Scuffed Ball Flight

[Tugglife2]

When a ball is scuffed pretty bad or looks like the cover has shreddings attached to it, what is the typical flight of the ball when struck? I ask because while practicing at the range, quite a few balls were like this. I noticed that many of my shots would start out with lowish trajectory then drop like a splitter. When playing a round the balls I hit never have this type of sink to them so I wasn't sure if it was the messed up ball covers or something in my swing.

[Frito]

I believe that badly scuffed balls will affect ball flight. Not really sure exactly what this would make the ball do however I would question the ball before my own swing if it was messed up.

[drglew]

As one who tries to play the same ball until i lose it or it's REALLY shredded, i'm not convinced a superficial scuff alone affects flight that much.

However, esp for older/worn range balls, heavier scuffing might also be a good indicator of more general wear as well; and certainly, if a ball's dimples are no longer as intact/deep due to general wear of the cover, the ball won't spin properly and will drop like a rock as you've described.

[Chris223]

With range balls I more or less pay attention to how solid the striking of the ball felt at impact. You can tell when you've mishit it or caught it solid. Range balls are just too hard to judge how good a shot it would have actually been. They're made so hard so that they can stand up to the repeated abuse they're subjected to.

[Fourputt]

Then too, you have to take into consideration that it's just a range ball... not the greatest ball when brand new.