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I constantly hit my driver at the range straight at distances of 220-260 yrds but when it comes to the course its a different story. its still the same distance but it just goes all over the place. What could I be doing wrong for this to happen

Driver Yips? lol

I'm fairly new to golf and I'm not familiar with all the terms... what does that mean?

try and focus on doing the same exact motions as you do on the teebox when you practice for example if you take 2 practice swings before you hit the ball keep that routine consistent do the exact same thing whether its looking up 2 times before you hit or taking a deep breath another problem people do is hit the same club on the practice range over and over and they get in a compfort zone thats the main reason why you would hit better at the driving range than the course what I like to do is after im done warming up with all the clubs I will hit a driver than maybe a 7-8 iron than a wedge just mix up every shot and you will be simulating the golf course

Thanks!!! I'm sure to try that out this weekend if the weather permits. Its been raining this whole week here in Japan and we might have to scratch out game this weekend.

A change in tempo ( nerves, adrenaline, pressure) and a greater difficulty in alignment on the course might contribute to your difficulties.

Thanks!!! Tried it at the driving range today and will try it again on the course tomorrow. It definitely helped out a lot. I'm not driving the ball 230-250 constantly with a slight fade/draw. I like a fast golf swing though. I'm more comfortable doing it that way. Do you think I need to get a stiffer shafted driver?

Sounds very typical of most golfers. I am willing to bet on the range you don't have a target and don't practice with a purpose. All you see is the ball going long and straight. But my question is long and straight at what? Do you line up on a target and hit it at the target on the range? Or do you just hit it and watch it fly?

When at the range, line yourself up on the yardage signs to form a straight line, and use that as your target line. In otherwords practice with a purpose, line, and a target. Any darn fool can stand up there and whack away and hit long straight drives, but can he pick a line and target? It is called ARMY GOLF: Yourrr left, yourrrr left, your left-right-left.

Our driving range is set up with flags (50, 100, 150, 200 yrds and the fence at about 250 maybe longer. I try line up with those flags or maybe one of the poles at the fence. I can get to my targets easy. Its just a different story with the course itself and its only with the driver.

Just keep playing. You will get over it! And think positively. If you think about the trees, it will go into the trees. If you think about the water, it will go in the water. So think fairway only!

yeah could be a mind thing - its like thinking about not getting in water and sure neough u will be in water...

Played a lot better today. Hit it pretty straight off the tee. Thanks for all the advise. I think the one that helped the most is the tempo. I slowed my swing down a bit and now I'm hitting the ball good and launching it up to 230-250 yards.

What if I go to a stiffer shaft? Do you think that would help with my faster swing?

As for going w/ stiffer shaft, In most cases someone hitting 230-250 is probably best suited w/ a Regular Flex shaft. To be sure you can go and get your swing speed checked and then refer to shaft specs. for recomended flex. By going to a stiffer flex you will be a little straighter, w/ a lower trajectory and will lose some distance.

Many times when on the range we get up and hit our driver 10-15 times in a row and get dialed in to our target by making little adjustments w/ each shot, this is something we can't do when playing. So when at the range hit some drives to get warmed up the play a simulated round of golf--choose a coarse you know well and visualize the first hole and hit your drive then figure in the results of that drive to determine what you should hit for the next shot. Then you just play the next hole, and so on.

Also practice a good pre-shot routine making sure you have your line and trust in that

A whole lot of good advice in this thread.
Tiger said of range practice, "Just learn how to bring Ranger Rick to the course, and you've got it made", (well, something like that, anyway, is what he said). Not an uncommon problem. The best way I learned, is to simplify swing thought into only the core fudamentals. Key into that thought, and learn to do the exact same thing everytime you select a club, the second you put your fingers on it, practice esp. It'll then be easier to pull the trigger with the big stick on the course.

well, I am actually a 30 hcp and have the same problem some times... Ive come to the conclusion that doing your swing naturally without trying to put any more strength in it helps a lot... maybe this could help, although you loose some distance you have more control and more direction on your drive