Driving Range Etiquette: Do These 7 Things!

When we think about golf etiquette, we often think about the rules on the golf course. Beginners sometimes don’t understand that there is also a driving range etiquette that they must take into account.

The driving range is a great way of working on little things to improve your swing before your next round of golf, and can be utilised in all weathers. 

In this article, we will look at some basic driving range etiquette so that you know what not to do when you’re out practicing for your next round of golf.

1. Respect People’s Space

Most driving ranges have clear bays, which makes it easy to avoid getting in the way of other people. When this is the case, you must still make sure that you do not step into someone’s bay accidentally, especially while they are swinging. This could lead to you being injured.

When there aren’t clear bays at a driving range, ensure that you take extra care to avoid infringing in someone’s space. Try to imagine the space that the person will require to swing, and add on an extra foot or two to be sure.

The same idea goes when you are swinging. If someone is dangerously close to you, or may infringe on your swing, its best to avoid swinging and wait. Even though this isn’t your fault, its better to be safe in order to avoid injury.

2. Be Aware of the Time

I would always advise people to spend an hour maximum on the range. I personally believe that spending more than an hour can become a waste of time. The constant swinging can often tire your arms out, and your swing may worsen.

Equally, don’t use this as an excuse to hit balls at a fast rate. Around 50 balls is a good number for an hour at the range. Each time you hit a ball, you should do a practice swing or two beforehand, while practicing a new technique. This way, you spend roughly a minute on each ball, and an hour at the range in total.

Ensuring that you don’t spend ages at the range is good driving range etiquette as it allows others to use the range when it is full.

Some other tips to spend less time in your bay are:

• Put your shoes on in the car park.
• Spend less time warming up, unless it’s really cold. Warm up enough to avoid pulling a muscle, but avoid spending 10+ minutes on it.
• Get all your balls in one go, avoid constantly going back for more.
• Go to the toilet before getting a bay.
• Have a structured idea of what clubs you will use. For example, hit 10 pitching wedge shots before moving onto your irons.

There is often a mentality at the driving range that “you have paid for your balls, so you will take your time”. While this is fair, it is important to remember the fact that spending too much time on the range is useless regardless. The best improvement comes from playing on a course.

3. Be Quiet

There are a few instances where people can be noisy at the range. Nothing annoys me more than when people are obnoxiously loud while others are trying to practice.

1. People taking calls

There are always those annoying people who decide to take a very loud call in the middle of the driving range. If you need to take an important call, you should do so quietly.

Alternatively, you can just temporarily leave the range and answer the call. No one will take your bay if you leave your equipment there.

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2. Loud groups talking

If you plan to go to the driving range with your friends, that isn’t a problem. But, always be mindful of other people. This means:

• Don’t raise your voice beyond a normal talking level.
• Don’t laugh extremely loudly, even if someone says something really funny.
• Don’t argue or fight over who’s turn it is, come up with a systematic order.

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3. Talking near quiet areas

Quiet areas can include:

• Training rooms
• Nearby lessons

Respect that these people have paid to have a lesson, and require the assistance from their coach. If you need to talk, talk quietly and respect that they are having a lesson.

4. Dress Adequately

I always see people come to the driving range in jeans and trainers. Often, these people play and act like beginners. If you want to look like you take golf seriously, then wear golf clothes to the driving range.

The best way to practice for the golf course is to dress as you would when you play. This means that you are used to the shoes and clothes you are wearing, enabling you to replicate your success more easily.

Golf clothes are created to give you the necessary breathability and flexibility while swinging – something that jeans are awful at.

Similarly, golf shoes have spikes which help you to grip the ground while swinging. This is necessary to generate enough force in your swing.

Therefore, it is vital that you wear the following golf clothes:

• A collared shirt.
• Tailored, flexibly trousers.
• Adequate golf shoes.
• A golf glove if you require one.

Trust me when I say that no one will take you seriously at the driving range if you rock up with jeans and trainers.

5. Clean Up After Yourself

There is nothing worse than when you use a bay after someone who has left baskets and rubbish everywhere.

Do the following after you have finished at the range:

• Collect any scattered golf balls and put them in a basket. Leave them for the next person, or give them to someone nearby.
• Collect any broken tees and chuck them away.
• Pocket any undamaged tees.
• Stack up any ball baskets.
• Put any rubbish in the bin.
• Return any equipment that you have been using.

When you clean up after yourself, you inspire others to do the same. If everyone maintained this driving range etiquette, then ranges would be much more well-maintained.

6. Be Courteous to Beginners

We were all beginners once, or some of us are still beginners. Therefore, we must be understanding of differing skill levels.

There is no worse feeling than getting laughed at by people passing by after hitting an awful shot. This can really ruin anyone’s confidence.

Therefore, when you are passing someone’s space, don’t react to their shots, and don’t obnoxiously look at them as they swing. Mind your own business.

7. Be Aware of your Divots

This only applies to grass driving ranges. When you are hitting a lot of shots consistently, you will eventually create a lot of divots.

The best way to minimise the amount of divots you create is to place your ball behind the last divot. Don’t place it so close that it may affect your swing, but keep it in-line with it.

This way, your divots will be more organised, rather than scattered all over the range. When it comes to maintaining the range, this makes it a lot easier for staff to do their job. It also makes it more tolerable for the golfers who use the range after you.

Summary

Overall, people often underestimate the etiquette that is required at a driving range. There are still some rules that must be followed.

But, by following the 7 tips in this article, you can appear much more professional when you next make a trip to the range.