(Newbie..) Should I Add Distances When Practicing On A Range

[Stuart_Wales]

Hello all,

New to the forum and getting back into golf. Im quite a good ball striker playing down to about 16 when playing regular. I've got alot of time now to get back into the game. My main issues are putting (not enough practice) and mis-judging my yardages.

I'm going to spend the next month or so on the range. Should I add some yards to a range? Anyone got tips on how I can control my distances a bit better?

Thanks.

 

[louise_a]

bearing in mind the type of balls used at ranges, I really wouldnt try to learn your yardages there. Also can you quarantee the yardage markers at a range are accurate?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Range work for me is about grooving changes and the quality of the strike/direction. I tend to use my clubs practice ground and proper balls if I want to work on accurate distance control. Even then I tend to try and work from 120 yards and in where scores are made

 

[G1BB0]

range for swing changes/ingraining only imho

I took my 7 iron onto a local field, hit 5 good strikes and worked out the average - around 150. I just add or minus 10 yards per club so 160 for 6 iron and so forth. Not exact but at my level plenty good enough and I even hit the odd green in reg

 

[BLAM]

IMO you would be better spending the time chipping and putting. Most every range has one dominant slope be it down up or sideways/flat but courses are obviously not so uniform. My main gripe though is it turns golfers into javelin throwers: you can tend to judge yourself basis the best or longest out of x shots with x club. Golf is one ball one shot.

 

[MadAdey]

Hello all,

New to the forum and getting back into golf. Im quite a good ball striker playing down to about 16 when playing regular. I've got alot of time now to get back into the game. My main issues are putting (not enough practice) and mis-judging my yardages.

I'm going to spend the next month or so on the range. Should I add some yards to a range? Anyone got tips on how I can control my distances a bit better?

Thanks.

Artificial grass mats, big thick rubber tees that create friction, one piece rubber balls, I really would not take any notice how far you hit it on the range. I can hit a drive then hit one straight after it that is just as good strike and it can be 20/30 shorter.

Never judge your distances on a driving range, just use it to keep your eye during the winter and practising your technique.

 

[Foxholer]

Artificial grass mats, big thick rubber tees that create friction, one piece rubber balls, I really would not take any notice how far you hit it on the range. I can hit a drive then hit one straight after it that is just as good strike and it can be 20/30 shorter.

Never judge your distances on a driving range, just use it to keep your eye during the winter and practising your technique.

Don't need to allow for this (the bold bit) unless hitting down on ball by same or more angle than loft of club! Otherwise I agree.

 

[MadAdey]

Don't need to allow for this (the bold bit) unless hitting down on ball by same or more angle than loft of club! Otherwise I agree.

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When you are hitting a driver you are sweeping it off the tee, that includes hitting the tee. If you sweep your driver over a thick piece of rubber you create friction that will slow the club head down. Reduction in club head speed = slower ball speed = shorter distances.

 

[Foxholer]

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When you are hitting a driver you are sweeping it off the tee, that includes hitting the tee. If you sweep your driver over a thick piece of rubber you create friction that will slow the club head down. Reduction in club head speed = slower ball speed = shorter distances.

Ball has gone by the time head is in contact with tee. And ball goes up rather than over. Same reason that there's no point in 'low friction' tees.

 

[MadAdey]

Ball has gone by the time head is in contact with tee. And ball goes up rather than over. Same reason that there's no point in 'low friction' tees.

What ever I can't be arsed to argue about a bloody range tee friction.............:thup:

Bottom line is do not take any notice how far your ball goes as you are on a range. Just worry about it going straight.

 

[bobmac]

You need help with your putting?

 

[Stuart_Wales]

IMO you would be better spending the time chipping and putting. Most every range has one dominant slope be it down up or sideways/flat but courses are obviously not so uniform. My main gripe though is it turns golfers into javelin throwers: you can tend to judge yourself basis the best or longest out of x shots with x club. Golf is one ball one shot.

Thanks for the good advice!

 

[Stuart_Wales]

You need help with your putting?

haha could do.. why?

 

[bobmac]

haha could do.. why?

Is it the direction or length that troubles you?

 

[HawkeyeMS]

You need help with your putting?

Smooth Bob, very very smooth :thup:

 

[bobmac]

Smooth Bob, very very smooth :thup:

Well, I've got to keep food on the table :thup:

 

[Stuart_Wales]

Is it the direction or length that troubles you?

I'd have to say both...

 

[MadAdey]

I'd have to say both...

Oh dear, Oh dear, Oh dear. So what you are saying is you need to sort your swing out as you need to hit it further and straighter?