The Range is a Lie

G'day golfers. I’m going to start with a statement that might make some of you want to throw your 6-iron into the lake: The driving range is a total, flat-out lie.

I’ve been in this game for over 34 years. I work at one of the busiest ranges in Australia on the Gold Coast. I see hundreds of people every single day beating balls into the horizon. And I’m telling you, 95% of them are completely wasting their time.

They think they’re practising golf. They’re not. They’re practising hitting balls at a driving range. There’s a massive difference, and if you don’t learn it, your "range game" is never, ever going to show up on the first tee.

THE ILLUSION OF COMPETENCE

Here is why the range tricks you. You stand there on a flat rubber mat, hitting the same club, in the same direction, with zero consequences.

As humans, we are incredibly good at adapting. If I give you 100 drivers, by the 20th ball, you’ve found a rhythm. By the 80th ball, you’re flushing it. You walk off the range thinking, "I’ve cracked it! Saturday's round is going to be legendary."

This is what sports psychologists call the Illusion of Competence.

Then Saturday rolls around. You’re a bit dusty from Friday night, it’s 10 degrees colder, you’ve got a jumper on, and there are 30 people watching you from the clubhouse. You have one shot. No rhythm, no warm-up, and a lie that’s definitely not flat.

You duff it.

You’re shocked. You’re angry. But you shouldn't be. You didn't train for golf; you trained for a sterile, repetitive environment that doesn't exist on the course.

GOLF IS CHAOS—SO TRAIN FOR IT

If you want your practice to actually stick, you have to stop chasing a "perfect swing" and start becoming a better problem solver.

Golf isn't about hitting 100 perfect drives in a row. It’s about being able to aim 15 degrees left because there’s a lake on the right, dealing with a side-hill lie, and managing your nerves when the greenkeepers are staring at you.

HOW TO FIX YOUR SHIT PRACTISE:

• Quit the Block Practise: Stop hitting 50 7-irons in a row. In a round of golf, how many times do you hit the same club twice in a row? Almost never.

• Create Consequence: If you’re hitting driver, pick a "fairway" on the range. If you miss it right, that’s an imaginary lost ball. Feel the sting.

• Randomise Everything: Change your club, your target, and your alignment on every single shot.

• The 60% Rule: You spend 90% of your time on the long game, but 60% of golf happens inside 100 metres. If you aren't grinding on your putting and chipping, you aren't serious about scoring.

STOP GUESSING AND GET AN ASSESSMENT

The biggest frustration I have as a coach is seeing golfers spend a fortune on range balls and swing lessons without ever knowing what their actual problem is.

You think you need a flatter backswing to break 90. I take you on the course for three holes and realise you're actually just aiming into the trees and three-putting like a madman. Your swing is fine—your Golf IQ is what sucks.

If you haven't had a PGA Pro watch you play at least nine holes on the actual course, you shouldn't even bother practising. You’re just guessing.

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU:

Go to your local pro. Don't ask for a bucket and a swing tip. Ask them to take you on the course for a Playing Lesson.

• Let them see you under pressure.

• Let them see how you react to a bad shot.

• Let them find the "lowest hanging fruit"—the easy fixes in your strategy and short game that will drop 5-10 shots without you touching your swing.

READY TO BREAK THE CYCLE?

If your local pro won't get off the range and onto the course with you, find someone who will.

I run 3-Day Breaking Bad Golf Camps and 9 Shots Lower programs specifically designed to bridge this gap. We use the CoachNow app for constant feedback loops, so you don't head 200km off track before we can bump you back on course.

Stop kidding yourself at the range. Start training for the game.

If you’re a local player and you’ve been waiting for the right time to seriously improve your game — this is it.

Right now is the ideal time to join our 9 Shots Lower in 9 Weeks program.

Why 9 Shots Lower Works

The 9 Shots Lower program is designed to do more than just give you great information. It’s built to lock in the right habits with:

• A clear 9-week structure

• Weekly feedback and accountability

• Ongoing support so improvements actually stick

If you want faster, more reliable results — this is the program that delivers them.

Click here to learn more about my Breaking Bad Golf programs.

• What are the best golf lessons on the Gold Coast?

  The Gold Coast offers a range of options including Emerald Lakes, Palm Meadows, Hope Island, Southport, and Coolangatta-Tweed. Paul Williamson provides personalised on-course coaching that goes beyond traditional lessons, covering skills, strategy, and mental game in real playing conditions.

• Do one-hour golf lessons work?

  One-hour lessons provide quick tips but rarely translate under course conditions. Paul’s on-course coaching uses 9-hole assessments to build a tailored plan that actually drops strokes from your scorecard.

• Where can I find on-course golf coaching on the Gold Coast?

  Paul Williamson, a PGA Professional with 30+ years’ experience, provides personalised on-course coaching at courses around Carrara, Hope Island, Robina, Southport, Coolangatta-Tweed, and the broader Gold Coast.