Dear Dave ,
This lecture on “How Take your Game from the Range to the Course ” examplifies what I “preach in the desert “(Like PAUL WILSON and his “POWERLESS ARMS ” concept )since a long, long time :save your time and efforts ,play only on the golf course ,never go to a driving range . Golfers recent to the game should know that in the early years of golf (and up to the ’30’s ) ,there was no such thing as a “Driving range “;
The driving ranges were invented by “lazy” golf instructors ,who found more profitable for their purses to have pupils in front of them with a “Mat ” and pushing balls to them with a pincer.
True golf Instructors would take you on the course and teach you on the short grass ,the short rough ,the high rough ,the sand traps ,the “dirt “,with slopes all around .
But then ,they could handle less golfers at a time and had to charge you more .
That’s how I learned to play golf .
Therefore I feel strongly this “RANGE TO COURSE ” question is of no interest whatsoever .
I just address the ball and I swing!
Play golf where it’s meant to be played :on the Golf Course for sure !
Hello Dave
I just started playing golf 4 years ago. When I am at the range or practicing I am able to hit the ball well the majority of the time however at the course its a disaster. I lose my tempo & balance and the results are fat & topped shots besides the fact that my buddies tell me I am swinging too fast. Knowing this my train of thought is to focus on a smooth swing and not concerned of the outcome. So my question is even though I try to focus on a swing thought and not the result, I still struggle with it at the course. Any suggestions or thoughts
Thank you
Raymond’s comment about never going to the range (because at one time we had no ranges) is one I don’t agree with for 3 reasons:
1. It’s an absolutist view. In life, and certainly golf, there is one “absolute”: there are no absolutes. One size does not fit all.
2. Golf has evolved. If Tom Morris had not embraced a new rubberized golf ball we’d still play with feather stuffed ones. And as he worked as an instructor, ranges would have been a godsend to him as it has been to John Jacobs—a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Tell Mr. Jacobs range work isn’t valuable , lol.
3. Raymond’s view may work for him and some others, and that’s great. But ranges work well for all the other amateurs out there, not to mention every college player and pro. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger did range work all their lives to groove their swings. That’s good enough for me:))
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4 Responses to “From The Range to the Course”
May 12, 2015
RaymondCHASTELDear Dave ,
This lecture on “How Take your Game from the Range to the Course ” examplifies what I “preach in the desert “(Like PAUL WILSON and his “POWERLESS ARMS ” concept )since a long, long time :save your time and efforts ,play only on the golf course ,never go to a driving range . Golfers recent to the game should know that in the early years of golf (and up to the ’30’s ) ,there was no such thing as a “Driving range “;
The driving ranges were invented by “lazy” golf instructors ,who found more profitable for their purses to have pupils in front of them with a “Mat ” and pushing balls to them with a pincer.
True golf Instructors would take you on the course and teach you on the short grass ,the short rough ,the high rough ,the sand traps ,the “dirt “,with slopes all around .
But then ,they could handle less golfers at a time and had to charge you more .
That’s how I learned to play golf .
Therefore I feel strongly this “RANGE TO COURSE ” question is of no interest whatsoever .
I just address the ball and I swing!
Play golf where it’s meant to be played :on the Golf Course for sure !
October 3, 2020
MarcoVitoloHello Dave
I just started playing golf 4 years ago. When I am at the range or practicing I am able to hit the ball well the majority of the time however at the course its a disaster. I lose my tempo & balance and the results are fat & topped shots besides the fact that my buddies tell me I am swinging too fast. Knowing this my train of thought is to focus on a smooth swing and not concerned of the outcome. So my question is even though I try to focus on a swing thought and not the result, I still struggle with it at the course. Any suggestions or thoughts
Thank you
December 2, 2020
JonathanComptonRaymond’s comment about never going to the range (because at one time we had no ranges) is one I don’t agree with for 3 reasons:
1. It’s an absolutist view. In life, and certainly golf, there is one “absolute”: there are no absolutes. One size does not fit all.
2. Golf has evolved. If Tom Morris had not embraced a new rubberized golf ball we’d still play with feather stuffed ones. And as he worked as an instructor, ranges would have been a godsend to him as it has been to John Jacobs—a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Tell Mr. Jacobs range work isn’t valuable , lol.
3. Raymond’s view may work for him and some others, and that’s great. But ranges work well for all the other amateurs out there, not to mention every college player and pro. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger did range work all their lives to groove their swings. That’s good enough for me:))
November 30, 2021
IanBernadtThanks Dave——this is a useful tip.
I’m sure you remember Duke Ellington’s advice—–“It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing”.
Ian.