Driving Range Hero

Boris · #1 09-07-2007, 06:22 PM

That's me. If effing sucks. I went golfing on Monday and basically played worse than I've played in I can't remember how long. I literally was ready to give up on golf. But then I felt like kind of a pussy for giving up. So today I went to the driving range and out of 105 balls I probably made solid contact on 97. If I could strike the ball like I did on the driving range today I would easily shoot in the mid 80's and would really enjoy the game. But once I get out on the course it's like I can't even remember how to swing a club. Anyways, will keep trying. /rant

offTopic · #2 09-07-2007, 06:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
That's me. If effing sucks. I went golfing on Monday and basically played worse than I've played in I can't remember how long. I literally was ready to give up on golf. But then I felt like kind of a pussy for giving up. So today I went to the driving range and out of 105 balls I probably made solid contact on 97. If I could strike the ball like I did on the driving range today I would easily shoot in the mid 80's and would really enjoy the game. But once I get out on the course it's like I can't even remember how to swing a club. Anyways, will keep trying. /rant

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Is your driving range astroturf mats on a concrete slab?

Boris · #3 09-07-2007, 06:31 PM

yes

tuq · #4 09-07-2007, 06:40 PM

Ugh, astroturf driving ranges suck. Pity.

It could be that it's just mental though, I'm sure you know which of those it is. I have a friend who is about an 18 handicap who has the prettiest practice swings. Then for whatever reason when he hits the ball it's with this horrible Arnold Palmer-like slash. I don't think he can help himself.

offTopic · #5 09-07-2007, 08:00 PM

Maybe it's a misperception on my part, but I feel like the mats-on-concrete setup helps to hide some problems that quickly manifest on the course, not the least of which is hitting the ball slightly fat.

Also, they tend to be perfectly flat, which is pretty much never the case on the course.

I'm not good enough to get into any online diagnosis, but I've always felt better about practicing on a grass range, FWIW.

tuq · #6 09-07-2007, 08:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe it's a misperception on my part, but I feel like the mats-on-concrete setup helps to hide some problems that quickly manifest on the course, not the least of which is hitting the ball slightly fat.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah, that's what I meant by "ugh". It's really good at hiding poor swings, particularly fat ones. I don't go to the range anyway because I hate practicing, but if I did I would seek out a real course with real grass, none of that Crackerjax/Fiddlesticks crap. But maybe Boris doesn't have that option.

J.A.Sucker · #7 09-07-2007, 08:42 PM

[ QUOTE ]
That's me. If effing sucks. I went golfing on Monday and basically played worse than I've played in I can't remember how long. I literally was ready to give up on golf. But then I felt like kind of a pussy for giving up. So today I went to the driving range and out of 105 balls I probably made solid contact on 97. If I could strike the ball like I did on the driving range today I would easily shoot in the mid 80's and would really enjoy the game. But once I get out on the course it's like I can't even remember how to swing a club. Anyways, will keep trying. /rant

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Clearly, you were intimdated by your playing partner on the course.

AJW · #8 09-07-2007, 08:51 PM

The mats at the range help with fats but they are also offer you a perfect lie and stance, and I think more importantly you get to hit a lot of shots at the same target so after a while you work out any problems you have with alignment. I find it helps to hit no more then five or so shots at one target then change target or change club so you have to go through the whole alignment routine again.

JTrout · #9 09-07-2007, 08:55 PM

if you have to hit off a mat, take a piece of paper, or scorecard, and lay it an inch or two behind the ball.

Obviously you shouldn't hit the paper on the downswing, and it also helps as a visual aid to make a decending blow on the ball.

ClubChamp04 · #10 09-08-2007, 03:12 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Maybe it's a misperception on my part, but I feel like the mats-on-concrete setup helps to hide some problems that quickly manifest on the course, not the least of which is hitting the ball slightly fat.

Also, they tend to be perfectly flat, which is pretty much never the case on the course.

I'm not good enough to get into any online diagnosis, but I've always felt better about practicing on a grass range, FWIW.

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Definitely not just you. You can hit 2 inches behind the ball on those mats and the ball will still come off ok. I try not to hit off the mats unless my game is at rock bottom and I need confidence boost. I seriously feel like a tour pro on them.