The range v's the real thing

[jack1]

I have been having a few too many slices with my 3 wood recently so i went down the range last night expecting to have to work on it. Instead everything i asked of the ball it did, draw, fade, straight! I was left wondering whether it is the balls, (srixon range balls) or possibly the stability of mat on concrete, or just the fact that i had 20 more balls to hit?

 

[Smiffy]

Most probably the fact that with no trees, bunkers, ponds etc. to think about things don't go wrong.
Add the above to the mix and all sorts of thoughts enter your head.
A lot of people find they can hit balls on the range no problem at all, but can't replicate it out on the course.

 

[Spoff]

A lot of people find they can hit balls on the range no problem at all, but can't replicate it out on the course

Me, Smiffy!

I am a superb range player! Spoke someone there last year and when they found out I play of 28 and 104 is my lowest round they called me a lier and a bandit!!!

The range is always a lot more relaxing and also after you've hit the ball you don't have to go find it!!!

 

[JT77]

the range is usually ok for around 50 balls, then I get completely bored.(need some more interesting drills) I much prefer to be out on the course, I can hit good shots and bad shots whether on the range or the course, but as you have only 1 ball on the course it is far more noticeable.

 

[JustOne]

I have been having a few too many slices with my 3 wood recently so i went down the range last night expecting to have to work on it. Instead everything i asked of the ball it did, draw, fade, straight! I was left wondering whether it is the balls, (srixon range balls) or possibly the stability of mat on concrete, or just the fact that i had 20 more balls to hit?

Interesting, you slice your 3-wood but can hit draw, fade and straight at will, yet think it might be the ball or the mat

 

[huttonline]

I prefer the real thing - I know it counts.
Agree with jamestaylor77 - after 50 it can get a bit tedious.
But without the range, newbies like me would be even worse than we currently are!!

 

[brendy]

Driving ranges are 200 yards wide in places, of course the shots there are going to feel better. That could be three fairways wide should you slice a bad one, in the course you remember them. At the driving range you just tee up another ball.

 

[huttonline]

I am a superb range player! Spoke someone there last year and when they found out I play of 28 and 104 is my lowest round they called me a lier and a bandit!!!

hang on... how can you have a handicap of 28 with 104 as the lowest? Do clubs give the minimum '28' for anything under a certain score?

 

[brendy]

28 is the Max mens handicap under normal conditions.
Club members really shouldnt need more as they have the facility to play and get their handicap down.

 

[Screwback]

Playing on the range IMO is totally boring and a bit pointless, its just so bland. I am not saying its bad to practise but in the right enviorment ie a practise facility with real grass and a proper golf course feel.

Give me a golf course anyday also i think your golf will improve better on course opposed to the range/field..

 

[brendy]

I agree, hit, hit, hit, drink, hit, hit, hit etc is boring.
Our club practice area is slightly up hill 280 yards with a green at the top end and no wider than a regular fairway with concrete flat yardage markers every 50 yds.
That fairly tightens you when you are hitting a long iron or wood up with folks playing down either side of you.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I do prefer the practice ground at my club where you can hit to some accurately measured targets off real grass. Mind you if you cast your mind back, it was only a matter of weeks ago that most courses were shut because of snow and waterlogging and so the range serves a purpose for keeping the swing going.

Actually its an ideal place to work on swing changes purely because there is no attachment to the ball. If you are trying something new (ideally from a lesson or under pro guidance unless you really know what you're doing with the swing) then you are going to make errors and the range is the best place to do it. However you need to be able to take your range swing and trust it on the course (something I've not always been able to do).

I think you are either someone that can practice and enjoy it or not. I totally understand those that get bored after 50 or so balls. Maybe its the range and lack of targets or maybe its just hey don't get the same excitement as hitting a ball for real. Its a case of finding what works for you