Drivers, range balls and the number 42

[RGDave]

I just don't get drivers and range balls.

Just what is the point? I've experienced more spin in my head after half a shandy at the pub. Why won't they launch?
Is it worth the effort? and what is it with the number 42?

Or have I gone mad.

 

[mono217]

You have gone mad

 

[Imurg]

42 is the answer.

The Answer to the question of lif , the universe and everything.

Its the most important number in existence.

Don't have a problem launching our range balls onto the 18th!

 

[USER1999]

WTF has 42 to do with drivers and range balls?

Range balls won't launch because they would need longer ranges, and land is expensive.

 

[SwingSlow]

42 is probably the absolute maximum number of range balls you can hit with a driver in one session before finally losing the will to live.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't have any problems using a driver and range balls. I accept they are not as good as the real thing but for working on ttechnique and not worrying about distance caryy or spin ratios its a perfectly adequate substitute.

And 42...... probably the width in yards of how wide I am of the target on some of my shots with the driver at the moment

 

[Robobum]

42 is the number of different shapes of shot that a range ball can take from the same swing

 

[RGDave]

42 is the number of different shapes of shot that a range ball can take from the same swing

Very good.

 

[RGDave]

I can feel a try-out with some drivers coming on.

I guess what frustrates me is this;

On the course I expect to see certain carry distances with my woods and driver. At a guess (not very scientific) my 5 wood carries somewhere around 190, my 3 wood over 200 and driver?....hmm....depends which one.

So, at the range I can see my driver shots landing well short of the 200 and from then on it's a blur as I have poor vision and the range is too flat. So, I start getting annoyed and lose my tempo/timing.

In order for a driver shot to really get going, there needs to be backspin (yes?) and there isn't any really, not enough to build a picture or get confidence up.

Interestingly, the current "science" suggests the ideal loft for a 95 mph driver swing is actually between 12 and 13 degrees. I have a 12, but it's Aldila NV shaft that is engineered to have a mid-launch and I don't think I get any better height than my Callaway 10 degree, which has the high-launch Aldila NVS, so they seem to cancel each other out. I'm not after towering drivers, but I do seem to hit 1/5 too low albeit nicely out the middle but rely on the roll-out for any serious distance.

Maybe I should just use the 13 HT benny at the range......when I first got this, it was landing in the bush about 205 from the tee......maybe there is some connection.

t.b.h. the 10 FT-3 I was C/F'd for, is NOT right for me now....that was about 4 months back into the game, and my swing is much more like the old me now.

 

[Adrena1in]

I've stopped paying much attention to the actual distance the balls go at the range I use, but I do use the distances to compare how I'm doing on any given session.

At Hedge End Golf Centre, where I go, the furthest green is apparently 250 yards, and the next nearest is 230 yards or so. I regularly land my driver on the 230 and I've rolled a couple onto the 250, but usually I miss left of right. I've also dropped a 3W onto the 230 before a few times.

On the course, with my own balls and a good hit, I would hope to add at least 42 yards to those distances. So *that's* what that number refers to.