Driving Ranges
Range Balls and Mats Versus Grass
When you arrive at our driving ranges, you will find two distinct hitting surfaces: synthetic mats and natural turf. Mats allow you to practise in all conditions, even after rain, and they provide a consistent lie for working on your swing mechanics. You can hit dozens of balls without worrying about divots or uneven ground.
Grass tees, on the other hand, offer a more realistic simulation of the course. Hitting off turf teaches you to make crisp contact and to feel the difference between a good strike and a heavy one. We rotate the grass hitting areas regularly to keep the surface healthy and fair. For the most productive session, start your warm-up on the mats and then move to grass for the remainder of your practice.
Our range balls are high-quality, limited-flight models that replicate the feel of a standard ball without travelling as far. This lets you work on shape and trajectory within a comfortable space. Please use only our range balls on the driving range – they are clearly marked to help us keep the facility in top condition.
Target Greens and Distance Markers
Each driving range at our courses features multiple target greens set at varied distances. You will find flags at intervals from 50 metres to 250 metres, with yardage markers painted on the turf or posted on stakes. Use these to get immediate feedback on your accuracy and distance control with every club in your bag.
We recommend that you never just hit ball after ball without a specific target. Instead, pick a flag and aim for it with each shot. Change clubs and distances regularly – hit a few wedges to the 80-metre target, then move to a mid-iron for the 150-metre flag, then a fairway wood for the 200-metre area. This simulates the variety you face on the course.
Pay attention to your ball flight. Notice if your draw is pulling too far left or if your fade is cutting short of the target. Adjust your stance, grip, or swing path based on what you see. Over time, you will build a reliable shot pattern you can trust under pressure.
Short-Game and Putting Areas
Great scores are built around the greens, and our practice facilities include dedicated short-game zones. You will find a chipping green with fringe and rough, allowing you to practise bump-and-runs, pitch shots, and lob shots from various lies. Use the supplied wedges or your own clubs to get a feel for how the ball releases on our bentgrass surfaces.
Nearby, you will find a large putting green with multiple hole locations and gentle slopes. We encourage you to spend at least half of your practice time on putting and short-game work. Start with short putts from 1 to 2 metres to build confidence, then progress to longer lag putts from 6 to 12 metres. Focus on speed control – the ball should finish within 1 metre of the hole on most attempts.
Our short-game area also includes a practice bunker with clean sand. Work on blasting out from different lies: buried, fluffy, and sidehill. This is one of the most valuable skills for saving strokes, and you can rehearse it without the pressure of the course.
How to Practise with a Purpose
Mindless hitting will not improve your game. Instead, approach each session with clear goals. Before you start, decide what you want to work on – maybe it is improving your ball striking with long irons or shortening your putting stroke. Write down a simple plan if it helps.
- Warm up: Begin with a few gentle swings and stretches. Then hit 10–15 balls with a wedge to establish rhythm.
- Drill, do not just hit: Use alignment sticks or clubs on the ground to check your setup. Practise hitting specific draws and fades by adjusting your stance.
- Simulate course situations: Play an imaginary hole in your mind – driver, then a mid-iron to the green, then chip and putt. This ties your practice to real shot values.
- Track your results: Note how many balls finish within 10 metres of your target. Challenge yourself to improve that percentage each session.
We maintain our practice areas so you can get the most out of every visit. Come ready to work on your game, and you will see the results on the course.
