Your first lesson
Home on the range
The first time I visited the Driving Range, I had absolutely no idea what I was allowed to do and what not. I knew that I was not allowed to enter onto the golf course before I had shown that I was competent of rules, etiquette and able to hit a ball somewhat.
I was told that the Driving Range was where I could practice. There I could buy a basket of balls and try to hit them from the designated area. I knew that everyone practicing had to make sure they were standing on one line. The line marked with red balls or similar contraptions. And we were not allowed to step in front of the line to pick up the ball that only rolled for 1 meter, to our big embarrassment, because that it is very dangerous.
I know that now.
In addition the Driving Range also encompasses the Putting Green, Chipping Green and Pitching Green. These are areas ONLY used for putting, chipping and pitching.
You should not pitch onto the chipping green. Why not, you ask? Because a pitch is a ball that flies higher than a chip, and when it lands it can make a "pitch mark". On the course you would remove pitch marks to even out the green surface, but on the Pitching Green you do not take the time to do that. The only repair you make is when you have practiced your bunker shots and leave the bunker - then you should try to even out the marks to make the practice better for the next golfer who enters into the sand.
I can tell you, that as a user of the Driving Range (a privilege you may have to pay for at the clubhouse - if you are not a member) you are also entitled to use the various greens (Putting, Chipping and Pitching). I recommend that you spend equal time on each of the 4 areas during a training session - and then some more at the one that you are having problems with just now.
