DON'T go to the range.....

[PhillipG78]

16 minutes ago, Ripper212 said:

Was next to him at driving range at Tiburon several years ago. He had a cigarette in his mouth, talking on cellphone in his right hand, while hitting the most beautiful left handed wedge shots. Probably could have been drinking a beer too!

50% chance he was already buzzed

[PedronNiall]

ThinkingPlus pretty much wrote the definitive statement a page back, but I'll add the words I take into consideration: "The secret is in the dirt."

 

If ever a time comes that the majority of top pro or amateur golfers don't spend time both practicing and playing to be the best then I'll happily study up on their methods, but until that time I'm happy to continue living the method that pays dividends in literally every other sport, hobby, and worthwhile pursuit. Informed, focused practice is a facet of everything from great musicianship to martial arts to motorsports.

 

As others have pointed out, perhaps only golfers could think ourselves capable of playing such an unnatural game well with only a smattering of practice. You've gotta be a little nutty to take up this game to begin with; at least that's what the voices tell me. 

[slytown]

On 5/14/2023 at 12:16 AM, z3bracakes said:

Caveat: this doesn't apply to a practice putting green

 

Okay, so......do I think beginners should use the range regularly? Absolutely, you're still trying to figure your swing out, what works and what doesn't. 

 

For me at least, I feel like as I've become a better player, the range has become detrimental to my game. I seem to get out of sorts after one or two bad shots and my tempo starts speeding up. I tend to take that bad juju to the first tee the next day. 

 

If I do use the range anymore, it's usually only to warm up, hitting maybe 10-15 balls with a wedge.

 

I'm curious what others think, do you feel range time is beneficial?

 

 

That's more a failure of purpose at the range than going to the range. I agree, if you are swinging well, don't become a range rat. Hit a few before a round or go once a week for maintenance.

 

Warm up is warm up. There should be no swing fixing or filming going on.

[Brokensticks]

The range got me from 36 to 9.2hcp in a year, however I dont go to the range to hit balls but to practice with a swing thought layed out. 
 

I still suck tho, bad rounds and bad practice sessions happens. 

[TLUBulldogGolf]

I love to hit the range and a lot of times I just don’t have time to play. But I’m always working on something and videoing myself.

[z3bracakes]

10 minutes ago, Brokensticks said:

The range got me from 36 to 9.2hcp in a year, however I dont go to the range to hit balls but to practice with a swing thought layed out. 
 

I still suck tho, bad rounds and bad practice sessions happens. 

Bad rounds are inevitable. But a 9 is really good man! Nice work! 

 

Back in the day I would complain, make excuses for every poor shot I hit, but in most cases it was just a lack of concentration. Nothing to do with swing mechanics.

 

I try to use the KISS method when stepping up to hit my next shot. 

A) Setup checkpoints are good, grip, alignment, ball position, etc

From there it's only....

B) Weight distribution/transition

 

Working on swing changes at the range without an instructor has yielded little fruit for me. 

 

I play to a 6 index right now, at the course 2 to 3x a week and I'm totally ok with that.

[Double Mocha Man]

Gotta compliment the OP on an excellent click bait title.

[z3bracakes]

1 hour ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Gotta compliment the OP on an excellent click bait title.

You're welcome!

[Double Mocha Man]

I play my course 2-3 times per week.  I'm on the range 3-4 times a week.  I just had an epiphany.  I need far less range time. 

 

I am a mad scientist on the range, doing test tube experiments left and right.  I hate if anybody is watching 'cause they're not seeing the real me.

 

But that experimentation damages my psyche.  I won't leave the range with the 90% great shots I hit in my brain.  Nope, I will dwell on the few shanks, thin shots and chunks I hit.

 

Problem is... it carries over to the course.  That little chip shot I need to execute on #1 is screaming at me, remember, you chunked two of those yesterday on the range.

 

Bottom line, I think I build up negative images on the range.  Gotta find another hobby besides the range.