I've been trying to go to the driving range at least once per week lately. I've done it in the past and had good results, but I've never really had a set practice regimen. I usually break it down into short clubs or long clubs and only practice with wedges through 5I, or 4I through driver, starting with the shortest club and working my way to the longest one. I've never been one to go to the range and just pound on the driver either. I go to a crappy range out of convenience, and there is no practice chipping green or putting green. My plan is to rotate the long clubs, short clubs, then go to a good practice facility every 3rd trip and only chip and putt.

What is your practice routine? How many balls do you hit?

Also, I've heard that there can be a big difference in the quality of balls at a driving range, and that using crappy balls can be detrimental. I can see that theory, but is there any truth to that? And is there a difference between "Range" balls and regular balls? I've heard range balls are only designed to fly a certain distance. If that's true, then how can you possibly get your yardages down when your practicing. All thoughts are appreciated.

I definitely pay zero attention to distances on a driving range. I've yet to hit balls on a range that stocks the same balls I play on the course. And most are vastly different.

I'll typically hit every other club in my bag, but not in order. Say I have 80 balls in a bucket, I'm going to loosen up with about the first 10 and then try to work a little on technique with the next 50, probably with an alignment aid of some sort. Either laid in front of my toes. Or outside the ball to keep an eye on swing path. Or I'll sometimes stab one in the ground on my target line about 5 yards out, to make sure I'm starting the ball on the correct path.

The most important change to my practice is with the last 20 balls. I try to hit them all like I'm on the golf course with a specific target in mind. It might be a pin, a green, or even a "fairway" that I'm trying to hit. I also go through a full pre-shot routine. This has helped my game a lot.

Like HouAggie, I don't worry about yardages on the range - the balls are too unreliable and the distance is a guess. If I'm hitting it on the sweet spot and getting the ball flight I'm seeking, the distance will take care of itself. I'll start with a 7 iron and usually spend longer with that club than any other club. A lot of golfers will initially warm up with wedge first, but that's just never worked well for me - it's just too far at one end of the bag. Always preferred 7 because it represents a big cross-section of the bag, where I can work on my swing mechanics and apply it to longer or shorter clubs (and it's short enough to easily control when initially warming up). Once I'm OK with how I'm hitting the ball with the 7, I I'll gravitate down to 5 iron, 3 iron, and driver. After the driver, I'll actually switch back up and hit wedge, maybe a few more 7's, then a few 3-woods. Finally, I'll finish the last 10-15 balls in the bucket by playing some imaginary holes by hitting driver then iron, etc. (switching clubs every shot)

I try to make sure to use my pre-shot routine and find a target/fairway for every ball in the bucket. Proper setup and alignment are such a huge factor to a golf swing and the easiest thing to allow to get out of sync when wailing away at a bucket of balls on the range.

[This message has been edited by Danny Duberstein (edited 9/26/2011 1:49p).]

While older range balls fly funky and have inconsistent flight patterns, I think that fairly new range balls are going to give you a reasonably true distance.

I wouldn't go write down exactly how far you are hitting each club based on the practice range. However, I would bet a lot of money that a decent range ball will fly simliar to a pro-v1 with short-mid irons (+- 3 yards).

If you don't play tour caliber balls, I would wager that a range ball in good condition flys *very* similar to the ball you play.

[This message has been edited by AgPrognosticator (edited 9/26/2011 2:35p).]

I think it's pointless to hit every club in your bag at the range. This is my usual set:

9i - 20 balls
6i - 20 balls
3h - 20 balls
3w - 10 balls
Driver - 15 balls
Wedges (52* & 58*) - 15 balls

But if I'm trying to work out a problem with a specific part of the game, I might spend most of my session with that one club.

I like warming up with the 7I too, and if I start having trouble during the session, I go back to the 7I and hit a few. I aim nearly every shot so I don't get out of the habit. The driving range can be a double-edged sword.

How often do you practice chipping and putting in relation to the rest of your game? Do you rotate it in equally, more, or less?

