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"Play the Course" on The Range To Lower Your Scores

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

Many, many golfers suffer from not being able to take great range sessions onto the golf course. Are you one of those? Do you practice well on the range and short game practice areas but fail to score on the course? Maybe the way you practice has something to do with that...
Most golfers conduct a range session where they hit 10-15 balls per club, starting with wedges and working their way up through the bag. There is nothing wrong with this in and of itself. However, when we are on the course, playing for score, this is never a scenario that plays out...where we get to hit multiple balls with the same club in a row. In that typical range session or short game practice session, where we hit the same shot repeatedly, with no real goal other than hitting solid shots, we can consider it a good session if we hit 8 out of 12 shots well. On the course, we do not have that luxury of the repetitiveness of hitting the same shot over and over. We must work with the results of one shot with a particular club, then go to the next shot and continue to try and advance the ball until holed. Obviously, that singular shot on the course weighs much more than it does in a range session or when hitting 20 chips from the same spot.
Do not get me wrong, there is all kinds of merit to practicing the typical way that many of us do. It creates repetition and allows you to work on technical aspects that you and your coach may be working through with your swing.
So, what will help you in taking practice sessions to the course?
Try alternating your typical practice routine with the idea of “playing the course” while on the range. Set the scenarios of each hole you will play on the course and do this on the range. If the first hole is a long par 5 with trouble all down the left side, then visualize that scenario and play out the entire hole, short of the putting portion. The variance of club selection as you go through this exercise combined with practicing game time visualization will better prepare you for the course.
Over time, you will start seeing the fruits of your labor helping you score better. To become an Ace on the course, you need to practice as you would like to play and play as you practiced doing so...
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

After 16 remarkable years of nurturing young talent and fostering a love for golf through The Little Linksters Golf Academy, Brendon Elliott is excited to announce the transition of leadership to esteemed Coach Ricky Collado in 2025. As the baton is passed, Coach Ricky will take charge of all operations and become the primary point of contact for any Linksters-related inquiries. As Brendon steps into a new chapter, the focus will shift to launching and growing BE A GOLFER, a new academy dedicated to competitive teenage golfers. This initiative will continue both in-person and remote coaching, harnessing years of expertise to nurture the next generation of golfing talent. Further expanding horizons, Brendon will also dedicate time to One More Roll Golf Media. This venture aims to collaborate with various golf media outlets and businesses, delivering high-quality written, video, and voice content. Despite these new ventures, Brendon will remain closely connected with Little Linksters. A commitment to collaboration with Coach Ricky will continue, particularly with projects like the PGA Junior League, ensuring a lasting impact and smooth transition. “I am thrilled about the future of Little Linksters under Coach Ricky Collado’s leadership. This transition marks a change and an exciting new direction for me and the academy. I look forward to contributing my efforts towards developing competitive young golfers and advancing in the golf media landscape.” ~ Brendon R. Elliott, PGA More About Coach Brendon... Brendon Elliott is a distinguished PGA Professional who has received over 25 prestigious industry awards recognizing his contributions and influence in youth golf, most notably, the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. With numerous appearances on the Golf Channel and local news outlets in Florida, Brendon has established himself as a respected educator and influencer in the golf industry. Renowned for his expertise in all aspects of golf, he is a sought-after speaker at golfing events and panels. In the past three years, Brendon has expanded into media, writing for esteemed outlets such as PGA.com, PGA Magazine, Golf.com, GolfWRX.com, RG.org, and many others. Elliott is also part of the “Quiet Please Golf Podcast” crew and hosts a livestream show on the Golf Live App called “Monday Evening Tee Time.” Brendon’s dedication to advancing the sport has made a significant impact on the golf community.

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