Range vs the real thing

Hello GRians,

Ihave a big problem.

I can hit my irons and rescue without any problem in driving range. I can get the distance and direction that I want.

But when it comes to green, I just suck! Hitting the ground most of the time. A big patch of grass will fly together with the ball.

What can I do?

Big patch of grass is good provided it is after the ball and not before :-)

After the ball?

I think I hit the ground abou,t an inch before the ball!

It feels like those 'green side bunker' shot... This is my third time on the green without my coach and it has been bugging me..... I'm looooooooooosing sleep because of this.... Hehehehe

Head moving up ... remember the coach said "Keep your head down down down!!!!!"

range mats can be pretty deceiving, hitting a what would be a fat shot on a range mat may result in the club bouncing off and continuing forward to contact the ball. since there's no grass or mud to get between the clubface and the ball, you don't lose much distance. i've read about this drill where you place something (like a towel) behind the ball you're hitting and hit balls with that object behind. that way you'll know if you're contacting the ball or the ground first depending on whether you move the towel or not.

Thank you Slicer51 and Jeffman88 And new to golf

I'll keep my head down and keep both eyes on the ball!!!

Ngjw89| that sounds good... I'll try it tomorrow.

Bro, I do not think I am in a position to discuss anything on your swing especially you are a beginner, I would suggest you seek your coach for help.

All I can say was : you felt that you are hitting the ball well on the driving mat, it because the mat had cushion most of your error during impact. Sorry, to say was, you are still not hitting the ball well enough. It is not the problem whether you are hitting off the mat or grass. The problem is in your swing.

Another option : Go to a grass driving range to practice ...

Yup! I agree with you.

Truth hurts! Heheehehe....

I still feel that I'm forcing my swing. It's just not smooth.

I'm taking the intermediate class soon and hopefully I'll improve my swing and ball contact.

What bout off the tee? I hit drivers off the tee well in range. On course, outcome often varies for me on tee boxes

Other clubs are fine leh... I think it's the 6 inches between the ears

I think basically you have forgotten to turn your shoulder on your upswing...

I do that very often when I get excited and confused on the golf course...

All in the mind. Slight thin or fat shot, your ball still can go but not so far. The problem with green is you have only one chance for that shot. Range you can just pick up another ball and hit. This give you the impression you are doing well at the range. We are not so relax at the green as compare to the range. This also affect your swing. I also just started and have the same problem. I practice to be more consistent at the range, practice on grass at turf city or walk a few holes in the evening to get used to playing on green. Hope this helps.

I think it is just an issue with confidence. Please do not forget that at the range, we just fire ball after ball, and there is no penalty for bad shots. But when it comes to the course, there will be anxieties, e.g. can i cross the hazards, hmm.. OB right so aim more left, strong wind, etc. A lot of times we got mentally screwed and ended up losing our confidence which resulted in bad shots.

@Samurai, learn how to contact the ball first before hitting into the mat or ground and I am referring to iron shots. A lot of folks will suggest you consult a coach or take up lessons which I think you should although I am pretty much a self taught golfer. I think that is why my game still sucks big time. hehe

if samurai really wants a forumer's tip I got one too! and this one was given by a coach to me

samurai, place a cigarette butt 2 cm in front of the ball nearer to the target.

Then you look at the ciggy and hit the ciggy. Not the ball

If you can get the ciggy to fly, then you may have solved the problem.

Nutty, learn self taught also can go far, just like YE Yang

Wow! Thanks guys for the many kind advice!

I've just finished my beginner's lesson about a month ago. I think the best thing now is to get my coach to fine tune my swing and tweak it!

I'm in JB and so far there is no grass driving range in JB... Sianzzzz

The cigarette tricks sounds interesting. It'll at least delay my fat shot to after contacting the ball...

hmm no wonder so many cigarette butts at the tee box...

Not sure about ponderosa... I'll check it out and update.

In Impian Emas they allow you to hit on the grass but maximum 2-3 person only. Must go there at the right timing, otherwise have to wait long long

If you are ranging in grass, you may want to try this method

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/big-break-academy-natalia-ghilzon-ball-striking-052212/

slopes, lies, divot mark and mental all play part in a real game. on the range you are more relax and don't really have any "penalty" for hitting bad shot so you tend to do well. the matt does not help since if you hit 1cm / 2 cm behind the ball , the ball will still fly as your club will slides on the matt. On the course it will eat into the ground and you can loose up to 50% distance and cause the club to be open or closed severely.

The other thing is range never prepare you for the differnt lies, different slopes, ball under feed, ball above your feet, thick rough etc.. Range is a perfect condition flat surface where the ball sit up nicely, it's nothing compared to the real game. However it does train you to practice a consistent shot on ideal condition which is a good thing still.

There are many ways to be successful.....like a chinese saying ' every work type has successful person'...or something like tht.

At range.....one can be a range pro

At real thing....one can be a real pro

At range and real thing....one can possibly be a touring pro

At range and more of real thing....one can be a betting pro


conversely...you can avoid range and just go for real thing...and be a seasoned beginner