Spatial Awareness
When hitting golf balls at the driving range, you can show good etiquette by being wary of the other golfers around you. Be sure to give yourself ample room from the golfers in front and particularly behind you. You will see videos on social media of people accidentally standing or walking behind a golfer when they’re swinging. We want to avoid getting clobbered ourselves or clobbering someone else.
Don’t Break Ranks
Never hit balls in front of the general line of golfers hitting balls on the range. Hitting ahead of others will endanger yourself more than anyone else. Particularly from behind if there is someone with the shanks! 🙂
Be Wary of the ‘Big Dog’
Be conscious of the length of the driving range or if it is double sided. On a short driving range, have the courtesy for the head professional or director of golf to not hit the range balls into wooded areas or fence at the end of the range. Many courses do not have substantial practice facilities to accommodate fairway woods or drivers. Make sure to be mindful of this next time you are at a driving range. With a double-sided driving range, be sure your drives are not reaching the golfers hitting at the other end. Typically, double-sided ranges offer ample room to allow golfers at both ends to hit the big stick. Just in case, be mindful of this whenever you are on a double-sided range.
Don’t Make a Minefield
If you are at a turf driving range hitting balls, be wary of the turf you are hitting from. So often golfers will hit one ball, take a divot (which is totally fine) then drag another over and hit it a foot from the last. After 50-100 golf balls this area is going to look like a minefield. Do your best to minimize the area from which you are hitting. After each shot place the next ball as close to the previous divot as possible. This will reduce your impact on the damage done to the turf.
Keep Your Eye on the Clock
If you are at the driving range on a busy day, proper etiquette would be to always be mindful of those who are waiting. Much like the gym where they ask you to be mindful of time on a single piece of equipment, if the range is busy and people are waiting, limit your time to 30 minutes so others can practice as well.
These tips will help you be a courteous golfer at the driving range. If you’re looking for more tips on golf etiquette, look no further!