Is it me, the club, or the RANGE balls?

[Sherlockian]

Yesterday, I picked up my driver and hybrid from the shop with the Aldilas installed and wanted to hit them a little. Instead of driving to my "home" course to use the range, I went to the little range down the road from my home. I have only been here a couple of times with my daughter, and I usually only take a couple of clubs like a 7 and PW. I started hitting the hybrid first and loved the feel and flight, except for the distance. The ball would reach the 170 range and drop like a rock. The same thing with the driver, great feel and flight except for distance. My ball flight was a little lower, which I wanted, but when the ball got around the 220 range, it dropped like a rock. The balls at this range are Top Flight Range(slightly smooth and beat up) and, the balls at my course are Callway Warbirds(like new). Is this normal with range balls? I am not a long hitter by any stretch, but usually get more than this at my home range. I know the distance is going to be a little shorter with some range balls, but the dropping like a duck hit with buckshot is bothering me. I am thinking it is probably reduced spin from the "smooth" balls, but I am now questioning my shaft changes.

[max power]

Don't stress, it's the balls. Range to range my average drive can vary 20-40 yds depending on the balls they're using there.

[Honea72]

The smooth balls are the case here. Dont worry about your distance on the range just make good contact. I find i hit any kind of rangeball shorter than i do on the course.

[danieldsuh]

The balls at the range could have been limited flight balls.

[ramrockgolfer35]

*Most* range balls are solid one piece balls. They have about half the heat of the 2 piece balls. Luckily my home course uses Callaway 2 piece range balls that are very similar to the balls I buy at the store.

[TheNatural]

The balls at the range could have been limited flight balls.

AHH

Maybe Get this... At a range near me.. they pruposely keep the balls in an air conditioned room during 70* days or higher. On a 80* day the balls are as cold as ice cubes. the woods are 290 carry and downhill by 20 feet, the deal is i think its someone elses property.

[sp33d]

Don't stress, I can go from my home range and crush balls 300yds,they use srixon. To one on the other side of town and 200 is max

[bIGwIRE]

Are the yardage markers on the range accurate? On one of the ranges around here one marker says 200 but the laser says it is 225... plus the tee boxes vary about another 20 yards, so from the back/side box its 245...

[Nick88]

Its all to do with the compression of the golf ball!
Range balls are normally around 70 compression, meaning you hit it about 30% shorter than your normal golf ball you play with everyday!

[beachbreak]

I've had range balls come off like Hoyt Wilhelm knuckleballs due to worn dimples. Just concentrate on contact and direction with them.

[Dave40]

It's most likely the range balls. There are many design variables in creating a golf ball. That's one reason there are so many different balls on the market. Some have been notorious for the "wounded duck" trajectory.

[Mr3Putt]

When this happens, why not just pull a couple of your own brand of old balls out of the bag and see how they compare?

[TheNatural]

30% longer???????????well unless the last range i hit uses 100 compression...'

But I typically will hit range balls 300 steady....at 3 different ranges


that means I can drive a good ball 400 yards?

YIPEE!