The range is a liar
You’ll never get a bad lie. There’s no scorecard. And most importantly, there’s no fear.
It’s the most comfortable place in golf – and that’s the problem.
You can stand there for an hour, flush shot after shot, and think you’ve figured it out.
Unfortunately, you haven’t.
You’ve only figured out how to feel good when nothing’s at stake.
Why It Feels So Easy
On the range, there’s no perceived punishment for a miss.
You can reload instantly and fix the last mistake.
That’s not golf.
Golf gives you one shot, and it always matters more.
When you walk from the range to the first tee, you’re not bringing your swing with you. You’re bringing a different version of yourself. The one who cares about score, who sees trouble, who feels pressure.
And that version reacts differently.
Comfort Isn’t Confidence
Golfers tell me all the time: “I hit it great on the range, but I can’t bring it to the course.”
What they really mean is: “I practiced in comfort and expected confidence.”
But those are two different skills.
Comfort is built in repetition. Confidence is built with consequence and challenge.
The range easily removes consequence, which is why it feels so good.
But golf never removes it, which is why it feels so hard.
How to Bridge the Gap
Obviously, I want golfers to practice. But use the range differently and be truthful about the difference in the environment.
Don’t just rake and hit.
Pick a target. Go through your routine. Have intention.
Ask questions after each shot and absorb feedback (like I talk about in my last video) Don’t just rab another ball right away.
Give the miss the same attention you’d give it on the course.
You don’t need to make your practice perfect. You need to make it honest.
The Truth
The range is a liar at times, but it’s still useful – if you know when it’s lying.
It can help you warm up, work on technique, and build skill.
But it can’t teach you how to perform when it counts.
That’s what the course is for.
Knowing the difference between the two is crucial for avoiding heartache in this game and achieving long-term progress.
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