Driving Range vs. Golf Course

Why do I always hit it better on the driving range than on the course?

Do you mean beyond the obvious fact that you are hitting the same club over and over rapidly from a perfect lie on level ground?

Yes..

OK

Maybe you just feel like you are hitting it better on the range because you don't have a target in mind and are just hitting it solidly and this is what you are remembering.

Maybe you do have a target but are not as hard on yourself on the range. Seven yards to the right is an ok miss on a range as there is no lake or OB or "oh shit" you just short sided yourself result.

Maybe the driving range focuses you on line and the distance you hit the ball gets pushed to the back seat. (Distance control takes a front seat on the course) It is hard to focus on your distance on a range for many reasons.

Maybe it is related to relaxation as there are no consequences on a driving range. You are not required to go hit it again on the driving range.

Maybe it is because you are by yourself and not in a playing group or competition.

Maybe it is a combination of any and all of the above mentioned or something I have not thought of in the above mentioned "Maybe's".

On a golf course, we hit the ball once every 5 minutes or so and always with a different club from different lies and stances. On the course there are real targets and consequences and real emphasis is placed on line and distance. Then, we have to go hit it again which brings emotion and self evaluation into play.


Bottom line:

They are two completely different things and to compare the two is not apple to apple. The driving range is a great place to practice and see what you are capable of and work on drills but that doesn't necessarily mean that you can "take it to the course". Let me give you an example of the "I got it" mentality that is prevalent in golfing circles. A typical tour pro will hit one shot like he wants and will devote countless hours and 1000's of balls to be able to "take it to the course" and then maybe hit the shot he wants on the course. A typical amateur golfer will hit one shot or a group of shots on the range like he wants and thinks "I got it" then rarely practices and expects it to happen on the course all the time. Who has the correct perspective on how to "take it to the course"?