Quick 9 or hit the range?

[GOLFER1994]

As the title says, How do you decide whether to play 9 holes or go to the driving range?

Missus is on the night shifts so played a 9 holes last night, which i really didn't play well... Same again planned for tonight. 99% of the time i think i would prefer to be on the course practicing real shots with real lies. The range at my course is quite poor so i think that puts me off as well. On the course i even had chance to just drop 3 balls from 100yards and practice the approaches, or throw a couple into my challenging bunkers. I appreciate we all have aspects of the game that need work which the range can facilitate but if time allows is there ever any disadvantage to just playing the course?

Interested to hear what you think?

 

[NorwichBanana]

Some clubs don't allow practice on the course, sobe careful of this.

I think if it's purely ball stariking you're after then head to the range, or if you want to practice your chipping/bunkers then head to a chipping area. If its anything else I enjoy the course.

 

[Orikoru]

Nine holes is preferable I suppose but you need more time for it. And more clubs. And daylight. If I'm going to the range it only takes half an hour (I won't hit more than 50 balls or it becomes pointless), and I only tend to bring 2 or 3 clubs that I want to work on, and you don't have to worry about it getting dark.

 

[IanM]

depends what you want to work on... if something specific long game is being naughty, a range session on that will help.... general stretch and chill... 9 holes!

 

[r0wly86]

As the title says, How do you decide whether to play 9 holes or go to the driving range?

Missus is on the night shifts so played a 9 holes last night, which i really didn't play well... Same again planned for tonight. 99% of the time i think i would prefer to be on the course practicing real shots with real lies. The range at my course is quite poor so i think that puts me off as well. On the course i even had chance to just drop 3 balls from 100yards and practice the approaches, or throw a couple into my challenging bunkers. I appreciate we all have aspects of the game that need work which the range can facilitate but if time allows is there ever any disadvantage to just playing the course?

Interested to hear what you think?

If I'm working on something specific or have drills to do then range. Otherwise play 9 holes every time

 

[Garush34]

All depends on my needs, if I need to work on swing in my swing I'll hit the range. If i just want to work on my game I'll go for 9 as you get various shots to hit etc.

Currently for me I'll play 9, because I trying to learn where and when I can hit driver on my course and trying to get some confidence hitting driver again.

 

[User20205]

If you can hit a ball, 9 holes. You don’t learn to play golf on the range.
If you can’t, the range is the place to learn to hit a ball only IMO.
I would never go to the range in the summer, unless it was with my kids

 

[pendodave]

Mainly 9 holes (especially as our course is always quiet in the evenings and it's never a problem to play a couple of balls or hit a few chips as required).

Having said that, I wandered into our range last night as I really needed to try and get something working. Sometimes it's the only way!

 

[patricks148]

rather play TBH, i enjoy playing golf, on a golf course, not on a mat in a range

 

[rksquire]

Always the course for me if feasible - just can't translate hitting off the mat to the course so I've basically avoided the range this year, except when I've wanted to work with driver / 3 wood / hybrid of the tee (2 occasions). Hitting the course solo or wanting to replay a shot etc. isn't always welcome though!

 

[Jacko_G]

I used to hate practicing.

Now I really enjoy it, I can stand and hit balls for a couple of hours. Maybe its because I now have access to far better practice facilities but its something I now find enjoyable and therapeutic where in the past I found it a chore or a necessary evil!

 

[User 105]

Unless I need to work on something specific I'll play 9 holes and if i have time I'll pop to the range for 25 balls to maybe work on something I've had a problem with when playing. Usually driver

Our course is usually quiet in the evenings so I tend to play a few scrap balls. If I hit a poor shot I'll drop another and try the shot again.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

9 every time. It's real, the range is false. It has it's place, totally, but I learn more doing 9 on a real course.

 

[Dasit]

Course all day long

Exercise, free as I am a member, it is real golf, hitting off different lies.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

The range bores me, so I’d prefer 9 holes wherever possible.

 

[jim8flog]

The course every time. If there is nobody behind me it's two balls and two clubs and trying different shots. Deliberately missing the green to get wedge practice.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I’m more partial to the short game area myself. But you probably guessed that.

 

[User20205]

I’m more partial to the short game area myself. But you probably guessed that.

You could go on the range and practice your 130 yard lay up shot 🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[garyinderry]

If i am going for a quick 9 i would be setting aside an hour and a half. Range session would be an hour max.

No real decision to make. If its dry i will hit the course weather and time permitting.

 

[xreyuk]

I always play 9 holes. A lot of the time people can’t translate to the course, so practice on the course, incorporating the thoughts into the shot routine is preferable.