Driving range balls

Grogger

Grogger

Challenge Tour Pro
Joined
Jan 21, 2013
Messages
618
Location
Bury
Visit site
How much different do driving range balls react compared to ones we would use on the course?

Went to a new driving range this morning and was only hitting my 7 and 6 irons about 120-130 yards!! On the course I can hit a ball about 140+ yards with my 7 iron.

Wasn't sure if this was the range balls causing this or my technique? To be fair I've had some lessons with a new instructor and I've never hit the ball so well.
 
Most range balls are not the best thing to be using to judge distances. They are cheaper balls and while some are proper 2 piece srixon they have been hit a hell of a lot. Range is good for working on the swing but better to get onto a quiet course of an evening and hit various balls as long as you are not holding anyone up of course.
 
They're very different on the range I use, I seem struggle to get any iron past 150 and the driver only gets about 175/190, they fly lower too - I played yesterday and was too long on the short 120yd par 3 with a PW and hit an 8 iron to 6' on a very downhill 150yd par 3.

I have given up looking at the distance markers on the range and just try to concentrate on hitting it out of the middle.
 
As ever, it depends. Not all range balls are created equal.
You can get 2 piece balls that claim to be 100% distance, and ones that are designed to go shorter.

The range I use used to have shorter distance 1 piece marshmallows. Then they increased the height of the fence and upgraded to 2 piece "100% distance" balls. It's much better now.
 
The ranges I use have all had new balls recently, Ballumbie in Dundee, St Andrew Links and Noahs Ark in Perth - It's hard to gauge the distance they would normally go as it's usually windy up here - but I've just been to Noahs Ark range in Perth on my lunchbreak and there was barely a breath of wind - I was hitting my irons almost exactly the distance I'd expect to on the course - They've got new bright yellow Strata balls
 
At the range I use, the distance markers are adjusted to suit the distance loss from the balls.

The range I use is a Srixon centre of excellence and the balls are, quality wise, fantastic.

I queried it with my pro sometime last year as I thought range balls travelled less distance compared to a 'normal' ball, yet my 52° wedge was still (just) clearing the 100 yard marker.

He lasered the 100 yard marker and it was actually at 90 yards give or take.

I'm not saying all ranges do this, but I know they do at the one I use :thup:
 
My local range has decent 2 piece 100% distance balls, which at 5.50 a 100 you'd hope so! Although I am back to using pickups on the grass practise area at my course now.
 
Gareth said:
At the range I use, the distance markers are adjusted to suit the distance loss from the balls.

The range I use is a Srixon centre of excellence and the balls are, quality wise, fantastic.

I queried it with my pro sometime last year as I thought range balls travelled less distance compared to a 'normal' ball, yet my 52° wedge was still (just) clearing the 100 yard marker.

He lasered the 100 yard marker and it was actually at 90 yards give or take.

I'm not saying all ranges do this, but I know they do at the one I use :thup:
Click to expand...

I have it on good authority (teaching pro at the range) that the back of the range I use is approx 230yards from the middle of the bays. Against it leans a 250yard sign.
 
I think it depends on the size of the range, some smaller ranges use a lower compression ball which reduces the max distance they can be hit. The range then adjusts the distance markers to match the ball.
 
Gareth said:
At the range I use, the distance markers are adjusted to suit the distance loss from the balls.
Click to expand...

Mine does. I can hit my 9 iron 195 at the range, and 195 on the course. Must be the markers. :)


(oh, hold on, that should be 95)..... yeh, those range balls are rubbish.....
 
I have never understood why anyone so facinated by such a question doesn't just play a round with one of their driving range balls - they will then have a relevant, factual, answer.

I'ts not rocket science, and it will be different in most cases!
 
duncan mackie said:
I have never understood why anyone so facinated by such a question doesn't just play a round with one of their driving range balls - they will then have a relevant, factual, answer.

I'ts not rocket science, and it will be different in most cases!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't learn much from carving it OOB off the 1st tee... Better take a few...
 
davidy233 said:
The ranges I use have all had new balls recently, Ballumbie in Dundee, St Andrew Links and Noahs Ark in Perth - It's hard to gauge the distance they would normally go as it's usually windy up here - but I've just been to Noahs Ark range in Perth on my lunchbreak and there was barely a breath of wind - I was hitting my irons almost exactly the distance I'd expect to on the course - They've got new bright yellow Strata balls
Click to expand...

I use Ballumbie too, and would concur that currently the new balls are hitting essentially full length. Problem is, it won't take too long before they have been hit so much that the distance will drop off. As others have said, it's best not to use driving range balls for gauging distance. It's often difficult to know whether a range is using full distance balls, how old they are, and whether the distance markers are correct. I've lasered Ballumbie and the distance markers are pretty accurate, from the middle stalls certainly.
 
Went to a driving range in Florida a few years back, think it was at Remington GC, where you hit out at targets on a lake. The balls floated (obviously) so not sure how near a proper ball they were.

The best balls at my local range seem to be old balls that people (me included) have brought along to get rid of.
 
Both the ranges I use locally (Downshire and Lavender Park) both use decent Srixon range balls. One piece but good quality. I never worry about distance. I use my proper balls and the clubs practice field for that. The range is all about working on drills and technique
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Is this stealing?
2 3
Replies
50
Views
4K
Petercool
P
E
New irons and first few sessions on the range.
2
Replies
22
Views
3K
Evan Atkinson
E
T
Anyone else hate driving ranges?
Replies
16
Views
2K
jim8flog
jim8flog
M
First time on course(s)
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
Magcargo
M
bradleywedge
Driving ranges, has the clientele shifted?
2 3
Replies
41
Views
4K
Red devil
R
Top