Practice at range

RE: Practice at range

Frank K — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 23:08:11 GMT

I concentrate on practicing rhythm and tempo in the effort to be able to ingrain a repeatable swing that will perform under pressure. I never hit more than 60 to 80 balls and take short breaks when I get tired. I also try to work on strengthening my weaknesses and work a lot on my short game. Practicing when you get tired does lead to bad shots and habits and frustration.

RE: Practice at range

Chuck Zirkle — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:01:59 GMT

Of late, my approach shots are in a total shambles. When I warm up prior to playing I normally hit a small bucket, hitting a 9 and 6 iron followed by one of my hybrids. Working on tempo and ball contact. Hopefully will get it worked out by the end of November. Going back to see a spine specialist this morning to see if they can help with the pain in my lower back. Cannot hit a lot of balls. Just cannot create that turn I need, no speed at this time with my irons. Core is good, just the constant pain, surgery not an option. 2023 has not been the best year for my golf game.

RE: Practice at range

JoeyD — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 05:10:35 GMT

I try to keep track of what keeps me from scoring well during a round and spend the majority of my range time working on those areas? Am I missing a lot of fairways...then I put more time in with my driver and 3 wood. Am I missing a lot of greens...what's my miss...short/long, right/left, long irons/mid irons/short irons... work on the specific areas. And if I'm missing a lot of greens I of course work on up and down drills concentrating on getting my chips and first putts past the hole and not coming up short. A short chip/putt has 0% chance of going in!

RE: Practice at range

DHirsch — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 15:09:32 GMT

My teaching pro had me change up my practice routine. Instead of just aimlessly hitting balls I’ll imagine 9 holes of the actual course. Start with driver then go to the second shot etc. helps to have cards with the course layout. Also keeps you sharp constantly rotating between clubs.

RE: Practice at range

Barry M — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 00:20:30 GMT

Once a week practice session of 150 balls. Start off with 30 balls using wedges, and then hit 3 or 4 with driver. If that goes well I work on my mid irons with 10 shots each. Sneak in 3 or 4 shots with the driver, 3 wood, or hybrid now and then. Usually finish up with about 20 low check up 50 yarders and 20 flop shots about 50 yards. If something needs work I will adjust accordingly. On play days I only hit about 20 balls to loosen up. I use alignment sticks a lot for practice days.

RE: Practice at range

GMcClanahan — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 20:30:33 GMT

I concur with hitting fewer balls. If you limit the number of balls it makes you take each shot more seriously and that makes your practice more like a round. I just got a club membership last December for the first time and messed up my swing by hitting so many balls. One day I hit one of those big buckets they put on the practice tee. Lol, probably 200 + balls. Just wound up sore with some bad habits after that.

For me, it’s 30-60 depending on what my objective is. If I am working on the swing mechanics, it’s 60 balls with the first 30-40 working on the swing mechanics with drills and the last 20-30 getting out of the mechanics and hitting shots. Otherwise it’s 30 balls where it’s like a round. Very target and distance focused and pretend I’m playing holes (hit driver then iron based on where I think the drive went). I don’t mind hitting off mats but won’t do it 2 sessions in a row to make sure I’m am getting correct feedback. In the winter it’s mats all the time so I just play more that time of year.

Use alignment sticks or at least know the line your shots should be going as that is critical feedback.

I sometimes check set up and ball position as part of my warm up. I also do this in my living room at home. May also practice the takeaway in my living room.

Short game work and putting is either before or after hitting balls, usually depending on how crowded practice greens are.

RE: Practice at range

CRickard — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 14:28:07 GMT

When I practice, I usually only hit about 30 balls. Most of the time is getting a feel, exaggerating, the swing thoughts or changes and I am working on. I make about 3 exaggerated feels, then 3 practice swings, then finally hit one ball. I do that over and over again. Obviously talking to a teaching professional will give you the best insight, but that is what works for me. Kind of depends on if you are trying to make swing changes or just get some practice in.

RE: Practice at range

Ed S — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 11:14:00 GMT

I try and stick to no more than 50 balls. Sometimes just 25. Use a few to warm up and then take random clubs at different yardages and flights. Driver followed by 8 iron then wedge etc etc. If I take more balls it is because I am doing block practice on fixing a swing issue. Often will just take the bucket and work on the short game area.

Practice with purpose is key otherwise limited benefits in my case.

RE: Practice at range

Lou G — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 02:14:51 GMT

I rarely hit more than 30-60 balls in any one range session. Swing faults have a way of popping up when you get tired.

