The driving range can be a brutal place. If you're having a rough time, the entire world can seemingly see every duck hook or chilly dipper. For that reason and that I'm not a coach, I generally don't say anything to people - let them do their thing.
I do get annoyed sometimes at the range, usually when it's not going well. During these times, the couple or group two spots over speaking loudly enough that the entire range can her everything or the friend/parent giving horrible advice really irritate me. I have headphones in those instances so I don't need to ask them to be a bit quieter.
Last night, I came close to saying something. It wasn't about noise or encroaching on my space, this time it was about safety. I was hitting balls off the grass at Joshua creek; each hitting space is separated by a metal frame divider - two vertical posts and two cross beams with no mesh or grating that would stop a ball. The guy to the left of me was not having a good evening - I saw some of his swings and there was a lot going on in terms of mental and mechanical demons. At least half his shots were shanks - flying or bouncing right in front of me. That's fine, we all have bad days; however, he kept moving back - away from the range to the point where he was no longer between the dividers. The shanks were getting very close to the posts and I was worried that one would fly back and hit him, or worse, me. He had clearly taken lessons and takes himself or his game seriously enough that he had a range bag with a few clubs, so he wasn't a beginner that didn't know any better.
I didn't want to say anything as it would likely make him feel worse or embarrassed or he could focus his anger at me and lead to a loud argument. Luckily, I was near the end of my bucket and he switched to his driver, so I didn't need to say anything; had that not happened, I would've needed to say something to him. If he didn't hit me with a ricochet, it would've been someone else, so moving wouldn't have solved anything, just put someone else at risk. So, what would you say and how would you approach it? Keep in mind my goal of not getting killed by a golf ball, not getting into a shouting match, and not embarrassing him.
I do get annoyed sometimes at the range, usually when it's not going well. During these times, the couple or group two spots over speaking loudly enough that the entire range can her everything or the friend/parent giving horrible advice really irritate me. I have headphones in those instances so I don't need to ask them to be a bit quieter.
Last night, I came close to saying something. It wasn't about noise or encroaching on my space, this time it was about safety. I was hitting balls off the grass at Joshua creek; each hitting space is separated by a metal frame divider - two vertical posts and two cross beams with no mesh or grating that would stop a ball. The guy to the left of me was not having a good evening - I saw some of his swings and there was a lot going on in terms of mental and mechanical demons. At least half his shots were shanks - flying or bouncing right in front of me. That's fine, we all have bad days; however, he kept moving back - away from the range to the point where he was no longer between the dividers. The shanks were getting very close to the posts and I was worried that one would fly back and hit him, or worse, me. He had clearly taken lessons and takes himself or his game seriously enough that he had a range bag with a few clubs, so he wasn't a beginner that didn't know any better.
I didn't want to say anything as it would likely make him feel worse or embarrassed or he could focus his anger at me and lead to a loud argument. Luckily, I was near the end of my bucket and he switched to his driver, so I didn't need to say anything; had that not happened, I would've needed to say something to him. If he didn't hit me with a ricochet, it would've been someone else, so moving wouldn't have solved anything, just put someone else at risk. So, what would you say and how would you approach it? Keep in mind my goal of not getting killed by a golf ball, not getting into a shouting match, and not embarrassing him.
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