Range routines?

I focus on particular shots with my wedges and then move up through the bag to my driver.   An extended version of the pre-round routine.   I may try to simulate a round during a range session.  That sounds like it might be more productive than just hitting shots.

I usually start a range session the same way I warm-up before rounds.

Usually 25 minutes of pitching and chipping from just off the green, 10yds, 25 yds, & 40 yds.

Then putting from a bunch of different lengths and lies for 20 minutes or so.

If I'm not working on anything specificly, I'll simulate a round or go right into target / iron progression.

I usually start with the wedge and then skip every other club up through the bag. I end the session with a few 3/4 wedge shots and then about a half dozen shots with the club that I will hit my first tee ball with.

whats a range session? :)  I cant even remember the last time  I hit balls before a round.  Normally its straight from the golf shop to the first tee.

I like to go out and start with a "money club" 7 iron, 8 iron, something that I know I can hit well, something that will get me in a good stance to start things off, then I move up from there hitting 4 to 5 solid shots then shaping a few to each side then back to solid straight hits.  After I get to 3 iron I go down to wedges, hitting a variety 100%, 75%, 50%, checking distances, then go to woods, then head to the practice green for chipping and putting. 

i'm usually in the same boat as nick... no time to practice so i just go straight from the car to the first tee. 

however on the rare occation that i get to warm up before a round, i usually strart with wedges, then go to 8 iron, then 5 iron, then thru my woods.  i hit about 3 or 4 balls each.  then i work my way back down the ladder back to wedges.  i finally end on my warmup by hitting the club i am going to hit on the first tee (usually a driver).  i usually hit only 2 or 3 but i always try to leave on a good shot to have that image in my mind when i step up to the first tee.

the #1 key about my warmups and range sessions (which are rare) is that i MUST need to be listening to music or i get ridiculously bored.

i too seldom have the chance to warm up before starting my round.  again like most of you when i do have the chance i start with the wedge, work up to the driver and then back down. then witting a couple more with the driver. i do however hit the putting green to get a feel for the speed of the greens. differant length lag putts, varying short and long. seldom do i try to hole putts, it's just a time to get some distance control.       

Just always try to hit off grass. If I have to hit off the mats at the range, I always carry some string in my bag and lay a 6" piece right behind the ball so that at impact, if I move the string, I didn't make ball first contact, which we all know leads to chubby golf shots and bad rounds.

The less balls I hit before I play the better.  Too many bad thoughs creep into my mind if things aren't going my way on the practice tee.  I hit 18 balls using various clubs before I tee off.  I read somewhere once that single digit handicappers hit roughly 18 full shots in nine holes so I figured I would hit 18 balls as my 9 hole warm up.

Tim

fishbone0600

Just always try to hit off grass. If I have to hit off the mats at the range, I always carry some string in my bag and lay a 6" piece right behind the ball so that at impact, if I move the string, I didn't make ball first contact, which we all know leads to chubby golf shots and bad rounds.

I've never heard this one before. Great tip! Sometimes, especially here in New England, we only have the mats to hit off and everyone knows they can be very misleading. This will make those practice sessions a lot more productive. Thanks!

fishbone0600

Just always try to hit off grass. If I have to hit off the mats at the range, I always carry some string in my bag and lay a 6" piece right behind the ball so that at impact, if I move the string, I didn't make ball first contact, which we all know leads to chubby golf shots and bad rounds.

I have to agree with Chris.  This is a great idea.  Our range can get pretty wet after a decent range.  When that happens we are forced to hit off the mats.  I usually skip the range all together in those instances, but this little tip might force me to go out there on occasion.  I will have to give it a try later if it is still wet out there.

Tim

md7716

Just curious to see what everyone is doing these days for their range sessions.

Personally, I've been switching between focusing on simulated rounds using yardage books from some of my favorite courses.  I've found that this helps me stay away from just burning through a bucket and potentially getting into bad habits.

If I need to work some kinks out of the swing after a less than ideal round, then I'll run through some drills.

Any other thoughts on what works well at the range?

My range routine is always the same.  I start by taking 3 clubs and swinging them around to loosen up.  Then I move to stretching (legs, arms and back).  After all that is out of the way, I hit 3/4 7 irons for 10 balls then move to a full 7 iron for 10 balls (unless I am hitting poorly, then I hit some until I feel comfortable).  After my 7 iron, I move to my 52* gap wedge and do the same routine as  above.  From the 52* wedge, I move to the driver hitting 5 balls, the 3-wood hitting 5 balls and then a 9 iron hitting 10 balls.  Finally, I use whatever I am going to hit off the first tee and then a final 5 balls with my 7 iron.

Then it's off to the putting/chipping green.

All the best,
Eric

I warm up with wedges , then I go thru the holes that give me the most concern in my head and I play them on the range.

I have totally changed the way I practice. Before I could hit 25 7-irons in a row. But I read a book of Pia Nilsson & Lynn Marriot "The game before the game"  and now I never hit the same shot twice. It feels more natural when I swing and I dont think about how I swing but the result of the shot. Also always parctice short game and putting with one ball. Good reading, specially for golfers that have played for a while.

Now I can practice for 30 minutes with full concentration instead of hitting balls for hours. Try it!