Range vs. Course

[Eracer]

I sometimes hit on a swing change at the range that produces great results, but when I try to implement it on the course, causes nothing but heartache.

I've been watching the pros very carefully, and have seen how they rotate their right shoulder down and towards the ball through impact. I see how this move can help keep the swing on plane. I worked on it on the range, and lo and behold, powerful straight shots and lovely shallow "dollar-bill" shaped divots.

Then I play. And proceed to dig large trenches four inches behind the ball.

Why?

Why can't the effortless good shots on the range carry onto the course?

Help.

[warbirdlover]

Two bucks says you're moving your head on the course and not on the range. Your swing change is probably not the culprit. I get into this all the time.

[mont86]

Originally Posted by warbirdlover

Two bucks says you're moving your head on the course and not on the range. Your swing change is probably not the culprit. I get into this all the time.

You mean he is looking up?

[Davebud]

I know what I am doing wrong when I switch, on the range it's low pressure abd if I do not get the results, I don't care. On the course it counts.

[JEFF4i]

You don't have to be looking up to be moving your head. It's all interconnected, and if the head is moving, other parts will too.

[Rockford35]

Well, let's look at both situations. This coming from a scratch player....at the range.

The range is 250 yards wide, 300 yards long with no trees, water or sand. The lie is flat, perfect grass. You have zero reservations of putting one in the parking lot if you swing wrong. So you try things and sometimes, things work. Why? because you aren't thinking about anything.

Get to the course, you're 235 out with a 3 wood in your hand. There's sand left, right and short, and your ball is slightly below your feet. If you're long, it's dead in the trees. And those trees on the right might come into play with a big draw with the wind as it is, especially with this tight fairway.

You've killed yourself right there. You start thinking. Instead of visualizing the shot at the range, you're putting elements into effect that shouldn't be there. Most guys start complaining right away - "OK, Mr. Titleist, just stay outta that sand and find the short stuff". What sand? Just hit the ball where you want to and ignore the sand. If you hit it in the sand, big deal, just deal with it then, not before it's happened.

Mindframe is something that is hard to control and often gets the goat of many guys out there. If you can take your laid back, no care approach from the range to the course, you've already won.

Enjoy the battle, everyone has it!!

R35

[twogreen]

I have often experienced the same situation. In my case, I believe it is caused by the fact that the range shots are non-counters. It is fairly easy for me to relax and swing smoothly at the range because I know there is another ball in the bucket if I screw up the current shot. However, on the course where every shot counts; I instinctively try to put that extra little bit of "oomph" into the shot. Quite often, this results in a downward lurch which causes me to hit the ball fat...or, even worse.

It is a difficult thing to correct. I mentally remind myself not to do it on each shot; but somewhere between the backswing and the downward swing a little evil gremlin takes control of my body.

[ualtim]

Practice like you play.

I always aim for targets on the range so I get feedback on whether or not it was a good shot. Approach each shot at the range the same way you do on the course so that you can take that same swing with you when your out on the course.

Now I can suck at both the range and the course. Your consistancy problem is solved

[CraigOn2Whls]

I was just about to ask a similar question.. "How do I transfer my swing on the range to the course"..

I had the WORST game yesterday... I needed a calculator to add up the back nine... then to add in the front... I needed a super computer!!

And I know it was all in my head!!! My nerves keep getting to me, I am soooo paranoid about duffing it, guess what, I end up duffing it. And right after the 18th I was like.. why didn't I just relax and swing easy like on the range?? Killin!!! me..

-Craig

[mont86]

Originally Posted by JEFF4i

You don't have to be looking up to be moving your head. It's all interconnected, and if the head is moving, other parts will too.

still in general? what else might I be doing with my head?....I have a tendency to look up. My practice swings usually are real good.hehehe now if I could do that under real swings.

[bames]

Originally Posted by CraigOn2Whls

I was just about to ask a similar question.. "How do I transfer my swing on the range to the course"..

I had the WORST game yesterday... I needed a calculator to add up the back nine... then to add in the front... I needed a super computer!!

And I know it was all in my head!!! My nerves keep getting to me, I am soooo paranoid about duffing it, guess what, I end up duffing it. And right after the 18th I was like.. why didn't I just relax and swing easy like on the range?? Killin!!! me..

-Craig

When you go to pot on the course try to swing 1/2 back and focus on making good contact with the ball. Even if you only hit your 7i 110 yards but it goes straight, it will build confidence and stir muscle memory. I'm serious, just get up there, focus on the ball, backswing just above your hips and hit the ball. Four shots like this to the green still leaves a bogey putt! You will be suprised.

[Bravo]

I agree that aiming at a particular target is crucial on the range. If your practice area has a series of flags at specified distances, I would recommend that you hit a series of balls at 3-4 different flags repeatedly until you start to get it somewhere close. Don't just flail away mindlessly at the balls.

Also remember that range balls are not generally going to fly as far as a quality ball will on the course so don't get hung up on this point when practicing at the range...

Although I do not consider myself to be a great pressure player, for some odd reason I generally hit the ball better on the course than I do on the range. My best guess is that I usually get better at my ballstriking when I get on the course. I think I am more focused on my targets and this translates into better shots.

My pre-round routine is not focused on improvement, just stretching and getting some sort of feel for the swing....also, I usually do not take my driver to the range. I start with a 7 iron and then I hit my 4 iron until I can feel some sort of consistency. I do this because my 4 iron is the hardest club for me to hit in my bag and my feeling is that if I can hit my 4 iron, I can hit just about anything. I then finish my pre-round stuff with about 35 wedges at varying distances. Putt and tee off.

When I really practice, it is in the middle of the week. I can go and hit balls for 90 minutes-2 hours. This is when I make my improvements....

Good luck

[JEFF4i]

Aye, make a habit at the range. On odd days I start with a 7, then go to a 3, then to 3 wood, then driver. Even days, 8 to 4 to 3 wood to driver.

After that(doesn't take much to warm up with each club) I start working on trickier shots and working the ball.

[ezra76]

This was very common for me a while back but not anymore. I have to say I'm very content with my swing and ballstriking right now. I agree with the other guys. Practice how you play. I hit at targets with straight shots, fades and draws... every club, that means wedges too. If you were beside me and watched you'd see a perfectly straight shot and here me say "crap". That means I was trying to fade it. On the course I just missed the green to the left. Also I practice hitting shots higher and lower.

The most important thing to me is a preshot routine. Mine involves a 2 swings from waist to waist to groove my path, face position and how much to hold off or turn over. I immediately take the second one back into a full practice swing. I then adress the ball, look at the target, back onto the ball and swing. Same thing 100% of the time and same results 90% of the time.

[JEFF4i]

Originally Posted by mont86

still in general? what else might I be doing with my head?....I have a tendency to look up. My practice swings usually are real good.hehehe now if I could do that under real swings.

Sorry I skipped over your post. Okay, well, I've noticed that even with myself whenever I start to pull my upper body up too soon, usually triggered by a head movement forward or up, it pulls my hands down faster hitter thicker and behind the ball.

I forgot who it was, so they must not be important But they said that it is ideal to rotate around your head and spin, as if they were a fixed pole. I tried the idea and like it.