Is this wrong?

[TheGeekGolfer]

Originally Posted by MacGregor9

Thanks for the replies guys. Guess I'll keep leaving those tempting buckets sitting there I never take them home, I even feel weird hitting the left overs sometimes. I only hit at the range about twice a week, so I'm almost always at the putting green or chipping green which are about 80 yards from the range. I don't go over there and hover around or anything, the only buckets I ever hit are when the guys come spray them all over the chipping green and then leave.

I'd be sure those aren't just for the practice green.  One of the ranges I frequent leaves about a large bucket on the practice green and a PVC 'rake' to collect them as needed.  That way you don't have to bring your 'tube' or shag bag or use your own bucket of range balls.  One of the other ones has a sign that says, "no range balls on practice green", but that one has a smaller practice green area.

In any event, I agree with most everyone else, do NOT take them home, that would be stealing and frowned upon.

[MacGregor9]

Originally Posted by TheGeekGolfer

I'd be sure those aren't just for the practice green.  One of the ranges I frequent leaves about a large bucket on the practice green and a PVC 'rake' to collect them as needed.  That way you don't have to bring your 'tube' or shag bag or use your own bucket of range balls.  One of the other ones has a sign that says, "no range balls on practice green", but that one has a smaller practice green area.

In any event, I agree with most everyone else, do NOT take them home, that would be stealing and frowned upon.

This course makes you supply your own balls to use. There's a sign that says "no more than 6 balls" on the chipping green, but for some reason people who are about to leave love just smacking the rest of their range balls around it until their bucket's empty. This is the only time when I'll collect them and hit them at the range. I don't do it any other time, since the owner could still be using them and I don't know.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by MacGregor9

This course makes you supply your own balls to use. There's a sign that says "no more than 6 balls" on the chipping green, but for some reason people who are about to leave love just smacking the rest of their range balls around it until their bucket's empty. This is the only time when I'll collect them and hit them at the range. I don't do it any other time, since the owner could still be using them and I don't know.

Speaking of this, there is nothing I hate worse than having to go around and clean some other idiot's balls off the green before I can start.  I want to see my whole shot, not just the landing, then watch it bump into another ball 10 or 15 feet from the hole I'm aiming at.  I don't just practice pitches, but I do a lot of chipping, and for that I need to see the roll out.

[LuciusWooding]

Protip: find out when the high school girls' practices are over. I've gotten 2-3 free buckets on several occasions because they usually just don't like beating lots of balls, and their coach may offer them to other players as they leave. Ditto with older guys who get tired or have to start their round, the club pro giving lessons, and the guy operating the picker; normally they throw you a bone if you paid for balls already. Maybe there's something about me that makes them think I need the practice, but I'll take it because I actually do.

Don't overdo it or you might come off as creepy... Hanging around high school girls too often might get you some unwanted attention.

[buckeyekid1996]

my good club charges $3 for small ball and $5 for large balls and we can go out and refill them from the range. My not as good as the other club charges $1 for small balls and $3 for large balls and we can also refill them.

[dmnoland]

Has anyone ever thought of asking the in clubhouse first?

Often I get an extra 30-60 minutes in the morning before work and will stop at the course/range on my way to work. It's not enough time to warm up and hit a whole bucket but I have asked if I could stuff the rest in my bag to hit on my next visit and have never been denied. Now granted I almost always practice at the same facility 2-4 times a week and all the staff know me. Plus I would never hit their range balls at another range. I just don't see the problem with shagging the extras you already paid for and will use within the next 12-72 hours. Golf is expensive enough.

[meenman]

Originally Posted by dmnoland

Has anyone ever thought of asking the in clubhouse first?

Often I get an extra 30-60 minutes in the morning before work and will stop at the course/range on my way to work. It's not enough time to warm up and hit a whole bucket but I have asked if I could stuff the rest in my bag to hit on my next visit and have never been denied. Now granted I almost always practice at the same facility 2-4 times a week and all the staff know me. Plus I would never hit their range balls at another range. I just don't see the problem with shagging the extras you already paid for and will use within the next 12-72 hours. Golf is expensive enough.

There is a slight difference here, you are paying for yours (and asking) while the op was not paying for anything.

Personally, I would think what you are doing is being kind of cheap - if you cant afford to do something, it may be time to get your priorities straight.

[joekelly]

Here where i live i can hit balls off the mats weekdays for 3 hours between 8am and 3pm, pay $10 for unlimited balls. But for half-hour of chipping or pitching  on the grass or sand shots i would pay $8. No real putting green.

[The Tin Man]

Trump's Palos Verdes  range offers unlimited balls for $30. Sounds expensive but it's all day and you can leave and come back.  The driving range is better then the courses I play, well kept. The best of everything. There's a bar, waitress, tables with umbrellas, lunch/dinner service, restaurant  (expensive).  On the ocean in a beautiful setting.

Be one of the 1% for $30. I know guys who take their wives/girlfriends for the day.

[MacGregor9]

Most of the workers after 4:30 are kids my age. The oldest person is the one in the clubhouse, who is 24. They even let me leave the flags in on the chipping green, as long as I bring them to the clubhouse after I'm done. I pay for balls about twice a week, but I'd rather spend my golf budget on rounds when I can play them. I never go to the range thinking to hit for free. I almost always only bring my putter and 60 degree, unless I actually plan on buying a bucket and hitting. So whenever I hit some free balls, I've already paid for a bucket.

There's only one place near here that offers unlimited balls. You pay $12 for an hour, which can be more expensive if you are a slow hitter at the range.