Golf forum

Hi,

Quick thought on range balls. 

Are they "slugged"? as in are they made not to go as far? ofcourse i know that they are  (on most ranges) vastly diffrent than game balls and will never feel like the ball that you use. If they are slugged are the distances markers on the range altered to take this into account? i have asked at my range but no one realy seem to know (scary i know). 

The reason for asking is that at both my local ranges (where they use srixion range balls) i find that my distances from my high irons seem short where as off my driver i seem to get ok results. 

Anyone else getting varried results or is it just me?

It's an interesting point, my opinion is that just by looking at the condition of the majority of range balls I was always under the impression that they could not, or would not perform the way a 'match' ball would.

I'm sure someone will have the answer.

I'm finding it easier just to use the range as a way of improving my swing, whilst playing more rounds is probably the only way to genuinely judge distance??

Most 'Range' balls are made to be durable with a sacrfice to performance. These balls get pounded hundreds of times and need to stand up to it. Wouldn't be cost effective for ranges if they had to keep replacing balls every few weeks.

Some places do you use real golf balls (like my club) and these are much preferred by me to gain an actual distance guide when I practicing. At other ranges with Range Balls I'm just working on the swing and noting direction of shots as opposed to distance.

I was told by an old School friend who, at the time, was the pro at a local club, that their driving range balls are 20% lighter than normal balls, so they don't fly as far, as there range was a fairly short one!

I tend to find I hit the ball further on the range than the course.  I put this down to a number of factors.

1. I'm hitting the same club about 10-15 times in a row

2. I suspect the range are 'generous' with where they put the distance markers.

3. The balls are hard to promote distance.

4. Ranges are flat or slightly sloping down to promote roll.

5. Range grass is uniformly short.

About point 1.  Does anyone try to make their range practice more realistic by hitting driver, long iron and short iron in rotation as you do on the course.

Jon you missed out point 6

6. as it's not real golf i'm really relaxed and the buggers go just where i want them to ;0)

i too like most aim to really look at how the ball is going ie stright/fade or a draw, tend to use them more during the winter as i tend to stay nice and warm in the house and not brave the elements!!

giving that i usually knock off 20 yards on anything over 130 yards as a rule on the range!!