Should you go to the driving range first?

Yes, you can go to the range. No, you should not spend years there hoping “something clicks.”

Beginners stall when practice has no destination. Balls disappear into a net. Confidence does not transfer to the first tee.

A better frame

Practice so you can play a par-3 nine without feeling lost — not so you look like a tour pro on the mat.

Five-step practice (simple)

1. Warm up short — putts and soft chips before full swings.
2. Pick one target and one club (often PW or 58).
3. Hit fewer balls with a pause between; quality over buckets.
4. Finish with a small “course” game: three targets, three swings each.
5. Book a par-3 nine soon so the range has somewhere to go.

Permission

You are allowed to be bad at golf. You are not allowed to be confused about what to do next. The free intro maps the short path from practice to play.

Related guides

• First clubs for beginners (the Sunday Bag)
• How to play a par-3 nine as a beginner
• Golf etiquette for intimidated beginners