I love a round of golf with my friends just as much as the next person, but in some instances, the driving range hangout is really all you need to get your fix of golf and socializing. Here are a couple of benefits of the “Range Hang” you may not have thought of.
Cost-effective.
The average round of golf at a public course in the United States costs about $36 with a cart. Throw in a couple of beers, a hotdog at the turn, a new glove from the pro-shop, and you’re looking at a $100 day. A bucket of range balls costs about $5 to $10 depending on the size. Now, I’m not a mathematician, but this seems like a no brainer to me.
Time-crunch? No problem.
You don’t have to be out there all day (but you could be if you wanted to). You’ll have more time to do other things you enjoy if you hit the range rather than book a tee time for an entire round. You can grab a small bucket if you’re just looking to clear your mind after a long day at work or you can hit until your hands bleed trying to perfect your swing. It’s all up to you, so go at your own pace.
Beginner-friendly.
Let’s face it; as much as we want to grow the game, no one wants to play behind a slow group of golfers who have no idea what they are doing just yet. What’s even worse, frustration and disappointment can drive new players away from the game because they are often overwhelmed at the start. The driving range is a great place to find your swing and get the hang of things before you hit the links. A buddy who already knows a lot about golf is a great resource for asking questions and learning the rules over a friendly bucket of balls.
If you want to introduce someone to the game, start at the range. Spark their interest and get them prepared for the course. You’ll find yourselves having a whole lot more fun and save yourselves and the people playing behind you a lot of frustration once you get out there for a round.
Whether you’re just looking for a little alone time or you’re looking for fun activities you can do with your friends or on a date night, the driving range might be the place to be. There’s nothing like throwing on a podcast (I recommend the Stick and Hack Show) for an evening range session or helping a friend work out a kink in their swing. Some of my greatest friendships, favorite laughs, and most memorable conversations started on the range.
Plus how will you ever be able to show off your “Tiger stinger” if you don’t practice it first?
