If you're having problems with swing mechanics or technique, there's no better place to practice than the range and short game area. However, if you want to learn how to shoot lower scores you have to play the course and learn how to think your way around it and pick the shots you need to hit when it counts. You also need to play different courses if you really want to learn to play well. A game that travels well to different courses is much better than just scoring well at your home course. Use the trouble you get into or your bad shots to guide your practice sessions. Can't execute a low punch shot out of the trees that cost you two strokes on a hole? Practice it on the range. Can't hit off a slope? Practice it at the range. On the course you need to just execute the shots. Everyone is going to be a little different with how much they need to play vs practice but you have to do both if you really want to lower your scores. The best players in the world practice...there's a reason for that!

i practice on the range

It all depends to me on what exactly you are on the range to do.. Block range sessions are not the worst thing if you are actually working on something. I usually practice what is weakest out of my latest 3 rounds. Short game is every range session but certain shots I notice I don't execute great I go to practice on the range. So it all depends how you look at how you spend your time. IMO.

I practice in my garage with a mat and net. Obvious problem with that is that it 's always from a perfectly flat lie so when I get on the course, which is only once a week these days, I struggle with funky lies where the ball is severely above or below feet for example, just don't have the reps in to deal with them.

I practice in my garage with a mat and net. Obvious problem with that is that it 's always from a perfectly flat lie so when I get on the course, which is only once a week these days, I struggle with funky lies where the ball is severely above or below feet for example, just don't have the reps in to deal with them.

Over the years, heard coaches and others talk of bringing more "competition" and "practice like you play" to range time. While good in theory, I've struggled to stay focused on that task.

Lately (during the winter) been working on swing technique - so mostly at home and on the range. While speed training started to realize how much tension slows my swing down and also hurts my technique - causing more 'over the top'.

As the season approaches, instead of bringing more "competition" into my practice (will still have some), I'm going to try and take more of my "practice" to the course. In otherwards, have less tension during my swing on the course because that's what I practice on the range. Also not just minimize/reduce my expectations of the outcomes, but trust the work I've put in because then the good stuff is more likely going to come out.

Enjoy the journey!!

Never liked the range. I do my practice on the course where all things actually come into play. Squeeze a quick 9 in before work and I'm good

This summer I am committed to learning the slot approach. Hope it goes well.

I think there are a lot of scenarios that can make a case for both. Practicing on the course is not always practical with pace of play and those types of things, and ranges dont always have different lies and targets so thats not always the best. I think its a mix of them both. I like to get out to the golf course I am a member of and chip on a real green, hitting short game shots that I would see in a real round. I get up there in the evening and get a 40 mins or so before it gets dark. I love being out there are it gets dark and I make sure not to bother anyone's twilight round.

With me not being a great player, practice is playing. Working on swing and different shots during the round learning from mistakes. I do go to the range whenever i can to work on my game.

I do range work when ball striking is out of sorts. Or after a winter layoff.
I work on chipping and putting twice a week. I play games when I do it.

I chip 15 balls from different locations & lies with different clubs. Then count my 1 putts VS a 2 putt.
This helps both parts of the short game. We all know a 1 putt helps lower scores, VS a 2 putt after having to chip.

My range work is strictly about contact, range balls are dead, dimples are messed up so flight & distance are not
anything that resembles a real golf ball. which is why after I start playing more, I don't hit the range unless I need to.

But on the range, I play games as well. I use the yardage posts for a fairway as my range has 2 sets, one right side & one left side.
the posts are 50 yds apart. Then I use the right & left posts for directional shots. Yardage once again doesn't matter.


DM