Hmmm, good question. The one I use all the time is at The Divide, though that’s mostly because it’s so close to my house and I have Carolina Trail Preferred Player’s Card that gets me $5 off a range card (10 buckets for $35, I think). But really, all in all, it’s a nice place to practice. It has a chipping green with a sand bunker and a nice putting green.

There’s also a lighted range near me off Hwy 74 across from Dale Jarrett Ford. I think the Charlotte Golf Links range is lighted as well. Golf Links also has a chipping area with a bunker.

I’ve heard that the Regent Park practice area is one of the better ones, but it’s on the opposite side of town from me. Over there off I-77 is also the Leatherman range (used to be Michael Jordan’s place) right across from Renaissance Park off Tyvola Rd. Never hit there, but it looks decent.

Charlotte National, near me, has a nice feature — a chipping green cut like a real putting green. The Divide, Charlotte Golf Links and most courses don’t keep their chipping green cut like a normal green. They let it grow slow and bumpy and most times it’s a small green. Charlotte National keeps theirs firmly cut and it’s decent size — so when you practice chipping, the bounce and roll is true and really helps develop your feel.

I do a majority of my practice at Leatherman on South Tryon near the old / new / abandoned coliseum. They have about 30 hitting stations with synthetic turf and a large natural grass hitting area. I have never liked the grass area there – it always seems too sandy – then again, maybe it is just my steep – over the top swing… They have a pretty nice putting green and a chipping/pitching/sand area that has a real green for judging real results. They have 2-1 coupons in those direct mail envelopes and you can print them off at moneymailer.com that makes their rates a lot more reasonable. Without a coupon I think it is 45 balls for $6, 70 for $9 and 95 for $12.

I also go to Renaissance across the street from Letherman. The putting green is large, the uphill pitching area is great (up to 50 yard pitch) but does not appear to be maintained anymore. The driving range is all grass, is in pretty rough shape and the yardage markers are difficult to judge. It is about a 5 minute walk from the clubhouse to the driving range. A single bucket of about 70 balls is $5 and they used to have a 2 for $9 deal but I am not sure they still offer that. I find it a little ironic but they have gone to a dress code this year.

Finally, Tega Cay has a very nice short game practice area. Two large putting greens that are kept in great shape and match the course greens pretty well. There is also a large chipping green that is cut like a real green. Their driving range is a little goofy though. You hit off a cliff down into a hole. No distance feedback at all so you might as well be hitting into the grand canyon. I think that a token is $3 and you get about 25 balls.

The Golf Center
(704) 225-0072
5321 W Highway 74
Monroe, NC 28110