Indoor VS. Outdoor practice…which is better?

There has been much debate on the effectiveness of practicing or 

getting golf lessons in an indoor facility verses an outdoor driving range or 

practice facility. Until just recently, golfers had no choice but to find a spot 

on a range when they could and get some swings in trying to work on their 

swing; or just relieve some stress. 

While a traditional driving range can be a wonderful place to spend an 

hour on a nice day, is it the best learning environment for a new golfer, or 

the best practice option for a serious player to hone specific skills? Until 

recently, I would have emphatically said yes, but with the terrific advances 

in the technology of ballistic golf ball tracking and behavior, my thoughts on 

the subject have dramatically changed.  

Learning a new skill, or perfecting an existing skill requires the full 

concentration of the golfer in order to retain the necessary nuances of 

balance, sequence, ball compression, and expected results into their “golf 

swing memory”. If the object is to train or perfect a motor skill, the 

influence of outside agencies will, and does slow down the process. 

Wind, rain, heat, cold, inconsistent hitting surfaces, and other 

distractions will slow the learning process as they take away the focus of the 

learning task. 

Sure, these are the conditions a golfer will face in a real world 

situation on a golf course, and will have to learn how to deal with one or 

more of them on a daily basis, the only constant is the golf swing motion. 

I believe if the golf swing motion is perfected in a controlled 

environment away from outside distractions, the “swing memory” is able to 

become deep seeded more quickly, and the player can focus on the influence 

of the conditions of the day, trusting the golf swing to get the job done. 

Let’s do a Pros & Cons list of the driving range learning experience 

verses the Controlled environment learning experience. 

Driving Range:



Pros: 
Readily available - Fresh Air - Plenty of room  - Sunshine - Real life experience  - Familiar


Cons:  “Outside distractions, wind, rain, heat, cold, bugs”.  - Inconsistent surfaces.  - No privacy.  - Time constraints (dark). - Unsure of carry distances - Unsure of trajectories - No feedback on ball speed, or spin
rates. - Poor learning environment. - Typically bucket sales driven, - limiting time or adding expense. - Limited essential feedback if no Professional guidance.

Indoor Golf Simulator Controlled Environment:

Pros: Readily available - Open long hours any weather. - No outside distractions. - Comfortable, controlled  - learning environment. - Privacy. - Consistent hitting surface. - Instant essential feedback on  ball speed, trajectory,spin  rate, and carry distance. - Able to see improvement. - Able to focus on skill sets. - Practice effectively without  - Professional feedback. - Able to practice in “Game Situations” - More fun = better learning - Ability to record results.


Cons:
Unfamiliar environment. - May feel closed in. - Trouble adjusting to instant feedback. - May be uncomfortable with computer technology.
 
The indoor learning and training golf facilities today are far advanced from
the simulators of just a few years ago. With the new tracking technology,
better playing surfaces, and ever more realistic graphics than can mimic
wind, fog, or rain conditions if you want, have in my opinion, eclipsed
trudging down to the range to get in a few licks. Golfers can now practice or
play after work, before work, on lunch hours, even when they only have 30
minutes to spare.
As a Teaching Professional, this technology is a godsend. No more
“rain outs”, “wind outs”, or” too hot” outs to mess up my teaching book. Not
only is the environment controlled, I can teach until 11PM if I want, but the
real advantage is the accelerated learning.
In the controlled environment of a new technology golf simulator, we
can work on specific aspects of balance, consistency, trajectory control, ball
speed, and distance control with very specific, instant feedback. This quickly
builds golfer confidence and accelerates the learning experience.
For me the choice is clear, on a beautiful day, an hour at the range will
always be an enjoyable distraction; but if you want to learn a solid golf
swing and short game scoring prowess…head inside, take full advantage of
new technology, Professional feedback, and take control of your learning
process.