Range Balls

[Caddyshack]

Whats the difference between range balls and say a regular cheap ball, what distance differences are there? Im just curious as there are 2 ranges near my work that i use one i can hit the bac fence at the 250m mark where as the other i come up well short, also at one range i get a nice medium ball flight with the driver where as the other its way to low. Do different balls really make that much of a difference?

[LottaBalata]

Whats the difference between range balls and say a regular cheap ball, what distance differences are there? Im just curious as there are 2 ranges near my work that i use one i can hit the bac fence at the 250m mark where as the other i come up well short, also at one range i get a nice medium ball flight with the driver where as the other its way to low. Do different balls really make that much of a difference?

The yellow range balls, are usually a solid one piece chunk of something. Depending on what kind they are, they might be a 2 piece but, they are simply hard as rocks.

[tim31x]

range balls are usually all beat up and old. they are basically made to be as indestructible as rocks because they are hit so often and are made to last a few years without being replaced. with a range ball u will get no spin or feel what-so-ever. also, a range ball goes about 10%-35% shorter than your average drive with a "game ball". food for thought. also, different ranges have different balls and different balls have different designs, dimples, ball flights etc.

[sam004]

I knew there was something up with them but not exactly sure what.
I can barely get past 200 with a range ball, but well past it with a game ball.

I guess some ranges use reclaimed game balls with a stripe, you may get better flight
at one of those ranges.

[PiKapp23]

Many ranges have 'practice' balls that are old, and very hard, although now some are getting balls that are a lower compression (but still with very hard, durable cover).

As for the question wondering if balls are really that different, the answer is definitely 'Yes'. Depending on your swing speed, swing plane and other factors, the ball can sometimes make 10-30 yards difference in carry, not even counting roll, where some balls are designed to roll more than others. A very underrated fitting to get is a ball fitting. It might make a huge difference as you've seen from your range balls experiences.