Dave Pelz "AlmostGolf" Foam Practice Golf Balls

[jharrell]

Don't waste your time.

It is impossible to hit one poorly, and they fly much further than 1/3 distance.

It is fun to hit them every once in a while, but it is nothing like hitting a real golf ball.

[kleraudio]

Been thinking about buying some of these to save me a TON of money on the range. Im going to the range with my vid camera just working on certain parts of the swing and its starting to cost me a pretty penny... 8 bucks a pop 3 times a week adds up.

So Ive been looking at these Almost golf balls, say they fly true just 1/3 the distance and never tear, break, etc.....

Just wondering if anyone here has used them? And also, if I just go to a field with these balls and video my swing, it will be the same as hitting a real ball right? It wont be a "practice" swing. This way I can critique my positions all while saving a boatload of money.

Jim

[B Keller]

The balls are light and will compress no matter how badly you hit them. They are limited flight in the area of a 100 yard shot will about about 30 yards. They are supposed to give an accurate trajectory despite the limited flight, and from my use I would tend to agree. They will eventually wear out, but it will take a long time.

I would get some as I think you will like the results, and it costs about one bucket of ball to find out.

[lcfd42]

I have a short 150yd. range at my house, and use these for my longer clubs; mostly anything over an 8I. I generaly hit these balls with the driver to around 130-140 or so. They do react similarly, and you don't have to worry about cars and windows. For $25 for 36, they seem to be a good value.

[proff49]

I've been practicing with them for over a year and really like them. They are great if you have limited space and want to take full shots. I do think they exaggerate the ball flight; a fade will be more of a slice and a draw will be more of a hook. But I do think they are far better than any other short range practice ball I've used.

[apex53]

Agreed... I have used these for a while, they perform as advertised... Good buy IMO

[Fastrack]

I have a short 150yd. range at my house, and use these for my longer clubs; mostly anything over an 8I. I generaly hit these balls with the driver to around 130-140 or so. They do react similarly, and you don't have to worry about cars and windows. For $25 for 36, they seem to be a good value.

Good to know about this details. Thanks!

[joshiemac25]

I have a ton of these things. I bought a dozen, and tried them, loved them, and bought a bag of 144 of them directly from AlmostGolf. Gave away some as gifts to friends who love them too.

I wrote about these almost two years ago now in a post here: http://thesandtrap.com/forum/threads/10136-Birdie-Ball

I still love these things. They have held up so well, and I use them 50% of the time on paved parking lots. They are nice and solid in contact and remain pretty consistent in feel. Like others have said, ball flight is similar, but it will tend to balloon more or turn a fade into a slice... but it allows you to practice those swings and see some instant results.

They feel better than hitting plastic balls and the soft foam balls. I love them up where I live, as I have to hit on pavement in the beginning of spring as our melt off keeps the ground wet and soggy until mid april most years. They also won't plug on soft ground.

They are great practice option. It has allowed me to hit balls everyday, pretty much anywhere I can find a field if need be. It has allowed me to groove my swing just by hitting balls everyday. Most days during the spring, summer and fall I pop out to a back parking lot and hit 100-150 balls during lunch at no additional cost to the initial investment. I have been using these since 2007 and they are still in great shape.

[Zack]

I have the same experiences as the others. I use them outside my house to practice. I live in a very open area so I have plenty of room to use them. You can definitely feel if you miss hit them which is kind of nice. I would pick up a set and try them out.

[kleraudio]

Awesome, I think this will really help me groove a swing and save me some $$ at the same time! Thanks for all the responses.

One last question, anyone know of a retailer that sells these?? Not on golfsmith's website...

I'd like to pick some of these up tomorrow locally if possible...

Jim

[Zack]

I remember seeing them at Dick's Sporting goods out here in Chicago. I do not know if they have that chain out by you in Tampa?

Zack

[kleraudio]

Yea there is a Dicks out here, I'll swing by there tomorrow after work, I was gonna go anyways to buy a glove so this works out perfect.

Thanks man!

Jim

[lcfd42]

Awesome, I think this will really help me groove a swing and save me some $$ at the same time! Thanks for all the responses.

Academy Sports is where I picked mine up, you may also try Dick's

[Bullitt5339]

I have a 100 yard range at the house, and have been just using my lob and sand wedge to practice. Coincidentally, my lob and sand wedge shots have improved greatly on the course. I need to go pick up a couple dozen of these as well, so that I can start working on my other irons at the house. I've been fighting a push that seems to be making it's return, and it would be nice to be able to practice enough at the house to train it out of my swing permanantly instead of having to think about it all the time on the course.

[Zack]

Yea there is a Dicks out here, I'll swing by there tomorrow after work, I was gonna go anyways to buy a glove so this works out perfect.

Np. Let us know if you picked some up and what you think about them.

[Chuck Porter]

I first saw them at the golf show in Pittsburgh. Picked up a couple and really liked them. I later found them at Golf Galaxy. I chip across my yard regularly- sometimes into my neighbor's yard. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but my neighbor is understanding. These balls IMO are the best practice balls.

[Kujan]

During the winter months I hit these into a blanket in my recreation room.

[inthehole]

cheapest I've seen them is at Target ... picked up 3 dozen for $12 last weekend.