Common Driving Range Mistakes
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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00:00We all know going to the driving range can be great fun and really beneficial for your game,
00:06but only if you do it in the right way.
00:09It's easy to make mistakes and do silly things when you're down at the driving range.
00:14We've all done it, we all know how it feels.
00:17We're going to have a little whiz through of the top driving range mistakes
00:21to make sure you never ever make them again.
00:25And wouldn't you just know it, over my shoulder,
00:27here he comes strolling in and he has reached straight for the big dog.
00:32Predictably, we've all done it, you go straight for the driver, the longest club,
00:36in theory the most difficult to hit because of it, and the one that takes the most effort.
00:40No warm-up, no leading up to it, and he's going to
00:44lash one away, hit it terribly, and now he's got an awful mindset.
00:50Don't go for the driver first time, that is your number one driving range mistake.
00:55Here comes mistake number two, and I'm sure we've all been both people in this scenario
01:00at one time or another.
01:03That's giving unsolicited advice.
01:06Now, we've probably been the person giving the advice, we know we're well-meaning,
01:10we probably genuinely think we can help that person,
01:13but if you're the one who's struggling at the range,
01:16the absolute last thing you want is someone who isn't really qualified
01:20jumping in and giving you advice when they need it.
01:23And giving you advice when they have no idea about you,
01:26your game, or any changes that you're trying to make.
01:29Our advice, just stay out of it and focus on your own game.
01:34Next up, it's a big mistake of hitting aimlessly on the range.
01:39Most of us are fortunate to go to a nice facility,
01:42you've got flags, you've got nets to aim for, always have a specific target in mind.
01:48If you don't, how do you tell if you've hit a good shot,
01:50and what really is the point of being there?
01:53Pick a target, have an idea of what you're trying to achieve,
01:57and then you can analyse how well that range session is going.
02:01Next up is something that I personally do all too often when I'm in a driving range,
02:06and that's hitting driver from the wrong tee height.
02:09Whether you can't get your tee into the mat to the right height,
02:12or you've got those electric ones that pop up and you can't quite get it right,
02:17nothing good comes from hitting driver off a tee height
02:20that you wouldn't use on the golf course.
02:23It's going to give you an incorrect idea of how you're hitting the ball,
02:27and possibly grain some bad habits as well.
02:29You're either going to get down into it to try and lift it off of a tiny tee,
02:33or feel like you're swinging a baseball bat because the tee is miles too high.
02:38Whatever you do, if you practice any club,
02:41make sure you do it in the same way you would use it on the course,
02:43and for a driver, number one thing to do that,
02:46make sure it's the right tee height.
02:51Another common mistake is to hit the same club over and over and over again.
02:57Now that kind of repetition might work if you're trying to groove a really specific swing change,
03:02but in general, throughout a round of golf,
03:04you're hitting different shots all the time,
03:06changing clubs, changing targets, changing what you're trying to do.
03:10If you can replicate that in the driving range,
03:12it will really help you when you get outside.
03:15Adapt to the different length of club,
03:17to the different style of shot you're trying to hit.
03:20So hitting off a tee, hitting off the deck.
03:22Another really cool little tip if you're at the driving range,
03:25and this is just before you're going to play,
03:27so it's a warm-up session, not a practice session.
03:30Play the first couple of holes in your head, out on the range.
03:34If the first tee shot's a driver, hit driver.
03:37If that typically leaves you an eight iron into the green, then go to eight iron.
03:41Maybe then have a chip in case you miss the green.
03:44What's the next tee shot?
03:45It's a par three maybe, you know you hit five iron there.
03:48Try that.
03:49Knowing you've just hit those shots successfully on the range
03:52will fill you with confidence when you step up to the real thing on the course.
03:57The next one is going to sound so simple,
03:59but honestly, if you get this right,
04:02it can make a huge positive difference to your game,
04:05and it's all about alignment.
04:07Make sure you use an alignment stick or even a club shaft on the ground
04:12to ensure your feet and body are aiming exactly where you want.
04:16When you go to the driving range,
04:18all of those bays, they can't all be aiming exactly
04:21at the flags or the targets you want to be hitting.
04:24You can overcome that by sticking an alignment stick
04:27or a shaft on the ground on your foot line.
04:30Make sure you're aiming where you want,
04:32and then you can see if you're hitting it straight,
04:35a little bit left or a little bit right.
04:37There's no way of accurately analysing your game at the range
04:41if you're not aiming exactly where you think you are.
04:44Next up, make sure you have an aim or a target for that session.
04:50Whether it's something like you're working on a move your coach has given you
04:53and you want to feel like you can really groove that,
04:56just working through all of your bag, getting a gauge of your yardages,
04:59or something as simple as getting to a point
05:02where you hit the shot you want five times in a row.
05:05Before you get there, have a plan in mind for what you want to achieve,
05:09and if you achieve it, stop the session right there.
05:12That's where you've hit your peak. Make sure you leave on a high.
05:16The next big mistake is abandoning a swing change
05:20or something you've been working on after a few bad shots.
05:24We all know how easy it is to fall into old habits,
05:28and if you've got a swing that you know what it's going to do,
05:31even if that's not the greatest golf shot in the world,
05:34it can be so much nicer to see that repetitive action and ball flight.
05:39But if you're looking to make changes, you're doing it for a reason.
05:43Ultimately, you want to get better and the driving range,
05:46well, that's the place to do it.
05:48Make your mistakes here, persevere with whatever it is you're working on,
05:52and then when you're on the course, you can trust that new swing.
05:57The next big mistake is hitting the partition between the bays.
06:01Always make sure you're aware of your surroundings,
06:03whether that is the structure itself, your own bag, people walking by.
06:08It happens occasionally.
06:09It's no good for your clubs or for you.
06:12Make sure there's enough room either side
06:14and keep those clubs away from the metal.
06:18Our next big mistake is rolling up straight from the office.
06:22You've got your dress shirt on, some nice slick shoes,
06:26but they have got slippery bottoms and straight out onto the range you go.
06:31You're not going to be able to swing properly in a dress shirt.
06:33Those shoes are going to be slipping around all over the place.
06:38If you can find a few minutes to get away from the office
06:41or drop into the range on the way home, that's great,
06:44but put a spare polo shirt in or at the very least have some golf shoes in the car.
06:50You really want to make sure you've got good grip, good traction,
06:53and you are wearing what you're going to be out on the course
06:56any time you hit the driving range.
06:59And finally, I can't tell you how many times I've witnessed this one.
07:03It always makes you laugh when it's not you,
07:05but if it is, it's an absolute nightmare.
07:08Please make sure you put your basket under the ball dispenser.
07:13No one wants to be the guy scrambling around to pick up golf balls.
07:18So there we have it, the 11 biggest mistakes you can make on the driving range.
07:23Hopefully by watching this, you can avoid any of them in the future.
07:27If there's any you think we've missed, add them to the comments below.
07:30Please remember to like this video and subscribe to the Golf Monthly channel.
07:34We've got loads more great content coming your way.
07:38We'll see you next time.