What is a Driving Range?
A driving range (also called a “practice range”) is an area where golfers practice hitting balls. According to Golf Distillery, this is usually an open field with side‑by‑side teeing areas equipped with natural turf or artificial mats. Facilities can be part of a golf course or standalone establishments. Players typically buy buckets of so‑called range balls, which are often marked “Practice” so that no one uses them on the course. Vehicles with protective cages collect the balls regularly so they can be reused.
Why practice on the range?
Many golf courses offer only limited time for practice shots. On the driving range you can:
- Reinforce the basics: Regular practice improves ball contact, shot distance and directional control.
- Test different clubs: From the driver to irons and wedges – all clubs have their place.
- Focus on specific aspects: Instead of practicing “everything at once,” you can target shot distance, tempo, ball flight or routine.
- Work with technology: Modern ranges feature launch monitors or systems like Toptracer that analyze shot distance and ball flight. Such data help measure training success.
Best practices for effective range training
Training success depends not on the volume of balls hit, but on the quality of practice. Reputable coaching portals recommend the following principles:
1. Choose and vary goals
Kris Hart of the PGA of America advises not always aiming at the 150‑meter marker on the range, but to target different objectives. Intentionally aiming at different flags, trees or markers trains alignment and simulates course situations.
2. Set one focus per session
Before you hit balls, decide what you want to work on – for example your drive, hybrids or short game. According to the PGA you should concentrate on one aspect per practice session, rather than randomly hitting every club.
3. Warm up and develop a routine
Start each session with some wedge shots; they are easier and help develop a sense of tempo and rhythm. Golf Monthly emphasizes that a warm‑up reduces the risk of injury and prepares the body for the movement. Also develop a swing routine and perform it for every ball to internalize a consistent tempo.
4. Structure practice sessions
Instead of hitting 50 balls in a row, Golf Monthly recommends using sets and reps like in the gym: perform a movement five times without a ball, then five times with a ball before moving to the next set. Then vary targets and clubs so the transfer to the course succeeds.
5. "Transfer practice" – practice like on the course
Scientific studies by Eric Alpenfels and Bob Christina show that many golfers improve their technique by constant ball‑hitting but fail to transfer these improvements to the course. The researchers recommend “transfer practice,” i.e., training under game‑like conditions. This includes:
- Play simulated holes: Imagine a hole, choose target, fairway and green and play it without mulligans.
- Alternate targets and clubs: Play with one ball and change the target and club after each shot.
- Different ball flights: With the same club hit high, low, fade and draw shots.
- Simulate routines and pressure: Use your pre‑shot routine consistently and add small games with rewards and penalties.
6. Don't forget the short game
Many focus on long shots during range training. But the game inside 100 meters determines pars and birdies. Golf Monthly recommends regularly practicing wedges and short irons and perfecting the shot to the flag.
Modern range technology: Toptracer & launch monitors
Many ranges now use tracking systems like Toptracer. This system allows you to measure ball flight, distance and accuracy and save the data via an app. Golf Monthly explains that Toptracer offers various game modes and even global leaderboards. This lets you analyze your data, set goals and compare your progress with others. If your local range doesn't have a Toptracer station, investing in compact launch monitors that measure ball speed, launch angle and spin is worthwhile – the PGA recommends them as helpful training companions.
DeepSwing – the digital coach for the range
How does DeepSwing work?
DeepSwing is a AI‑powered golf app for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Vision Pro that analyzes your swing and provides coaching cues directly on the device. The key features according to the manufacturer:
- On‑device AI: Computer‑vision models detect phases like setup, backswing, downswing, impact and finish as well as key angles and compare them to ideal values. All calculations take place on the device – your data are not uploaded to the cloud.
- 3D ghost overlay & swing plane: You can compare your body to a pro model. The app draws the swing plane and body angles so you can see if you're swinging too steep or too flat.
- Live coach with audio & haptics: While you record, the app gives immediate feedback via voice, screen overlays and vibrations.
- Outcome prediction: Based on motion metrics DeepSwing recognizes whether your shot tends toward a slice, hook, “fat” or “thin” strike and provides appropriate corrections.
- Drill suggestions & training flow: For each identified weakness the app recommends exercises. Reminder systems motivate you to train regularly.
- Deluxe video workflow: Slow‑motion recording, video import, trimming, overlay export and history – ideal for documenting progress.
The App Store description confirms these points and emphasizes that DeepSwing enables scientific training thanks to the 3D ghost overlay, pro checks (detection of slice, hook, fat/thin) and personalized coach commands. The analysis is performed completely offline; videos are only exported on request. A Pro subscription can be purchased for unlimited recordings, live coach and premium analyses.
Here’s the app -> apps.apple.com.
Benefits of the app on the range
The combination of driving range and DeepSwing enables data‑driven training:
- Immediate feedback: You don't have to wait for the pro to analyze your videos – the app provides instant feedback while you're still on the range.
- Targeted drills: After the analysis you know exactly which errors (e.g., slice tendency) to fix and receive appropriate exercise instructions.
- Comparison with role models: The 3D ghost feature shows how your body compares to professionals.
- Privacy: Since the AI runs exclusively locally, your videos remain private.
- Integration with Apple Watch: You can start recording and the live coach conveniently via the Watch and don't have to touch your smartphone every time.
How to use DeepSwing on the range – a practical guide
- Setup & positioning: Place your iPhone to the side or slightly behind the target line, e.g., on a tripod. The DeepSwing website recommends a stable camera position so the AI can detect movements precisely
- Warm‑up: As with normal range training, the first shots should be with wedges to find the rhythm
- Start recording: In the app select the club type (driver, iron, wedge) and start recording. Optionally use the Apple Watch for hands‑free operation
- Use live feedback: Pay attention to the audio cues and haptics during the swing. The live coach signals whether tempo or swing plane needs correcting.
- View the analysis: After the shot the app divides the swing into phases and shows angles as well as main issues. Using the 3D ghost feature you can compare your position to that of a pro.
- Perform practice drills: Use the suggested drills to work on your weaknesses. Integrate them into sets and repetitions as described above. Don't forget to regularly change targets and use different clubs.
- Document progress: Save your videos or export them with overlay to discuss with a golf pro or analyze later.
- Train regularly: DeepSwing offers reminder functions that motivate you to practice consistently. Schedule your range sessions weekly and combine them with transfer practice.
Conclusion
The driving range is the place where you can systematically improve your golf game. However, hitting 100 balls is useless if you just swing wildly. Define your goal, warm up, use sets and repetitions and simulate on‑course situations. Modern technologies like Toptracer and launch monitors provide valuable data – and with the DeepSwing app you get an AI coach directly on the range. Thanks to on‑device analysis, 3D ghost overlay, live feedback and drill recommendations you can work precisely on your weaknesses and measure progress. Those who train consistently according to these principles will improve their shots not only on the range but also on the golf course.
Resources: pga.com, golfdistillery.com, golfmonthly.com, golf.com, deepswing.io