The Driving Range – Your golf game begins at the driving range
Clean your golf clubs and toast them hard and get ready to go for a spin as it’s time to hit the driving range. No, not with your car, not with your golf cart either, the driving range of a golf course is for the golfer to practice their golf skills and not for driving! Sound confusing? Here’s what Brent Kelly, a sportswriter, has to say @about.com about golf driving ranges:
“A golf practice facility that is included with most golf courses; driving ranges also often operate as stand-alone businesses away from the golf courses. Typically, a driving range will consist of a large and open with a teeing ground at one end. Golfers line up sideways hitting golf balls on the course.”
So, in a nutshell, the driving range is where a golfer practices before arriving on the golf course. Because? Why not practice on the golf course itself?
o While attempting a new shot on the golf course or a new grip, you may end up with a muffled shot. This can hinder your spirits and negatively affect your confidence during the course of the game.
o Secondly, you can practice with as many balls as you want as many times, there is no chance of losing the balls or collecting them. All the balls fall into the playing field and are picked up by carts. As a result, you can practice your grip as much as you can before hitting the golf course.
Now that you understand the importance of the driving range, let’s look at the best ways to get the most out of driving ranges during your practice sessions.
o You can start with a small club and progress to a large club during your practice course on the driving range. First loosen up by hitting with a pitch or wedge and warm up a bit.
o However, if you are planning to start with a big club like a wood or driver, then you may want to gradually move to a smaller club like a wedge.
o On the other hand, you can also choose to use only one club and practice a particular shot or grip using that club until you feel comfortable.
o You can then practice your stance on the driving range for a particular shot. Is your stance too wide, resulting in an inaccurate shot? Or is your stance too closed, resulting in a shot where the ball doesn’t travel far enough since you couldn’t muster enough power for your shot?
o You may also want to practice a new stroke you’ve learned, a tip you’ve collected, or just want to experiment with a stroke. Driving range is the best place to practice and try all that.
o The driving ranges also have professional tutors with whom you can discuss your shots and practice them before you arrive on the course. Remember that there is no alternative to practice and the driving course allows you to focus on your areas that require improvement and practice.