Driving Range "Pros"

[dougajmcdonald]

Whilst I'd never defence unsolicited advice I do feel like I need to present an alternative view regarding people with 'all the gear'.

Personally I have a range near me attached to a small 9 hole course which isn't of a super high standard. The balls are rubbish but it's cheap and close. I'd often turn up in full golf gear 'shoes and all' as someone said because I want to practice as I play. I'd want to check if a new set of shoes fit correctly for example to wear them in, or might wear a new polo to check it doesn't feel too tight and restrictive during play. I've also suffered a twisted knee from a swing on a wet mat so would always wear golf shoes if it's not bone dry.

I'm sure some of the locals who play in trainers and jeans would view me as the guy 'turning up head to toe in X Y Z' but this is not an attempt to indicate quality or lord it over others who opt not to dress that way, it's just practicing in the same gear I'd play in.

I'd also like to comment on the 'I was the only one there and he took the bay next to me' attitude. At my local club, I often turn up to the range when there is only one other person and I personally would feel like I was being rude if I walked to the other end of the range away from them.

 

[virtuocity]

At my local club, I often turn up to the range when there is only one other person and I personally would feel like I was being rude if I walked to the other end of the range away from them.

Urinal Rules must apply.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

A good quality County player asked if she could use the range to coach a friend who was learning.
I said no problem but to take extra care with safety as beginners can sometimes do strange things.

20 minutes later she is off to A&E with a cut from an iron that went right through her cheek.

 

[351DRIVER]

No one ever came up to me at the range and offered advice, i must look like a decent player!
Plus i walk to the farthest away bay so the there is only ever someone stood behind me and they have to walk past 30 other bays to be there

 

[Russ_D]

No one ever came up to me at the range and offered advice, i must look like a decent player!
Plus i walk to the farthest away bay so the there is only ever someone stood behind me and they have to walk past 30 other bays to be there

I must attract them! its like the weird bloke on a night bus. All the seats are free but he still sits next to you and proceeds to have an argument with himself about bananas!

 

[Spear-Chucker]

Never been offered advice so never had to politely decline. Did get asked to demo a club for someone (he was thinking of buying it) once which I happily did but I've no idea to this day what good it did him. I elected not to question him about it.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I'm not a teaching pro so don't give out advice - have been asked a few times by people for some advice but I don't really know tbh again as I don't know the swing, mainly always say see a pro who can help - but if I do see something obvious and they ask I'll say what that thing is - mainly someone trying to hit too hard or aiming the wrong way in regards alignment

 

[IanM]

One story is about a 18 year old girl who is a Welsh International, this bloke starts "making observations" about her golf... (in case you ask) She ignores him but he carries on.... ok she says, lets play 9 holes, I'll play from your tees... how about £1000 on the side to make it interesting? He mumbled something then left.

 

[User 105]

One story is about a 18 year old girl who is a Welsh International, this bloke starts "making observations" about her golf... (in case you ask) She ignores him but he carries on.... ok she says, lets play 9 holes, I'll play from your tees... how about £1000 on the side to make it interesting? He mumbled something then left.

lol. Like that.

Put up or shut up :thup:

 

[Foliage Finder]

There's one at the range I go to. Uses his swing aid hes bought to teach you the "correct wrist set". Turns out he's not set foot on a golf course as he wants to "hit it properly" before he ventures out on a course. I used to think like that until my pro sorted that notion quick smart.

I've been got twice and had to be subjected to the torture of listening to the advice to others multiple times. Like polystyrene foam being slowly torn and twisted, or chalk slowly being scraped down a blackboard.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

One of my friends was a surprise contender for The Open in the early 1970's.
He was a totally unknown Surrey golf club assistant, who went through qualifing and was a few shots off the lead after 54 holes.

