Nine-hole scoring simulation on the range

Setup

1. One hitting line with a clear gap between stations; nobody walks forward of the line until the coach says the range is clear.
2. Choose two range flags or markers on each side as the edges of the fairway, and a target green beyond them. Anything past the outer markers is out of bounds.
3. The coach writes nine holes on the card: par 3s, 4s and 5s, which club or distance the tee shot needs, and which target is the green. Players use their own carry distances.
4. Warm up before the first tee shot.

How it runs

1. Each hole starts with the full pre-shot routine and the tee club the player would use on the course.
2. Tee shot between the markers: fairway. Outside them but inside the out-of-bounds markers: rough, and the next shot must be a club and swing that would get out of rough. Past the out-of-bounds markers: stroke and distance, so add one penalty stroke and hit again from the tee (check your club's local rules for the alternative).
3. Approach to the target green with the club the hole needs. On the green: count two putts. Miss the green: count a chip and two putts, or note the lie and play it for real on the short-game area at the end.
4. Par 5s need a lay-up shot; par 3s are one shot to the green.
5. One ball per shot, no second goes. Add up the nine-hole score and compare it with a real nine on the course.

Coaching points

• Treat every ball as the only one: no raking another ball over after a bad shot.
• Change club on every shot, as on the course; it is what makes the range feel real.
• Pick the safe target on holes with trouble (the coach can add imaginary water or bunkers).
• Keep a steady pace: ready golf, routine, swing, record.

Common mistakes

• Hitting balls quickly without a routine between holes.
• Using the same club for every approach.
• Being generous with the scoring; honest scores make it useful.
• Taking a mulligan after a poor tee shot.