do range balls travel less distance

The Difference in Range Ball Distances

The goal of this study was to show how inconsistent distances can actually be when practicing on the Driving Range.

One of the reasons for this is the large discrepancies between different types of Driving Range balls and how they react when hit from various surfaces.

Seeing as not all Golfers have the luxury of practicing off grass tees all year round, many of us are forced to practice off mats. (There are also BIG differences between Driving Range mats but that would be too much information for this study)

Practicing in these conditions often results in different Carry Distances, where you can hear the Golfers say „boy, am I hitting it short today“ or „man, I am killing it on the Range today“. These two scenarios are not entirely dependant on the golfer´s daily form – but this could happen on any day on any Driving Range in the world.

Another variable, besides the hitting surface, is the quality of the practice balls (see pictures). Some facilities are able to buy new Range balls regularly, whereas other facilities are forced to keep the old, battered balls due to financial reasons.

You might even find a facility where the quality of the Range balls are mixed (like at our facility). Not many Golfers could imagine there being any differences between new and old balls or even whether it matters if the practice balls are wet or dry.

All shots that where hit (15 shots in each test) in my study were recorded with a TMe3 and Normalized to a Premium ball , in order to create a comparable scenario. When the normalising function is not switched on, the ball is set on Hard, which is the equivalent of the standard Driving Range ball.

I am aware of the fact that the Normalise mode would alter the data to a certain extent but I wanted it to be as comparable as possible (especially because it was a cold, cloudy day when I did my testing), relying on the other variables to produce different data.

Unfortunately I did not have a robot to do my test, so my largest variable would be the human element. Because of this I selected a player with a low handicap (-2) because his club data would have a high consistency.

I specifically chose wet & old balls, VS dry & new balls in order to exaggerate my point.

The main variables that I focused on were the following:

Shots with wet & old balls from grass
Shots with wet & old balls from the mat
Shots with new & dry balls from the grass
Shots with new & dry balls from the mat

On all of the wet shots I wet the balls and the clubface deliberately with some water from a bottle, without drying the clubface in between shots.

Before every dry shot I made sure that the ball and the clubface was dry and clean by using a clean towel. The grass that was played off was dry in order not to tamper with the result of my study.

The most astounding result was the variation in spin rates

a) Between new & dry balls and old & wet balls b) And between those 2 types of balls hit from different surfaces

The old & wet balls could be seen as a simulation of the „Flyer“-shot, that many of us know and dread. Most people do not have a clue how this shot actually occurs.

Let me explain what happens on a Flyer: Usually you hit a Flyer out of a damp or wet, semi-rough lie. The wet grass gets caught between the club face and the ball at impact, causing less friction i.e. less spin.

Imagine you are hitting a 9iron (with a loft of 42°), and due to the reduced friction between the ball and the club face at impact your shot produces a much lower Spin Rate, then you will have a shot with high Launch Angle and a low Spin Rate which will most definitely fly past your desired target.

The modern selling slogan for most golf club manufacturers´ new drivers is: „High launch, low spin“. This effect is desirable for maximizing distance with your driver, but not very helpful when approaching a green and expecting the ball to stop quickly.

So do not be fooled by one-off freaky distances with your irons on wet days, assuming that you „got hold of that one“, because these shots are accidental and not your standard distance.

To be honest, I was expecting all the shots played from the mats to have a lower Spin Rate due to less friction. The super low Spin Rate with the shots hit with the old & wet balls from the mat were the biggest surprise to me.

The only explanation I have for that result is the higher Club Speed and/or that some shots hit from the grass surface produced a higher Spin Rate due to a contact point somewhere low on the face bringing the Gear Effect into play.

What else was very interesting was the increase in Club Speed when the player was playing from the grass hitting surface and the steeper Angle of Attack when he played from the mat.

I have no explanation for the change of this data other than that the data is always going to be player dependent and down to individual swing characteristics and preferences in hitting surfaces.

The next time you are on the Driving Range warming up for a tournament round or just practicing: forget about the distances and just check the direction in which your shots are going. This will give you peace at mind and could quite possibly help you lower your scores on the course.

14 comments

What club was being hit? I notice big differences like you did too. I have tested all sorts of balls on my Trackman. It didnt surprise me at all that the new dry balls on the mat had more spinrate as there is no grass,etc between ball and face normally the causes of less friction so always more friction from a hard tight mat. I always spin my shots the most off a really hard tight mowed fairway. A mat is similiar to this and because of the harder surface the ball will be hit lower in the face causing vertical gear effect to increase spin too and reduce it when hit from grass.

thank you for your comment. The player used a Bridgestone J15DPF 7-iron. As I stated in my study, the player is close to being scratch golfer in order to make the data more reliable. I agree to your thoughts on the vertical gear effect. This effect is, in my opinion, a very underrated factor in golf despite the major effect is has on the golf ball.

Well , you most certainly recorded a variation of spin and distance. A dramatic increase in speed with new and dry balls from a mat . I would agree that attention to direction and contact are the more important results to observe while on the practice area. I will often have 8 balls , that are in better than average condition for use with my driver . When possible tee up from turf conditions . Choose 2 targets , alternating the look , as you may experience when reaching the next tee box. I would like your opinion as to what is the least helpful results , that are encounted for continued practice from a mat .No doubt, that practice from a turf area provides the true varied conditions encountered while on course. So my question is, what in general is least helpful . I would like to have a well researched answer to my students questions. Thanking you in advance for your research and professional advice Charles

Dear Charles,

thank you for your comment. My research shows, that the least helpful scenario is a used, wet ball from the mat. These conditions produce a range of shots which are anything but reliable due to the lack of friction. A lot of Driving Ranges wash the balls when dispensing them into your basket. In theory a nice gesture but practically not helping you on the practice tee. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me via email: [email protected]

Good Afternoon James,

Thank you for your response to my questions. I look forward to your continued succes in presenting continued research , questions . Charles

James, Great study. Always appreciate his talking the time to do new case studies. Question: Do you recall in your Trackman education that flyer lies were described as low launching/high spinning shots and that the reason they never hold greens was because of the shallow land angle? I ask because I am wondering if you have done testing and got a different result. In your article you are saying the opposite.

Dear Michael,

thank you for your comment. I agree with what you are saying. In my study I also looked at the launch angles of the shots and found that they were very close to normal, i.e. not launching lower. Further research I did also showed that “Flyers” tend to spin much lower, resulting in less holding on the greens.

TrackMan has obviously done a ton of research and collected millions of shots on this topic, and has more fundamental data than I do.

I was wondering what the premium ball distances, spin, and speeds were for the club used in this study. I am curious because of what might be expected, in terms of degradation, between the course and the range so that if I am using a trackman or other device I might know what the variance would be from range to course.

I didn’t see your comment at the end, concerning trajectory versus distance. But still curious as to what you might have gleaned.

Couldn’t agree more. I hit balls at a range with “limited flight” Srixon balls. Distances are so so variable. My concern is what is the direction and did I compress it. After that, I’m not interested.

James, I know that your post was more about wet and old balls but I had a question on the impact of the mat vs grass on new and dry balls: Can you explain why the club head speed was down about 4 mph (5%) on the mat vs grass?

Why was the spin rate so much higher on the mat? I sometimes hit from a mat indoors and see similar results.

Are the spin rate numbers (4482) for the dry new balls hit from grass correct? Are they normalized? They seem low. The tour average for a 7 iron is 7097.

Thanks, Michael

Spin rate from mats vs grass will always be higher due to zero organic material ie grass blades, grass juice to interfere with the grooves and clubface grabbing the ball

Also, when loading range balls in your bucket always pick through them and choose only the new balls with defined dimples. Those dimples give the ball loft and curvature when you are working on fades and draws. Other golfers look at me funny when I do this.

been a long time I know … but, thought I’d toss in 1-cent. first “thank you” – it seems that by doing “new/dry grass/mat” and “old wet grass/mat” you modified 2 variables rather than 1. it isn’t really possible to know which of the 2-var change (old+wet) is responsible for a +/- change in carry distance. I’m looking for a comparison of “new grass/mat” to “old grass/mat” which will help understand the change in ball quality on launch speed, spin and carry distance.