RE: Practice at range

Andre K — Tue, 04 Jul 2023 00:37:07 GMT

i may have to try this, keep my practise more focused

RE: Practice at range

Play18 — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:03:04 GMT

Practice with a purpose with no more than 60 balls on a grass range hitting odd irons one day and then evens the following day. I'll also practice with my older Vokeys to keep my grooves fresh for the course.

RE: Practice at range

Lou G — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 02:22:20 GMT

Too many balls is bad. When you get fatigued, swing faults pop up.

Rarely hit short irons.

Do “shootouts”. My go to hybrid is an 816H1 27* with Diamana S70+ stiff at 38”. I did a side by side with an 816H1 23* (same shaft type at 39”) and 910H 27* with Ilima R at 38.5”. The 23* didn’t show any added value. The two 27s are even but the shorter stiff shaft is tighter.

Quite awhile ago was setting up two bags for my son and roomie. Dialing in shafts and head weights on the drivers, fairways.

My other purpose on the range is shot shaping. Includes choke down shots too.

Absolute tops in any one session is 60 balls.

RE: Practice at range

Matt M — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 22:27:06 GMT

I like the head cover idea. My miss is over the top. Thanks!

RE: Practice at range

Matt M — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 22:24:30 GMT

I never count number of balls hit. I treat a range/practice session like a trip to the gym… 30-45 minutes of very purposeful practice.

Most of my practice is with short irons and wedges. I never practice without alignment sticks.

RE: Practice at range

JValentine — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 15:30:08 GMT

I usually only hit Driver and long clubs on the range if I need to fix a problem, or if I’m simulating holes.
For me, the benefits that transfer best from practice area to the course are confidence with body position, and smooth, consistent contact with the ball using shorter clubs. Additionally, I rarely hit the range before a round. Chipping and putting prior to the round brings the”feels” back sufficiently.

RE: Practice at range

Pars and Stripes — Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:44:58 GMT

Practice with mostly wedges and irons. I'll end with a couple drivers, but the focus is mostly with the irons. I go with a purpose. For example, takeaway move to get me over to the right side more and stay behind the ball (I have a tendency to swing left too much). I try to focus on one or two things and really drive those home each session. I spend many sessions working on the same thing, too.

RE: Practice at range

Dan B — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 21:02:48 GMT

I personally find any more than 60 balls too much.

My fault is the opposite to yours and I come a little outside to in.

I stick a headcover about a grip length behind the ball and slightly outside, so if I come from the outside I’m hitting it,

RE: Practice at range

Eric H — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 10:46:48 GMT

Show up late, blade a couple wedges, slice 3 drivers and head to the tee! A time honored tradition

RE: Practice at range

Terry E — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:59:49 GMT

Practice mostly with irons and the shot game. Home course has a chipping and bunker practice area. Only hit the Driver and woods for a few shots.

RE: Practice at range

Jim S — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 23:01:46 GMT

I have three things I work on GRIP,POSTURE.ALIGNMENT. I don't count the number of balls. I just work on the fundamentals and go from there.

RE: Practice at range

Jason S — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 18:46:39 GMT

Don't hit too many balls. If you are tired you can end up practicing bad habits. Also take breaks. On the course you have a lot of time between shots and hit a lot less than 150 balls. You can also play holes in you head. Driver, 175 remaining (175 yard club). It's easy to hit a club goos after 20 shots. That won't happen on the course.

RE: Practice at range

Fred G — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 06:22:24 GMT

I normally hit 50 on the range and will spend a while before or after on the short game area and then hit around 25 putts of varied lengths.

RE: Practice at range

Andy — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:18:16 GMT

Thanks for the advice.

RE: Practice at range

Andy — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:15:07 GMT

We only have plastic mat here and its true that the practice and feel doesnt bring the same to the course. Your points about short game focus ed is noted. I plan to put more time in it as well. Thanks.

RE: Practice at range

Chuck Zirkle — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 16:06:10 GMT

Worked with a Master instructor during our PGA Hope program and he gave us a drill using five tees. Helped learn to hit the ball on line without hitting any of the tees except the one in front of the ball. Difficult to explain, that is why I would recommend seeing a good instructor. Great drill for tempo and alignment. He gave us a lot of other drills to practice. My two cents. We have some great instructors at the muni where I play for every level of play. I do not count the number of balls, I work on specific flaws, after seeing my teaching pro.