The Low-Hanging Fruit on the Driving Range
2/25/2025
For a long time I practiced golf and didn’t see much improvement translate to the course – certainly not as much as I hoped. In retrospect it’s obvious to me why: I wasn’t practicing with intent.
I’d go to a driving range and work my way through the bag – hit 10 PWs, 10 9i’s, 10 8i’s, and so on – and whatever progress I thought I was making wouldn’t make it to the first tee. My guess is that this phenomenon is pretty common.
How many golfers go to a driving range and practice in a way that mimics the on-course environment? You’re (hopefully) not hitting the same club 10 times in a row on the course!
How many golfers practice their pre-shot routine? How many think about a cover number? Pick and visualize a clear target? Actually go through the process and ritual of a shot they’d execute on the course?
I can’t say for sure, and maybe my past practice habits were on the extremely unproductive end of the spectrum. But I suspect not. My guess is that many golfers, perhaps a majority, go to a driving range without a clear purpose or rationale for how they’re going to practice. And it impedes their progress.
When I started to practice with more intent, I started to see results translate to the course. After years of plateauing around a 10.0 index, I shaved nearly 4 strokes off my handicap. I have renewed hope that I can approach scratch in another couple years. (I’m dreaming big!) Almost every time I’m at the driving range now, I practice with my pre-shot routine. I have a clear target in my eye. I have a clear goal for the shot I’m trying to execute.
Sure, now I don’t go to the range and get into a rhythm with a single club that I can dial in over and over again. But I find a different rhythm – one that is far more productive in reaching my goals.
The next time you go to the driving range, try slowing down and practicing this way. In the moment you may not feel as much progress. But I think in adopting this approach to practice, over time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by your improvement where it actually matters. On the course.