Data Dive: Do Range Balls Fly Shorter Than Normal Golf Balls?

If you’re like me, there’s no doubt at some point in time you’ve been told by other golfers that range balls fly shorter than normal golf balls.

I can’t remember where I heard it (and you’re probably the same), but for as long as I can recall I’ve believed that range balls only travel two-thirds the distance than regular balls.

My local golf pro even told me a hilarious story one day about an elderly player who was complaining to him that he had lost distance on each shot over his past few rounds – only for the pro to uncover the gentleman had unknowingly been using range balls during competition rounds instead of proper ones .

But is the ‘range balls fly shorter’ statement correct, or simply an old wives’ tale that has been mistakenly accepted as fact?

Studies have not definitively proven range balls fly shorter than normal golf balls. Some testing has shown little difference between the two in terms of carry distance, while other data suggests range balls will fly around one-club shorter when using wedges and short irons (but are virtually the same with driver).

I touched on the debate about range balls versus normal balls in another article (where I explained the difference in performance of foam practice balls compared to regular balls ), but it’s time we delved a little deeper into the data.

Table of contents

Am I losing distance hitting range balls?

Statistics have shown you may lose up to 10 yards of carry and total distance hitting range balls when using wedges or short irons, however results vary. Most testing has shown a negligible loss in distance when hitting range balls with driver, compared to regular balls.

When researching for this article, I expected to find conclusive evidence to support the statement that range balls fly much shorter than regular balls, but to my surprise that hasn’t completely been the case.

YouTube golfing personality Ali Taylor tested three clubs – his 52-degree wedge, 7-iron and driver – by hitting range balls versus Titleist Pro V1x balls to determine whether there was any noticeable distance loss.

I’ve compiled his data into an easy-to-read table below that shows there was a noticeable drop in distance when hitting range balls with both his wedge and 7-iron, but not a huge difference with driver (although, carry distance was a lot less).

52-degree wedge data

Seven-iron data

Driver data

The full video of Ali testing each club can be viewed below:

DO RANGE BALLS GO SHORTER? RANGE BALLS V REAL GOLF BALLS

But, interestingly, an almost identical test was conducted out by 2ndSwing’s Drew Mahowald and Thomas Campbell comparing range balls to Callaway Chrome Softs – also using a 52-degree wedge, 7-iron and driver – and the results showed almost no difference in distance between the two.

What the data did show, however, that wedges and irons impart far less spin on range balls than they do with premium balls.

I’ve again entered the numbers into a table below so you can easily see the variations yourself.

The full video of Drew and Thomas testing each club can be viewed below:

Range Golf Ball Vs. Premium Golf Ball | How Does A Range Ball Impact Performance? | Trackman Test

Another series of similar tests carried out by fellow YouTuber Matt Fryer yielded similar results, as demonstrated in this video .

So, for all these years I’ve been of the belief that range balls fly significantly shorter than normal golf balls, but the evidence clearly debunks that myth.

While there is a slight difference in carry and total distance between range balls and premium golf balls when using wedges and short irons, in most instances this isn’t the case when using driver.

So, next time you’re on the range and aren’t hitting the ball as far as you’d like, you can’t blame it on the range balls – instead, it might be worth reading about how you can increase your driving distance without adding any extra speed to your swing.

What is the distance difference between range balls and regular golf balls?

Range balls, as a general rule, will travel up to 10 yards less in distance when struck with wedges or short irons. The longer the club, the less noticeable the drop in distance will be, with data showing drivers suffer almost no loss in distance when hitting either range balls or premium balls.

If you’re trying to work out the gapping distances between your clubs, I would definitely recommend doing it out on the golf course using real golf balls, as opposed to on the driving range, because range balls may give you varied feedback in terms of carry.

Yardage markers out on the course typically indicate the distance from the centre of the green, and the last thing you want is to fly your ball 10 yards over the back during a competition round because you’ve measured your gaps wrong with range balls.

Why do range balls travel less far?

Range balls travel less far than premium golf balls because their inner core is made from a poorer-quality, cheaper base rubber. Range balls are typically covered in a thicker, firmer Surlyn blend – instead of Urethane – to improve their durability, which also affects their performance.

Understandably, range balls need to be constructed in a way that will maximise their lifespan and enable them to be struck thousands of times by golfers at their local driving ranges without wearing out too quickly.

If they weren’t built this way, driving range owners would be forced to spend thousands – even hundreds of thousands – of dollars replacing them far too regularly.

As a result, the materials used to create range balls are far cruder than the higher-quality compounds used to manufacture top-line golf balls – such as the Titleist Pro V1x or Callaway Chrome Soft – which will lead to poorer performance through the air (including variations in direction and sometimes declines in distance).

Another reason range balls travel less far than normal balls is from the damage they suffer being belted by golfers day-in, day-out.

Range balls can stay in circulation at their local driving range for months, even years, and over time will begin to wear, crack, split, chip or even be bent out of shape – all of which will impact the way the balls fly through the air, and hence lead to a decrease in distance.

Do range balls fly straighter than normal golf balls?

Range balls don’t fly straighter than normal golf balls as they typically have structural deformities – such as wear, cracks, splits or chips – that negatively impact their performance through the air. New golf balls will fly the straightest, as their surfaces are unblemished.

While I’m no science expert, I do understand how friction works .

Range balls, due to being repeatedly struck by golfers each week, are more likely to be out of shape or have structural blemishes – such as scratches, chips, dents or cracks – that will make them less aerodynamic and cause the air, via friction, to have far greater influence on their flight.

These natural forces can cause range balls to wobble through the air, or move them left or right (similar to what happens when mud is stuck on the ball during a rain-affected round).

New balls, on the other hand, have no such imperfections when you tee them up – having only just removed them from their packaging – meaning they are far more likely to fly straighter, and less likely to suffer from negative friction forces.

Final message

Range balls are perfectly fine to practice with, but there’s enough data to suggest there may be some variations in how far they fly through the air.

For this reason, if you’re trying to determine your gapping yardages for each club – whether it’s using a flight simulator such as Trackman, or simply zapping your distances with a rangefinder – I would definitely recommend using new golf balls to do so.

They will provide you the most accurate data as they fly straighter and most consistently each time.

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Driving Range Question: Do Range Balls Go Shorter than Normal Golf Balls?

Do you ever practice on the driving range and feel like the golf ball is not going anywhere? Even on your good shots the ball seems to only fly a fraction of the normal distance?

Don’t worry, you’re not losing your sanity. Range balls definitely don’t fly like normal golf balls, well at least with some clubs. But they might perform similarly with others.

Plus, there are a ton of other factors which we’ll cover today. Keep reading to learn more about driving range balls to maximize each practice session.

Do Range Balls Go Shorter?

The question every golfer has wondered… Do range balls go the same distance as a normal golf ball?

Sadly, no, range balls are not as good as premium golf balls but are closer than you think with some clubs. Most studies have found that range balls are roughly 6-10% shorter than regular balls.

You will notice this loss of distance in shorter clubs and irons more than you will with woods and drivers. Expect it most with wedges and short irons specifically, while the driver will be very similar to regular golf balls.

Each range has different balls though so it’s not easy to give a one size fits all answer. Some ranges might replace their balls often and use premium golf balls like Titleist or Callaway. If this is the case, expect about a 6% decline in distance with your driving range ball.

While others might use cheaper balls, x-outs , used balls and/or not replace as often. This might lead to a huge difference between range balls with 10% loss of distance and could alter your ball flight as well (since the dimples are worn down).

In a perfect world, all ranges would use premium balls and our practice sessions would be amazing. But that’s not the case as a premium golf ball has a very different construction than regular golf balls.

Range Ball Construction

So, how are these golf balls designed?

Most range balls are 2-piece golf balls and available in yellow or white. Some might even be a one-piece design as well. If you play a 3-piece or 4-piece premium ball, this is a big difference in terms of distance and flight.

According to the website Golf Balls , “A 2-Piece golf ball consists of a solid rubber core and a firm outer layer. These balls are designed to fly straighter and spin less than multi-layer balls. Further, these tend to offer maximum distance off the tee and great short game spin control; hence their nickname “the distance balls.”

