver.  So do whatever you normally do to maintain or improve your normal swing.

This. The fact that you're getting a new driver shouldn't change your normal routine. Personally, I like the range. It's a lot cheaper to work on my swing and a lot less frustrating.

[gregsandiego]

On 9/5/2018 at 8:16 PM, Hacker James said:

I dunno...I am prolly full of it...I guess my reasoning was to start fresh without having any influence feed over from the current driver. The wine tasting metaphor was more or less tongue in cheek...pun intended. 

I get it now! Maybe swing the orange whip!