how do you structure your pratice sessions?

[MikeH]

Headed out for a bit of a practice session yesterday as needed to at least feel ball on club as haven't played in over a month

I could have gone to my club and hit my own balls but frankly I couldn't be arsed to then pick them up so went to my nearest driving range (New Malden World of Golf on the A3 for anyone who knows that neck of the woods)

hit a bucket of 100 balls - results not too displeasing especially given the lay off. Admittedly I went with nothing specific to practice so was chopping and changing clubs every few shots but I found myself getting very bored halfway through the session but having forked out £7.50 for the bucket I fel t duty bound to hit them all!

Anyway, it got me thinking and I wondered how everyone else structures their practice sessions? Do you have plan or is it a bit of a free for all, how many balls do you hit etc etc?

 

[HTL]

What time was that mate? That's my usual driving range. Im usually there 3-4 times a week.

 

[HTL]

Sorry forgot to answer original post.

I usually work on the thing that let me down in my previous round or the drill my coach gave me. At the moment im just working on my distance control within 100 yards.

It depends what day ive had at work, if its been bad I usually smash 25-30 drives before I relax and practise what I need to.

 

[Basher]

Hell fire! £7.50 for 100, that's a bit steep!

I think most of us would be lying if we didn't say we went to the driving range to knock the hell out of a few balls.

I try to structure my time on the range, generally taking my driver, 4 iron, 7 iron and pitching wedge.
Most of the time I play imaginary holes, ie drive off, fairway shot with one of the irons, pitch onto the green. It seems to take the boredom factor out of just thrashing balls.

 

[theeaglehunter]

When I hit the range I usually just decide whether I need more practice with my irons or my woods. Once I've decided I head to the range and hit balls until I feel my chosen clubs are performing how I would like them to. However sometimes I just have to give up and leave stressed out due to the fact that nothing I did seemed to work and i've run out of money for more balls. Fortunately for my bank balance I only go to the range once or twice a month at the moment, probably the reason why my long game has become so inconsistent and erratic recently.

 

[Gasp]

First I stretch, then warm up swinging 2 clubs. Then hit 10 wedges, 10 8-irons, 10 5-irons, 10 drivers. Then concentrate on the specifics of what I'm working on (at the moment thats my wedges. Three different swings with each wedge a la Pelz.)
Finish by pretending the range is my course. Set peramiters for the fairway. Hit the drive. If I hit "The fairway" then I play what I would for my second. If I don't hit the fairway I practise a chip out to a specific target. etc. Then move to the next hole. I love this drill it makes practise fun with a bit of pressure.
I know that range Mike and not too fond of it. Because of it's proximity to the A3 the balls are restricted distance wise. Have you tried the range at Dukes Meadows in Chiswick?

 

[DCB]

At this time of year I'm looking to just keep a bit of rythm in my swing. I use Kings Acre range, near where I stay, and it has to be one of if not the best in Scotland. There are four "greens" each with multiple flag positions. In each bay is a card giving details of the distance to each flag position on each green. I was there yesterday ans took the even clubs, 4,6,8,W and Driver. Started with a few wedge shots to nearest pins and worked up to the 4 iron on futhest pins. Then a few with the driver before working down through the clubs and ending on the wedge for the last few balls. Next visit it will be the odd numbered clubs.
http://www.kings-acregolf.com/academy/driving_range.html
for a wee look and see.

 

[medwayjon]

My routine is this, Stretching and warm-up for 5 mins.

Bucket of 120 balls is as follows.

8 easy wedges, 8 full wedges, 8 9I, 8 7I, 8 5I, 8 3H, 8 5W, 8 3W, 8 D Straight, 8 D Fade (Well I try) 8 D Draw (ditto) and then with balls left I go back up with a couple on each iron and then practice flops, chip & runs and punches.

Works well for me.

£7.50 for 100 balls, are they gold plated? Surrey boys obviosuly have too much money compared to us Pikey boys from the Medway towns, and as for Maidstone...... I aint going there!

 

[madandra]

Here is my breakdown of a solo session:


1-15 = 56* wedge at 75 yards dead.

