Okay, let me walk you through how I usually tackle a practice session down at the driving range. It’s become a bit of a routine, helps me stay focused, you know?
Getting Started
First thing, I get there maybe 10-15 minutes early. Gives me time to park, grab my bucket of balls – usually go for a medium or large, depending on how much time I have – and find a decent spot. I try to pick a mat that isn’t too worn down and has a clear view of the targets out there.
Before I even hit a ball, I do some stretching. Nothing crazy, just some arm circles, torso twists, touch my toes, swing a club slowly without a ball. Just trying to loosen up the old back and shoulders. Don’t want to pull anything first swing.
Warming Up the Swing
I always start with my wedges. Usually the pitching wedge or maybe the sand wedge. I don’t even aim for distance at first. I just take maybe 10-15 easy, half-swings. Feeling the contact, getting a rhythm going. Focus is just on making clean contact with the ball.
Then I’ll move up slowly through the bag.
- Maybe hit 10 balls with a 9-iron.
- Then another 10 with a 7-iron.
- Then maybe a 5-iron or a hybrid if I brought it.
With each club change, I start picking specific targets out on the range. That little flag at 100 yards, maybe the pole marking 150. I’m not trying to kill it, just land it somewhere near the target. Consistency is the name of the game here, right?
Working on Specifics
Once I feel warmed up, maybe after 30-40 balls, I start focusing on whatever I felt was weak last time I played or practiced. Sometimes it’s my iron accuracy.
If it’s irons: I’ll pick one target, say the 150-yard marker, and hit maybe 15 balls just with my 7-iron (or whatever club gets me there). I try to really pay attention to where the ball goes. Left? Right? Short? Long? And I try to make small adjustments. Maybe focusing on my tempo, or keeping my head still. It’s all trial and error, seeing what works on that particular day.
If it’s the driver: Ah, the big dog. Everyone loves hitting the driver. I usually save this for the middle or towards the end of the bucket. I find a wide part of the range, like pretending it’s a fairway. I’ll hit maybe 15-20 balls. Some days they go straight, some days… not so much.
Again, I’m not purely focused on distance. I mean, it’s nice to see it fly far, but hitting it somewhere playable is more important. So I focus on a smooth swing, trying to hit the center of the clubface. Sometimes I’ll tee it slightly lower or higher to see what happens.
Finishing Up
Towards the end of the bucket, with maybe 10-15 balls left, I like to wind down. I often go back to my wedge. Hit some easy shots to the closest targets. Kind of reinforces that feeling of a good, controlled swing.
Sometimes I’ll simulate playing a hole: Hit a driver, then grab the iron I’d use for the approach, then maybe a little wedge shot. Just to mix it up.
Last ball? I try to make it a good, smooth swing, regardless of the result. End on a positive thought, if possible.
Packing Up and Thinking
Then I just gather my stuff, maybe clean the grooves on my clubs quickly. As I walk back to the car, I think about what went well and what still needs work. Did I make better contact with my irons? Was the driver behaving? It helps me figure out what to focus on next time.
That’s pretty much it. It’s not super scientific, but it’s a routine that works for me. Gets me hitting balls with some kind of purpose instead of just bashing them mindlessly. Hope sharing this helps someone figure out their own way to practice.
