If you can only pick one option, go play golf. Golf often comes down to managing your swing that day and hitting the shots the course is requiring. You have to deal with a variety of variables and ultimately learn to score. You can’t learn these intangibles at the driving range.
We all want to play more consistent golf!
On our journey with golf, we strive to reach a level where we can shoot the score we expect a high percentage of the time.
Many of us will spend time practicing at the driving range, around the putting green and playing as much as we can.
We can also question how to maximize our time in our journey to reach our full potential!
Is It Better To Practice or Play Golf?
Personal Experience: I love to play golf. But I also enjoy practicing my game in my golf simulator setup. I can play the equivalent of 18 holes in about 40 minutes. I can get a lot of full swings in during a short period of time. The combination of practicing in a simulator and playing real golf has helped me lower my handicap to the scratch level!
However, in some situations, if you have been playing a lot and need to work on a specific part of your game, practice time at the range, especially when you have instant feedback through a launch monitor or swing advice from a coach can be highly effective.
When Is It Better To Practice?
- If your swing is completely off and you need a practice session to get back on track.
- You have a specific shot, skill or swing partner you need to practice.
- If you have limited time and want to maximize the number of shots hit.
When Is It Better To Play?
- When you are hitting the ball solid and need repetitions in scoring in all situations.
- When you want to have fun, playing the game always seems more fun than practicing.
- When you want to test your skill, swing or swing pattern that you developed at the range.
- When you want to develop a game that can handle the many variables that you are faced with in a round of golf (lie, wind, undulations, putting, short game, distractions, etc.)
Ultimately, you want to maximize your time every day, week, month and golf season to reach your full potential. To help you with this, I have some simple tips to assist you with maximizing your time while playing golf or practicing golf.
Tips for Practicing at the Driving Range
- Have something specific you are working on.
- Utilize a launch monitor
- Play the course game
Tip #1: Have something specific to work on
Too many golfers buy their bucket of range balls, head to the hitting mat and just start aimlessly swinging. What exactly are they working on?
Instead, set some goals and use tools like alignment sticks or clubs, have a specific target and distance and try to execute the shot.
Some golfers might specifically work on hitting a draw or hitting a fade. Others might be trying to increase their consistency with ball striking, while others might be trying to increase their distance with their driver.
Whatever it might be, set a clear goal, use tools to help you get there and maximize your time at the driving range.
Resource: How to practice golf in winter (5 Ideas!)
My number one drill that I use is the stock shot drill. It helps me focus on three items:
- Consistent ball striking
- Consistent start lines with my shots
- Curving the ball towards the target.
Highly Recommended: Stock Shot Drill
- At the driving range, set up an alignment stick about 6-8 yards in front of you, straight down your target line.
- If you have a second alignment stick, set the stick 3-4 feet right of the first stick (for a draw) or left of the first stick (for a fade).
- Complete your initial assessment see how many times out of 10 you can start the ball to the right or left of your target. Pick one side and measure your game at this point.
- The goal is to eventually get 7 out of 10 shots to start to the correct side and draw back towards the target.
Here is the drill being explained by Kyle Morris:
Tip #2: Utilize A Launch Monitor
Bryson DeChambeau prefers to practice over playing because of the number of shots he is able to get in a shorter period of time. If you are playing golf and it takes you 4 hours and you shoot a 72, chances are only around 52 shots are full swing or wedge shots. However, within less than a hour you can get 52 full swing shots in to develop your game.
One thing Bryson always has is a launch monitor. These devices can provide information such as the following:
- Ball Speed
- Club Speed
- Spin Axis
- Spin Rate
- Launch Angle
- Carry and Total Distance
While you might be able to afford a Trackman or Flightscore, there are some rather affordable options on the market today for the amateur golfer. I use the Skytrak and it has helped me improve my game to the scratch level.
Here are the top 3 options to check out:
For those that live in a location where winter weather prevents you from playing golf, two of the three options above can be used as part of a golf simulator setup. I built a golf simulator around 4 years ago and have now played over 800 rounds of golf on it. I have been able to reduce my score from upper 70s on average to lower 70s on average. The benefits are amazing and the feedback is simply helpful!
