Range Balls and Distance

**GreensDruid** · October 17, 2006

This thread may belong under "Golf Talk" - I'm not really sure. Anyway, I hit alot of range balls during the season. But I've been having some trouble dialing in distance on the course versus the range and I'm wondering whether there is a significant difference in distance between range balls and the ball that we play. Most of the balls at the range where I hit are relatively new - probably not replaced every season but certainly every other and they probably work new balls into their inventory throughout the season.

I use alot of different balls on the course - haven't really found my ball yet but generally I'm using Titleist NXT's or DT SoLo. I have also used Nike Mojos, Power Distance Soft and a funky Dunlop ball called the Tour JD.

So the question is, is there a significant distance difference between range balls and new balls that we play on the course?

Many thanks.

**Young04** · October 17, 2006

This thread may belong under "Golf Talk" - I'm not really sure. Anyway, I hit alot of range balls during the season. But I've been having some trouble dialing in distance on the course versus the range and I'm wondering whether there is a significant difference in distance between range balls and the ball that we play. Most of the balls at the range where I hit are relatively new - probably not replaced every season but certainly every other and they probably work new balls into their inventory throughout the season.

This is a good question with no real answer...range balls vary widely. Even with newer range balls, it's tough to say because compression varies, range balls are meant to be pounded into submission, etc. Sorry that I don't have a real answer for you, but I can give a comparison of my own range...

The one that I frequent most, the balls are all relatively new, dimples are in good shape. I would say the range balls hit about a club shorter with a mid iron. they don't spin AT ALL, so even with a sand or lob wedge, they'll bounce forward once or twice on tall-ish grass. with the driver, i have a swing speed around 105-108, and i would say the range balls carry maybe 20 yards less....to be perfectly honest, i don't really pay close attention to distances with the driver at the range - i just try to hit it straight, and i'll know if i caught the ball solidly or not on impact. I've also hit balls at ranges where I swore I was hitting limited flight balls though an employee there told me they were not. I've also played at ranges where I couldn't tell the difference between their balls and the ones I usually play with (in terms of distance). Sorry I can't do much better than that...maybe someone has more definitive information.

**ColinMB** · October 17, 2006

That's a good question.

I noticed at one range I could get a lot more feedback on distance. They used newer 'range balls'. I know I've been told that most range balls do not have the distance a new, game ball would.

There's another range I go to a lot, and this is where I compared my Cleveland irons and I was shocked to see how distance just puttered out even with long clubs. I really examined some of the balls and they felt like little rocks with puffy skins. Some were cut pretty badly and I can only fathom these things had to be at least a season old.

I don't think range balls will give you a ton of real distance. I personally get more distance on the course with just about any given club with just about any ball I use.

I'm thinking of going with Nike Soft Distance balls. I read that a test was conducted that showed most men actually hit women's ball further than men's balls. The problem is that they have to find a way to market the balls without offending men's egos (because the women's balls are soft). I really don't care if the ball is pink and comes with nail polish... if it gives me an extra yard I'll use it. (the ball not the nail polish)

ebin · October 17, 2006

I hit it quite a bit shorter at both ranges that I frequent especially with my long irons/hybrids. I'm as much as 2 1/2 clubs shorter at the range with my long irons than I am on the course - in fact, I hit my 5 iron as long as my 3 iron at the range but on the course there's the normal gap.

At the range I've never seen anyone hit it longer than 250 despite some who look like they should be really hammering the ball. I can only hit it about 210 or so at the range with my driver while on course I'm about 240-250.

**georgep** · October 17, 2006

Range balls start off cheap (and short) and only get moreso. You definitely have to take range distances with a grain of salt. If you are lucky enough to get new balls, they will probably be close to actual distances. But as Young04 pointed out, you generally won't get as much spin with range balls, and consequently not as much lift, which will also affect distance.

But also, since you are using a number of different balls on the course, you will also get varying amounts of spin (and distance) from them. You'll probably continue to have trouble dialing in distances until you settle on a ball. Once you do, find somewhere (an empty course, a field) where you can hit a bunch of balls to known distances, either pace them off or use a laser. Go through your bag and determine distances for each club using a single kind of ball. You'll always have to adjust for playing conditions, but that will give you a good starting point.

