This is a really intersting debate and one which I constantly have with the guys at my club

I used to spend a lot of time at the range trying to improve and then hack round on the weekend. I then went the other way and am tried to learn my new swing on the course in bounce games and even medals. Took the view that 3 months of playing up and down was better than years of inconsistency

My game improved far far quicker by playing on the course than on the range. No question

I now use the range for simple things only. Setup and Alignment drills, half swings, swing position practice, pitching drills etc and then take my game to the course. Its a false prophecy being a range rat. Ive seen guys on the range who could take Tiger on but cant hit a straight ball for toffee on the course when they have real grass, real fairways, real traps etc