Has anyone in Houston ever used the Matt Swanson practice facility on 249 and 1960? I'm thinking about going up there every couple of weeks to use the short game facility.

Swanson's is pretty nice especially their short game area. They have two greens and one of them have bunkers. You can pretty much practice all your short game shots.

They charge extra to use it, though. It's not included in the range fee. However, they have a small putting green that you can use with your range fee.

Large bucket of balls is $11. $20 for all you can hit. $10 for the short game area.

Ideally I go 4+ times a week and hit 1-200 balls. I always start with a 50-75% SW just to get stretched out and my body used to the correct position/stresses.

Typically I'll go through the bag from SW-8i-5i-3i-3w-D, or something similar. Depending on my current issues I'll use an aid similar to HouAggie to work on my line. My swing is generally consistent, so I'm constantly working on alignment and setup.

Some days I'll hit fewer balls but hit EVERY one like I'm on the course, tweaking/practicing my preshot routine and strictly aiming every shot. Most days I'll hit 75% just grooving a swing thought and then 25% like I'm on the course.

I saw in another thread you graduated in 99. How in the heck can you go to the range 4 times per week? I have to assume you have kids. Do you go in the morning? Do you live on a golf course or something? I'd be damn near scared to go that often. Seems like there is a real possiblity a person could let there mind do a real number on their swing.

Some of you have mentioned alignment. What aides/tools do you find are good? Sometimes I put a club down at my feet to see where I'm aiming, but you can't do that when you're playing. Is there a better way to practice it? I always pick a target, then line it up with a divot or something a few feet in front of the ball, and then try to line up on the divot.

I usually line my clubface up to an intermediate target a few feet in front of the ball, but I make sure to look at the target when I'm lining up my body. I have a tendency to line up right of target if I'm not looking downfield when I step into the shot.

On the range, I use a couple driving range sticks. Maybe one across my feet and another just outside the ball. I still step into the shot while looking at the target, so it's easy for me to check after the fact if I'm lining up properly or not with a quick glance at the stick on the ground.

I get my 100 yard shot until I grove it 10 times in a row. Then 150 yard shot until I get 10 great ones.

Then 200 yard shot until I get it 10 good ones.

20 good drives.

the ball might not necessarily go 150 yards, but I know when I use my balls it will.

Then work on whatever else needs work. The key is feel good about different ranges

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I always start with a 50-75% SW just to get stretched out and my body used to the correct position/stresses.

Typically I'll go through the bag from SW-8i-5i-3i-3w-D, or something similar. Depending on my current issues I'll use an aid similar to HouAggie to work on my line. My swing is generally consistent, so I'm constantly working on alignment and setup.

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This.

I generally start with my 7, then I use my 4, then my PW, always paying attention to my line, not distance. I then hit my 5W then my driver. I stop with 12 balls left and try to hit first and second shot at first 6 holes at the course I'm playing.

One exception: when I play horseshoe bay, I definitely pay attention to hitting different distances, as they play the same Callaway balls I use. Even if it is slightly elevated.

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I saw in another thread you graduated in 99. How in the heck can you go to the range 4 times per week? I have to assume you have kids. Do you go in the morning? Do you live on a golf course or something? I'd be damn near scared to go that often. Seems like there is a real possiblity a person could let there mind do a real number on their swing.

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I work from home and travel a few days a month. I alternate going to the gym/driving range throughout the week, sometimes both if I have time (like today). I live about 6 minutes from the club.

I have three kids, 8 months - 7 years.

My mind enjoys the quiet time the driving range provides. I have very specific items I always need to work on. Most of the time there are only one or two that need special attention, so I don't let my mind get me all jacked up. Its still golf, though; most days are great, but every once in a while I go and its like I've never swung a club before.

[This message has been edited by Nom de Plume (edited 9/30/2011 2:40p).]

I bet you've been ticketed on the parkway if you can get from your house to the range in 6 minutes.

F.O. cops have little man syndrome....

hey nom... you hiring?