driving range
B2Semi-formal to informal. Common in sports and recreational contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A facility where golfers can practice hitting golf balls, often from an open or sheltered area with measured distances marked on a field.
1. A designated area for practicing a skill involving hitting or projecting objects over a distance (e.g., archery, batting). 2. In a general business context, the area or scope within which a service is delivered or operates effectively.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily associated with golf. Can be used attributively (e.g., 'driving range mats'). The second sense ('service area') is metaphorical and less frequent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in both varieties. 'Golf range' is a less common but acceptable synonym, used equally in both.
Connotations
Neutral functional descriptor. No strong regional connotations.
Frequency
Equally common and understood in both UK and US English due to the global nature of golf.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
go to the + DRIVING RANGEpractise at/in/on the + DRIVING RANGEthe + DRIVING RANGE + has/is + featureVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly. The phrase is literal.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used, except metaphorically: 'Our new delivery service has an extended driving range of 50 miles.'
Academic
Not applicable outside of sports science or facility design studies.
Everyday
Common in leisure/travel contexts: 'The hotel has a driving range for guests.'
Technical
Specific to golf course architecture, sports facility management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The professional was driving the ball powerfully on the range.
American English
- He was driving on the range to fix his slice.
adverb
British English
- He practised driving-range-style for an hour.
American English
- She hits the ball driving-range hard, but needs more finesse on the course.
adjective
British English
- They offer driving-range facilities for all members.
American English
- We bought a driving-range membership package.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw a big driving range next to the hotel.
- Let's go to the driving range to practise our swings before the game.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DRIVING a golf ball over a RANGE of distances.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WORKSHOP or LABORATORY for skill development. (Metaphor for a place dedicated to focused practice and experimentation.)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation as 'диапазон вождения'. Use specific golf term: 'тренировочное поле для гольфа', 'драйвинг-рейндж'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrectly using 'golf course' synonymously (a course is for playing a full round). Confusing with 'firing range'.
- Using 'driver range' as a misspelling.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the primary function of a driving range?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A driving range is solely for practice. A golf course is a full 9 or 18-hole layout for playing a round.
Typically no. Driving ranges provide specific, often limited-flight, practice balls purchased in buckets or via tokens.
Rarely. It can metaphorically describe an operational area (e.g., 'the drone's driving range'), but its primary meaning is golf-related.
A driving range is for long shots (drivers, irons). A pitching/chipping green is for short shots near the hole.