Practice Facility

Golf practice range is where a golfer practice and work on their full swing and mid range golf shots. Some players will head to the range for a quick 15-20 ball warm-up before a round. Others head to the range as a primary practice outing where they may hit multiple baskets in one session. What ever your desire the driving range is a great place to work on full swing changes or techniques.

Range Balls

Range ball selections at most driving ranges can be purchased in 3 sizes: small, medium and large. Range ball prices vary by location but are approximately 5$-7$, 7$-10$ and 10$-13$ for each size range. A range discount card may be available to help reduce the cost of practice if you are a high volume player. Either way a driving range or practice center can offer a valuable opportunity to work on your game.

Mats vs. grass

We believe in trying to hit on grass when possible. Grass gives more true feels and turf interaction effects than mats provide. In many busy, urban locations the demands for grass practice area are just too high and the facility can’t handle the traffic. So the only option may be to practice on mats. This may not be the first choice but mats are a better option than not practicing at all. If you want to improve, you must practice and practice well.

Targets down range

Most ranges have various targets. It is important to learn how to vary your practice habits and hit shots at different targets as if they were new shots. What’s important to find is proper yardages for these targets from your location. Sometimes different angles on the range can add or subtract yardage depending on where these measurements were made. As we have stated, try to make your practice more realistic by changing targets and hitting different as often as you can. This will give you the best chance of transferring your practice from the range to the course.

Short game practice

Chipping / bunker practice can often be close or next to the putting greens. Many courses do not allow pitching onto their putting green so it may be necessary to simulate some mid range pitch shots on the driving range. If you are fortunate enough to have access to a short game area which provides a bunker to blast out of or a green to pitch on to we encourage you to take advantage.

Range ball vs. regular ball

Range balls vs. regular balls often have different flight characteristics. Range balls are often restricted due to space demands of the course. When practicing at these ranges distance is less important than shot shape and rhythm. The most common driving range balls are approximately 10%-20% reduced distances and spin rates. This does change flight characteristics from that of a normal golf ball. Some beginning players may not even notice as the primary goal is to just make solid contact. The more experienced players will feel the differences between restricted range balls. Some may even be able to approximate the distance adjustment needed by the different balls. Either way a healthy range session is productive.

Range guidelines / rules

Golf is a sport built around etiquette. As the game grew many players were exposed to the physical game of golf but not to some of the game’s etiquette and traditions. For example, when practicing on a grass range players should learn to practice with a consistent divot pattern. Too many players practice and just make random divots everywhere and this reduces reusable areas for others to practice. Many courses don’t allow cell phone use. If they do please take your conversation away from other player’s ear shot and please do not hold up the group. Smoking is not permitted on most facilities or at the range. Talking at a respectful level is appreciated and it’s commonly expected to remain quiet while other players are hitting their shots.

Practice Green:

Here is where we preach our putting stoke or warm up for the upcoming round. Typically these are massive greens with many hole locations that offer a variety of putting angles and slopes. The speed of the practice green will give you and idea of what to expect during your round.