Given the choice, most golfers would rather spend a sunny day on a neatly manicured course than pounding balls at a driving range. But if they really want to shave strokes off their game, they have to start with practice.
Sometimes it's better to spend time hitting irons and drivers and practicing 5-footers than losing balls on a course. A tee time or a scorecard isn't needed at a practice facility. And practice can be fit in before or after work in less than an hour.
Not all practice facilities are created equal. Certain criteria make some stand out from others.
The range: It should be full-sized, which allows golfers to hit every club in the bag, including driver. It should also have accurate yardage markers and, ideally, greens to aim at for golfers. The tee boxes should be grass, or the range should at least have a higher percentage of grass tees over artificial turf.
The greens: The facility should have not only a practice putting green but a chipping green as well. And ideally the chipping green should have a sand trap. Shots are saved around the green, and having a place to practice the short game is invaluable for a golfer looking to shave strokes.
The instructors: A serious practice facility has teaching professionals who are available for private lessons. The facility also should offer lessons for groups and juniors.
The amenities: Some of the best ranges have little things that set them apart. Some have covered tee boxes. Some have metal stands for propping up a bag. Some have pro shops that offer services from equipment to club repair.
A look at some Tampa Bay area practice facilities:
Tampa Golf Range and Learning Center
Where: 2508 N Lakeview Drive, Tampa; (813) 962-0201
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. weekends
Web: tampagolfrange.com
Tee boxes: Grass and mats
Prices: Small bucket (45 balls), $5; jumbo bucket (220 balls), $17; savings cards and memberships available
Lessons: Available from teaching professional Philip Cole
Ace Golf Range
Where: 820 S Kings Ave., Brandon, (813) 651-4653; 12910 Boyette Road., Riverview, (813) 672-7750
Hours: Brandon, 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; Riverview, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.-holidays, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday
Web: ace-golf.com.
Tee boxes: Grass and mats; has practice putting and chipping greens
Prices: Small bucket (34 balls), $4; monster bucket (170 balls), ($14.25)
Lessons: Group and private lessons at both sites
Misc.: The Riverview site was voted one of the top 100 ranges in America by Golf Range magazine.
Tampa Bay Downs practice facility
Where: 11225 Racetrack Road, Tampa; (813) 854-4946
Hours: 10 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Mon.; 8:30 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Tues.-Sun.
Web: tampabaydowns.com.
Tee boxes: 45 grass tee stations, partially covered
Prices: Small bucket, $5; large bucket, $11
Lessons: Individual and group lessons; co-ed clinics 7:30-8:30 p.m. Thurs.; women-only clinics 7:30-8:30 p.m. Tues; cost $25 per person
Misc.: Voted one of top 100 ranges in America by Golf Range magazine
Chi Chi Rodriguez sports and family complex
Where: 2987 N McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater; (727) 216-6389
Hours: 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Mon.; 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tues.-Sun.
Web: chichi.org
Tee boxes: Grass and mats, partially covered; has putting green and chipping green.
Prices: Large bucket, $10
Lessons: Given by PGA professional Tony Simpson; $35 for half-hour, $50 for hour. Those who take a lesson get a free greens fee at Chi Chi Rodriguez course across the street.
Someplace Else Driving Range
Where: 35332 SR 54, Zephyrhills; (813) 355-4855
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Tee boxes: Grass and mat tees; practice greens being built
Prices: Small bucket, $4; jumbo bucket, $13
Lessons: Group and individual lessons
Missing Links Driving Range
Where: 1201 East Bay Drive, Largo; (727) 584-8088
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Tee boxes: Grass and mat tees
Prices: Small bucket, $5; large bucket, $10
Lessons: Group and individual lessons
Blue Tees International
Where: 18240 County Line Road, Spring Hill; (352) 796-3197
Hours: 7 a.m. until dark
Tee boxes: Grass and mat tees
Prices: Small bucket (65 balls), $4; jumbo basket (400 balls), $15
Lessons: Individual lessons for adults and juniors
Tarpon Springs Driving Range
Where: 44098 U.S. 19 N, Tarpon Springs; (727) 784-7606
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Tee boxes: Grass and mat tees; no practice green
Prices: Small bucket, $5; jumbo bucket, $11
Lessons: Group and individual lessons
Loading...