The driving range is where your game is built, but it is also a space you share with every other player. Between just another session and quality practice there are three very specific differences: a good divot pattern, a clear target for every shot and respect for everyone else’s space.
At Meaztegi Golf we see it every day on the practice ground, with the green hills of Bizkaia in the background and players in every bay. That is why we have gathered the tips we share on our social channels into a single article. Save it for your next visit.
The driving range, where your game is built
Many players reach the driving range, grab a bucket of balls and start hitting without much thought. It is understandable: you want to let your swing go. But the driving range gives you far more when you treat it as a place to work, not a place to let off steam.
Besides, you never practise alone. To your right and to your left there is someone getting ready for their round, polishing their 7 iron or trying out a new club. What you do in your bay affects the grass other players will stand on and the focus of the golfer next to you.
Turf care: divots in a straight line
If you practise on a natural grass area, hit your shots in a straight line, one behind the other. Each new divot sits right next to the previous one, and the damage is concentrated in a narrow strip instead of being spread across the whole bay.
Avoid scattered divots. When the turf has to recover from one continuous strip, it regenerates much faster and more evenly. When the driving range is dotted with loose bare patches, on the other hand, the grass takes longer to come back and the next player finds uneven ground.
It is the same logic we apply on the course when we talk about repairing your divot on the fairway: the course is looked after with small, repeated gestures.
Quality over quantity with every ball
Do not hit balls in a rush or without direction. Emptying the bucket at full speed feels like work, but it leaves very little learning behind. What stays in your swing is what you do with intention.
Always aim at a flag or a visual reference on every shot. Having a target forces you to align yourself, choose a trajectory and assess the result, just as you will later on the course. Without a target, any shot looks good.
And keep your usual pre-shot routine. Stand behind the ball, visualise, line up and execute, as if you were on the 1st hole. That way the driving range simulates real on-course situations and what you practise carries over to your scorecard.
Respect on the range and in your bay
Stay within the space of your mat or marked bay. Invading your neighbour’s spot, even with your bag or a practice swing, is uncomfortable for them and can be dangerous for both of you.
Avoid loud phone calls and respect the focus of the players beside you. The driving range does not demand absolute silence, but it does call for the same courtesy you would show on the first tee while someone else prepares their shot.
Finally, the rule with no exceptions: never walk into the ball landing area. Not to fetch a ball that got away from you, not to pick something up off the ground. While there are players in the bays, that area is for balls only.
A better driving range for every player
The three ideas go together. Caring for the turf, practising with a target and respecting others does not take time away from your practice; it gives it back to you in quality. A well-kept driving range is a better place to learn, to warm up and to enjoy golf.
If you want to take what you work on at the range out onto the course, have a look at the holes of Meaztegi Golf first. Knowing what awaits you on each tee helps you choose which shots to practise in your next driving range session.
Frequently asked questions about practising on the range
How many balls should I hit in one session?
There is no magic number. It is better to hit fewer balls with a target and a routine than to empty several buckets without thinking. When you notice your focus slipping, stop, breathe or switch club and target.
What do I do if a ball ends up close to my bay, but outside it?
If it is in the landing area, leave it where it is. If it is just in front of your mat and there is no risk, you can pull it back with your club without leaving your space. If in doubt, take another ball from the bucket.
Can I practise with a partner in the same bay?
Yes, as long as only one of you hits at a time and the other stands behind, at a safe distance from the swing. Taking turns also helps you keep your routine between balls instead of hitting non-stop.
Is the range also good for warming up before a round?
Of course. A short warm-up, from short clubs to long ones and with a specific target, gets your body and mind ready. Keep your pre-shot routine there too, so the first tee does not catch you cold.