Hitting Golf Balls at the Range
A good workout at the driving range is a usually a good idea especially if you want to progress with your golf game. It is a place where you can work on your swing faults, or a particular problem with your game without penalty. Going to the range can also be detrimental to your game if you do not have a game plan in mind when hitting golf balls there. When I have the time I always try to work on my game and hit golf balls to strengthen the golf muscles and promote muscle memory to hone a repetitive swing. But I always have an agenda of what I would like to accomplish with my time there. Whether it be to work on my driving, woods, irons or pitch shots I try to focus on the particular shot that provides the greatest obstacle to my scoring well.
Driving the golf ball well is a must for a good scoring game. It doesn’t do you much good to hit great iron shots or putt well if your tee shot with the driver is short, in the trees or out of bounds. I spend the most time on mastering a good drive because I feel it sets the tone for how you will play the rest of the hole. Pitch shots to various targets from distances of 50 to 120 yards is also another valuable shot to have in your bag. I can spend an entire session at the range working on either one of these important aspects of a golfers game. Another important stroke, which is critical to master, if you want to score well is putting. More than half the strokes of a golfers score are taken on the green with the putter, which I will discuss further in a future post. But being a good putter does not help a golfers score if he already lies 5 or 6 by the time he reaches the green so, as noted previously, it is important to spend the time honing the various aspects of your game at the range whenever possible.
Summary
1) It is always a good idea to loosen up before hitting golf balls by stretching the legs, back and arms so to prevent injury. Take a club or two and slowly simulate the motion of the swing for a few minutes before actually swinging at full speed. There are also weighted clubs sold in most golf sporting goods stores which can be purchased specifically for this purpose.
2) Try to schedule a session at the driving range whenever possible to work on the various shots which you may be having the most difficulty with or just to keep the golf muscles loose and strong.
3) Have a game plan and concentrate on the aspect of your game that needs the most work, whether it be the drive, long irons, woods, pitching or lob wedge shots, etc.
4) Take the time to line yourself up to your intended target and try to get as close as possible to that spot.
5) Make sure to rehearse proper grip, set up and pre-shot routine for each shot to simulate the conditions on the course as closely as possible.
6) Try to locate a real grass driving range as this will better simulate actual course conditions.
Make sure to have fun and Happy Golfing to All!