Resource: Should I practice golf everyday? (Top 5 Tips)
Tip #3: Play the Course Game
If you can’t get to the course because of access of limited time, the key is to replicate course like conditions and practice specific shots from the courses you play the most.
My number one go to game, whether I am by myself at the driving range or with a friend, is to simulate a course that you have played or would love to play. Here is how it works: you start at the first hole and let’s say it is a 405 yard par 4 with a hazard to the left at 220 yards, but a slight bailout area to the right.
Set the parameters with different markers out on the driving range. Go through your pre-shot routine and see if you can hit the targeted area you are trying to hit. Based on that drive, let’s say you have 165 left to the green. Pull the appropriate club, set the target with some parameters and go ahead and make that shot as well.
Keep track of how many times you can hit your targeted area. Over time track your progress and see if you are getting better during your practice rounds.
This game is a great way to prepare for a round of golf the week leading up to a tournament or even the day of to help bring the power of visualization and help yourself feel comfortable that you have hit the shots many times before the actual tournament.
Standing and hitting at a driving range that is 150 yards wide probably will not bring the pressure that you need to prepare for the round, but mark something as the out of bounds that may appear on the course and all of a sudden it seems a bit more real.
Resource: Best Practice Games (Top 22)
Tip For On Course Play
- Stick to a routine
- Compete
- Keep your mind right
Tip #1: Stick To A Routine
Whether you are golfing by yourself or have a big money putt on the 18th hole, stick with a routine. Focus on every shot and work at getting better. Oftentimes, we can lose focus, especially when “just practicing” on the course and not laser in on what we need to accomplish.
Instead, stick with the same process and routine and let it become a habit to go through your process and hit the shot you are need for that specific shot. Actually play the course and don’t get lost in hitting other shots you might need for a course you are playing next month!
Tip #2: Compete
Find a player partner that yill play match play or stroke play with you. I believe in having to feel the pressure of producing a score on every hole or for the complete round. This will help you become a better player and a better clutch player. In the future, very few situations will be able to rattle you and you will get used to the pressure that comes with having to produce a shot when it counts!
Embrace the challenge of every shot and every opponent you are fortunate enough to play. If it takes something on the line to really get you going, figure out what that is and embrace the challenge!
Tip #3: Keep your mind right
Sometimes when playing golf, the first sign of adversity, we start to feel bad for ourselves or grow angry. Instead, embrace the challenge and use it as a test to see if you can handle it. If you can, great! If your struggle, put it on your list of something to work on at your next range session.
Over the course of 18 holes and around 4 hours, there will be good times and bad times. It all comes down to how you view and what your perspective is. Embrace the challenge and the test that you get with every shot in golf! Remember, we are supposed to enjoy the journey and embracing the challenge allows us to do that.
Whether we succeed or fail is not a reflection on the person we are. Leave that at the course and enjoy life!
Resource: 3 Mental Game Resources for Golf!
BONUS TIP : Keep a Journal (Both when you practice and play!)
Keep a journal of your practice sessions and your rounds of golf! Somethings to take note of:
- What did you measure that day? Did you succeed or fail?
- What were your swing thoughts or feels?
- How did you handle adverse situations?
- Track data everytime you play on specific areas you are working on. For example Greens in Regulation or 3 putt avoidance from 30 feet and beyond. Or how many putts inside of 10 feet you made.
Roadmap to Scratch Level Golf
If you want some stats to compare your data to, my favorite chart is the chart below:
| Greens in Regulation | 67% |
| Fairways Hit | 53% |
| Putts Per Hole | 1.67 |
| Scrambling | 54% |
| Sand Saves | 59% |
| Average Driving Distance | 251 |
These indicators are solid to track on your own and compare to above. They are all simple to track on a scorecard and over the course of the season. They can be tracked in your journal or on a spreadsheet to see where you might need to spend more time this winter.
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.