A short game at the driving range: driving ranges keep you game ready.

For most people, golf is a seasonal sport. The same summer sun that dries out the greens also calls out to recreational golfers, beckoning them to call in sick and set up a tee time.

But the first game of the year can be a rough one if you haven't been practicing; this is where the driving range comes in. For beginning golfers and professionals alike, the driving range is the place to hone skills, develop a consistent swing and build confidence.

"The driving range attracts the recreational golfer who wants to work on their grip and swing--it gets them better prepared to enjoy a round at the golf course," said Dean Russell, who owns The Hitting Zone at Barkley …