Add these items to your next driving range visit for a more productive practice session.
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Welcome to Shaving Strokes, the GOLF.com series where we share the progress, lessons learned and takeaways from novice golfers like you — including the speed bumps and challenges they’ve faced along the way.
Going to the driving range can feel like a very effective way to really work on your game and hone your skills. Whether that’s blasting 75 balls off the tee until you hit 10 in a row straight down the middle, working on some swing changes, or visualizing the different situations you encounter during a round, a range session is always good for the soul.
Unfortunately, there’s a good chance you’re not indeed maximize your distance time accordingly.
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Jason Birnbaum, Top 100 Teachers, Nick Dimengo
In fact, if you go up and down the driving range, you’ll probably see more players doing more wrong than right. From hitting recklessly to ignoring any available shot data, many beginner golfers aren’t getting the feedback they need – which doesn’t make them much better.
To help maximize your next range session, Top 100 GOLF Instructor Jason Birnbaum shares three ways to improve success. Even if the tips seem simple, they will go a long way in helping you leave the range with more confidence than when you first arrived. Check out his suggestions below.
Create a better driving distance schedule by doing these 3 things
“Golf is a unique sport in many ways, and one area that makes it different from other sports is that the game is not actually shaped on the same course as the one you play on,” said Birnbaum. “As we all know, the driving range is not the same as the golf course, but there is still significant room for improvement.”
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This is where the ideal program comes into play on the driving range, Birnmbaum saying he emphasizes simulating the game of the course as much as possible – despite the differences between the course and the range.
“If you can be good on the practice tee, a little less than that is still going to be great on the course,” added Birnbaum.
So here are a few places to help you practice as you play.
Block practice versus random practice
Divide your time on the driving range into two different types of practice: Block practice and random practice. While both are important – and too much of one can be dangerous – they will go a long way in helping you prepare for a variety of situations.
Block practice is repeating the same skill under the same conditions over and over again before moving on to something else. So if you only work on hitting your driver before moving to the iron, this can be a habit to block.
In contrast, random practice means practicing multiple skills in a random manner and adding different variables. A good example of this is dialing your wedge distances to different yards.
I always suggest mixing in both block and random practice on the driving range, spending 15-20 minutes hitting off-target shots using a 7- or 8-iron. Simply focus on the technical points and any drills that help you hit sharp shots.
From there, moving on to unplanned practice is where things get real and have to simulate the lesson. Choose a different target, go through your shooting presets, and treat each shot like you’re on the golf course.
Wedges, wedges, wedges
I know everyone likes to get the driver out right away and swing as hard as possible, but that’s not the way to improve your overall game. That’s why I preach hitting multiple shots to my students when they’re on the driving range – as it’s a great way to build confidence and ensure a solid range session.
Wedge Swings have lower speeds with more forgiveness, and allow golfers to focus on good swings that can be transferred to long clubs. This is something that I see Tour pros do all the time, and it’s something that many don’t learn they should be doing in their practice sessions.
Hitting full and three-quarter wedge shots is a very effective way to find your rhythm and tempo, which will help build your timing with all the clubs in your bag.
Always have a plan on the driving range
Showing up to the grade with a plan can go a long way in building confidence and instilling good habits. I even recommend having a set schedule for grade sessions, just to hold yourself accountable and not stop any progress.
If you have one hour, I suggest you divide your time as follows:
Warm-up and relaxation: 10 minutes
Resistance and random exercise (using a 7 or 8 iron): 20 minutes
Call drivers and wood: 10 minutes
Hit distance wedges: 10 minutes
Practice: 10 minutes
Having a plan on the driving range gives you an added sense of accomplishment, and that’s something you can’t get enough of in this game!
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