Driving Range Yardages

[Chas]

I never trust the indicated yardages, sometimes they're shockingly inaccurate. It's one reason I bought the laser rangefinder. It's always in the bag.

[nevets88]

I don't go by yardages and don't have a range finder. I just go by relative distance. That works for me.

[mn723]

In my opinion, the range should be used to gauge and focus on your ball flight and not your distance. Range balls can be so variable in the design and condition that distance isn't really accurate to what you'll have when actually playing with new balls.

[Zeph]

Range balls also spin different than playing balls, usually less. So a shot that curves 5 yards on the range might curve 10-15 on the course.

[bpschmid]

Does anyone know:
1) When using range balls in good condition, clearly marked Range Ball...are these balls "harder" than normal balls?
2)How much distance do you lose when hitting in 40 degree F weather?

I bought new irons this winter and would love to know my real "summer distance"

[B-Con]

Does anyone know:

1) Compared to most balls, yes.

2) It's not a huge difference, but it exists. In this video they do experiments at 38* and roughly 100*, basically exactly what you're asking. Their results were that a 275 yd drive decreased to a 265 yard drive, or about a 3.5% drop in distance. (The golf part of the video starts at about 1 minute in.) The cold will effect the specifics of your driving, but I think it's going to be practically negligible for your short irons. Note, however, that the experiment only tested the temperature of the ball, not the atmosphere. I believe that having a cold atmosphere imposes additional challenges on the ball's flight, but not as much as the temperature of the ball itself.

[Zeph]

To find your real distance, you will have to hit the regular balls you play. You can check the distance when hitting approach shots with a range finder, the yardage markers are not always correct. One option is to have a large field, or a golf course with no/little people on it, mark up the distances with something and hit some shots.

[whetstone]

My course has 3 hitting areas on the driving range, which they rotate in order to keep the grass in good shape. There's at least 40 yds difference from the front one to the back one, but the yardage markers aren't adjusted depending on which hitting area is open.
Anyone who tries to use a driving range, and range balls, to determine what their distances are should get their head checked.

[jrm1493]

Note, however, that the experiment only tested the temperature of the ball, not the atmosphere. I believe that having a cold atmosphere imposes additional challenges on the ball's flight, but not as much as the temperature of the ball itself.

I think the temperature of the atmosphere will typically have an even greater effect. For example, on a cold dry sunny winter day (after a cold front), say at 40 degrees, with 30.30 inches pressure and 20 degree dewpoint, the density altitude at sea level would be about -1700 feet. On a warm humid summer day, say 90 degrees, 29.90 pressure, and 70 degree dewpoint (typical gulf coast summer day), the density altitude is about 2300 feet. That is about a 3500 ft difference in effective altitude, which will make a huge distance in how far a ball will fly, and will be in addition to the ball temperature advantage.

[mountaineer08]

Most driving ranges with grass tees will move the tee boxes without moving the markers. so the flags might be accurate from the back but not the front of the range.

[bpschmid]

1) Compared to most balls, yes.

Thanks B-Con...

[B-Con]

I think the temperature of the atmosphere will typically have an even greater effect. For example, on a cold dry sunny winter day (after a cold front), say at 40 degrees, with 30.30 inches pressure and 20 degree dewpoint, the density altitude at sea level would be about -1700 feet. On a warm humid summer day, say 90 degrees, 29.90 pressure, and 70 degree dewpoint (typical gulf coast summer day), the density altitude is about 2300 feet. That is about a 3500 ft difference in effective altitude, which will make a huge distance in how far a ball will fly, and will be in addition to the ball temperature advantage.

Good point. I didn't think that part through.

[RCF]

Compared to the two courses I frequently play, the yardage markers at my local range are very short.

[Tiger Spuds]

Compared to the two courses I frequently play, the yardage markers at my local range are very short.

I wouldn't be too trusting of Course yardages either.I played yesterday and ended up more confused about my yardages than ever.The marked distances on the card and on course were obviously way off.On one hole they'd suggest I'd just hit a 290 yard drive, on other holes 200.And my driving was fairly similar and consistent all day.A range finder is obviously the only way to know for sure.

[SSJLaletas]

I agree, I definitely need to get either a laser rangefinder or a gps. Both the range, and the course yardages are very untrustworthy, especially on par3's when its really important to have the right club.

[spitz20]

i find the range at my home course to be inaccurate as well, Ive been playing on the PGA golf simulator lately...VERY accurate driving range on it :)

[Dub]

I never trust yardages at driving ranges. The balls are vastly different from what I'm gaming.

I simply warm up through the bag and then settle on hitting whichever stick seems to work for the distance to a target flag. I'll keep hitting this club at the flag while trying to smooth out my swing.

[ronbo25]

I don't trust the yardage markers either, so I bring my range finder. I also don't trust the typical range balls either as most posters have said. If you usually use the same range, next time you are there, throw a couple of the range balls in your bag. When you are on the course on a quiet day, hit a couple of your normal balls, then a couple of range balls. You should be able to see how much different the distance is. Keep that in mind the next time you are at the range and make the yardage adjustment in your head. You may want to do this for a couple of clubs. Oh, and don't forget to return those range balls that you "borrowed" to the range.