A Beginner’s Guide to the Range, From “Now What?” to Actually Practicing
You made it to the driving range.
You parked. You walked in. Maybe you have your clubs. Maybe you don't. Maybe you have absolutely no idea what you're doing.
Now what?
Where do you get the balls?
How many are you supposed to get?
Where does your bag go?
Do you just… start hitting?
And why does everyone around you look like they have a very specific plan?
Deep breath.
The driving range is basically your golf practice playground. You don't need a perfect swing, a 12-step training program, or a driver that goes 250 yards.
You just need to know what the hell you're actually supposed to do once you get there.
Here's the breakdown.
TL;DR: Get a Bucket, Find a Spot, Start Small.
Yes, it's really that simple.
Get your bucket of balls. Find an open hitting spot. Put your bag somewhere out of the way. Start with a wedge or short iron and warm up.
Then pick a target and actually practice something.
You don't need to spend the entire bucket trying to launch your driver into another zip code.
And if you don't have clubs yet? You're still allowed to go. Many driving ranges offer club rentals, so check with the range before you go. You can rent a set and get started without investing in an entire golf bag on day one. Or, you can start with just one club—yes, seriously. Check out our One Club Wonder guide if you're not ready to commit to a whole set.
Basically: show up. Get some balls. Hit them. Try to have a plan.
That's it.
Okay, I’m Here. Where TF Do I Start?
First things first: figure out how the range works.
Some places have a little pro shop where you can buy your bucket of balls. Others have a kiosk or range card. If you're not sure, just ask someone working there—they'll point you in the right direction.
Once you have your balls, find an open hitting spot and make yourself comfortable. My personal fav is the bay at the end :)
Most driving ranges have a little bag holder next to your spot, so that's where your golf bag goes. If there isn't one, keep your clubs behind you—far enough away that you won't accidentally hit your bag with your own club, but still close enough that they're easy to grab.
Keep your water and other stuff nearby, too.
Congratulations. You have established your little golf headquarters.
How Many Balls Am I Supposed to Get?
If you're new, you probably don't need the biggest bucket.
We repeat: you do not need 150 golf balls.
A small bucket is usually plenty for your first trip, and you're probably looking at around $8–$10 depending on the range. Bigger buckets can run $15–$20+, but unless you're planning on spending a while practicing, you probably don't need to go big.
Think about it this way: you're going to hit a lot more balls than you think.
And if you're brand new, your swing might get tired way before you get through 150.
Because more balls doesn't automatically mean more practice.
If you're just hitting ball after ball without thinking about what you're doing, you're basically just… hitting balls.
Fun? Sure.
Productive? Questionable.
Wait… What Club Do I Start With?
Please resist the urge to immediately grab your driver.
We know. It's tempting.
The big club. The big swing. The big opportunity to send one directly toward that one random flag 200 yards away.
But your first swing of the day probably shouldn't be a full-power driver swing.
And before you even start hitting, do a couple stretches with your club. Seriously. Don't be embarrassed. You'll actually see plenty of people at the range warming up, stretching, and getting loose before they start hitting.
Start with a wedge or short iron. Make a few easy swings. Focus on getting loose and making solid contact.
Then work your way through your clubs.
Wedge → short iron → mid iron → longer club → driver
You don't have to hit every club in your bag. You're warming up, not taking attendance.
Okay… But What Am I Actually Supposed to Practice?
This is where the driving range can go from “I am hitting golf balls” to “I am actually getting better at golf.”
Don't just grab a club and start firing away.
Give yourself something to work on.
Maybe it's contact. Maybe it's direction. Maybe it's getting more comfortable with your driver.
Pick one thing and focus on it.
Start Small.
Begin with half swings.
Take a wedge or short iron and focus on making solid contact. Don't worry about how far the ball goes.
Just get comfortable making a repeatable swing.
Very revolutionary.
Pick a Target.
The range is not just an endless field of grass.
Pick something to aim at.
A flag. A sign. A distance marker. Literally anything.
Before you hit, decide where you want the ball to go.
Now you're practicing something that actually resembles golf.
Wild concept.
Work Your Way Through the Bag.
Once you're warmed up, move through a few different clubs.