Two-piece balls are designed to fly straighter, are more durable, and ideal for beginners and high handicappers. Needless to say, if you’re a scratch golfer who plays a Titleist Pro V1X (a 4-piece multi layer ball), you will notice a difference in distance and flight.

The same article pointed out the difference between the two types of balls. “A multi-layer ball, like a 4- or a 5-piece item, features a thin outer layer that is typically made of urethane.

This soft material provides ample short-game spin by allowing the clubface to “grab” the ball, while the intermediate layer(s) between the core and exterior allow more spin and control on well-struck iron shots.”

Ultimately, range balls spin less thanks to a cheaper design and they get worn down over time.

Limited Flight Range Ball

While normal range balls don’t act like a typical ball, there are different versions that limit the distance even more. These are known as Cayman style golf balls and only travel roughly 50% of the distance.

According to the Golf Balls article above, “It can be played on specially designed short courses, par 3, executive courses, and practice ranges. The Cayman rewards the player for a well hit ball. It is designed to groove your swing while developing timing and tempo.”

These are ideal for practicing in a restricted area without a ton of space. A lot of shorter driving ranges use these types of balls to ensure players don’t hit through it and on the golf course.

Another great alternative is the BirdieBall which you can use in a parking lot or any open space. They only go 30-40 yards total but provide a great hitting experience.

Click here to read our full review of Birdieball now .

Hitting the Right Number of Range Balls

One of the biggest mistakes that most people make in practice is hitting too many range balls. Most people think that more practice is better practice … but that’s not always the case.

In general, always think about quality of practice vs. quantity of practice! Less is more sometimes when it comes to making the most of your practice time.

Hitting more range balls doesn’t get you extra credit from the Golf Gods. In fact, hitting too many range balls can actually negatively impact your game (and wallet). Not only do large and jumbo buckets cost more, they make it easy to ingrain bad habits.

Most golfers rapidly fire golf balls one after the other at the driving range. This gives your mind little time to assess and learn the mistakes and instead, keep compounding the error. Repetition is the mother of mastery and unfortunately, you can master bad habits on the range.

This is why it’s so important to take regular breaks between golf balls. Not only will this simulate an actual round of golf better, it’ll give your mind and body time to relax. You need to step away sometimes to learn about your shots and figure out what you need to do to improve your swing.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking a jumbo bucket a day is how you shoot in the 70s! Less is more when it comes to hitting golf balls.

Hit Range Before and After the Round

The driving range is a great way to get warmed up before the round. If you’re teeing off right after work you might not always have time but if so, we always suggest it.

But when you hit balls before the round, you only need 20-30 balls (at most). The goal isn’t to revamp your swing or work on technical swing changes. Instead, your goal is to get your body loose and warmed up for the round.

Additionally, one of the best things you can do for your game is hit balls after the round. Since your body is already loose and you saw your shots, you can work on your weaknesses. This is a common habit among professional golfers but very rare with amateur players.

Like hitting balls before the round, less is more. You don’t need a large or jumbo bucket as your body is likely tired from the round.

Instead, hit a small bucket and see if you can improve on anything you struggled with that day. This is a good time to take notes of what went right during the round so you can replicate it in the future.

FAQs About the Driving Range

If you have more questions about hitting range balls make sure to keep reading to make the most of each practice session.

Why do range balls go shorter? Do range balls go lower?

Range balls fly shorter due to the one or two-piece design that limits ball speed . These types of balls are typically reserved for beginners and high handicappers, not single digit or scratch golfers.

They also have a different flight than a lot of other golf balls too thanks to the design. These balls tend to fly straighter and they’re harder to shape in either direction as they don’t have as much spin. Plus, the dimples get worn down since they’re hit so often.

Do range balls fly straighter?

It depends on the golf ball.

If they’re damaged at all, it can have a huge impact on the ball and cause flight issues that aren’t related to your swing. It’s always a good idea to save the best golf balls for your longer clubs when hitting range balls.

Do PGA Tour players hit range balls?

In tournaments, they do not hit normal range balls. Anytime you watch golf on TV, you won’t see them hitting range balls that the everyday golfer would. I actually know from working at a PGA Tour event in college.

As a player on the team, we got to volunteer at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. We handed players their balls at the range and got to see these guys aren’t hitting typical range balls.

Instead, they are hitting normal golf balls to get them the best warm up possible. It’s a pain for the driving range attendants as they have to sort out the balls in individual bags each night. I even got to see Tiger Woods walk by our table and grab his Nike golf balls!

Why do range balls not travel as far?

The design and cover are very different from premium balls.

These balls have a cheap rubber core and have a thicker Surlyn cover (most golf balls are made of Urethane). This makes the balls more durable but also impacts the distance and flight of the ball.

What is the right order of clubs to hit at the driving range?

The biggest mistake most golfers at the driving range make is not progressing through their set correctly. Too many golfers go straight to their long clubs without warming up. This can lead to injury and also not your best swings either.

Instead, you want to warm up slowly and work your way up to longer clubs. Don’t just grab driver after driving to the range and expect to hit bombs. Your body needs to get loosened up and ready for all the speed and twisting motion of a golf swing.

Here’s how I like to get warmed up (5-10 balls each): sand wedge, pitching wedge, 8 iron, 5 iron, 3 wood, and then driver. This gives me plenty of time to start feeling my swing, pick targets, and make the most out of my practice session.

What is a floater golf ball?

A floater ball is made an “aqua driving range.” These ranges have tons of water and the golf balls float instead of sink like a traditional golf ball.

As Golf Balls Galore said, “Increased durability, and a slightly shorter distance performance makes this ball ideal for any aqua range. Wilson dimple pattern dimple pattern is specifically designed to maintain ball flight.”

Now I want to test out an aqua driving range to see what it’s like!

Do driving range balls hurt your golf clubs?

No, they will not damage most of your clubs as they’re similar to a regular golf ball. But they can wear down the grooves faster in your wedges, especially if they’re a firmer designed ball.

If you’re someone that hits a lot of range balls, especially with wedges, it’s not a bad idea to have practice LW/SW and ones you use for playing. This way you can save the grooves of your playing wedges (as you don’t need backspin on the range) for the golf course. I know it’s not the most economical practice tip but it can help create more consistent spin on the course.

Is the driving range out of bounds?

This is a good question as so many golf courses have holes that run parallel to the driving range. So, if your ball ends up in the range, is it out of bounds or in play?

It depends on the golf course.

I’ve played some courses that allow you to find and hit your ball from the driving range. It isn’t always easy to locate the ball (especially if they’re the same color), let alone hit it while players are firing buckets of balls toward you.

While other courses have a firm out of bounds policy. This actually makes sense a lot of times as they don’t want players getting potentially injured from searching on the driving range.

The best place to see if the range is OB or not is the scorecard as they typically have local rules on the card.

For more, read our article on driving range etiquette .

Are range balls harder to hit?

Yes, there is a huge difference between a range ball and a regular golf ball.

But range balls aren’t harder to hit, they just don’t have the qualities of a brand-new premium ball that you would use. The dimples are worn down and this will affect the distance, spin, ball speed, and flight of the golf ball.

Plus, some driving ranges don’t replace new golf balls nearly as often so it can have a big impact on your overall range session. A good course should replace with new range balls at least 2-3x per year.

In general, you can still learn a lot about your game despite range balls being worn down. Try to spot tendencies in each golf shot so you can improve your golf game over time.

Final Thoughts on Driving Range Practice Balls

Hitting range balls isn’t as good as normal balls but that doesn’t mean you should skip the range all together. Expect your wedges and irons to be the most affected from range balls – they will go 6-10% less in terms of total distance.

Plus, some driving ranges have controlled golf balls that will affect the distance even more. But if they aren’t distance controlled, your woods and drivers should be about the same length.

If you’re practicing short game , ditch the range balls and practice with the balls you use on the golf course. This will make your practice sessions better and more similar to playing a round of golf.

Range Balls In Golf (Comparison With Regular Balls)

By Lawrence Smelser

Updated On February 22, 2024

The question is often pondered in many golfer’s heads and asked: ‘What are the quality of range balls?’

People wonder whether or not range balls are playable during a round and how they compare to normal golf balls.

Do they go shorter distances is another often asked question.

