Pleased when things go wrong at the range?

[timgolfy]

I was at the range today (shock) hitting a basket of balls. All was going well but as I tired the shots became worse. Would you be upset at this?

#1 Upset, because a (new) fault has developed.
#2 Pleased, because a (new) fault has developed and it's now a chance to discover the cause and then fix (like stress testing).

Do you use the range to stress test (working the swing to the limits), or would you avoid that at all costs?

 

[USER1999]

I would expect errors to creep in as I get tired.

I fail to see how I can be under any pressure at the range though.

 

[Region3]

No point hoping things go wrong so you can fix 'em imo.

On the rare occasion I go to the range, if I get tired (or more likely bored) I'll stop hitting full shots and hit the rest of the balls with pitches and chips.

 

[Matty]

I think you nailed it when you said shots got worse as you tired. It wasn't the swing as such but more the tiredness contributing to a lack of concentration.

That's the kind of thing that happens towards the end of the back 9 on the course so beware when you get yourself out for the first time.

 

[timgolfy]

But isn't that the exact best time to learn about your swing, when it starts going wrong (through tiredness or otherwise)? Or do you go to the range hoping that nothing goes wrong?

 

[USER1999]

My swing is never the same two hits running. It will go wrong sooner rather than later.

 

[EZprophet]

Im definitely not pleased when a new fault creeps in, but I believe that a huge part of improving is simply gaining knowledge about your golf swing and the best way to do this is by learning what your faults are and how to fix them when they start to happen. So I understand why you are asking.

Before I started having lessons again about about 8 months ago, if I had a bad shot, I would very rarely know the exact reason why. Sometimes I could probably hazard a decent guess, but others I would just not have a clue.

Now, when I hit a bad shot, the majority of the time I know exactly why, because I know what happens with my ball flight when my swing faults creep in, and I know what they feel like too.

So I see what you're getting at Tim, but no Im not "pleased" when a fault creeps in, as the whole reason I go to the range is to try and get those faults out of my swing. I dont get "upset" either though, as I do understand that it is going to happen. To answer your question though, yes, I personally do go to the range hoping that nothing goes wrong... well, I've never actually thought that in my life, but in theory I mean...

Those days when nothing is going right can obviously be extremely frustrating though!

 

[HawkeyeMS]

The danger with spending too long on the range without professional advice is that when you get tired things do go wrong but not because of a fault but because you're tired. If you then start trying to fix that fault, you could be fixing something that isn't broke and thereby create a fault.

In my experience, and it's an experience I'm still trying to recover from, the longer you spend on the range trying to teach yourself to hit a golf ball and trying to fix "faults" that may not be there all you do is build a golf swing made up of faults and compensations. This might work on the range and on the course when there's no pressure but as soon as you get under pressure and start to tighten up, your over complicated swing will fail you.

If you really want to get to scratch, don't make faults up because it's fun trying to fix them, get some lessons and find out what you should really be working on.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

But isn't that the exact best time to learn about your swing, when it starts going wrong (through tiredness or otherwise)?

The best time is when you are coming up the 18th needing a par at worse for either a personal best score or to win a major club competition. Ours has OB right off the tee and a ditch well within the landing zone for longer hitters and a green guared by water. Lets see how the swing copes in that type of environment.

I've no time for hitting balls to the point of exhaustion. Unless I'm working on a specific swing fix or drill I'd rather play off grass i.e. a realistic environment at our practice ground or better still get out on the course for nine holes

 

[Achilles]

Things always go wrong at the range. I wouldn't be there if everything was perfect and I don't think I've ever felt pleased with a fault creeping in (to add to the many no doubt already there). EZ makes a good point about knowing what the fault is and identifying the fix, if that's what you mean Tim? That does bring some satisfaction especially when done without help but I'd much rather no fault in the first place. Actually did that just yesterday. I'd been hooking my drives a lot recently and despite thinking I'd covered everything it wasn't until yesterday afternoon that I realised I'd been putting the ball far too far forward in my stance. Cue a bit of adjustment and I had the best round off the tee in yonks and hit nearly every fairway. Just a shame the putter decided to play silly buggers! If it's not one thing it's another

 

[timgolfy]

The best time is when you are coming up the 18th needing a par at worse for either a personal best score or to win a major club competition. Ours has OB right off the tee and a ditch well within the landing zone for longer hitters and a green guared by water. Lets see how the swing copes in that type of environment.

So what happens, in that scenario, if you duff the shot OOB? What exactly have you learned (other than the approach to the 18th needing a par at worse for a personal best score or to win a major club competition will cause you to duff)?

 

[TheJezster]

The range for me just isnt a stimulant. Yes, I understand you need to practice to get better, but for me that comes on the course, whether it be a friendly so you can take another shot again or a "card" round so you can practice the pressure of having a card in your hand.

I see the range as a place to loosen up, hit a few balls and maybe try a few things youve been taught, like I did recently with the driving/wood lesson I had. I went to the range before my next round to practice. I dont have the adrenelin though so it wouldnt ever give me that buzz you get on an actual course.

