[mickey100]

There is such a thing as driving range etiquette, and some people are just unaware of what that entails. No one expects everyone to be totally quiet while they hit on the range, as would happen when you're playing golf, but it is unspoken etiquette that you keep the noise down so as not to bother other people. And cell phones are an absolute no no. Here is a link to Golfsmith which gives some general etiquette guidelines. Golf Driving Range Etiquette | Golfsmith

Its easy to say, oh just move away from the noisy, rude people, but this time of year the ranges fill up quickly and often times there is no place to move to. You feel lucky just to get a spot.

[Irish Rover]

I am wondering why everything has to be confrontational? Big deal, someone talks while you are swinging on a practice range. If you are that distracted by noise maybe the powers that be can declare the range a "no fly" zone and no gas carts can pull up because they are really noisy. How about mufflers on the driver heads? All you ever see on this site is how wonderful things are at TV but the next post is BUT............ Good grief, enjoy your golden years and accept the fact that everyone and every situation isn't going to meet your standards and expectations. I love this place and hope the I don't offend by smiling too much. Sorry, just my humble opinion.

[PaPaLarry]

opc orn:

[English Ivy]

Originally Posted by mickey100

There is such a thing as driving range etiquette, and some people are just unaware of what that entails. No one expects everyone to be totally quiet while they hit on the range, as would happen when you're playing golf, but it is unspoken etiquette that you keep the noise down so as not to bother other people. And cell phones are an absolute no no. Here is a link to Golfsmith which gives some general etiquette guidelines. Golf Driving Range Etiquette | Golfsmith

Its easy to say, oh just move away from the noisy, rude people, but this time of year the ranges fill up quickly and often times there is no place to move to. You feel lucky just to get a spot.

Good post Mickey. Unfortunately at this time of year some people in The Villages don't believe in etiquette, manners or respecting their fellow Villagers whether they're at the driving range, golf course, rec centers, pools, grocery store, roads and cart paths, etc. etc. etc.

[Grannygail]

Thank You Mickey, that's was the point of my post. I guess my expections of others are a little to high at times. But I refuse to accept that as the 'way of life', and will strive to be
considerate of others first, then myself. Gail

[batman911]

On certain days, I talk to my self a lot on the golf course but not so much on the driving range.

[ncr2482]

Originally Posted by Grannygail

just got back from Saresota Driving Range and the lady next to us talked to herself the whole time!!! She kept saying things like' Get out the instruction book - Is that the best you can do'? Of course, I thought she was talking to me everytime and I tried to correct my drive. THEN, her friend came over and joined in the conversation. After 5 minutes, DH kindly asked them to step away if they wanted to continue talking. They apologized and the friend stepped away and then we had only the womens conversation with herself to listen to!! What a wasted bucket of balls!!

.

After reading your post and the responses I feel I need to add my two cents. I don't mind people talking on the driving range. I do not have the same expectations of good golf etiquette as I do when playing golf. Two days ago I was at the Buffalo Ridge range and the gentleman next to me was humming the entire time he was hitting balls - if I found it to annoy me I could have moved to a different spot.
However, I will say that when I go to a adult pool I find the people who "hold court" and carry on loud conversations for all to hear is annoying. I enjoy going to the pool, listening to my IPOD and reading, not to hear someone yaking non stop. Guess what - I don't go to that pool anymore.

[kittygilchrist]

I am very distracted by noise. One could try wearing earplugs.

[karostay]

same reason people have cell phones in restaurants to annoy people around them

[Fourpar]

Originally Posted by ajbrown

I have been a range rat for much of my younger life and I have never had an expectation of quiet. I am not saying it should be a loud party, but not silence. Even in tournaments there is quite a bit of noise with caddies, players catching up or "cramming for the test".....

I used to enjoy working on the game with other players/freinds. We would chat about what we were trying to achieve and watch each other's swing to see if we were doing it as we described, or maybe learn a new shot or hear of a recent round......

The only time I get bothered is when I hear someone whose best shot is a 40 yard slice teaching their wife or child the same fundamentals so that they will be able to hit that same slice if the keep there head down and do not sway and keep their left arm straight and ...... .

[Barefoot]

The last time we used the driving range on Rolling Hills, the ball washer sounded like a concrete mixer. But it was easy to ignore.

[Happinow]

I think the lady next to you was trying to go over the techniques of hitting the ball, perhaps things she has read or was taught. When some golfers, especially new golfers, are practicing hitting the ball there is so much to remember. She was probably just trying to refresh her memory of the "steps" to correctly hit the ball. Give people a break, it's a driving range, not a game on the course. For the few dollars it cost to hit a bucket of balls I expect you weren't out much. When my husband and I go the to driving range we always chatter about the hitting the ball. I really didn't think about how it would affect those around us. I think it gets so frustrating at times you we just automatically voice our thoughts. In the big scheme of things, it's not anything to get upset about. Just go back to the range again and hit another bucket of balls!

[keithwand]

Because they can?
Ever been to a library lately?
There is more talking going on than in a restaurant.
Times have changed.

[mickey100]

People do seem to have less manners lately. I've seen people take cell phone calls in the library.... I mean really!...too much.

[zcaveman]

Maybe they are getting instructions from a fellow golfer. I had that when I was there. Since I am not a professional golfer I do not expect total silence when I play golf.

Z