In this video, Kit Alexander explains the 11 most common mistakes golfers make when going to the driving range. Whether it's starting your session with the driver or forgetting to put a basket under the ball dispenser we've got them all covered in this video.
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00:00We all know going to the driving range can be great fun and really beneficial for your game,
00:06but only if you do it in the right way.
00:09It's easy to make mistakes and do silly things when you're down at the driving range.
00:14We've all done it, we all know how it feels.
00:17We're going to have a little whiz through of the top driving range mistakes
00:21to make sure you never ever make them again.
00:25And wouldn't you just know it, over my shoulder,
00:27here he comes strolling in and he has reached straight for the big dog.
00:32Predictably, we've all done it, you go straight for the driver, the longest club,
00:36in theory the most difficult to hit because of it, and the one that takes the most effort.
00:40No warm-up, no leading up to it, and he's going to
00:44lash one away, hit it terribly, and now he's got an awful mindset.
00:50Don't go for the driver first time, that is your number one driving range mistake.
00:55Here comes mistake number two, and I'm sure we've all been both people in this scenario
01:00at one time or another.
01:03That's giving unsolicited advice.
01:06Now, we've probably been the person giving the advice, we know we're well-meaning,
01:10we probably genuinely think we can help that person,
01:13but if you're the one who's struggling at the range,
01:16the absolute last thing you want is someone who isn't really qualified
01:20jumping in and giving you advice when they need it.
01:23And giving you advice when they have no idea about you,
01:26your game, or any changes that you're trying to make.
01:29Our advice, just stay out of it and focus on your own game.
01:34Next up, it's a big mistake of hitting aimlessly on the range.
01:39Most of us are fortunate to go to a nice facility,
01:42you've got flags, you've got nets to aim for, always have a specific target in mind.
01:48If you don't, how do you tell if you've hit a good shot,
01:50and what really is the point of being there?
01:53Pick a target, have an idea of what you're trying to achieve,
01:57and then you can analyse how well that range session is going.
02:01Next up is something that I personally do all too often when I'm in a driving range,
02:06and that's hitting driver from the wrong tee height.
02:09Whether you can't get your tee into the mat to the right height,
02:12or you've got those electric ones that pop up and you can't quite get it right,
02:17nothing good comes from hitting driver off a tee height
02:20that you wouldn't use on the golf course.
02:23It's going to give you an incorrect idea of how you're hitting the ball,
02:27and possibly grain some bad habits as well.
02:29You're either going to get down into it to try and lift it off of a tiny tee,
02:33or feel like you're swinging a baseball bat because the tee is miles too high.
02:38Whatever you do, if you practice any club,
02:41make sure you do it in the same way you would use it on the course,
02:43and for a driver, number one thing to do that,
02:46make sure it's the right tee height.
02:51Another common mistake is to hit the same club over and over and over again.
02:57Now that kind of repetition might work if you're trying to groove a really specific swing change,
03:02but in general, throughout a round of golf,
03:04you're hitting different shots all the time,
03:06changing clubs, changing targets, changing what you're trying to do.
03:10If you can replicate that in the driving range,
03:12it will really help you when you get outside.
03:15Adapt to the different length of club,
03:17to the different style of shot you're trying to hit.
03:20So hitting off a tee, hitting off the deck.
03:22Another really cool little tip if you're at the driving range,
03:25and this is just before you're going to play,
03:27so it's a warm-up session, not a practice session.
03:30Play the first couple of holes in your head, out on the range.
03:34If the first tee shot's a driver, hit driver.
03:37If that typically leaves you an eight iron into the green, then go to eight iron.
03:41Maybe then have a chip in case you miss the green.
03:44What's the next tee shot?
03:45It's a par three maybe, you know you hit five iron there.
03:48Try that.
03:49Knowing you've just hit those shots successfully on the range
03:52will fill you with confidence when you step up to the real thing on the course.
03:57The next one is going to sound so simple,
03:59but honestly, if you get this right,
04:02it can make a huge positive difference to your game,
04:05and it's all about alignment.
04:07Make sure you use an alignment stick or even a club shaft on the ground
04:12to ensure your feet and body are aiming exactly where you want.
04:16When you go to the driving range,
04:18all of those bays, they can't all be aiming exactly
04:21at the flags or the targets you want to be hitting.
04:24You can overcome that by sticking an alignment stick
04:27or a shaft on the ground on your foot line.
04:30Make sure you're aiming where you want,
04:32and then you can see if you're hitting it straight,
04:35a little bit left or a little bit right.
04:37There's no way of accurately analysing your game at the range
04:41if you're not aiming exactly where you think you are.
04:44Next up, make sure you have an aim or a target for that session.
04:50Whether it's something like you're working on a move your coach has given you
04:53and you want to feel like you can really groove that,
04:56just working through all of your bag, getting a gauge of your yardages,
04:59or something as simple as getting to a point
05:02where you hit the shot you want five times in a row.
05:05Before you get there, have a plan in mind for what you want to achieve,
05:09and if you achieve it, stop the session right there.
05:12That's where you've hit your peak. Make sure you leave on a high.
05:16The next big mistake is abandoning a swing change
05:20or something you've been working on after a few bad shots.
05:24We all know how easy it is to fall into old habits,
05:28and if you've got a swing that you know what it's going to do,
05:31even if that's not the greatest golf shot in the world,
05:34it can be so much nicer to see that repetitive action and ball flight.
05:39But if you're looking to make changes, you're doing it for a reason.
05:43Ultimately, you want to get better and the driving range,
05:46well, that's the place to do it.
05:48Make your mistakes here, persevere with whatever it is you're working on,
05:52and then when you're on the course, you can trust that new swing.
05:57The next big mistake is hitting the partition between the bays.
06:01Always make sure you're aware of your surroundings,
06:03whether that is the structure itself, your own bag, people walking by.
06:08It happens occasionally.
06:09It's no good for your clubs or for you.
06:12Make sure there's enough room either side
06:14and keep those clubs away from the metal.
06:18Our next big mistake is rolling up straight from the office.
06:22You've got your dress shirt on, some nice slick shoes,
06:26but they have got slippery bottoms and straight out onto the range you go.
06:31You're not going to be able to swing properly in a dress shirt.
06:33Those shoes are going to be slipping around all over the place.
06:38If you can find a few minutes to get away from the office
06:41or drop into the range on the way home, that's great,
06:44but put a spare polo shirt in or at the very least have some golf shoes in the car.
06:50You really want to make sure you've got good grip, good traction,
06:53and you are wearing what you're going to be out on the course
06:56any time you hit the driving range.
06:59And finally, I can't tell you how many times I've witnessed this one.
07:03It always makes you laugh when it's not you,
07:05but if it is, it's an absolute nightmare.
07:08Please make sure you put your basket under the ball dispenser.
07:13No one wants to be the guy scrambling around to pick up golf balls.
07:18So there we have it, the 11 biggest mistakes you can make on the driving range.
07:23Hopefully by watching this, you can avoid any of them in the future.
07:27If there's any you think we've missed, add them to the comments below.
07:30Please remember to like this video and subscribe to the Golf Monthly channel.
07:34We've got loads more great content coming your way.
07:38We'll see you next time.