We will explain in this article how they play rather than standard golf balls and give details regarding their materials and why you should only practice with them.

What Are Range Balls?

Range balls are golf balls specially created to be used only on the driving range where they will be hit thousands of times.

These balls are often yellow or white, with either a black or red stripe surrounding the ball designating it to be a range ball.

The word “practice” or “range” can also usually be seen on these balls.

When purchased new by an individual, these balls will be in better condition than the balls at a local driving range. They can be taken and hit anywhere and are good for practice for those who don’t mind losing them.

One example would be if you’re going to the lake or park.

Most ranges sell range balls in small, medium and large buckets for golfers who “borrow” them.

They are then collected after each use and resold.

Practice Range Golf Balls vs Regular Golf Balls: Key Differences

There are significant differences between range balls vs normal balls.

Normal golf balls vary in price and are usually more expensive than range balls. They also are built differently.

Normal golf balls are built with two, three, four or five layers. The two-piece balls have the least spin and are the cheapest. The four and five-piece balls are more costly and produce more spin and control.

Some of the most used balls on golf courses by players and on the PGA Tour are the three-piece Titleist Pro V1 and four-piece Pro V1x . These balls cost $50 for a dozen balls.

TaylorMade Distance+ balls are two-pieces and provide distance for amateurs and seniors who need to be longer off the tee. These balls cost around $20 for 12 balls.

Range ball prices differentiate between how many balls you buy but they will almost always be drastically lower than normal balls since they were not designed for performance .

The balls were created to be hit countless times, thus need harder cores and shells, which limits ball flight and reduces control, especially around the greens.

Most range balls are two pieces and have a sturdier inner-core and hard cover. It will take longer to damage them but they won’t allow you to see your full potential on the course.

📋 Keep in mind : Using used range balls is a bad idea since they’ve endured the elements and have been hit so many times.

Do Range Balls Go As Far As Regular Golf Balls?

There is definitely a difference between a range ball vs a real ball’s distance.

Range balls usually fly shorter than normal golf balls.

Since they’ve been used so much and could be waterlogged or damaged, they tend to travel less distance through the air and often can have less rollout.

Sometimes it can be extremely noticeable on the range.

📋 Keep in mind : Each range ball will travel a different distance depending on its brand as well as condition.

If you’re using a Trackman on the range or trying to calculate your distance on the range take the numbers with a grain of salt.

They won’t show your true shot length compared to doing it on a tee box with a normal ball.

Are Driving Range Balls Bad For Your Clubs?

Driving range balls have the same impact on your clubs that regular balls do.

Clubs were designed by manufacturers to be hit practically a million times without suffering real damage. Obviously, there will be some scratches and normal wear but the performance won’t be affected.

You might lose slightly less spin on your wedges after hitting a thousand balls but the difference is hard to tell with the naked eye.

What Balls Do Pros Use On Driving Range Before A Round?

Golf pros on the PGA Tour are given the highest quality range balls from their sponsor of which ball they play.

Many brands like Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade and Srixon create their own range balls . They are made closely to the original balls although with a much harder shell.

The company will ship a plethora of balls to the course, which are then given to the individual pro for range sessions.

📢 Need To Know : Major golf brand companies usually label their range ball with “practice” on it. That way players don’t get mixed up with their real ball.

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One range ball hit with a 7-iron went farther than one hit with a driver.*

Ever wonder whether range balls perform as consistently as game balls? Turns out they don't. At least in terms of distance. We borrowed 20 from practice areas all over the United States (including 12 from the same bucket) and shipped them to Golf Laboratories in San Diego to have them tested against a dozen of the most popular balls on the market—barely used Titleist Pro V1s. A robot hit every ball five times in the sweet spot at average swing speeds using a driver and a 7-iron and then repeated the process at faster swing speeds.

The results ( see chart ) were alarming, especially if you adjust your swing based on how far the previous shot went. "The range balls had quite a wide variance in distance," said Gene Parente, who ran the test. "The Pro V1s were much more consistent." The lesson? Forget practicing distance control on the range. Instead, focus on shot shape and direction. The chart shows the yardage variances from our test.

Do Range Balls Fly Shorter Than Regular Golf Balls?

Have you ever wondered why your range balls aren’t flying as far as you’d expect them to? We have too, and it’s not just because of a lackluster swing. In fact, it turns out that most studies found that range balls fly roughly 6-10% shorter than regular golf balls.

Our deep-dive into this topic will shed light on the differences between these two types of golf balls and how each affects distance performance in different conditions. So stay tuned; let’s get the ball rolling!

Do range balls fly shorter than regular golf balls?

Yes, range balls are typically designed to have less distance and flight accuracy compared to regular golf balls. They are intentionally made with lower quality materials and construction to withstand the heavy use on driving ranges.

Differences Between Range Balls and Regular Golf Balls

Range balls and regular golf balls differ in terms of their construction, design, spin, and aerodynamics.

Construction and design

Let’s delve into the construction and design of range balls versus regular golf balls. The core materials in premium golf balls are designed to maximize distance and spin control, contributing to their superior flight performance.

On the other hand, range balls are generally built with a harder cover and less responsive core material which is made to endure countless hits on the practice area. This results in lower ball speed at impact, leading to a shorter carry distance as compared to regular golf balls.

What’s more interesting? Some range balls have distinct dimple patterns or additional layers purposely incorporated into their design to decrease aerodynamic lift and limit flight distances.

That said, not all range balls are alike—there can be slight variations depending on manufacturer specifications but typically they’re constructed for durability over performance.

Spin and aerodynamics

Spin and aerodynamics play a crucial role in the distance a golf ball can travel. Range balls typically have higher spin rates and less aerodynamic characteristics compared to regular golf balls.

This means that range balls are generally more affected by wind and have a harder time maintaining their trajectory through the air. The increased spin also leads to more drag, which can result in shorter overall distances.

Studies have shown that range balls tend to fly about 6-10% shorter than regular golf balls, with the difference being even more noticeable when using shorter clubs like irons. So while it’s important to practice your swing on the driving range, keep in mind that the distances you achieve with range balls may not translate directly onto the golf course due to these differences in spin and aerodynamics.

Distance limitations

Range balls typically have distance limitations compared to regular golf balls. Studies and data collected from launch monitors have shown that range balls tend to have lower launch, higher spin, less speed, and shorter carry distances than premium golf balls.

On average, range balls can be expected to fly about 10-15% shorter than normal golf balls. This difference is more noticeable with shorter clubs and irons. Additionally, the gap in distance between range balls and regular golf balls increases at higher swing speeds.

It’s important for beginners to understand these limitations when practicing on the driving range so they can adjust their expectations accordingly.

Impact of Range Balls on Distance

Studies and findings consistently show that range balls have a noticeable impact on distance, with most studies indicating that range balls fly roughly 6-10% shorter than regular golf balls.

Studies and findings

Various studies have been conducted to determine the difference in distance between range balls and regular golf balls. Most of these studies have found that range balls generally fly shorter than regular golf balls, with a distance loss of around 6-10%.

However, it is important to note that the impact of range balls on distance can vary depending on factors such as clubhead speed, swing mechanics, and environmental conditions. Data collected from launch monitors reveal that range balls tend to have lower launch angles, higher spin rates, less overall speed, and shorter carry distances compared to premium golf balls.

While some testing has shown minimal differences in distances achieved with both types of balls, it is generally expected that range balls will fly about 10-15% shorter than normal golf balls.

Percentage of distance loss

Studies have shown that range balls typically fly about 6-10% shorter than regular golf balls. This means that if you hit a regular golf ball 200 yards, you can expect the range ball to travel between 180-190 yards.

The loss of distance is more noticeable with shorter clubs and irons, so it’s important to take this into consideration when practicing on the driving range. Keep in mind that this percentage can vary depending on factors such as swing speed and the condition of the range balls.

However, knowing this information can help you better gauge your distances and make more accurate shots on the golf course.

Variations with different clubs

Different clubs can also affect the distance loss experienced with range balls. Studies have shown that the percentage of distance decrease can vary depending on the type of club being used.

Generally, shorter clubs and irons tend to show a more noticeable loss in distance compared to longer clubs such as drivers. This could be due to factors such as spin rates and loft angles, which affect how range balls interact with the air during flight.