I liken it to squash, I play a lot of squash, and whenever I do drills or practice, my heart just isnt in it, I cant replicate that feeling I have when I play a match. So if you were to look at me whilst practicing, you might think i look lazy, but get me on a court and its completely different. There is no lethargy, just that will to win. I think thats what its like with golf too. The difference between the range and the actual course.

I'd much rather go to the course and play, say, 5-6 holes, maybe even 9, than go hit 50-100 balls at the range. You can learn so much more in my opinion.

I know everyone differ's and thats great, but for me, I dont have any kind of excitement about going to the range.

Not sure if any of that makes any sense....

 

[G1BB0]

I am using the range a lot less, my lessons tend to be on grass and now I am a member of a club I will be going there 2 evenings a week to play 9 or 18 and 1 night a week for a bit of putting/short game practice

the range will be for tee shots only

 

[BushFinder]

I have fallen into the habit of spending too much time on the range in the past.
The problem is at my level, hitting hundreds of balls tying to ingrain a specific habit often leads to another flaw that I am unaware of..

I have learnt that the right balance of range, lessons, and course is the way forward.
Golf is so enjoyable on the course, that in the summer it is hard to go to the range when you can play instead...

I agree with Homer in that the true game, is the one where you are put to the test... Only then will you really know how good you really are.

Any golfer will tell you that range form and course form are totally different propositions.

From your posts Tim, you seem keen to become a good golfer, and good luck to you!!
But judging from your comments, you are still a non golfer.

BushFinder

 

[timgolfy]

Hmmm, I suppose it's all dependent on the ultimate target. I'm not sure how much anyone can learn by always playing within their limits (not just in golf but in any walk of life).

If the aim is to get the ball in play from the tee, knock it to within chipping distance, then chip and putt, then I suppose that's a perfectly reasonable way to learn. On the other hand, if the aim is to play to the limit of physical capability then knocking ball gently down the fairway does nothing to push the limits.

Personally, I like to push myself as hard as possible to discover my natural limits. I guess that doesn't fit in naturally with leisure golf.

 

[Piece]

I go to the range purely because I love to hit golf balls. It's feeling of bashing it with a lovely flight into the distance.

But the range is a place where you have to be strict with yourself. Repeatedly hitting balls tends to defocus you, particularly when you get tired. Personally, I just stop and go do some putting or go home.

Lastly, most people's range game is better than the course game - mine too! There is no substitute for hitting off grass and proper tees....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The best time is when you are coming up the 18th needing a par at worse for either a personal best score or to win a major club competition. Ours has OB right off the tee and a ditch well within the landing zone for longer hitters and a green guared by water. Lets see how the swing copes in that type of environment.

So what happens, in that scenario, if you duff the shot OOB? What exactly have you learned (other than the approach to the 18th needing a par at worse for a personal best score or to win a major club competition will cause you to duff)?

You often have to learn how to win. Ask Chris Wood. It's about getting yourself into that position regularly and then dealing with it. Learn how it feels emotionally and learn how to quieten the voices down. If you get to the 18th tee and go OB learn from it. Nothing to stop you making a birdie with the 2nd ball anyway.

I don't really think you can truly understand the feeling from the range. it is something you have to experience and live to see how you deal with it. Some relish it from the off and others fall apart and have to try and try to get over the line. Once you've won even something mediocre like a midweek medal it gives you the confidence and belief to do it in bigger and bigger events.

 

[TriggerTech]

Tim, apologies if you have covered this previously, but out of interest what do you currently have in the bag / brand / shaft etc?

 

[timgolfy]

@ Homer - I can definitely understand that scoring on a course is different to swinging a club on the range. I've never doubted that. But I don't accept that playing a shot on a course will somehow be magically better than playing it on the range. What proportion of a shot (like the tee on the 18th to win a comp) is governed by nerves and how much by technique?

@ TriggerTech - my bag is Ping stuff.
Ping G15 driver 9deg Grafalloy Red shaft (stiff)
Ping G15 3W Grafalloy Red shaft (stiff)
Ping S56 irons - 2i to PW - Dynamic Gold S300 shaft
Ping Tour-S wedges, 54deg, 60 deg
Ping iWi Zing putter

 

[Achilles]

Personally, I like to push myself as hard as possible to discover my natural limits. I guess that doesn't fit in naturally with leisure golf.

When you say pushing yourself, Tim, do you mean physically or mentally? I think the physical side of the game can be practiced / improved but the mental side is very different. Just wondered how you push yourself in terms of the mental side of the game?

I don't really think you can truly understand the feeling from the range. it is something you have to experience and live to see how you deal with it. Some relish it from the off and others fall apart and have to try and try to get over the line. Once you've won even something mediocre like a midweek medal it gives you the confidence and belief to do it in bigger and bigger events.

From experience, this hits the nail on the head for me. I couldn't put a score togther for toffee when I first played comps. Took a while to realise I was trying too hard and as soon as I took the pressure off myself things changed. There simply is no substitute for the real deal.