So whats the point in the range ?

[Andy808]

Our range doesn't use range balls any more they just buy boxes of cheap second hand balls. I do have to take a basket out on a practice round every now and again as our range isn't that long and I hit a few too many out the end of it. I scared the crap out of one of my mates who was on the tee close to the end of the range, I didn't see them and as he was setting up I hit the tree about 3 yards behind him. I only saw them when they appeared from behind the tree! Our yardage markers have been set by the pro and myself so I know they are the distances they say they are.
While taking my daughter up to her lesson at china fleet in Saltash I had a box of balls and noticed they had "truestrike" mats that are ment the be "the same as hitting off the fairway!" Not quiet as good as a fairway but a lot nicer to hit off than most mats places have as they do have a nice give to them if you are a bit behind the ball.

 

[Phil2511]

I like the range to try and work on swing changes/improvements, or to try and find and work through issues, of which there are a few at the moment.

Using the bay with the mirror where Rory used to practice is good to see what you are doing but also try to get a few videos with the V1 app on the phone. At least you can see if the changes are coming or if you are still doing it the old way.

But agree that the mat can help to mask issues at times. I find them particularly useless to practice partial wedge shots and try to only use it for swing changes. Once they get somewhat ingrained I find the best practice is getting out on the course and playing, even at this time of year when conditions aren't great I find it of more benefit out in the course with different lies and such.

 

[dirtygaz]

I once seen a guy in the booth behind me swing his driver as hard as he could and went right under the ball. The ball popped directly up about 10 foot and he caught it on the way back down.... He let out a cheer and I swiftly moved 5 booths further away from him!

 

[Matty]

For me also the range is about working on my swing. Trying different things and focussing on making a good contact with the ball. The path of the ball (hook, draw, straight, fade or slice) is more important than distance for me when I'm on the range.

 

[MadAdey]

Trying to see if you can get a crappy old range to still be be in flight when I screams past the 250 marker is the answer as how do you keep the forum averages up if you do not practice your big hitting.......

But honestly I just use it to keep a club in my hand hitting balls during winter. I do not care how far they go as long as they are straight. I have been playing this game long enough to know what was a good swing. Too many people stop playing during the winter so when the nice weather comes in March they then need a couple of months to get back into the swing of things. I prefer to be ready for when the season starts again.