So, when practicing with different clubs on the driving range, it’s important to keep in mind that the distance you achieve with range balls may not be exactly representative of what you would achieve on the golf course using regular golf balls.

Factors Affecting Range Ball Performance

Factors such as the age and condition of range balls, clubhead speed, swing mechanics, and environmental conditions can all impact the performance of range balls. Understanding these factors can help golfers effectively use range balls to improve their game.

Age and condition of range balls

The age and condition of range balls can significantly impact their performance. Over time, range balls can become worn out, resulting in reduced distance and inconsistent flight patterns.

The constant use and exposure to the elements can cause the cover of the range ball to become scuffed or damaged, affecting its aerodynamics and spin characteristics. Additionally, older range balls may have a lower compression rating compared to newer golf balls, which can also contribute to decreased distance off the tee.

Therefore, it’s important for golfers practicing with range balls to consider these factors when evaluating their shot distances on the driving range.

Clubhead speed and swing mechanics

Our clubhead speed and swing mechanics play a significant role in determining the distance our golf balls will travel, whether we’re using range balls or regular golf balls. When it comes to range balls, their limited flight capabilities mean that they may not respond as well to higher swing speeds.

This means that if you have a faster swing speed, you might notice a larger gap in distance between range balls and regular golf balls compared to someone with a slower swing speed.

Additionally, your individual swing mechanics can also impact how far the ball travels. For example, if you tend to slice or hook the ball, this can affect its trajectory and potentially shorten its overall distance.

Environmental factors

Another factor that can affect the performance of range balls is environmental conditions. The temperature, wind, and humidity can all play a role in how far a ball will travel through the air.

For example, cold temperatures can cause the ball to lose some of its compression, resulting in decreased distance. Similarly, strong winds can either help or hinder the flight of the ball depending on their direction and speed.

It’s important to keep these variables in mind when practicing with range balls, as they may impact how accurately you can gauge your distances on the driving range compared to using regular golf balls on an actual course.

Conclusion: Understanding the Differences and Using Range Balls Effectively

In conclusion, while it is generally accepted that range balls do fly shorter than regular golf balls, the extent of this difference can vary depending on various factors such as clubhead speed, swing mechanics, and environmental conditions.

It is important for golfers to understand these differences and adjust their practice accordingly. Using range balls effectively involves considering their limitations and focusing on other aspects of the game such as accuracy and consistency.

Ultimately, practicing with range balls can still be beneficial for improving your game if approached with the right mindset and goals in mind.

1. Can I use range balls for a round of golf?

While it is possible to use range balls for a round of golf, it is not recommended. Range balls do not provide the same performance or consistency as regular golf balls, which can significantly impact your game and scoring ability.

2. Why do range balls fly shorter?

Range balls typically have a limited flight due to their construction and design. They often have harder covers, different dimple patterns, and compressed cores that result in reduced ball speed and distance compared to regular golf balls.

3. Are there any benefits of using range balls for practice?

Using range balls during practice sessions can still be beneficial for improving your swing mechanics, alignment, and shot shaping skills. While they may not replicate the exact conditions of playing with regular golf balls on a course, they can still help you work on your technique effectively.

Mike Dowd has been teaching golf professionally for 24 years, has been Head P.G.A. Professional at Oakdale for the past 13, is a member of teh Northern California P.G.A.’s Board of Directors, and is a Callaway Golf Elite Staff Member.

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Range ball distances vs ProVs

By hagimihale April 6, 2020 in Golf Balls

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There's no rule of thumb. Some balls are limited flight. Some aren't. Some have limited ball speed due to their makeup (which generally makes distance loss greater on your longer clubs). Some are limited flight through dimple patterns. Some spin very low but also limit ball speed so distances through your 8-9i are pretty similar (though how they achieve that distance is different) but way off in the longer clubs.

The key learning is that you can’t normally trust range ball distance. This is V1’s vs a fairly random selection of range balls

This is a TP5x vs a ‘good’ range ball.

Driver - SIM2 MAX / Ventus Blue 5S

FW - SIM2 MAX / Ventus Blue 6S

Hybrid - SIM2 MAX / Ventus Blue 7S

Irons - ZX5 / C-Taper Lite S

Wedges - SM9 50/08 56/10 60/04

Putter - Odyssey Ai-One Milled #7 T

I've heard a general rule of thumb is 5-10% less distance on range purposed balls. Helps keep the balls on the range, so it's international in most cases.

However, so many ranges around the country have random balls picked from the course woods and water or second hand, and among them you could find legit balls as well.

---------------- Golf Jobs Driver: Titleist TS3 9.5 w/ Tensei Blue 55 S 3W: Titleist 915F 15 w/ Diamana D+ 80 S 3H: Titleist 915H 21 w/ Diamana D+ 90 S Irons: 4-GW Titleist T100 w/ Project X LZ 6.0 Wedge: Vokey SM8 54.10S TC w/ Project X LZ 6.0

Wedge: Vokey SM8 60.04L TC w/ Project X LZ 6.0 Ball: 2021 Titleist ProV1

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Range Balls and How They Compare to Regular Golf Balls

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A "range ball" or "driving range ball" is exactly that: a golf ball manufactured specifically for use on a golf driving range.

They often have a colored stripe (most often black, red or green) around their circumference and may have the word "range" or "practice" printed on them. Or they might be solid yellow with black stripes around the circumference.

Golfers pay for range balls in bulk—the proverbial "bucket of balls"—at driving ranges, with rates depending on the number of balls (the size of the bucket), rented.

Range balls can also be purchased in bulk by golfers who want to use them outside of a driving range setting (for example, take them to a park, hit them, pick them up).

Are Range Balls Built the Same Way as Regular Golf Balls?

Not quite. Because range balls are built to be hit over and over and over again on driving ranges, by golfers of widely varying abilities, they have to be able to hold up to that punishment for an extended time.

Most generic range balls have a solid-core, 2-piece construction, but with very hard covers: They must be better than regular golf balls at resisting cutting, scuffing and other cover damage. Sometimes range balls will also have harder cores, which can restrict flight.

Some major golf manufacturers do make range versions of their golf balls for driving ranges, and those generally are built the same way as the "regular" version of such balls, but with the much harder cover.

Range Ball Distance vs. Regular Ball Distance

Generally, range balls do not fly as far as regular golf balls. But the biggest difference isn't necessarily that range balls typically fly shorter distances, but that they vary so widely in distance performance. It's the range of distances from ball to ball , in other words, that is the biggest distance difference between range balls and regular balls.

For more on this, see:

Do range balls fly as far as regular golf balls?

What Kind of Range Balls Do Pros Get at Tournaments?

Do the pros playing tour events have to hit the same beat-up range balls the rest of us do? Of course not.

Before a major tour's golf tournament, the manufacturers ship in thousands of the golf balls used by their tour players. These balls are typically stamped "practice," but are otherwise the same as the golf ball used by the tour pros during tournament play. Titleist, for example, will stamp "practice" on loads and loads of Pro V1 and Pro V1x balls and ship them to a tournament site for the pros who play with Titleist balls.

Tournament staff and volunteers sort these balls by brand and model and set them out for the tour players.

Other Uses of 'Range Ball' in Golf

Range balls don't have to be specifically manufactured as such—they can be used golf balls of any brand, for example, those retrieved from the bottom of golf course's water hazards . A golf course might collect such balls and throw them into their supply of range balls.

"Range ball" can also be a derogatory reference to a golf ball that is not performing as hoped (usually at the fault of the person hitting it). One partner to another: "That shot was ugly. Are you using a range ball?"

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Do Range Balls Go a Shorter Distance?

When it comes to practicing your golf game, many players wonder if the range balls they’re hitting at the driving range perform differently than the standard golf balls they use on the course. One common question is whether range balls travel a shorter distance than regular golf balls. To answer this query, it’s important to understand the characteristics of range balls, the physics behind ball distance, and the factors that can influence their performance.

Various studies have shown that range balls do travel shorter distances compared to regular golf balls, with the loss in distance being approximately 6-10% for most range balls. This difference is more noticeable when hitting shorter clubs and irons, while it becomes less significant for drivers and woods. Several factors, such as the construction of the ball, materials used, and the condition of the range surface, all contribute to this reduced distance.

