driving ranges

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:07 pm

Who's in?
I'm actually one who really enjoys headin' to the range. I very much enjoy it, as a matter of fact. The problem is, here in this shithole otherwise known as Pittsburgh, there is only one grass range near to me. While in very good condition, it is still nearly completely useless. The tees are quite elevated rendering the ability to chart distances completely futile. I still go to work on ball flights and trajectories though.

When you go to the range, how do you practice? I always start with my gap wedge, then work my way up to the driver, hitting about an equal number of balls/club. Usually goes something like this:

GW, 9, 7, 5, 3, 5W, 3W, Driver
With each club, save the GW and 9, I hit normal shots first, then some fades, then some draws, then finish with a normal shot. After that and before I allow myself move on to the next club, I must hit three consecutive good shots- one fade, one draw, one normal. Sometimes, I have few balls left for the rest of the practice session

So I don't 'fall in love' w/any one club, the next visit to the range, I will do:
GW, 8, 6, 4, 5W, 3W, Driver

If time, I'll head to the putting green.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:13 pm

I should go to the range more often. But the muni I play at has unlimited golf for 450 bucks a year. That usualy wins out over paying 6 bucks for a bucket of balls.

But come this winter there's a dome 2 miles from where I work. I'll be visiting them on occasion.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:15 pm

Yeah, I've got a dome near to me too. I just HATE hitting from mats though. But in the throws of a 'burgh winter, I've no choice except for when I'm on the road in warmer climates.

indyfrisco · Post by **indyfrisco** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:57 pm

I like to go to the range, but like BS, I'm not up for the $7 it costs for a large bucket. We have a shittier range that charges $5 per bucket, but you might as well be hitting off mats because it is basically 60% sand most of the time.

Anyhow, I always start with my PW. Then, I move on to the 7 and hit some fades/draws/straight (usually in no particular order because it ain't on purpose). I then hit the 5. By now, I'm usually "warmed" enough to where I can actually control the ball. I've gotten to the point where I play a fade with my irons because it is easier to control than a draw (for me at least) so I just really work on the fade. The snap hook is always in play though. After the 5, I get the 3 out and try to hit 2 or 3 decent full swings. Then, I hit about 3-4 punches with a fade and 3-4 with a draw and try to hit a couple straight. I use the 3 mostly to punch out of trees so I practice this.

After I'm done with the irons, I move to the driver. I hit about 10-12 balls with the driver. On the range, I, for some reason, am about the most accurate driver hitter in the world. I'm not bad on the course, but for some reason, I'm totally "Driving Range Guy" with the driver. I turn heads man. Anyhow, after the driver, I move on to the Nickent 20* for about 3 shots off the ground and 3 shots off a tee. Then I hit the Nickent 14* off the tee 5 times. I use these a lot off the tee for accuracy. Since I can hit a 20* Hybrid 230-240, sometimes that's all I need. The 14* I can jack about 270-280 and that club gets used a lot when I get the snappies with the driver.

Then...I finish the range work with the last 20 balls or so using my coon sticks. I used to have a 53* Cleveland Gun Metal wedge and a 60* Cleveland Copper lob wedge. I just put the 60* in the attic and bought a 56* Titlest Oil Can Smin Milled wedge. I have no reason to carry a 60* and the fact I had no 100 yard club was really hurting me. Anyhow, I'd hit 5 balls with the 53* with a full swing (120-130 yards) and then I'd hit a few 1/2 to 3/4 swings for my 80-100 yard distance. These usually are VERY ugly. Haven't been to the range with my new 56* but this will replace those distances. I used to then hit the 60* a few times (160-180 with a good solid coon) and walk shamefully off the range.

P.S. Sorry for the DinsFrisco post.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:53 pm

I don't do the range much(sin, my scorecards lately). Way I figure, it cuts into my valuable golf time. Don't get me wrong, I think it's crucial to improving one's game, but every time I'm there, I end up bummed that I'm not on the course playing.

When I do go, I usually start with a 5 iron, hit a few, move on to a short iron, then on to the driver, then a long iron. Kind of like Ken's theory on mixing it up, only a little different.

What's funny, is most of the ranges around here have mats, which is odd in the grass-growing capital of the country(and no, I didn't make that up). And in my neck of the woods, the only ranges close by charge $9 for a large bucket...I can play 9 for that, and get a great deal more enjoyment, even though it probably doesn't improve my game much.

But occasionally, I'll get together with a friend or two and hit the putting green. We usually make it a nickel skins game, with the guy "on the box" calling the shot, which often involves going around a hole to get to a different one. Just to keep it interesting. So, I guess the time I do spend practicing and not playing is pretty well spent, and it definitely helps.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:55 am

practicing yer short game is pretty much free....

hitting off mats was invented by the Devil.