Driving Range vs Short Game: Where Should You Actually Spend Practice Time?
TL;DRThe range feels like practice. The short-game area is where strokes actually fall.
Two hours at the range. One bucket. Mostly driver. Maybe ten putts on the way out. That's the default amateur practice session, and it's the reason most golfers don't improve.
Where shots actually come from
Inside 100 yards is where 60–65% of all shots in a round happen. That includes every putt, every chip, every pitch, every wedge. If your practice doesn't reflect that ratio, you're optimizing for the wrong game.
| Handicap | Driver/Tee | Approach (full) | Short game (off green) | Putting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20+ | 5% | 40% | 30% | 25% |
| 15 | 10% | 40% | 25% | 25% |
| 10 | 10% | 45% | 20% | 25% |
| 5 | 15% | 45% | 15% | 25% |
| Scratch | 15% | 40% | 20% | 25% |
Source:Mark Broadie strokes-gained category contribution; Shot Scope amateur tracking.
Why the range feels better (and tricks you)
- Range balls and range mats flatter strike. You think you're hitting it better than you are.
- Driver feedback is immediate and loud. Putting feedback is small and slow. Brains prefer loud.
- You can repeat the same swing 80 times. On the course, every shot is different. The range trains a swing; it doesn't train golf.
The honest test
After your next round, ask: where did I lose the most shots? Not the most dramatic shots — the most total shots. If the answer is putting and short game (it almost always is for amateurs), the math is settled. Your practice should match.
FAQ
What's the right practice split for a 10 handicap?+
Roughly 45% approach, 25% putting, 20% short game off the green, 10% driver and tee shots. Most 10s spend 60%+ on driver and full irons.
Can you improve at golf without practicing the full swing?+
Yes — up to a point. Short game and putting can take a 15 to a 10 with no swing change. Below 10, full-swing improvement starts to matter more.
Stop guessing what to work on.
Coach by ATX is launching soon. Join the waitlist and we'll email you the moment it's live.
We'll email you at launch.