Top teaching guru of the era, John Jacobs, was watching him warm up. He then walked forward and said 'do you mind if I make a suggestion'

He was told quite abruptly to sod off.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I guess I'm lucky. I used a range in Maidenhead a bit off the beaten track and so it didn't attach too many idiots and mostly people happy to have a lesson or work on their own game. The one I use in Ascot does get a few idiots but as I tuck myself at the furthest bay it's not a problem. However I use to have real problems at Downshire or Blue Mountain in Bracknell. I'd either get the range pro or the idiot hitting balls off the ceiling and side wall every shot. Times like that you need the headphones and some music on the phone

 

[Deleted member 3432]

Fortunately I have never come across any of these clowns or seen them bothering anyone else. Everyone seem to be normal blokes!

 

[garyinderry]

One of my friends was a surprise contender for The Open in the early 1970's.
He was a totally unknown Surrey golf club assistant, who went through qualifing and was a few shots off the lead after 54 holes.

Top teaching guru of the era, John Jacobs, was watching him warm up. He then walked forward and said 'do you mind if I make a suggestion'

He was told quite abruptly to sod off.

What are you saying, he should have listened?

 

[Green Bay Hacker]

If I go to the range away from my course, headphones in all the time.

Problem solved.

Do you get a lot of abuse hurled at you then? According to Talk Sport, footballers wear headphones so they can't hear the abuse hurled at them walking into the ground. :lol:

 

[garyinderry]

The headphones in, full shot PSR, wanna be tour pro you better not break my concentration type are just as silly as the rest.


Chill out, it is your local hackers range. You are not about to tee off in the final round of the open with a chance to win.


I've had many pleasant conversations with people at the range. Some about the swing and some just chatting rubbish.

 

[Crow]

The headphones in, full shot PSR, wanna be tour pro you better not break my concentration type are just as silly as the rest.


Chill out, it is your local hackers range. You are not about to tee off in the final round of the open with a chance to win.


I've had many pleasant conversations with people at the range. Some about the swing and some just chatting rubbish.

Same thing where I'm concerned.

 

[Oxfordcomma]

Urinal Rules must apply.

. Loving that concept.

On a slightly different variant of the same topic, one time last year I went to my local range. Rainy horrid day so virtually no-one around, in fact the range was empty as I walked out there after getting my token, except for one very scruffy young lad coming in the opposite direction, who politely stepped aside and let me through the door first.

I spotted his clubs in the second bay so moved along a couple so as not to be next door, and started my usual warm-up routine of getting the tops & shanks out of the way. The lad came back and started a one-handed drill with his wedges, I didn't take much notice. But then two of the lads that help in the pro-shop came past and said "Hello Eddie" and started chatting to him. Turns out that tour pro Eddie Pepperell is a scruffy young so and so when he's off the course! It very much focuses the mind, I've got to say, knowing that a full European tour pro is seeing every shot you hit!

 

[Three]

Whilst I'd never defence unsolicited advice I do feel like I need to present an alternative view regarding people with 'all the gear'.

Personally I have a range near me attached to a small 9 hole course which isn't of a super high standard. The balls are rubbish but it's cheap and close. I'd often turn up in full golf gear 'shoes and all' as someone said because I want to practice as I play. I'd want to check if a new set of shoes fit correctly for example to wear them in, or might wear a new polo to check it doesn't feel too tight and restrictive during play. I've also suffered a twisted knee from a swing on a wet mat so would always wear golf shoes if it's not bone dry.

I'm sure some of the locals who play in trainers and jeans would view me as the guy 'turning up head to toe in X Y Z' but this is not an attempt to indicate quality or lord it over others who opt not to dress that way, it's just practicing in the same gear I'd play in.

I'd also like to comment on the 'I was the only one there and he took the bay next to me' attitude. At my local club, I often turn up to the range when there is only one other person and I personally would feel like I was being rude if I walked to the other end of the range away from them.

Agree with everything apart from the last paragraph.
I think you're far too polite

 

[Three]

A good quality County player asked if she could use the range to coach a friend who was learning.
I said no problem but to take extra care with safety as beginners can sometimes do strange things.

20 minutes later she is off to A&E with a cut from an iron that went right through her cheek.

Knowing how not to get maimed is a big part of the job