Golf - Driving Range

Lonewolf · 22 Jun 2011 at 20:17

I've bought myself a set of golf clubs for when I have time off work and hope to play a round very soon, but in the mean time I'm thinking of going to my local driving range for some practice swings.

What clubs should I take, or would it be more beneficial to take the whole set? Also, is it better to wear golf shoes or just a pair of trainers etc?

Any other advice appreciated for a novice

fergie128 · 22 Jun 2011 at 20:35

I go to the driving range 2-3 times a week. I wear my golf shoes where possible as they have better grip. I tend to take a PW, 8 and 5 irons, 3 hybrid, 3 wood and driver.

Ideally if you are allowed to take the whole set then go for it, but many ranges dont allow bags as people tend to steal the balls (I wouldnt be caught dead on a course with range balls).

The key to the range is to play a variety of shots, and not just go for pure distance. Initially you will want to just hit everything straight and build up your swing and confidence. Past that stage, get used to aiming for targets, write down your yardages on each club and get to know them for on the course. And try to start with low clubs such as a PW or 8 iron and work up to the driver.

Videojug has some good golfing instructional videos, a guy called Rickard Strongert does them. Dont be afraid to lay clubs down on the ground to get your address correct and such things. You wont look like a plonker as everyone is too busy concentrating on hitting their own ball straight

Shure · 22 Jun 2011 at 20:46

If you are new to the game then it would be ideal to just take a 7 iron and focus on your swing rather than being concerned about distance.

Participant · 23 Jun 2011 at 13:37

I take the whole bag as it's easier, and wear trainers.

IceBus · 23 Jun 2011 at 14:00

Take the whole bag and wear golf shoes - you're not going to be playing golf in trainers, so why build up muscle memory where you're wearing them?

I generally stretch, warm up with a few straight 7-iron shots, then work up to long-irons (hit a few 5-irons, then my 3-iron). Long irons I'll be hitting at targets (the yardage markers etc.). Then I'll hit a few hybrid shots, then my 3-wood then the driver. Woods I'll be aiming to hit straight to target landing areas, as I rarely try and work the ball on the course off the tee.

Once about half my bucket is gone, I switch to short irons and practice hitting different types of approaches, either to the pin targets or nets. When I'm down to about 20 balls remaining I hit chip/pitch shots at the closest net and usually try to get at least a couple in.

You should go to the driving range with a goal, not just to blast balls. If you've never played golf before, I'd recommend getting a few lessons early on. Don't bother until you can regularly contact the ball and get it in the air - otherwise you'll be paying for someone to watch you duff the ball. Having a fundamentally sound swing from the start will pay dividends later.

Morba · 23 Jun 2011 at 15:19

Lessons are great if you are a beginner.
I used to take a 7iron, 3 iron and a 3 wood. On some occasions I'd take a wedge instead of the 3 wood.

If you have shoes wear them

Participant · 23 Jun 2011 at 15:39

IceBus said:
Take the whole bag and wear golf shoes - you're not going to be playing golf in trainers, so why build up muscle memory where you're wearing them?

I've always assumed the driving range owners don't want spiked golf on their range mats? Or are you referring to ranges that allow you to play from turf?

Regarding lessons, invaluable at almost any stage imo. I played a lot of cricket and tended to push the club through rather than close the face. Lessons helped a lot with that.

IceBus · 23 Jun 2011 at 15:51

Robbie G said:
I've always assumed the driving range owners don't want spiked golf on their range mats? Or are you referring to ranges that allow you to play from turf?

Regarding lessons, invaluable at almost any stage imo. I played a lot of cricket and tended to push the club through rather than close the face. Lessons helped a lot with that.

Those mats are designed for being used by golfers, and are basically a very tough astroturf. I've never had a problem. Also, most newer golf shoes come with rubber spikes rather than metal, which won't hurt the mats at all.

kefkef · 23 Jun 2011 at 16:20

Agree with IceBus mainly. I prefer to start with my pitchiing wedge and work to long irons with a few shots with each, picking out targets also. Very rarely get the driver out unless it's been misbehaving or i want to practice some specific shots (playing links golf i'll usually practice hitting the driver off the mat to give an option on the course from a fairway). Last 20 or so balls, i'll usually play a few 'holes', with driver/3 wood, mid-iron, pitching wedge etc.

I would say if you can, get out and play as much as possible also. I started by having a series of 4 lessons and a lot of practice at the range for a month, then played as much as i could afford/spare the time too, havent stopped in the 4yrs since.

Lonewolf · 23 Jun 2011 at 19:06

I'll take the bag and see what the rules are. How many balls do you guys normally hit during a session, I see most offer a minimum of 50 balls.
Going to visit the driving range in the morning and see whether I can hit a ball

I've played one round a few years back plus I played pitch and putt quite often a few years back.

