The other day I came across a good primer video on how to practice at the driving range by Peter Finch.
There are lots of great concepts in this video which most people would do well to bring into their own practice sessions
Importance of feedback
Particularly important when the ball strike and flight isn't enough, it is important to know whether you achieved what you set out to do, and to measure how far from it you were.
Measuring performance
Golf is ultimately a game of numbers in which every shot counts on the golf course. Setting up practice games which bring out this element of golf is important to improving - if you are not accountable for the shots you hit on the range, you will struggle to perform under pressure on the course.
Work on swing technique with blocked and variable practice
Peter talks about "fixed practice" when "grinding" on your golf swing. This is essentially a proxy for blocked practice (where you undertake the same task over and over), changing clubs periodically to throw in a little variability. Peter focuses on one aspect, and devotes 40 out of his 100 balls to this.
Again, I like the concept, but I think we can make this a little more effective. Practicing one drill for 40 balls is a lot - even with different clubs, there is not a lot of variability (or contextual interference) going on here. After a few balls, the learning probably slows down quite a bit.
I would try to practice a couple of different aspects to your game in a typical range session. While Peter is very focused on shallowing out his full swing, maybe there is a short game issues (e.g. chipping strike, wedge distance control) or even a putting problem (e.g. rhythm or long-range accuracy) which you can work into the session too.
You can still hit your 40 balls, but maybe in 3 ball sets, alternating between drills. This will make your session more difficult, and it may feel like you are not improving as fast as hitting 40 balls in one go, but it absolutely super-charges engagement and learning.
Hitting targets is important in every golf practice session
I like the way Peter finishes his session by practicing shots from the tee with different clubs in different situations. Using the technology on the driving range, he is able to measure his performance, and ultimately score and record his performance over time.
The only piece I would add to this is to mix it up slightly. There are no situations (hopefully) where you ever hit 2-3 consecutive tee shots. There is also no distinction between a result where the ball is launched down the middle of the fairway versus one which flies into the water - again, this is a big distinction on the golf course.
I would organise a game which focuses on the ability to hit the ball from the tee but adds variability and consequences.
So, on every tee shot, you have to hit the fairway or the first cut of rough. If you fail, you have to restart. To complete the challenge, you have to do this 10 times with different clubs.
If you do get off the tee into the fairway or first cut, you then have the opportunity to shave 1 shot off your score by hitting the green.
Hitting fewer balls with more focus
I really like Peter Finch, and love the focus on making your time on the driving range more effective.
Spending hours at the driving range does not work for most of us. We have busy lives and outside commitments which make it difficult to get to the driving range in the first place. This is even more difficult when you are told that you need to hit hundreds of balls and spend hours grinding on your swing.
Adding variability, measurability and intensity to your practice will make it more efficient and effective. It will feel more difficult, but that is good. Golf is hard, but is still fun. Make your practice hard and fun too.