16-25 = PW at 120 yds

26-35 = 9 and 8 iron 140 and 150 yds respecvively

36-50 = 7 and 6 iron 160 and 170 " "

51-65 = 5,4 and 3 iron.

66-75 = 3 wood and rescue 210 and 200 yds

76-85 = The Chief ....... anything from 220-290

86-100 = 56* wedge to warm down.

 

[John_Findlay]

I use Kings Acre, too, DCB. Great facility, especially for the yardages.

If I'm hitting 100 balls it'll be as follows:-

20-30 Chips to 20 yards

20 balls with lob/sand wedge to 45-70 yards

20 balls with 8/7 iron to flags at 145 and 155 yards taking note of their carry with the laser rangefinder

The rest 2 iron/5wood/3wood/driver aiming within 2 pylons of the back fence taking a note of how many hit "the fairway"

Usually set up the full shots with an alignment aid.

 

[MVP]

Does your range use Prov V1's Mike?

 

[Junior]

more or less the same as everyone else, but i mainly try to work on what my coach and I did during my last lesson.

Then i'll pretend to play a hole on my home course - so as not to just swing with one club for too long. So, driver / 6 iron (par 4), or 3 wood, 6 iron, 9 iron (par 5) then, if i miss the green, i'll play a pitch or a wedge. .

 

[Toad]

I am working on 140 yards and in for alignment as that is my biggest weakness at the moment missing everything left.

Generally follow what gasp said I imagine it's my home course and go through the holes, I find it less regimented and so less boring.

 

[SS2]

Hi all,

I usually take 3 clubs: wedge or sand wedge, 5/6 or 7 iron and either 3 wood or driver and split a basket of 100 balls with my 10 year old son. Unfortunately currently suffering a back injury so the boy gets to hit the lot !

 

[HTL]

GASP How can you say The World Of Golf in New Malden is restricted in distance? its 270yards long and a 200 meter fence at the back to stop any massive drives going onto the road.
You have chessington golf club a bit further down the road but they have those awful electronic tees.

 

[birdieman]

Mike,
Strangely enough I too hit 100 balls at the Banchory range yesterday as we're still under snow up here and can't get on any courses or my DIY practice areas (cricket pitch, fields etc). I dont have a routine as I hardly ever go to a range but I took a wedge, 8, 5 and driver and hit mostly 8's and w, a good number of 5's and a few drives.
Bunch of annoying 'yoofs' were blabbing all through it in the next bay but I was relieved to at least be hitting it ok after a long lay off and a back 'tweek'. Short irons were quite good, the 5 and driver I was fighting a fade (usual shape is a draw) but they were going alright. Will have to try and fit in another go before Friday!!
ps £4.95 for 100 - is that good value?

 

[MikeH]

htl - I was there between about 3.15 and 4.15 yesterday

had to queue for 10 mins before there was a free bay. Its not a bad facility although I dont like the matting they have - seems to grab the club a bit too much. Dukes Meadow is indeed a good one but would take me at least 30 mins to get there

I agree £7.50 is far too much but as I normally hit my own and pick them up I can live with it on the few occasions I do pay

J_F and DCB - that Kings Acre range looks really good from J_F's pictures

where is the best range of practice ground anyone's ever been to?

The best one in the UK I have ever seen (although not been on) is at Archerfield - had a brilliant short game area

 

[MikeH]

birdieman - the banchory range is the one Fergus, our contributing editor, goes to I think

 

[time_vans]

crikey £7.50 for 100 balls. at my range you get 200 for £7.00 (£2.00 for 50 £3.50 for 100).i start with the wedge and loosen up with 10/15 chips into the little pond approx 85/90yds then move up the irons and try to get my yardage consistent. one thing i have been doing is placing three balls in a line and not moving on to the next iron till i have hit three good shots in a row. i tend to hit more off the mat as this is where i struggle on the course (2nd shot off the fairway after a good drive is my real problem) then move up to the driver after i feel 'loose' usually end up saving the last ten for a 'chip off' with the lad aiming for the pond again, loser gets em in ! i feel the balance between practice and fun is the key for me.

 

[birdieman]

Does he play out of Banchory GC, Inchmarlo GC or another do you know?