Key Takeaways

Range balls generally travel 6-10% shorter distances compared to regular golf balls.
The loss of distance is more noticeable with shorter clubs and irons , but less significant for drivers and woods.
Ball construction, materials, and range surface conditions can influence the distance of range balls.

Understanding Range Balls

Composition and structure.

Range balls are specifically designed for use on practice ranges and tend to be more durable than regular golf balls. They are constructed with a harder cover made of Surlyn or other resilient materials, providing greater resistance to wear and tear. The core of a range ball is typically firmer, which helps to withstand the constant hitting they experience at the driving range.

Comparison to Regular Golf Balls

In terms of performance, range balls typically deliver lower launch, higher spin, and less speed than premium golf balls. This results in a reduction in carry distance, often ranging from 6-10% shorter than regular golf balls. The loss of distance will be more noticeable with shorter clubs and irons than with drivers and woods. In general, drivers suffer almost no loss in distance when hitting either range balls or premium balls.

When practicing with range balls, it’s essential to understand their limitations and focus on aspects such as ball flight and trajectory. While the distance differences between range balls and regular golf balls must be taken into account, practicing with range balls can still be beneficial for improving your skills and technique.

Physics Behind Ball Distance

Effect of ball design.

Range balls are designed differently than regular golf balls, which affects their flight distance. Generally, they are made of harder materials and have a denser core, which results in a reduced compression. These factors lead to less energy transfer on impact, causing the ball to travel a shorter distance. In addition, range balls often feature a thicker outer layer, known as a cover. The cover can be made of various materials, including Surlyn or urethane, and its thickness may influence the ball’s aerodynamics and spin.

On average, range balls travel 6-10% shorter than regular golf balls, but this number can vary depending on the specific type of range ball used. Limited flight range balls, for example, can result in distances that are 25-30% shorter compared to regular golf balls.

Role of Swing Mechanism

The way you swing your club also plays a critical role in the distance your range ball travels. In general, maximizing ball distance requires a combination of clubhead speed, launch angle, and spin rate. However, the differences in ball design between range and regular golf balls mean that achieving the optimal combination for maximum distance may be more challenging with range balls.

Swing speed can particularly impact shorter clubs and irons, where the difference in distance between range and regular golf balls becomes more noticeable. With wedges and short irons, expect these balls to travel up to 10 yards less compared to normal balls. As for drivers and woods, the loss in distance is minimal, and range balls can produce similar results to regular golf balls.

Remember, practice with range balls helps improve your game by focusing on ball flight and trajectory. Though they may not provide the same performance as your on-course golf ball , understanding the physics behind ball distance will help you adjust and fine-tune your swing for better results.

Factors Influencing Distance of Range Balls

Environmental factors.

Temperature and humidity can affect the distance of range balls. In general, a warmer temperature and higher humidity can cause the ball to travel farther. This is because a warmer ball will compress more, leading to a higher launch angle and greater distance. Conversely, colder temperatures and lower humidity may result in shorter distances.

Equipment Factors

The type of range balls used can also influence distance. Most studies show that range balls are approximately 6-10% shorter in length than regular balls. This loss of distance will be more noticeable with shorter clubs and irons than with drivers and woods. It will be most noticeable with wedges and short irons, while the driver will be similar to regular golf balls.

Another equipment factor to consider is the launch monitor used. When using a launch monitor, it’s crucial to normalize the data to a premium ball to create a comparable scenario. Without normalization, range balls may appear to deliver lower launch, higher spin, less speed, and shorter carry distances than premium balls, making it essential to use normalization for accurate comparisons.

Testing and Data for Range vs Regular Balls

When comparing range balls to regular golf balls, it’s important to conduct tests that accurately measure the difference in distance. One method of testing is using a launch monitor to analyze ball flight, launch angle, and spin rates. Using a range of clubs, from wedges to drivers, will help you get a comprehensive understanding of how each type of ball performs.

Throughout testing, you might notice that range balls tend to produce less speed and distance on iron shots, especially with short irons and wedges. These balls generally have less launch and more spin, which can affect the overall distance. As you move towards longer clubs, such as drivers, the difference in distance becomes less noticeable. In some cases, data has shown that drivers experience almost no loss in distance when comparing range balls to premium balls.

To better understand the results, it is helpful to analyze the factors that contribute to these differences. Range balls are constructed differently than regular golf balls, with a harder cover and lower compression. This results in less flexibility upon impact and, consequently, less energy transfer leading to shorter distances.

Another crucial aspect to keep in mind during testing is that playing conditions can impact the distance of both range and regular balls. Wind, temperature, and altitude should be considered when comparing the effectiveness of each type of ball. These factors can sometimes mask the inherent differences between range balls and regular balls.

In summary, testing and comparing the distance of range balls to regular golf balls can provide valuable insights into their performance. While there are certainly differences in construction and response, environmental factors also play a role in the distance you can achieve. Careful analysis of the data will help you make more informed decisions about your practice routine and ball choice.

Implications for Practical Play

Effect on training.

When practicing at a driving range, it’s essential to understand the differences between range balls and regular golf balls. Research has shown that range balls tend to travel approximately 6-10% shorter distances than regular golf balls. This discrepancy is more noticeable when using shorter clubs and irons, such as wedges and short irons. However, the difference in distance is less evident when using drivers and woods.

While this might affect the perceived distance on the driving range, it’s crucial that you focus on other aspects of your game to improve your skills. Here are some points to consider when practicing:

Technique and timing: Rather than concentrating solely on how far your shots travel, pay attention to your technique and timing. This will translate to better performance on the golf course, regardless of the type of golf ball you use.
Solid contact: Striving for consistency in solid contact with the ball helps you achieve accurate shots, improving both your long and short game .

Acknowledging the differences in distances between range balls and regular golf balls during practice allows you to adjust your expectations accordingly. By focusing on technique, timing, and solid contact, you’ll be better prepared to transfer your skills to the golf course, using regular golf balls for optimal performance.

Hello, I’m Julian-I am the driving force behind Sports Definitions’ captivating golf content. My love for the sport shines through in my insightful articles, With an innate talent for teaching others on the sport with my definitions. I aim to make you understand the most talked-about questions in the world of golf.

DO RANGE BALLS GO SHORTER?! Range Ball vs Premium Ball Test

In our latest video, Alex compares the performance of a standard range ball and a premium Callaway Chrome Soft X ball.

Have you ever been to the driving range and questioned why you are not hitting the ball as well as or as long as you were at the weekend?

There is a reason why range balls stay within the boundaries of the driving range and that is because they will severely hinder your performance on the golf course.

Range balls are perfect for driving ranges and practice grounds because they are durable and produced in their thousands, suitable for the thousands of people that go out to practise in their spare time.

Alex from GolfMagic wanted to do a direct comparison between a range ball and a Callaway Chrome Soft X ball to discover the ways in which premium balls outperform range balls.

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The Callaway ball has a much more aesthetically pleasing design and when it comes out of the middle of the clubface, you have a much smoother and pleasing connection.

The range balls may be useful for practice sessions, but they do not deliver the same distances and spin levels that premium golf balls deliver.

As you can see in our video, the Callaway Chrome Soft ball creates a pitch mark in the green, which indicates that the ball produces solid levels of spin.

As the advantages of the premium golf ball add up, this contributes to overall better performance on the golf course over 18 holes.

DO RANGE BALLS GO SHORTER?! Range Ball vs Premium Ball Test

RELATED: WILL THE UNITED STATES REGRET NOT PICKING PATRICK REED AT THE RYDER CUP?

On one hole at Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate, Alex hit each ball with his driver off the tee and the distance difference was very clear.

With the Callaway ball, he only needed a 9-iron to reach the green, but he needed a 6-iron to reach the putting surface with the range ball.

From the roll on the greens to the feel and consistent distances, the Callaway Chrome Soft X unsurprisingly outperforms the range ball in every department.

By all means, use range balls in your practice sessions to work on key parts of your game, but when you step on to the course, make sure that you use a premium golf ball that will aid your performance as much as possible.

