How to Practice Effectively at the Driving Range

I hope this short article will reignite your desire and increase your knowledge of how to practice effectively at the driving range. I have coached full time now for 15 years spending many hours refining my game on the Ladies European Tour including USA, Asia and Australia.

Despite my 6 hours of practice, could I take my perfectly struck shots to the golf course on a regular basis?

This is definitely a topic for my follow on article so watch out for this one.

Here are a few suggestions to hopefully make both your range work effective, constructive and fun. We are all generally “time poor” these days so let’s make the trip to the range count.

Sarah’s Suggestions for Sizzling practice

Suggestions

Start off with a few swings striking the tee peg loosening up with small swings gradually increasing the length of backswing.
I always spent 70% of my practice focusing upon the short game 100 yds in. I categorise these as the “Scoring Clubs” Remember we only hit driver on average 12/14 times a round.
Most driving ranges I know have yardage markers ascending in odd number increments. So why not work on your even numbered wedge distances, 40,60,80 yards? The vast majority of facilities will have Trackman range or similar which is the ideal opportunity. Please don’t forget to press the “convert” tab to gain an accurate distance.
If I were preparing for a Tournament I used to either work the odd numbered clubs or the even numbered clubs so in other words vary the clubs. This will keep you alert changing ball position and weight distribution at address.
Vary the targets, this does seem obvious however many golfers don’t aim at anything in particular so very difficult to ensure a key area prior to the shot is consistent.
If you are working on a pre-shot routine try to do this each time, this actually compliments the above bullet point.
The PGA Professional who is helping you will have provided some drills or key areas to work on. Try replicating the move a few times without hitting the ball (dry swings)
Always have a “game” or skill involved at the end of the session. This will provide you and your Coach with valuable feedback plus attempt to replicate as near as possible an on course scenario.
Quality not quantity. Please do not hit 100 balls as if it were speed golf
“The Golden Shot” We all like to end a session with a good golf shot, however the hardest shot in range practice is the last shot. Make it count.

Practice does not necessarily make perfect….

“Perfect practice can make permanent performance” SBG

Enjoy your improvement plan, always leave with a smile on your face prepared for the golf course.