Driving Ranges

[rs4duke]

Is it true that some driving ranges use balls that have a different compression than balls you would use to play a round so that they are limited on the distance they go? I noticed that I do not hit the ball nearly as far on the range as I do on the course. My range's fence is at 230 yds so I thought maybe they use different balls to prevent people from hitting all the balls over the fence. Just wondering if this is true or not.

[cmarkmyers]

Yes, it is true. Some driving ranges have better balls than others, but at one where that ends at 230 yards is most certainly going to be using REALLY dead balls to keep people from flying them over the fence.

Once in a while you will find a regular ball in your bucket. If it looks to be in good shape try to take notice of how far you hit it. Chances are it will go at least 15% further than the regular range balls there.

It makes me wonder what the pros use when they are warming up. Are they just grooving their swing with any old ball or do they play their own to nail down their precise distances?

[The Undaunted Duffer]

It makes me wonder what the pros use when they are warming up. Are they just grooving their swing with any old ball or do they play their own to nail down their precise distances?

I believe that they use their own type of balls on the range so they get that accuracy.

You know, I often dream of someday owning my own driving range. It would be the life, I can just imagine it now.

[rs4duke]

Well the balls at my range are TopFlites and they say "Range" on them so im assuming they are made to go a certain distance.

[iacas]

I believe that they use their own type of balls on the range so they get that accuracy.

Pros are supplied dozens of brand new versions of the ball they use in competition, yes.

[NM Golf]

Pros are supplied dozens of brand new versions of the ball they use in competition, yes.

At the FBR the range is in the middle of the course. If you stand there awhile there is a chance one of the guys will hit one off line and it will roll close enough to the fence to reach in and grab it. One kid next to us grabbed one about 4 feet inside the fence. It was a brand new Pro V1X with Practice stamped on the side. Must be nice!

[Ole_Tom_Morris]

I think the boss omitted to mention that tour pros are supplied the best balls FREE! Lucky pros.

But all golf balls lose elasticity after they are hit a number of times.

One driving range in my area uses Srixon range balls. Think I like them best. Maybe it's just the color.

[Rafcin]

some of the "practice" balls beside the lower compression also have less dimples depth (not really visible difference with a naked eye), which prevents the ball to carry too long - especially popular in inner-city driving range. I've seen it in Los Angeles on a tiny driving range.