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Distance with driving range balls vs normal

Thread starter crazybird
Start date Jun 1, 2022
Jun 1, 2022

Hi, New here and trying out golf again for the first time since I was a kid. I'm wondering about practicing distance at the driving range. Do the balls travel shorter or the same there as when playing a course with real balls? I've started taking notes on the distances I'm getting (a local club uses toptracer on the driving range) but I'm unsure if those distances will correspond well when I'm on course? Best Regards from Sweden!

Assistant Pro

Range balls usually go a lot less distance than a 'proper' for a number of reasons, including how they are made, condition, etc. Some ranges cater for this by putting the distance flags at the 'range ball distance' rather than the true distance ie 175 yards flag might be at 155 yards. I have only used toptracer once and found the distances to be 10-15% down on what I i know I hit in real life on the course

Journeyman Pro

Ask at the range where you normally go. They should know what type of ball they buy (percentage wise) The balls are hardly ever likely to go the same distance if you use a specific make and type of ball all the time unless it happens to be the same as the range one. Where I play I reckon they must have done sort of adjustment on Top Tracer as the range is up hill but Top Tracer distances are about the same as my on course and in a recent fitting session using ProV1s and trackman.

Great, thanks for the answers!

Money List Winner

We have a top tracer range with what seems like decent balls, but I hit the ball (Pro V1 or TM TP5) further on the course, say about 10 yards on a 6 iron.

Q-School Graduate

The balls at the range at my club are a good 20% out according to top tracer and what I hit with a proper ball on the course so i don’t take any notice of distance - I keep any eye on ball speed, launch angle and how far off line it goes

Deleted member 3432

Dando said: The balls at the range at my club are a good 20% out according to top tracer and what I hit with a proper ball on the course so i don’t take any notice of distance - I keep any eye on ball speed, launch angle and how far off line it goes Click to expand...

Jun 2, 2022

Princess Pouty (Queen of Fish Lips)

Bratty said: But no computer will be able to track how far off line your shots go! ? Click to expand...

Dando said: ? Click to expand...

Bratty said: Is that a thumbs up? ? Click to expand...

My local range uses trackman. I'm told that they have normalised it for wind etc. I'm not sure how this works as surely trackman tracks the launch conditions which will be affected by head winds, side winds etc.

Tour Winner

There is also a difference in distance between regular balls due to type, manufacture, compression etc, so how do you compare them with range balls?

CliveW said: There is also a difference in distance between regular balls due to type, manufacture, compression etc, so how do you compare them with range balls? Click to expand...

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How far do range balls fly and should you trust them?

If you’ve ever gone to a PGA Tour event or watched some pre-tournament coverage at the range, you may have noticed that each player gets their own specific bag of their preferred make and model of golf balls to practice. That’s a nice perk of Tour life.

For us mere mortals, we shouldn’t expect our practice sessions to have quite the precision that the pros do for a number of reasons, but perhaps the biggest differentiator is the type of golf balls we’re hitting.

With very few exceptions, golf courses and ranges are buying range balls at a low cost and not replacing them very often, which can mean a few things for amateur golfers trying to dial in their games at their local practice facility: you’re not going to be able to gauge accurate club distances and every ball isn’t going to be uniform in its makeup.

Inspired by MyGolfSpy.com’s Ball Test on The Pinnacle Practice ball, we dug a little deeper to give a little more insight into what you can actually glean from a practice session using some run-of-the-mill range balls.

Studying the results of two other tests — one conducted by Trackman and one conducted by Jon Sherman at Practical Golf — the numbers came out relatively similar.

While Trackman and Practical Golf used humans to perform their studies, the results found that, on average with a 7-iron a range ball flies 5-10% shorter than a premium golf ball most golfers would use on the course.

Other tests found a wide variance between the shortest and longest shots when swing speeds and conditions we manipulated.

Overall, the verdict was clear when it comes to gleaning information from a range session: don’t put too much stock in the distances the balls travel, but take into account the shot shape they are producing. You’re much better off hitting the same golf balls you typically use on the course in a controlled setting to dial in your distances and treating the range as a means to improving your ball striking.

If you do this enough, maybe one day you won’t have to worry about the accuracy or consistency of the construction of your range balls because you’ll be getting a bag of your preferred on-course golf balls to hit from a Tour range attendant.

Article originally appeared on: clubhouse.swingu.com

The complete guide to range balls(all questions answered)

Going to the range and smashing a few range balls can be one of the most beneficial things you can do as a golfer to help improve your ball striking skills.

Compared to regular golf balls, range balls are designed to be hit repeatedly and are built to be a lot more durable than standard golf balls. Their core is a lot firmer, and their cover is a lot thicker, meaning they travel a lot less and provide a much heavier connection on the shot.

In this ultimate range ball guide, I will discuss how and why range balls slice less, why it’s harder to put shape on a range ball, how they can damage your clubs, if range balls are heavier, if range balls affect speed if they go straight and lastly if range balls are plain bad to use.

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Do Range Balls Slice Less?

As a general rule, they tend to have less spin and slice and hook less than a normal golf ball. The exact numbers will vary from ball to ball and on the club used, but range balls are harder with shallower dimples than a pro ball making it harder to generate spin.

Can you imagine how many times just one range ball at your local club has been smashed down the driving range? Range balls are made to be durable and do the basic thing that any golfer wants them to do, get up in the air.

They don’t feel like you’re striking a regular golf ball, and your connection with a range ball will never be as sweet as a Titleist Pro V1(A mazon link), for example.

As stated in my guide on what makes up a golf ball , regular golf balls are generally made of a much softer core than a range ball this allows them to have a much softer connection, and you can use that to manipulate spin or shape on the ball.

But throughout their lifetime, r ange balls are designed to outlast the beating they go through, which means they are much firmer and more callous than a standard golf ball. Unfortunately, that makes it a lot harder to put a spin on a golf ball, which causes you to slice or hook your shot.

When a golfer slices a ball, they tend to cut across the ball and add a left-to-right spin on the shot. That pushes the ball out to the right at an acute angle. The opposite happens if you hook your shot, with golfers adding a right-to-left spin on the ball.

But because range balls are so hard, some of that spin is mitigated by the golf ball . And that’s one of the bad things about going to the range if you’re looking to eliminate a slice from your game.

I like to call that the deceptiveness of the driving range. The rock-solid range ball makes you think that you’re not slicing the ball as much. However, when it comes to playing a course with a top-quality golf ball like the Callaway Chrome soft(Amazon link), which is prone to receiving more spin from your clubface, you’ll start to see yourself slice the ball a lot more.

When you’re at the range, most high handicap golfers might not notice the difference in the quality of golf balls. But for scratch golfers and those who play regularly, the difference can be staggering. It takes a long time to learn how to hit the ball correctly; you can read my story on learning how to play here and learning how not to slice the ball features as an important part of that.

Range balls don’t slice as much as normal golf balls do, but they still slice pretty badly if you’re not striking the ball correctly. In my opinion, it is easier to slice a standard golf ball than a range ball, though, which is why at the range, you need to pay extra attention to keeping your clubhead square through contact with the ball to eliminate any sideways spin going onto the shot.

Do Range Balls Affect Speed?

Data shows range balls deliver lower launch, higher spin, less speed, and carry lower distances as range balls are heavier. Subtract approximately 4-6mph from your ball speed when striking a ball compared to a standard golf ball.

You can see the data when a range ball was compared with a premium ball using a launch meter on golf.com

The downward force of your clubhead creates the speed on the shot onto the golf ball. The faster your clubhead speed, the more lift off your ball will have through the air. But once you’ve transitioned that kinetic energy to the ball, the design and makeup of the golf ball can severely dampen how much speed and distance you get on the shot.

Range balls move a lot slower through the air than a standard golf ball. As I’ve discussed above, that comes down to how firm they are and how thick their outer casing is. Compare it to hitting a Pro V1, and it’s like teeing up a rock and trying to swipe that down the fairway. Firm golf balls provide poor connection, ultimately reducing the speed you can put on your shot.

If you’re looking to hit longer distances, you’ll need to add more speed onto the ball. One great way to help you break 200 yards (my guide) with your irons is to start using higher-quality golf balls. If you pick up a range ball and look at its casing, you’ll notice that its outer dimples are very shallow compared to those you’ll find on a standard golf ball.

