In this video, Kit Alexander explains the 11 most common mistakes golfers make when going to the driving range. Whether it's starting your session with the driver or forgetting to put a basket under the ball dispenser we've got them all covered in this video.
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00:00 We all know going to the driving range can be great fun and really beneficial for your game,
00:06 but only if you do it in the right way.
00:09 It's easy to make mistakes and do silly things when you're down at the driving range.
00:14 We've all done it, we all know how it feels.
00:17 We're going to have a little whiz through of the top driving range mistakes
00:21 to make sure you never ever make them again.
00:24 And wouldn't you just know it, over my shoulder,
00:27 here he comes strolling in and he has reached straight for the big dog.
00:32 Predictably, we've all done it, you go straight for the driver, the longest club,
00:36 in theory the most difficult to hit because of it and the one that takes the most effort.
00:40 No warm-up, no leading up to it and he's going to lash one away,
00:45 hit it terribly and now he's got an awful mindset.
00:50 Don't go for the driver first time, that is your number one driving range mistake.
00:57 Here comes mistake number two and I'm sure we've all been both people in this scenario at one time or another.
01:05 That's giving unsolicited advice.
01:08 Now we've probably been the person giving the advice, we know we're well-meaning,
01:12 we probably genuinely think we can help that person,
01:15 but if you're the one who's struggling at the range,
01:18 the absolute last thing you want is someone who isn't really qualified jumping in
01:23 and giving you advice when they have no idea about you, your game or any changes that you're trying to make.
01:29 Our advice, just stay out of it and focus on your own game.
01:32 Next up, it's a big mistake of hitting aimlessly on the range.
01:39 Most of us are fortunate to go to a nice facility, you've got flags, you've got nets to aim for.
01:44 Always have a specific target in mind.
01:48 If you don't, how do you tell if you've hit a good shot and what really is the point of being there?
01:53 Pick a target, have an idea of what you're trying to achieve
01:57 and then you can analyse how well that range session is going.
02:00 Next up is something that I personally do all too often when I'm in a driving range
02:06 and that's hitting driver from the wrong tee height.
02:09 Whether you can't get your tee into the mat to the right height
02:12 or you've got those electric ones that pop up and you can't quite get it right,
02:17 nothing good comes from hitting driver off a tee height that you wouldn't use on the golf course.
02:23 It's going to give you an incorrect idea of how you're hitting the ball
02:27 and possibly grain some bad habits as well.
02:29 You're either going to get down into it to try and lift it up off of a tiny tee
02:33 or feel like you're swinging a baseball bat because the tee is miles too high.
02:37 Whatever you do, if you practice any club,
02:41 make sure you do it in the same way you would use it on the course
02:43 and for a driver, number one thing to do that, make sure it's the right tee height.
02:48 Another common mistake is to hit the same club over and over and over again.
02:57 Now that kind of repetition might work if you're trying to groove a really specific swing change
03:02 but in general, throughout a round of golf, you're hitting different shots all the time,
03:06 changing clubs, changing targets, changing what you're trying to do.
03:10 If you can replicate that in the driving range, it will really help you when you get outside.
03:15 Adapt to the different length of club, to the different style of shot you're trying to hit,
03:20 to hitting off a tee, hitting off the deck.
03:22 Another really cool little tip if you're at the driving range
03:25 and this is just before you're going to play, so it's a warm-up session, not a practice session.
03:30 Play the first couple of holes in your head out on the range.
03:34 If the first tee shot's a driver, hit driver.
03:37 If that typically leaves you an eight iron into the green, then go to eight iron.
03:41 Maybe then have a chip in case you miss the green.
03:44 What's the next tee shot? It's a par three maybe, you know you hit five iron there.
03:48 Try that. Knowing you've just hit those shots successfully on the range
03:52 will fill you with confidence when you step up to the real thing on the course.
03:56 The next one is going to sound so simple but honestly, if you get this right,
04:02 it can make a huge positive difference to your game and it's all about alignment.
04:07 Make sure you use an alignment stick or even a club shaft on the ground
04:12 to ensure your feet and body are aiming exactly where you want.
04:16 When you go to the driving range, all of those bays, they can't all be aiming exactly
04:21 at the flags or the targets you want to be hitting.
04:24 You can overcome that by sticking an alignment stick or a shaft on the ground on your foot line.
04:30 Make sure you're aiming where you want and then you can see
04:34 if you're hitting it straight, a little bit left or a little bit right.
04:37 There's no way of accurately analysing your game at the range
04:41 if you're not aiming exactly where you think you are.
04:44 Next up, make sure you have an aim or a target for that session.
04:50 Whether it's something like you're working on a move your coach has given you
04:54 and you want to feel like you can really groove that,
04:57 just working through all of your bag, getting a gauge of your yardages
05:00 or something as simple as getting to a point where you hit the shot you want five times in a row.
05:06 Before you get there, have a plan in mind for what you want to achieve
05:10 and if you achieve it, stop the session right there.
05:13 That's where you've hit your peak, make sure you leave on a high.
05:17 The next big mistake is abandoning a swing change or something you've been working on
05:23 after a few bad shots.
05:25 We all know how easy it is to fall into old habits
05:29 and if you've got a swing that you know what it's going to do,
05:32 even if that's not the greatest golf shot in the world,
05:36 it can be so much nicer to see that repetitive action and ball flight.
05:40 But if you're looking to make changes, you're doing it for a reason.
05:44 Ultimately you want to get better and the driving range, well that's the place to do it.
05:49 Make your mistakes here, persevere with whatever it is you're working on
05:53 and then when you're on the course, you can trust that new swing.
05:58 The next big mistake is hitting the partition between the bays.
06:02 Always make sure you're aware of your surroundings,
06:04 whether that is the structure itself, your own bag, people walking by.
06:09 It happens occasionally, it's no good for your clubs or for you.
06:13 Make sure there's enough room either side and keep those clubs away from the metal.
06:18 Our next big mistake is rolling up straight from the office.
06:23 You've got your dress shirt on, some nice slick shoes
06:27 but they have got slippery bottoms and straight out onto the range you go.
06:32 You're not gonna be able to swing properly in a dress shirt,
06:34 those shoes are going to be slipping around all over the place.
06:38 If you can find a few minutes to get away from the office
06:41 or drop into the range on the way home, that's great.
06:44 But put a spare polo shirt in or at the very least, have some golf shoes in the car.
06:50 You really want to make sure you've got good grip, good traction
06:53 and you are wearing what you're going to be out on the course anytime you hit the driving range.
06:58 And finally, I can't tell you how many times I've witnessed this one.
07:03 It always makes you laugh when it's not you, but if it is, it's an absolute nightmare.
07:08 Please make sure you put your basket under the ball dispenser.
07:13 No one wants to be the guy scrabbling around to pick up golf balls.
07:16 So there we have it, the 11 biggest mistakes you can make on the driving range.
07:23 Hopefully by watching this, you can avoid any of them in the future.
07:27 If there's any you think we've missed, add them to the comments below.
07:30 Please remember to like this video and subscribe to the Golf Monthly channel.
07:34 We've got loads more great content coming your way.
07:38 We'll see you next time.
07:39 [Golf Balls Whizzing By]