A driving range is a facility where golfers of any skill level can practice their golf swing. It is also a great recreational activity for golfers who don’t have time for a full game!
But instead of mindlessly swinging your club for something to do, you can make the most out of your time at the driving range by increasing the efficiency of your practice session - no matter how much time you have.
At Big Buck Golf Center, we offer a unique practice experience to help you level up your golf game.
Come by our facility and bring your practice plan! To get you started, here are some effective golf practice tips and the top drills you can try out at the driving range to maximize your time and improve your skills:
Stretch
We’re not kidding! It’s important to warm up and stretch before you get started. The last thing you want is to pull a muscle while you’re practicing at the driving range.
Plus, stretching can also help improve your game, so why not include it in your practice?
You should focus on stretching your quadriceps, back, hips, elbows, wrists, hamstrings, shoulders, and core.
Try these simple stretches:
Quadricep Stretch: Using a bench, face away from it with your feet hip-width apart and your hands on your hips. Bend your knee and rest the top of your foot on the bench, engaging your glute. Bend your other knees (keeping it aligned over your ankle) and straighten back to standing. Repeat 2-5 times on each side.
Back Stretch: Face the back of a hair and step back until your arms are extended. Keep your back straight and lower your upper body until you feel the stretch in your armpits. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 2-5 times.
Hip Stretch: Sit up straight (on a bench, chair, or on the floor) and place your ankle on top of the opposite thigh, planting that foot on the ground. Bend at the waist and move your body forward until you feel the stretch in your hip. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 2-5 times on each side.
Elbow Stretch: Extend your arm in front of you with your palm down. Use your opposite hand to pull your fingers down and toward your body. Hold for 30 seconds and return to the starting position. Pull your wrist up and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat this rep 2-5 times on each side.
Don’t forget to also stretch the other parts of your body!
Golf Drill #1: Alignment
When you are practicing at the driving range, you can use alignment sticks to help you line up your shot. However, since you won’t have these on the green, you can get used to using your driver instead.
By practicing your alignment with your driver, you’ll be able to develop the skills to determine if you are aligned with your target or not.
If you’re a beginner, pay attention to your tendencies. Do you lean a bit to the left? To the right? Pay attention to what your body does naturally.
Eventually, you will be able to visually adjust and straighten yourself out by knowing where your shoulders, hips, and feet are in relation to your target.
Pro tip: Have a friend stand behind you to see if you are aligned properly!
Once you feel that you are properly aligned, grab the alignment sticks or put down your driver to see how close you are.
Golf Drill #2: Shot Shaping
After you get a feel for proper alignment, it’s time to shape your shots toward your intended target - because not every shot wants to go straight!
Depending on bunkers, water, and trees that get in your way, you may be forced to draw the golf ball or hit a fade.
In order to work on your shot shaping skills, you’ll need to practice different shot types:
Draw
Fade
High, soft landing
Low Runner
Punch Shot (with a ¾ swing)
At the driving range, aim to hit 10 shots for each shot type. Keep track of how many out of 10 you nail so you can track your progress!
To help shape your shots, picture a glass grid in front of you with the middle row being your normal zone of hitting.
If you want to hit the top row of the grid, you need to move the ball closer to the inside of your left foot and open your clubface a bit to give it more flight.
From there, you can work on your fades or draws to target the ball to the left and right.
Golf Drill #3: Consistency
The last drill you should add to your driving range practice routine is working on consistently hitting straight tee shots on command.
Instead of lining up and hitting 10 drivers in a row as you did in the last drill, you’re going to work on your consistency by switching up your clubs to simulate the pressure of playing an actual round of golf.
Start by hitting a few balls (10-14) with your driver. Then, hit another few with your irons and wedges. This is going to emulate the pattern of hitting tee shots followed by approach shots.
This way, when you do hit the greens, you’ll have a solid feel for switching from your driver to the appropriate club for the next shot.
Improve Your Golf Skills at Alberta’s Premier Driving Range!
Located 20 minutes east of Wainwright, Alberta, Big Buck Golf Center has been catering to golfers of all skill levels since 2015!
We offer 12 stall hitting areas with an array of targets spread out over 325 yards. Our fully automated clubhouse ensures that your experience is unique, productive, and fun!
Come visit our facility at 1909 19 Avenue in Wainwright, AB, or contact us for more information.
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