Driving Range Etiquette

The Setup

The main part of the driving range has a series of stalls set up next to each other. Each stall gives the golfer enough room to take his stance, take a swing at the ball and then bend down and set the next ball up. There are usually dividers between the stalls that keep golfers from hitting terribly errant shots at each other. Normally, the golfer in stall A will not impact the golfer in stall B, so there are no problems with two golfers hitting the ball at the same time. However, when walking to the stall, don't go into it until the golfer on either side has finished his swing. Walking into the stall and setting up your clubs and bucket of balls can be a distraction to others.

Topped Shots

You have done it on the golf course and you'll do it at the driving range. Every once in a while you will take a mighty swing, but instead of hitting the ball you will just get the top of it and will dribble off the tee just by a foot or two. Your natural inclination may be to walk out onto the range and retrieve that ball so that you don't waste it, but that is not allowed. From a safety perspective, walking out of the stall just a foot or two puts you in range of getting hit and it is not worth getting an extra swing if you have to take a line drive in the ribs.

Timing

You are not the only one with the idea of going to the driving range on beautiful summer evening. If you look around, the stalls may be filled and there will be other people waiting for their turn. There is no need to rush your swing, but do not be too deliberate. An average of 30 seconds per swing should be about the longest your take when you are in the cage. When you are done, gather your clubs and your empty bucket and remove them from the stall to allow the next golfer a chance to step in and hit some balls.