On the driving range I am superb, on the course 22 handicap. How can I improve when playing?

Answer 1

by divine intervention

Answer 2

I am an X-Teaching and Club Professional. Most Range to Course problems stem from 2 most common areas. One physical the other mental. Physically on the Range you hit shots more often then on the Course where you hit, walk, wait between each shot. Apply more practice swings on the Course to keep the mussels warmed up and the feel of the swing fresh. This is what baseball players do in the "On-Deck Circle" and in the batters box they keep swinging. Mentally on the Range if the ball goes far you feel good but on the Course if it just goes far and not at the "Target" then you don't feel as good about the shot. Try picking "Targets" on the Range, and force the mind to play the whole game. As you get better at it you'll get into playing shots to the left or right at will, and control how far they go. Best place for Golf Lessons is your local Collage - get the basics much cheaper then seeing a Pro. Then when your ready - see the Pro for the fine-tuning of your game and that handicap under 10 you're looking for. Good Luck (Don 3rd. Gen. Golf Pro. California)

Answer 3

You need to practise on the range like you would on the course. First no mats, natural grass only, not all lies are perfect, step on your ball for some shots. Alternate clubs, star with a driver, go to a 4 iron, then hit a wedge and then start a new sequence. The real key is less practise on the range and more on the putting green. Almost half your 90+ shots a round come withing 30 yds of the green(wedges & Putting). To lower your handicap you need to improve your short game. Practice at least half an hour befor every round. Keep track of you short game strokes and if there are more than 40 practice after the round for another half hour.

Answer 4

I totally sympathize with you, I know exactly what you're going through - the problem with the range is that you groove a swing with one club over and over and over - next time you go to the range, bring a scorecard from one of the courses you've played and play the course on the range - set up between 2 flags or make sure you can pick a fairway out on the range to determine if you're hitting where you're aiming - example 420 yard Par 4 - pull out your driver, aim on your "fairway" at the range and hit it - determine if you hit it perfect or if you hit it short, etc - minus your drive from the yardage (420 yard hole, 250 yard drive ) - you will hit your 170 yard club next - if you hit it straight and you feel that it would have been on the green, start the next hole - if you pulled/pushed it, rolled over, etc - determine how far you would be and hit that club as your approach shot - it makes practice as game like as possible and you will get comfortable thinking through your shots, picking out targets and playing a simulated round on the range - also, never go home from the range without chipping and pitching within 50 yards - pick different targets and practice - and putting - 30 minutes on the putting range - I'm a 9-10 handicap now but 2 years ago, I was a 20+ - I only practice on chipping, bunkers and putting when I go to the range now and my game has improved - good luck

Answer 5

It definitely sounds as though your short game is the problem. Why not try playing a pitch-and-putt course once a week so you're getting plenty of practice with your chipping and putting? Remember the average round includes only about 14 drives but 30+ putts.

On the other hand, if you find even your long shots are going astray on the course, then you should take some of the advice others offer on making sure you aim at a specific target.

Answer 6

putting is the key to a better handicap - even a crappy player can get to a green in 2 or three shots but if you cant sink it in two from anywhere on a green then you need to improve your green game.

you say superb on a driving range - can you simply hit it straight or can you hit it exactly on the line you want and reach a consistent distance? if you are good on a driving range then you should be able to land a whole bucket of balls within a 20-30 yard radius of one another with the same club. thats tough!

Answer 7

The reason this happens to a lot of golfers is because when you are on the range, you're just hitting golf balls with no real plan. Driving ranges tend to be wide open, so when you are hitting on the range, you don't really have anything to judge your "line" by. Once you get on the course, and you have bunkers and trees to help judge your ball flight, you realize that you aren't hitting it very straight. Next time you are in the range, take a few clubs and lay one on the ground in line with what you are aiming at. Take another and lay it in front of the ball, and use that to judge your ball flight. This will help you figure out where you are actually aimed and what kind of ball flight you have. Hopefully this will get you straightened out.

Answer 8

Play more. Play alone or with a good buddy during slow times on the course so that you can take extra shots or play multiple balls without slowing other players down.

During your driving range time, imagine that you are playing on the course and take the same amount of time and preparation with each shot always picking a Target. Alway use the same routine for each shot.

Answer 9

Change your practice routine - You can stand in the same place on the range and hit shot after shot. Aim at different targets. Small targets. Back away and reline up each time. It's easy to hit good shots when you don't have to chase it. Find a place that has practice holes or a time to play when you can hit more than one ball. That way you can get some on course practice.

Answer 10

When on the course,imagine you`re on the range,learn to relax and play within yourself.

Answer 11

i have encountered this myself.i think the problem is that on a range you are standing in your stall and you have a wall in front of you and it makes it alot easier to position your feet and stance cos you have the wall or matt edge as a guide,then you go out on the course and all of a sudden its open country.try using grass tee bays to help find your feet,good luck!