Beepcake · 23 Jun 2011 at 20:03

I'm far from an expert, but personally I take my driver, wedge, 3 iron (I hit that the best out of all my irons) and A.N. Other random club. I'll normally hit a few with the 3 to warm up, then my random iron, some with the driver and finish off pitching at targets. I make sure I take a random iron just to make sure I get some decent time practising with them all.

How many I hit depends on what mood I'm in, it's normally a 50, but sometimes I'll hit 100 and have about 40 of those pitching.

kefkef · 23 Jun 2011 at 20:28

Number of balls for me depends on what i'm trying to do. If it's trying to make some kind of swing change where you need the repetition of the action then it could be 100, if i'm just there to fine tune pitching, chipping then it could be anything from 30-50. Quite often leave balls behind as when i get to the last 5-15 or so i always like to finish when i've hit a really decent shot. Nowt worse than creaming a 6 iron or spinning a wedge to then chunk the last few down the range as it feels like all the hard work has been for nothing.

IceBus · 23 Jun 2011 at 22:33

I usually get around the 60 balls much. When I get 100 I feel like i'm forcing my way through the last 15, as in a normal round you wouldn't hit more than 60 full shots really.

Like kefkef says, get more if you're working on the swing, but don't go too hard at it when you're just starting or you'll get bad blisters and not be able to play for days as it takes a while to build up calluses.

Lonewolf · 24 Jun 2011 at 16:33

IceBus said:
I usually get around the 60 balls much. When I get 100 I feel like i'm forcing my way through the last 15, as in a normal round you wouldn't hit more than 60 full shots really.

Like kefkef says, get more if you're working on the swing, but don't go too hard at it when you're just starting or you'll get bad blisters and not be able to play for days as it takes a while to build up calluses.

Blisters? No blisters, but the rest of me is aching. This 40 odd year old body couldn't take the twisting and stretching of normally unused muscles, I should have done a bit of a warm up first

I started with a bucket of 50, but they seemed to go too quickly, so I got an additional 50 balls.

My main problem which I noticed from my time on the driving range was I hook the ball a lot, I'm sure it will disappear with practice though and some instruction. I'm due to play 18 holes next Friday, so I might go for some more practice next Thursday and see if I can improve somewhat. It was good to see that I wasn't the only one on the range whom had problems with hitting the ball straight

kefkef · 24 Jun 2011 at 17:45

To be honest mate, get some lessons. My Pro charges £50 for 4 x half hour lessons. In the first 4 lessons you'll learn all about grip, ball position, swinging (hmmmm, sounds like a sex lesson!!

) and stance. You'll get some decent drills to do to practice, then go for a lessons every 4-6 weeks. In the first year it'll make a massive difference to your progress.

Lonewolf · 24 Jun 2011 at 18:43

kefkef said:
To be honest mate, get some lessons. My Pro charges £50 for 4 x half hour lessons. In the first 4 lessons you'll learn all about grip, ball position, swinging (hmmmm, sounds like a sex lesson!! )

Ha-ha

I have considered lessons, but I don't want to go to all that expense should I not play any golf come 6 months down the line.

6thElement · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:11

Go for a few lessons straight away, just to get some guidance on what you're supposed to be doing.

Otherwise you'll start badly and may develope a bad swing that you struggle to get rid of, if you do take the game up more seriously.

IceBus · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:26

Lonewolf said:
Ha-ha

I have considered lessons, but I don't want to go to all that expense should I not play any golf come 6 months down the line.

The best tip I can give you for your first round of 18 is don't be afraid to put the driver in the bag and leave it there if you're not hitting it well. Teeing off with a three-wood or long iron is nothing to be ashamed of when you're learning, and I'll often still do that on shortish par-4s where placement matters more than distance.

Also, bring plenty of balls and I'd recommend bringing some plasters in your bag in case you get blisters from your golf shoes. And a Mars bar/drink for the turn

Diggsy · 24 Jun 2011 at 20:51

As above really, I would recommend at least one or two lessons to make sure you have the basics right, as there is nothing worse than building up muscle memory with a poor grip/stance/swing.

Also, you will tend to break more than you fix when you try and iron out the problems yourself. I should know, I have had nightmares trying to sort minor problems, only for the local pro to fix them in 60 seconds. :rolleyes:

Richard_16v · 26 Jun 2011 at 13:46

IceBus said:
Teeing off with a three-wood or long iron is nothing to be ashamed of when you're learning, and I'll often still do that on shortish par-4s where placement matters more than distance.

Using a fairway wood or iron off the tee isn't only something to not be ashamed of, but should be encouraged. Most people would play better if leaving the driver at home 9 times out of 10