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Welcome to the driving range, the place where every beginner spends hours upon hours hitting the ball in order to perfect their technique. Beginner golfers aren’t the only players that can be found at the driving range, you will also find more seasoned
golf players who enjoy sharpening up their skills in their spare time.

The Average Driving Range

Most driving ranges are very similar, which contain anywhere between 30 to 50 separate stalls so that you can have your own individual space and privacy, separated from the other golfers by barriers made from wood or steel.

You will find a tray inside every stall that contains your golf balls and an artificial green turf mat, approximately 6 feet square. The average cost for a bucket of balls, which contains anywhere from 50 to 100 golf balls, costs around $5.

At the end of the artificial turf mat there should be a rubber tee that is sticking out on one side of the area. This is where each golf ball will be placed for your shots. Larger golf clubs are typically used here, especially the driver. Many golf players may even make their shots from the mat instead of the tee, using their irons, because this resembles the feel of hitting from real grass.

Your Goal On The Range

Your local driving range should have measured markers located out into the field which helps you to see the distance your ball reaches. These markers should be 75 yards, 100 yards, 125 yards, 150 yards, 175 yards, 200 yards, &  250 yards.

The purpose of these measurements can mean multiple functions for each golfer.  The beginner has an opportunity to find out how far each of his clubs will hit the ball.  This is essential knowledge to have when actually playing the game.
 
Always Focus On A Target

Some driving ranges offer simulated green areas that have flagsticks set up at different lengths. This enables you to swing right for the hole. However, regardless if there is a flagstick up for you or not, always have a target in mind when swinging. By hitting balls aimlessly, you will not learn how to focus on a target and control your shots as needed.

Hit ‘em straight

Ben

The driving range is where you should be spending most of your time when just starting out with the game of golf, and certainly a lot of time if if you are a regular weekend player. It offers you the opportunity to learn the distance at which each of your
golf clubs can hit at, teach you to focus on a target, and help you to make contact with the ball every time you swing.

Practicing Your Short Game

Many golf ranges also offer an opportunity to improve your short game skills. Some of these facilities offer one or two green areas that are set aside for men and women to practice their shots which require shorter distances. 

If you are fortunate enough to have a local driving range that offers such an area, be sure to invest just as much time there as you would at the regular range.

This is a big mistake many beginner golfers (and regular golfers) make.  They spend a tone of time hitting long-range shots with the driver, but yet never practice with the short game clubs. A great way to spend you time at the range would be to simply split your time up, perhaps one hour at the standard range and the next at the short game area.

The Hunt For Real Grass

Although hard to find in most locations, a driving range that offers real grass to practice on is invaluable. Most private clubs and high end golf courses offer access to a driving range that has natural grass. The reason why real grass is preferred over turf is simply because it mimics the exact conditions you will play in during a real game of
golf at the local course

Be Considerate When Hitting Balls On Real Grass

While utilizing a driving range that offers real grass to hit the ball from is preferable, some beginners may not be ready to handle such a quality service due to their inability to control their swing.

It is good etiquette to take care of the grass as best possible. For example, when taking a nice shot with an iron, you will almost always create a divot, which is simply a large chunk of grass cut out from your swing.

Too many of these shots can ruin the turf temporarily, until the grounds keepers shut down the area and reseed with new grass. Try to hit every ball as close to where you hit the last ball. Doing so will reduce the areas of divots created to just one
spot in particular.

It is inevitable that the grass to be damaged, and the facility understands this, but your job is to minimize this damage as best possible.

Hit ‘em straight

Ben