How to Practice on the Driving Range

Just like a batting cage, the driving range is a tool used for practicing and improving skills in a certain sport. It offers an affordable way to practice in a quality environment created to replicate the surroundings of traditional course play. Without competition or focus on a round involving others, it allows the player to focus on his or her individual skill level and comfort with swings and drives.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Start by stretching. After you've gotten your clubs out of the car, and put on the appropriate gloves and shoes, if you have them, introduce your practice time to a nice stretch. Stretching from both standing and seated positions is ideal. You'll want to stretch your legs, your back, shoulders and arms, even your neck. These muscles are all affected in the game of golf.

2. Simply work on your swing for awhile. Find an open spot of green and pick a club. Position yourself correctly and focus on posture and movement, repeating your swing without hitting any balls. Remember to focus your attention to aiming for the ball and aligning your body to properly connect the club head to the target area. When you're in the groove and have found your swing, you'll know because it will feel comfortable rather than forced.

3. Ask a golf pro or other professional on the grounds to take a look at your swing. Even a few tips and pointers may help you. You have to master your swing before your skills will translate into effective drives on the real course.

4. Purchase a bucket of balls once you've warmed up and gotten into your swing. Use your driver to hit balls off into the distance toward the yardages marked with flags. See how your ball travels further on a good swing, where you feel you really connected with the ball. Hit 20-30 balls with this club. Rest your hands and arms afterward, and intermittently stretch to alleviate muscle tension that can build.

5. Switch clubs and repeat your swing with a different wood or iron. Note the differences that arise once you change the distance and angle that make each club different.

6. Continue to focus on hitting balls that go both straight, and the distance you want them to. It is all a process of growth. Some golfers struggle with balls that fly to the right or left, while some can make a straight shot, it just doesn't go the distance for them. Note your strengths and flaws on the range, and translate those into better golf skills you can implement on the green.

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