The Curse Of the Range...

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I have been suffering from fantastic form at the range and utter trash on the course. I focus on the range, picking a spot to aim for and taking my time rather than bashing balls in all directions - but standing on the tee all the good shots disappear!

Anyone have the same problem and any tips to replicate the range form onto the course.
 
I mentioned this on a previous post.

There are some pretty bloody good range golfers out there who just can't cut it on a course. (Not suggesting you are one mate!)

Stick to practising on grass/the course. There's no competitions on a driving range so practise on the course makes more sense!
 
Next time on the range try playing as if you're on the course.

Pick a hole, make a realistic 'fairway' out of flags, fence posts or whatever and play the tee shot.
Based on how well and which direction you hit that, imagine where you'd be on the hole you're playing and hit the right club for that, again picking a target.

It might not work for you but it does for some. It stops you getting into the groove of hitting the same club from the same place over and over.
 
I'm similar but to be fair have been working on two swing changes (posture and turn related) so feel the range work is a means to an end. I prefer the practice ground at my own club although its a chore to pick the balls up afterwards. At least from hitting off grass you can tell by the strike and the divot how you are hitting it and fatter shots aren't compensated as they are on a range mat.

At the end of the day though once winter comes it becomes hard to hit off sodden grass so most of my work will be done at a range. I think you are getting into a good rhythmn at the range which you can't replicate on course. I guess the best suggestion is to try and get to the club early and hit some balls and focus on your timing
 
I'm similar but to be fair have been working on two swing changes (posture and turn related) so feel the range work is a means to an end. I prefer the practice ground at my own club although its a chore to pick the balls up afterwards. At least from hitting off grass you can tell by the strike and the divot how you are hitting it and fatter shots aren't compensated as they are on a range mat.

At the end of the day though once winter comes it becomes hard to hit off sodden grass so most of my work will be done at a range. I think you are getting into a good rhythmn at the range which you can't replicate on course. I guess the best suggestion is to try and get to the club early and hit some balls and focus on your timing
Click to expand...

With cliches like that have you never considered going into football mangement Homer? :D
 
Well Brian, it was me against the course today. I'd worked hard in training and it was a game of two nines. I dropped a shot and was as sick as a parrot but over the moon with the birdie. It felt liked they'd parked the bus in front of the hole as I couldn't make a putt. At the end of the day it gets dark!

Is that enough?
 
Its likely that when you get on the course you change because theres something at stake....a score!!

What you simply need to do is relax and slow down!!! Its working for me.

Take this advice, take a couple of nice and easy practice swings and then hit your shot like a 3rd practice swing!! I think we all tend to speed up and have tension in our swing on the course and thats some of the reason our range play doesnt transfer to the course.

Try it, slow down and remove tension in your swing....on the course. Hit every shot like it doesnt matter, you will get a better result.
 
Suffer the exact same problem. On the range, distance, direction etc. are usually all good with all clubs, maybe 3 or 4 bad shots out of 50. But can I transform that to the course.........?

Can't even transfer it to the club practice ground. If I go near there it's full of slices, hooks and no distance.
 
I'm glad its the end of the season. My swing has gone on holiday early and I can't hit a ball to save my life. Went to the range today confident I knew what the problem was and came away more disheartened than before. Loads of sh**ks and weak fades.

Went to the club this afternoon as I really wanted to work on my short game and putting but sneaked onto the practice ground. A few more unmentionables but at least eventually found something functional. I've the stableford next week and then that is more or less it. The only redeeming news is my chipping, bunker shots and putting are still pretty good. I'm not playing tomorrow and the tee is pretty booked so not much chance of sneaking out later (plus I want to watch the footie) so I might hit some balls in the morning and see if I've found a bandaid cure.
 
Most folk hit the ball well at the range. If I took my range accuracy on the course I reckon I'd hit most greens up to 175 or more.

I don't read too much into it....really....it's easy to stand square on a mat and once you've hit a few, continue to keep hitting straight-ish.

Ranges are for drills and grooving swings. If you want to do drills and hit hundreds, go to the range. If you want to test your alignment and accuracy, do it on the course.
I don't see how hitting off grass helps with these issue any more, you still get into a visual comfort zone and will orientate yourself left/right to take into account your swing.

I have hit 2 buckets and not missed a strip of range less than 20 yards wide. I've then gone on the course and missed all 18 greens....am I bothered?....No, not really; it's about working out where you went wrong and putting it right. I missed all my bad shots left yesterday (5-10 yards) other than 2-3 pushes....so I need to check my path and/or my alignment/grip ASAP.
 
I can hit a tree at my range, at 250 yards, with 9 balls out of 10. On the course, I can't hit a fairway.

I would guess the reason is that I hit through the ball on the range, and finish my swing. On the course, I look up early, and carve it right (or square the face and pull it left, same swing). Anxiety to see where the ball went. Wonderful. Only taken me 20 years to cure it, and still a work in progress.
 
What? the missing fairways or hitting trees? May be it is because I practice hitting at a tree that I am always in the woods?
Click to expand...

Both!....and the fact you can even hit a yellow plastic lump more than 200. :)
 
It's all about getting the ratio of range practice and actual rounds correct.

On the range I always make sure I go once a week just to practice my form with my trusty 6 Iron. If I'm not hitting it straight I know I've got work to do as the balls at my range are terrible and any shot that is spinning off line can only be 10 times worse on the course.

You could also be rushing too much on the day of your game. Get to your course early and relax and prepare adequatly.
 
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