How to Practice Effectively at the Range

Many golfers spend hours at the driving range without seeing significant improvement in their on-course performance. The difference between productive practice and merely hitting balls lies in structure, purpose, and feedback. Here's how to transform your range sessions.

The Purposeful Practice Framework

1. Warm Up Properly (10 minutes)

• Dynamic stretching focused on shoulder and hip mobility
• Practice swings with progressive speed increases
• Short wedge shots to develop rhythm and feel

2. Technical Work (25-30 minutes)

When working on swing mechanics:

• Focus on ONE technical change per session
• Use alignment sticks and visual aids
• Perform drills in slow motion first
• Alternate between drill and regular swings
• Video your swing from appropriate angles for feedback

3. Skills Testing (20 minutes)

Measure your progress with these practice games:

Target Practice

• Choose 5 different targets at various distances
• Hit 3 balls to each target
• Score based on proximity (3 points: very close, 2 points: acceptable, 1 point: poor, 0 points: miss)
• Track your scores over time to measure improvement

9-Shot Challenge

• With the same club, attempt to hit 9 different shots: low, medium, and high trajectories, each with straight, fade, and draw shapes
• Score each shot based on how well you executed the intended shape and height

4. Simulate On-Course Situations (15-20 minutes)

• Play an imaginary hole, using different clubs as needed
• Hit only ONE ball for each "shot"
• React to where your ball actually finishes
• Apply appropriate pressure by keeping score

Practice Schedules: Blocked vs. Random

Blocked practice (hitting the same club repeatedly) is beneficial when learning new skills or making technical changes.

Random practice (changing clubs and targets frequently) is more effective for skill transfer to the course.

For best results, begin with some blocked practice to groove movements, then transition to random practice to develop adaptability.

Mental Engagement

• Always have a specific target and intention for each shot
• Follow your full pre-shot routine on at least 50% of shots
• Visualize the desired ball flight before each shot
• React to each shot as you would on the course

Feedback Methods

• Use alignment aids to check setup positions
• Video analysis for technical work (side and face-on views)
• Impact tape or foot spray on clubface to check strike patterns
• Launch monitors when available (focus on spin rates and impact conditions, not just distance)

The quality of your practice matters far more than the quantity. One hour of purposeful, structured practice will produce better results than three hours of mindlessly hitting balls. Design each range session with clear objectives, measurements, and on-course relevance.