The range is where swings get sharper and confidence grows—but only if you use it well. Avoid these five common mistakes, practice with a plan, and turn bucket time into lower scores.

1) Don’t Blast Music to the Whole Range

Earbuds or low-volume headphones? Fine. A portable speaker thumping bass across 20 hitting stations? Not fine. Many golfers find background music distracts tempo, rhythm, and pre-shot focus.

• Do instead: Use earbuds or keep your speaker barely audible within your own bay.
• Pro tip: Silence phone calls—nothing derails practice faster than rehashing work drama between swings.

2) Don’t Hit Only Your Driver

Driver is important, but a “D-only” session neglects distance control, sequencing, and contact with scoring clubs—and can invite fatigue or injury.

• Do instead: Split your bucket: wedges/short irons, mid/long irons or hybrids, and finish with the driver.
• Pro tip: If you’re fixing a slice or hook, alternate 3–5 iron swings between driver reps to reinforce the feel without overdoing it.

3) Don’t Ignore Setup & Alignment

Many “mystery misses” are just poor aim. If you’re aimed right, you’ll hit it right—even on a perfect swing.

• Do instead: Lay an alignment stick (or spare club) on your toe line parallel to the target line. Use a second stick for ball position.
• Checklist: Neutral grip, athletic posture, consistent ball position, square clubface at setup.

4) Don’t Practice Only Your Favorite Club

Your best club doesn’t need the reps—your worst one does. Avoiding problem clubs delays improvement where it matters most.

• Do instead: Start with your least-trusted club and hit 10–15 purposeful shots. Note a single swing feel or ball-flight goal (e.g., start line, height, contact).
• Pro tip: Finish every session with a “pressure challenge” using that club—3 balls, target window, must hit 2/3.

5) Don’t Take Up Multiple Bays

Tripods, launch monitors, and shag bags can sprawl into the next stall. If the range is busy, keep your footprint tight.

• Do instead: Set gear behind your mat or to the non-target side; pack cords and cases neatly.
• Pro tip: When it’s crowded, ask neighbors before filming or placing devices near the line.

A Simple, Balanced Practice Plan (45–60 Minutes)

• Warm-up (5–10 min): Mobility + half-swings with a wedge for contact and tempo.
• Wedges & short irons (15–20 min): Three targets, three trajectories; focus on strike and distance windows.
• Mid/long irons or hybrids (10–15 min): Start-line drills with an intermediate target; 70–80% effort.
• Driver (10–15 min): Quality over quantity—5–8 balls in sets; reset routine between swings.
• Pressure set (5 min): Simulate a “hole”: choose a fairway target, then a green target with an iron, then a wedge number.

Bonus: Quick Range Etiquette

• Rake or tidy your station when finished; return buckets/baskets.
• Don’t walk in front of someone’s swing path; wait behind the line.
• Replace or sand divots where required; keep a tight divot pattern.

Bottom Line

Be considerate, practice with structure, and give attention to setup, alignment, and weaker clubs. Your range time will feel more productive—and your on-course scores will show it.