**jamesduncan** · October 17, 2006

Great Thread.

Yeah, usually I throw some older balls from previous rounds into my bag and hit one or two if Im working on a specific iron, just to get a sense of distances once (and if) ive worked something out on the range

**golfchief** · October 17, 2006

Not been to the range much this year, but you should use a range finder to check the distance from the spot your hitting from to a given yardage marker on the range, it will be off anywhere from 15-25 yds., I've measure the 100 yd marker at 85 yds to 115 yds from different hitting stations. The balls they provide need to last the year(s). Remember it's a business to make money, as long as you keep going back their happy. Many people are happy to go and pound the ball over the 250 and 300 Yd. marker even tho their at a station that's 25-40 yds closer than the sign says. Ever notice those signs always seem to be behind a raised green? Are you hitting off rubber mats or grass teeing stations? Mats don't give good fed back, hitting it fat and bouncing into the ball is not the same as swinging into the ground and plowing three inces of dirt between the ball and club face.

**supercow** · October 17, 2006

This has got to be one of the most annoying and bizarre aspects of driving ranges. One place I carry 260m while at another place I struggle to carry 200m with my driver. Nowadays, I just target the various flagsticks that are on the greens (4 at 40m, 1 at 80m, 1 at 110m, 1 at 160m, and one at 205m and yes I do hit them with witnesses no less :)) and don't worry about distance. I use the local park to measure my carry distances. Just like the good ol' days :)

**allin** · October 17, 2006

I think the variance is greater for golfers who play high spin balls than for those who play 2 piece balls, or say Noodles. Range balls are ususally the equivalent of Top Flite xls with surlyn covers in my area. I was told that they are basically x outs repainted as range balls by the manufacturer, by an old friend who owns a range. He told me that some second tier ranges buy recovered balls (water etc) and stripe them on site, these are probably the places with really bad balls.

**GreensDruid** · October 17, 2006

Thanks for all of your responses. This at least confirms my suspicion that the balls do make a difference. Now I just need to work on finding a ball that I like so that I can compare apples to apples on the course. I'm operating on the assumption that a 30 handicap (estimated) doesn't need a tour quality ball. I used to lose a few balls a round but thank God that's stopped as I've improved. So I can afford to buy a decent ball now.

I hit off the grass tee most of the year. Up here, they closed the grass tee about two weeks ago. It really needs a chance to recover and after the first frost (due any day now) the grass will stop growing.

***iacas*** · October 18, 2006

Thanks for all of your responses. This at least confirms my suspicion that the balls do make a difference. Now I just need to work on finding a ball that I like so that I can compare apples to apples on the course. I'm operating on the assumption that a 30 handicap (estimated) doesn't need a tour quality ball. I used to lose a few balls a round but thank God that's stopped as I've improved. So I can afford to buy a decent ball now.

I never check distances on the range. I know how far I hit my clubs - if that changes day to day, I'll notice within the first few holes (and typically, then it's due to weather conditions or a swing flaw).

I use the range to warm up. When I'm using the range to work on my swing, I look at shot trajectory (shape, height), not distance.

**GreensDruid** · October 18, 2006

Erik,

I think you're right about distances on the range. I'm interested in your comment on the effect of weather. What kind of conditions have an effect on distance? I assume that cold makes the ball go somewhat shorter. Any other factors?

**golfchief** · October 18, 2006

All weather conditions make the ball act different, cold as you said but why? makes the ball firmer and harder to compress. Rain softens the fairway and the ball will plug or kill the spin reducing the roll. Hot dry days the ball seems to run forever and you think your hitting farther than you would normaly giving a false confidance on how far you really hit a ball. Wind at your back helps the ball fly farther and into you makes the ball sky higher and you lose distance, cross winds if you get the ball up takes the ball in the direction of the wind if you try aiming into the wind to help and hit the shot low it will bore thru the wind and depending where you aimed may put you in trouble, that's what makes this game fun and difficult at times.

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