slugger
Tour Rookie
the distances i measured were from the middle bay right up the middle.
Driving range yardage inaccuracies?
- Thread starter slugger
- Start date
viscount17
Money List Winner
I hope our markers are at true distances and not scaled or I'm in trouble.
but with Range balls (and I think ours are 70%) it's not just a case that they are short, the flight's affected too.
a thought - is the effect progressive or overall (ie does a range ball affect a driver more than a 7-iron, or are both equally affected?)
but with Range balls (and I think ours are 70%) it's not just a case that they are short, the flight's affected too.
a thought - is the effect progressive or overall (ie does a range ball affect a driver more than a 7-iron, or are both equally affected?)
cbetofop
Medal Winner
I measured our range a few months ago and they were miles out! According to the markers I was hitting my 3 wood 180 odd yards, so I paced them off...
50yd = 61 yd
100yd = 110yd
150yd = 166yd
200yd = 221yd
250yd = 276yd
on the course all is well and very accurate both 150 and 100 markers
50yd = 61 yd
100yd = 110yd
150yd = 166yd
200yd = 221yd
250yd = 276yd
on the course all is well and very accurate both 150 and 100 markers
CliveW
Tour Winner
So you think your "pacing off" is accurate?
CliveW
Tour Winner
The debate about distances of range balls is immaterial. I could go into any large golf retailer and buy a selection of balls and the difference between how far they travel would vary between type, price etc.
Once you have warmed up at the range take a couple of your normal balls (Old if you prefer) and hit them. This will give an indication of how your normal ball flies and how far.
Range balls are designed to travel a maximum distance of 250 yards, although some folk do manage to hit them further. Our range is approx 270 yards long and slightly downhill with a field behind and no fence. Very rarely do we get any balls beyond that. If range balls were the same as Titleist ProVs for example, we would either need to extend the range or put up a catch fence which would defeat the purpose. Also we would loose a lot more balls as folk would steal them to use on the course.
Once you have warmed up at the range take a couple of your normal balls (Old if you prefer) and hit them. This will give an indication of how your normal ball flies and how far.
Range balls are designed to travel a maximum distance of 250 yards, although some folk do manage to hit them further. Our range is approx 270 yards long and slightly downhill with a field behind and no fence. Very rarely do we get any balls beyond that. If range balls were the same as Titleist ProVs for example, we would either need to extend the range or put up a catch fence which would defeat the purpose. Also we would loose a lot more balls as folk would steal them to use on the course.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
If there was anything guaranteed to put me off playing this game it would be driving ranges. I hate the bloody things with a passion.
I went for a course of lessons earlier in the year, the theory side of things was spot on, but when it came to hitting balls off of mats? Forget it.
It doesn't matter whether I hit a wood off a tee peg, or iron off the mat I just cannot replicate anything resembling the distances I know I can achieve on a golf course. And I'm not just talking 15/20% out...I'm lucky if I can hit a 7 iron 100 yards and my best drive would measure about 150!
The driving range at East Sussex National is spot on. Proper grass teeing areas, and the bucket of balls you get are proper Titleist. I could quite happily stay there for a couple of hours bashing balls.
But given the choice of a driving range or telly, I'd even watch Big Brother if I had to....
I went for a course of lessons earlier in the year, the theory side of things was spot on, but when it came to hitting balls off of mats? Forget it.
It doesn't matter whether I hit a wood off a tee peg, or iron off the mat I just cannot replicate anything resembling the distances I know I can achieve on a golf course. And I'm not just talking 15/20% out...I'm lucky if I can hit a 7 iron 100 yards and my best drive would measure about 150!
The driving range at East Sussex National is spot on. Proper grass teeing areas, and the bucket of balls you get are proper Titleist. I could quite happily stay there for a couple of hours bashing balls.
But given the choice of a driving range or telly, I'd even watch Big Brother if I had to....
Now Smiffy lets not be silly - BB indeed! 
Faldo_Fan
Head Pro
I imagine with the invention of Google Earth very few course yardage guides are wrong these days. Long gone are the days a course planner company had to visit your course and physically measure all the points of reference, all you need is Google Earth and an internet connection.....any fool can do it.
Herbie
Tour Winner
Im surprised at some of the suggestions regarding range marked distances and ball performances.
Do Range operators actually bother to do some sort of compensation adjustment???
I think they just measure distances on a field, stick some markers out, take your money and leave you to it.
The only reason I can see for marking 250yds at 220yds actual distance, is to make punters feel good when they reach it and return to try better.
If the knowledge of ball performances is known, why would a false distance be required?
With inconsistant ball standards throughout, it doesnt really matter what the yardage says, either the distance will confuse people or the ball capability will?
Do Range operators actually bother to do some sort of compensation adjustment???
I think they just measure distances on a field, stick some markers out, take your money and leave you to it.
The only reason I can see for marking 250yds at 220yds actual distance, is to make punters feel good when they reach it and return to try better.
If the knowledge of ball performances is known, why would a false distance be required?
With inconsistant ball standards throughout, it doesnt really matter what the yardage says, either the distance will confuse people or the ball capability will?
RGDave
Money List Winner
Are you sure?
If GPS units (skycaddie etc.) are accurate to within a yard or two, then in my experience course planners are surprisingly inaccurate.
Is it possible for me to double check some of my club distances on google earth? I guess so.
