I’ve always been a range rat. I can spend hours working on different shots, practicing drills and clearing my mind. However, I know a lot of you dread the range and would much rather be on the course. I can understand that, especially if you’re struggling with a particular aspect of your swing or your game overall. If you’re one of those golfers, here are five ways to make the driving range suck less.
Use interactive technology
Whether you like golf technology or not, using some interactive technology during a range session can make it much more enjoyable. If you have the budget for something like the Garmin Approach R50 (our best overall personal launch monitor/simulator for 2024), you can play virtual rounds at golf courses around the world, all with just one unit.
If interactive launch monitors are out of your price range, consider something like the HackMotion wrist analyzer. The HackMotion gives you data about your swing at address, the top of the backswing and at impact. It also helps with tempo training.
The most important part for those who get bored at the range is that HackMotion offers interactive training and drills in real time. Some say it’s like playing a video game while on the range.
Go with a friend
If you want to spend some time on the range but you get bored and lose interest quickly, consider bringing a friend with you.
Play games like longest drive and closest to the pin to make it a more enjoyable practice session. You’ll also be putting a little more pressure on yourself as you practice (to beat your friend), making practice much more effective. Hitting the driving range with a friend feels more like a social outing than a task you must complete.
Listen to music
If you don’t have a golf practice playlist, it might be time to put one together. While portable speakers can work at the range, headphones are the better choice. Sure, you could use a speaker if you’re the only one out there but imagine everyone doing the same—competing playlists would make the range a chaotic place.
Just like exercising or tidying up at home, adding music can make your practice session much more enjoyable.
Pick a practice plan ahead of time
One of the biggest reasons range sessions feel boring or unproductive is the lack of direction.
Before going to the range, pick some drills you want to work on. You can find many ideas on YouTube for wedge control, shot shaping, driving accuracy and more.
It’s much different to stand on the range and learn to shape a 7-iron shot than to just finish your bucket of balls with no real learning or advancement.
Change your targets
One of my favorite driving range games when I was younger was “Around the World.” You pick a target on the left or right side of the range, hit it and move to the next target. Vary the distances of each target so that you’ll be forced to change clubs. Only move on to the next target if you hit your current one.
See how many shots it takes you to hit five or six targets. If your driving range has Toptracer technology, this is even easier to do but you can still play the game at a traditional driving range with targets and flags.
Final thoughts
Don’t be afraid to break up your practice sessions. Hit balls for 20 minutes, mix in some putting and chipping practice and then go back to the range. Simply hitting shots on repeat gets boring and you’ll lose your focus. Shorter and more focused practice sessions are better for your game than forcing yourself to stay at the range for hours on end. Try these tips and maybe you’ll end up a range rat like me!
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