How Often Should a Beginner Go to the Driving Range?

There are few things more frustrating for a beginner golfer than knowing the right technique but can’t execute it properly.

When you’re just starting out, there’s no substitute for lots of repetition on the golf course. But what do you do if you don’t have access to a golf course?

The answer is simple: go to the driving range.

Pick up a bucket of golf balls and start practicing. The range is a great place to work on your mechanics and learn to “swing your swing.”

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But how often should you go to the driving range as a beginner? How many balls should you hit? What should you work on at the range?

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These are great questions that we’ll address in this article for the best beginner driving range tips.

Why is the Driving Range so Important

A driving range, often referred to simply as a “range”, is a facility to practice your swing.

Golf is a complex game and the range is a great place to work on your swing and get comfortable with the motion without having to worry about playing a round of golf or hitting to different types of holes.

I find it really helpful to go to the driving range on a regular basis, especially after I had a lesson. 

Range time has helped me improve my swing technique and become a more consistent golfer.

As Ben Hogan would say, sometimes you have to “dig it out in the dirt.” Meaning, sometimes the only answer to fixing your swing is putting in the reps at the range.

If you’re just getting started in your golf journey, you should go to the driving range frequently. The more time you spend practicing your swing, the faster you can speed up the learning curve.

You should also work on your short game at the practice facility too which we’ll outline more in detail below. 

How to Maximize Practice Time: Best Driving Range Tips

While going to the driving range is important, it’s also important to practice the right way.

Otherwise, you might go to the range and not improve (or even worse, ingrain bad habits).

Follow these beginner driving range tips to make the most out of every practice session.

Focus on Fundamentals 

The fundamentals are everything in golf; this includes your grip, stance, posture, ball position, and alignment. The more consistent you can set up the ball, the easier it is to make solid contact and improve your game. 

So many mistakes in the golf swing can be avoided by simply practicing the fundamentals with each swing.

A good idea is to record your swing regularly and share it with a friend or golf professional to make sure you have solid fundamentals.

Also, make sure to use alignment sticks to get your feet properly aligned to the target. 

Sometimes in golf it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference.

Work on Your Weaknesses 

The second driving range tip is to work on your weaknesses.

Instead of just wasting balls at the driving range (or worse yet getting frustrated), focus on what area of the game is holding you back. 

For example, if you struggle with hitting left to right shots, do some concentrated practice using those types of swings. Or, if your driver is giving you trouble, spend more time with it in practice.

Spend at least 50% of your practice time working on the shots or clubs that give you the most trouble during the round.

The sooner you can turn your weaknesses into strengths, the sooner you can shoot lower scores. 

Have a Practice Plan 

The third driving range tip is to always have a plan.

Don’t just show up at the range and start pounding balls without having a clear plan of what you want to improve. Figure out what you want to work on that day and make a game plan before you even show up. 

This will help you stay focused and get the most out of your practice time. 

Learn From Your Range Sessions 

Another driving range tip that most golfers don’t use enough is to learn from your range sessions.

When you’re done practicing, take some time to write down what you were working on and how it went. 

This will help reinforce the lessons in your mind, make it easier to track progress over time and provide a roadmap for future practice sessions.

Plus, if you’re in a slump in the future having a set of notes from past sessions can make it easier to find your swing again. 

Don’t Skip Short Game 

Finally, don’t forget to work on your short game too. So many golfers spend all their practice time on the full swing but neglect chipping, pitching, and putting.

When in reality, these parts of the game are just as important as the full swing. 

Before or after hitting balls on the range, make sure to spend time at the short game area.

Spend time developing a consistent putting stroke, good routine, and proper fundamentals for simple shots around the green. 

A good short game is one of the most important parts of golf – regardless of skill level!

Is the Driving Range a Good Workout?

There is no definitive answer, but most beginner golfers should aim to spend at least an hour per session at the range.

This will give you plenty of time to work on your swing and experiment with different techniques. If you’re having trouble with a particular shot, take some extra time to practice that specific motion.

