To Range or Not to Range...that is the question

[p_haun]

Just wanted to get a feel for how you warm up.

 

I hit the range as often as a can during the week working on multiple things. Usually before I play a round, I'll hit about 4-5 balls with each club from my 56* on up to Driver just to loosen up. Then hit the putting green for about 15 minutes. However, lately I've been at the range before rounds and have hit everything perfectly...trajectory, direction, control, distance...exactly how I want to. But, for the past few rounds, from the first tee on is just horrible (playing about 5 strokes above index right now, and it's only that good because I'm scrambling and putting very well). It almost seems as if my muscles "like" being a little tighter for my shots.

 

So, anyone just do a very quick warmup, then play?

[Teetogreen86]

I have a club with a real rebar shaft to loosen up with. I don't hit balls with it but just take practice swings. Then I hit a few 1/2 56's. A few full 56's. Maybe 6-7 7 irons and a few drivers and I'm good to go. In my opinion, it's all personal preference.

[wedgetoafoot]

I agree, on personal perference and want to add that if you don't let your range session determine your mood or expectations, you can play to your potential a bit better. I think expectations are a killer for a good golf round.

 

I used to be obsessive about being to the range an hour before the 1st tee and hitting all kinds of shots, but after being rushed pretty bad a few times to make it to the course recently, I realized it doesn't matter as long as you don't feel all stiff like you slept on the floor or something. Now I just do the Tiger/Jack thing, you know...a few wedges until I'm loose enough for a full swing, then some 8s, some 4's a 3W or two and a few drivers. That's about 25-30 balls and then I hit some shots I want to hit on the course, off to the putting green after that.

[taylormadefan]

I warm up by stretching out and walking around.

 

Once I get to the practice tee I hit about five to ten shots starting with 1/2 swings and working my way up to full swings.

 

Then only three golf balls with either the even or odd numbered clubs, then driver, and then whatever club I'm going to use on the first tee, all with full PSR. Any more than three golf balls and I start thinking mechanics which isn't good before I'm playing.

 

Then hit a few putts to the fringe to get a feel for the speed of the green and I'm off. 15 min. tops.

[j_wil_06]

In high school, I had a coach who was obsessive about getting to the course an hour plus early to hit balls...its just really not my thing. I can walk straight from my car to the tee, and shoot just as good of a score as if i had warmed up for an hour. Like everyone else is saying, i think its all personal preference...

 

when i am just going out to play, i rarely take time to warm up...i just get out and go! i'd say for tournament play, i usually spend about 20 mins just hitting some wedges, and a few irons, and even fewer tee shots, and then end with a few more wedges...just enough balls to get loose. then a few minutes on the putting green and i feel like im ready to go...

[Evil R1]

I think it all depends on which of my swings shows up that day?

 

If my good swing shows up, I'm off the range in less than 10 balls. If my tight shoulder, no hips, casting, slicing, basically Ugliest Swing Ever shows up, it can take me almost a bucket to realize that my good swing is on vacation for the day and is evil brother is here to ruin my golf score :D

[idrive400yards]

I try to hit the range for at least an hour, hit as many balls as I can to warm up. Yes it does take me this long, even longer at times to warm up, then go. I don't hit the putting green or practice green(hence my terrible putting and chipping strokes). Play terribly, go hit some more balls, go home. If I play a second round, I usually shoot better because after hitting 125+ balls on the range, shooting 100, (remember I don't care about scoring, not a golfer but a basher, but working on that) I'll drop strokes then. I just hate being rushed, throws my mind set off for the entire day.

[Golf_Beauty]

I usually do some stretching and getting a small bucket before I tee off. What works for me is just getting a few of my long irons in, about 3 balls for each. Then I usually like to hit about 4-5 balls of whatever club I'm using off the 1st tee. That usually gets the "1st tee jitters" out of the way for me. The rest of the balls I give to the guy next to me. And let me tell ya, that goes a long way when when/if you may have to pair up with the guy if you're a single. :D