Hit a few wedges. Then some irons. Then maybe a longer club.
Pay attention to how each one feels.
You don't need to hit 20 balls with every club you own. In fact, please don't feel like you have to.
You are allowed to have favorites.
Change It Up.
Eventually, stop hitting the exact same shot over and over.
Change your club. Change your target. Go through your pre-shot routine.
Pretend you're actually on the course.
Because eventually, you will be.
Golf doesn't usually hand you the same shot 15 times in a row, so your range session doesn't have to either.
Do I Have to Know How to Do Drills?
Nope.
But having a few simple ones in your back pocket can make a range session feel way less like you're just standing there wondering what everyone else is doing.
Try this:
Half-Swing Drill: Hit a few balls with a wedge or short iron using half swings. Focus on contact and control.
Target Drill: Pick three different targets and switch between them. Don't just aim at the middle of the range every time.
Club Ladder: Start with a short club and work your way up. See how your contact and distance change as you move through your bag.
On-Course Drill: Change clubs and targets every few shots as if you're actually playing a hole. Go through your normal setup and pre-shot routine.
And if there's one thing to remember:
You don't have to hit every ball as hard as you possibly can.
We're practicing, not trying to qualify for the LPGA.
Wait… What If I Want to Practice Putting or Chipping?
Yes! A lot of driving ranges also have chipping and putting areas, so you don't have to spend your entire visit hitting full swings.
If you're feeling like you've had enough of the range, grab a few balls and head over to the putting green or chipping area. It's a great way to work on the parts of your game that don't involve launching a ball 100+ yards into the distance.
And honestly? You don't have to know exactly what you're doing here either. Start with a few putts, try some short chips, and get a feel for it.
You're there to practice, not put on a clinic.
Is There Driving Range Etiquette?
Yes, but don't overthink it.
The biggest thing is just being aware of the people around you. Stay in your designated hitting area, keep your clubs and belongings out of everyone else's way, and don't walk in front of someone who's getting ready to hit.
And when you're chatting with your friends, laughing about your terrible shot, or telling the group chat story of the century, just be mindful of your volume when someone nearby is swinging.
Basically: give people their space, pay attention to what's happening around you, and don't be a distraction.
Want the full rundown? We already wrote a whole blog on driving range etiquette → Unwritten Rules of the Range.
Also, follow whatever specific rules your range has posted. Every range is a little different, so if you're unsure about something, just ask.
Easy.
What If I Hit a Terrible Shot?
Congratulations.
You're golfing.
The driving range is one of the few places where you're literally supposed to hit bad shots.
That's the point.
You might top one. You might chunk one. You might completely miss one.
You might hit one so beautifully that you immediately start wondering if you should quit your job and go pro.
Then you'll hit three terrible ones in a row.
This is normal.
Don't try to fix every bad shot by swinging harder. Reset. Take a breath. Think about what you're trying to do. Then try again.
You're there to practice, not prove anything.
When Am I Supposed to Leave?
When you're done.
Seriously.
You don't have to finish every ball in the bucket just because you bought them.
If you're tired, frustrated, losing focus, or your swing has officially left the building, call it.
There is no prize for being the last person at the range.
Quality practice > quantity.
Your shoulders will thank you.
Okay, But What Do I Do With Everything When I'm Done?
Gather your stuff.
Take your clubs. Grab your water. Throw away your trash. Return any rental equipment, baskets, or other range equipment wherever you're supposed to return it.
Basically, clean up your little golf spot.
Leave the space how you'd want to find it.
We're Bad Madres, not bad guests.
Final Thoughts: You Actually Know What You're Doing Now
The driving range can feel intimidating when you've never been before.
There are people crushing drives. Someone is hitting wedges like they're in a tournament. Someone else looks like they've been coming here since birth.
And you're standing there wondering if you're even holding the club correctly.
You're fine.
You don't need to be good at golf to practice golf.
You don't even need your own clubs yet.
You just need a bucket of balls, a place to stand, and a little idea of what you're working on.
So park the car.
Get the bucket.
Find your spot.
Start small.
Pick a target.
Practice something.
And if you whiff?
Nobody died.
Try again.
See you at the range, Bad Madre. 🏌️