The driving range can be a great place to work on your game without the pressure of a tournament.

I usually spend around two hours at the range when I’m practicing but that includes short game and putting too.

That gives me plenty of time to work on all aspects of my game. If you’re short on time, try breaking up your practice into shorter sessions throughout the day.

The important thing is to be consistent and make sure you’re putting in the effort to improve your swing. However, you shouldn’t spend all day at the range getting frustrated if it’s not going well.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking a longer practice session is always better than a shorter one.

Sometimes you might get a huge breakthrough in a 20 or 30-minute session. 

Biggest Driving Range Mistakes 

After playing golf for a while it’s important to help you avoid common practice mistakes that I see so many players make.

Avoid these mistakes so you can practice with purpose and speed up the learning process in this complex game. 

• Not picking a target.
• Neglecting short game. 
• Skipping fundamentals.
• Not using alignment sticks.
• Worrying about the opinion of others. 
• Going straight to the driver without warming up with shorter clubs. 
• Not learning from each swing and hitting balls in a rapid fire manner.

FAQ’s About Golf Practice 

What is a driving range in golf? 

A driving range is a facility where golfers can practice their swing. It’s typically an area of a golf course that has been sectioned off and is filled with tee boxes, hitting mats, and target greens.

Golfers can purchase buckets of balls to hit and use their own clubs to hit different types of shots. 

There are many different types of ranges that you can choose from: outdoor, indoor, covered or open air. The choice completely depends on your preferences and lifestyle!

You don’t need to worry about bad weather conditions because most ranges are covered and you can always find an open range when the weather is good.

How often should I go to the driving range?

Visiting the driving range once a week (or more) is a great addition to playing on the course and golf lessons with your golf professional. It can help you to fine-tune your swing and improve your game.

If you’re looking for a more intensive practice regimen, consider hitting the range two or three times per week. This way you can really break down your swing and work on correcting any flaws.

While practice is important, make sure to also play golf regularly to see how your swing holds up on the golf course. 

Is the driving range a good workout? 

The driving range can help burn some calories and is a decent form of exercise.

But I personally like the range because you can practice but also get time to speak with other people who are as passionate about golf as you!

Do driving ranges have simulators? 

It depends on the facility – some driving ranges are equipped with golf simulators which allow you to play different golf courses.

This is extremely helpful because it gives you the opportunity to try most of your favorite courses without having to pay for it.

The Top Tracer technology can also track your shots and show you a detailed analysis of your performance. 

There is always plenty of room for improvement and the driving range is a great place to work on your skills.

When should I go to the driving range as a beginner golfer? 

The sooner, the better so you can figure out more about the game and your swing.

It can also be helpful to watch some golf videos on YouTube or other sites to see how the professionals do it.

Or, find a local golf pro and hire them for a 1:1 coaching session. 

What is an average range session like? 

The average range session should start with short irons, moving to longer clubs.

It’s best to start with smaller swings at less than 100% effort to avoid injuries and work your way to longer clubs as your body gets loose.

My routine is usually wedges, irons, woods, then a driver to make sure I’m properly warmed up. 

How many golf balls should I hit a day? 

It depends on how much time you have and what you’re working on. It’s important to remember that it’s about quality over quantity. 

Always make sure that you are hitting the ball properly and learning from each swing. Plus, hitting too many balls might lead to injury if you’re just getting started. 

Should I go to the driving range before playing golf? 

Yes, if you have time, always hit balls before playing golf. While you don’t need a jumbo bucket, 15-20 is a great way to loosen up and start the round with confidence. 

Closing Thoughts 

In the end, it’s important to remember that golf is a sport of patience and persistence. Give yourself time to work on your game and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.

You’ll work hard on your swing at the driving range-don’t be afraid to make mistakes or experiment with new techniques. And just like in life, you can never succeed without taking risks.

These tips for the driving range helped me improve my game and I can already see that I am more focused on the golf course and hitting better shots under pressure.

With a little bit of practice and hard work, you’ll be on your way to improving your golf game!

What’s your best driving range tip?