Range targets vs. Course targets

[straightshooter]

I am not sure why, but I seem to be more accurate on the course than I am on the range.

I try to hit target-greens and imagined fairways at the range, and I often manage to do so, especially when I get 'grooved', but when I try to mix it up between different targets, the results are often very discouraging, certainly for the first shot at it, which is often waaay off.

This is not encouraging for a warmup.

Then again, when I hit the course, I find myself much more accurate on my 'first shot' (i.e. every shot!).

Why is this?

Do I have better focus when it matters?

Does the vast expanse of the range mess me up? Alternatively, does the tree-lined fairway guide me? Does the look of a real green encourage me?


I haven't been able to figure it out, and I am interested in your opinions!

[Sinsation]

Do I have better focus when it matters?
probably
Does the vast expanse of the range mess me up?
i think so.
Alternatively, does the tree-lined fairway guide me?
yeah, i think having boundaries helps when u aim. also other objects that help you align and setup. I know on the mats its hard to line up off the squareness of the mat. i think subconsciously i want to hit along the straight lines of the mat.
Does the look of a real green encourage me?
i think the different color and height, makes it look almost like a bullseye. really helps you focus on it.

[Bigvivec]

Originally Posted by Sinsation

Do I have better focus when it matters?
probably
Does the vast expanse of the range mess me up?
i think so.
Alternatively, does the tree-lined fairway guide me?
yeah, i think having boundaries helps when u aim. also other objects that help you align and setup. I know on the mats its hard to line up off the squareness of the mat. i think subconsciously i want to hit along the straight lines of the mat.
Does the look of a real green encourage me?
i think the different color and height, makes it look almost like a bullseye. really helps you focus on it.

I think you hit it...ranges are usually more or less rectangular, hitting bays are squared off at 90* angles, even grass tees are aligned to a toe rope perpendicular to the rectangular lenght of the fairway, and if you use mats, all of these angles are reinforced subconciously, guiding your shots not necessarily where you want them to go...I purposely practice at the end of the grass tee at an angle to the fairway and caddycorner to the lenghtwise lines of the shelf that comprises the grass tee to eliminate these subconcious reinforcers...it helps alot...that and doing a full pre shot routine including standing behind the ball sighting the target on every shot on and off the course has helped with alignment consistency...

[jshiver15]

I find myself hitting much worse on the range, especially when I have to hit off of mats. Usually, I don't like to hit from the center of the driving range because they have all the yardages lined up one behind the other. But whenever I go to the left or right side, my mat is faced either left or right of the target. And because they're in stalls, I don't have much room to move them.

Because of the parallel fashion of the mats, I cannot seem to get it into my head that I don't have to hit to wherever they're pointing. So, whenever I am trying to hit left or right, I completely over compensate. It just seems to make more sense when I am actually in a real fairway.

Another thing I really don't like about the range on base is that there is always wind coming directly towards me. I never get to guage in my actual distances and it is extrmemely discouraging (not to mention bad for my swing from me trying to get a 7 iron to go 150 yards!).

[straightshooter]

I have had the mat-alignment problem in the past, but this happens from the grass area, without any major 'distracting' barriers between stations, also. The positive side-effect of all this is that I have gotten to the point where a bad range session does not at all discourages me to go out and play, which is just great. I would almost go as far to call it a blessing!

[PA PLAYA]

I can understand not having the same degree of focus on the range as on the course.

I've had some lack-luster range sessions the past month or so. Yet my play on the course has been very good. I will keep going to the range, because I know that my scores are reflecting the benefits. But I can appreciate the indifference between the two, and I likewise attribute it to a heightened state of awareness when it matters most.

What's really funny -- I hit a lot of fairways off the tee. So keeping the ball in play isn't much of an issue. But when I play one of those rare courses that have the barber poles in the center of the fairway at 150 yards, it's like I suddenly become Jim Furyk.

That "specific" target helps.

[Bulls9999]

Our range also tilts about 20-degrees from right to left, so many balls will break to the left...hard to judge if it was your shot that did that or the range fairway.

[C-Tech]

I have just never been able to get excited about the range. The greens don't react the same, the yardages never seem right, the balls are not like the ones you really play, and if you miss, you can just drag over another ball. I use the range to warm up and that is about it.

[mr3856a]

Originally Posted by straightshooter

Do I have better focus when it matters?

Yep.

[JimSomebody]

More than once I've hit horribly on the range and then (minutes later) much better on the course. When this happens, I think it's because when I'm on the range, I'm very self-aware, thinking about mechanics, etc., whereas when I'm on the course I'm thinking more about getting the ball to the next place I want it to be. It's as if I'm better off visualizing the shot than I am visualizing where my right elbow is.

[straightshooter]

I was able to get some clues towards the answers of my question(s) recently. During the past month, range employees put 3 colored (and numbered balls) into every bucket. If you hit them into one of two target nets, a wedge away, you win a free bucket for next time, if you do it more often there are more extensive perks to be won. A number of times I have saved my last 10 or so balls (including the 3 colored balls) for the end of my session. I use 7 (or so) to try to get dialed in, then finish up with the 3 prize balls.

It seems that I cannot come close to the target with the 7 practice balls, going left, right, over and whatnot. Embarassing! The last 3 balls are always hit much better: I haven't put one in the net yet, but I have been happy with almost all of the 'for real' shots, as they often look like they have a chance.

I am sure this must be some sort of character-flaw: Apparently I cannot make myself put in a good effort during practice, but I do much better when there is something to play for. Perhaps if I wanted it more, I would have knocked some into the net by now.

[C-Tech]

If you need something to play for, why not take along one of your golfing buddies when you go to the range and figure out some kind of game for a little cash or just for bragging rights that will give you a boost??? Might be worth a try. I know I have done this with a friend on the putting green, playing for a quarter per hole-out...it sure does make you concentrate.