But should you go all out and buy the best golf balls in the business the Titleist Pro V1’s? Learn the truth in my article.

The indentation of a golf ball’s dimples shows its quality with deeper dimples meaning the ball can travel through the air much faster than a golf ball with shallower dimples. They create an air pocket around the ball and the better that air pocket is on the ball, the less drag the ball will experience when it carries through the air.

As range balls have typically been bashed around during their life span, their casing typically has been worn down a lot, with their dimples become a lot less pronounced, providing the golfer with a lot less speed on the shot.

Are Range Balls Heavier?

Range balls are heavier than a standard golf ball; they are made of a thicker polyethylene casing which provides more durability with a much meatier core than a standard golf ball, making them a little heavier than a standard golf ball.

Technically, per the USGA Rulebook , a golf ball should weigh no more than 45.93 grams. Bigger hitters can benefit from using heavier golf balls , but not all golf balls as heavy as a range ball are made of the same standard of quality.

Usually, range balls will be a lot heavier than normal golf balls, but there are instances where range balls can be a lot lighter than a normal golf ball. For example, on driving ranges with limited space, some golf clubs often opt to use much lighter range balls that can seriously dampen the amount of power and distance golfers can get on the shot.

Jack Nicklaus’ invented the Cayman Golf Balls for driving ranges that are limited on space. Typically the Cayman Golf Ball weights 50% less than a standard golf ball and travels half the distance of a normal golf ball, helping those limited on space keep their balls on the range.

The majority of range balls are a lot heavier and clunkier than a standard golf ball , which can be heavy, have a much lighter, softer, and smoother feel than hitting a range ball. As I state above, hitting a range ball can sometimes be compared to striking a rock off the tee. The golf ball’s weight doesn’t come into play too much, though, unless you’re using a light golf ball.

Golfers more so tend to judge golf balls on their feel and connection to the shot. All golf balls sink when they hit water learn more in my post, the majority usually are the same weight; it’s more about how they feel on connection and how they travel through the air. Some golfers prefer the hard feel of a golf ball, while others would prefer a softer golf ball.

Are Range Balls High Spin?

Range balls spin a lot less than standard golf balls, they are a lot firmer than a standard golf ball, it’s a lot harder to add spin and shape to a range ball than a softer standard golf ball as they are heavier .

There’s nothing more satisfying than plonking a golf ball onto a green, ripping some spin into your shot, and watching it roll back five yards towards the flag.

Adding spin onto any golf shot is hard, especially if you’re at the driving range. But if you can put even a little bit of spin on a driving range ball in the direction you want it to go, then you’ll find it super easy to land backspin and topspin on a standard golf ball on the course.

Because of their thick and hard outer casing, it’s a lot more difficult to rip your clubface along and across a range ball and add spin to the shot that helps you get more lift and backspin on the golf ball.

If you want to learn more on how to add backspin onto your shots, you can seek professional advice from a PGA qualified coach, see my 11 reasons why having a coach will transform your game in my article ; they will be able to give you lessons on how to add front spin, backspin, and add shape to your shots.

Range balls have shallower indentations around the ball. Dimples help increase the air pressure on the bottom of the ball and add more backward rotations onto the golf ball to help you get more backspin, the more pronounced the dimples, the more spin you’ll therefore get.

If you’re looking to add more spin to your shots, it’s best to use a soft higher-quality standard golf ball .

Bridgestone’s Tour B XS golf balls are specifically designed for golfers who want to add more spin onto their shots and are a great ball to use if you want to also work on hitting draws and fades. They’re available in several different colours for a bargain on Amazon .

Do Range Balls Go Straighter?

In total range, balls are harder and will occur less clubbed spin resulting in equal or less sideways movement. Range balls are quite unpredictable in their movements but will tend to push or pull more to both the left and or right of your intended target.

It is harder to slice a range ball because they tend not to have as much spin like a regular golf ball. But that also doesn’t mean they are easier to hit straight. Every range ball is different, seeing as most have been scuffed and smashed a thousand times over. From general wear and tear, they’ll all have different exteriors, and that creates a very unpredictable ball flight.

You might find one day at the range you could be hooking the ball, but the next day has a nasty slice! That is the unpredictability of a range ball, and if you hit a range ball sweet, they will normally go straight but not as straight as a golf ball fresh out of the packet.

That comes down to a combination of factors, as the range ball reduces the distance you can get on your shots, golfers often overcompensate on the range and try too hard to hit the ball to hit distances they would normally hit with a standard golf ball.

Because you’re trying hard, there is a greater tendency for the golfer to pull or push the ball offline; combine that with the ball’s firmness, and many golfers will find it an awful lot harder to keep their shots on target.

Softer golf balls give you a much nicer connection on the shot and are a little more forgiving, preventing you from spraying your shot away from your target. Although if you’re struggling to keep the ball on the line, you may want to consider having a lesson. Check out my guide on how golf lessons can help you dial in your distance and aim from longer distances.

Are Range Balls Bad?

Range balls will not always give a true representation of your swing, which is bad for your game; range balls go through their life are hit with thousands of Golders, which causes them to be hard and more worn down, which negatively affects ball flight.

My top piece of advice to golfers who regularly go to the driving range is to take the statistics you get from your range finder with a pinch of salt. Range balls aren’t terrible because they serve a good purpose in helping golfers improve their technique and hit straighter shots.

But when it comes to fine-tuning your swing, range balls will not give you an accurate representation of how far you’re hitting your shots, and how many spins or speed you’re putting on the ball. As I’ve said above, a range ball’s composition means it’s designed for durability, not performance as a standard golf ball might be.

On average, range balls will travel approxim ately 10% less than a standard golf ball, but that can also change depending on the range and the type of golf balls they use. Some driving ranges use higher quality balls, while others use a much lower standard of golf balls.

There is nothing quite like hitting a golf ball that is of a similar standard to the one you’ll play with on the course. So if you can, try to find a range that uses good quality golf balls that will help you get a better picture of how well you’re hitting the ball and help you dial in your swing and rule out any chance of slicing the ball.

What is the best club to use in and around the green? Learn the facts in my article.

See the latest pricing for the best golf equipment on Amazon below.

Are Driving Range Distances Accurate? Golf Balls are a Problem

Written by Graeme Hay | Last Updated: 21/05/2024

Hitting golf balls at a driving range is a great way to imcprove your game and it’s often the most convenient location for a large number of golfers to get in some much needed practice.

But how good a place is it to judge what distances you are hitting the ball?

Given golf is a game of precise measurements, if you are deciding which club to play when you get to the golf course based on the distances you are hitting on the range it’s clearly important to know just how accurate the stated distances on a driving range actually are.

As a general rule driving range distances should not be considered accurate. Range golf balls often have a lower compression and more wear and tear than standard balls which impacts the distances they travel. The angles created by the arc hitting bays are set up on at ranges also impacts accuracy.

Being clear on how far you hit the golf ball with each of your clubs is vital to any standard of golfer’s golf game.

Choosing the wrong club for a shot based on getting your yardages wrong can mean the difference between hitting the green and missing it or worse ending up in a hazard.

And since for some golfers the majority of their practice takes place at the driving range it’s the obvious and main place where they start to work out how far they hit the ball.

Unfortunately however you need to be very careful if you’re deciding whether you are hitting the ball long and great or short and terrible based on a trip to the driving range as simply due to the geometry of the set up of the range itself and the range balls they make available to you the distances you see on the range can be a long way from reality.

Golf Range Balls Make Driving Range Distances Inconsistent

When it comes to the accuracy of the distances you see at your local driving range we need to make clear that any inaccuracies that exist aren’t there because the range owners are purposefully trying to deceive you.

On the contrary, driving ranges are set up to give all the golfers that are hitting there as accurate a measure of the yardage distances they are hitting the golf ball as they possibly can.

However the reality of doing business as a driving range and the size of the space available to hit shots leads to a set of variables which call into the question the accuracy of the distance it appears you hit the ball there.

And one of the main variables when it comes to hitting shots at the driving range is clearly the ball.

If you have played golf for any length of time, you will likely have your own brand and model of golf ball that you are loyal to. You know how it flies and have a pretty good idea of how it rolls and spins in a variety of different scenarios on the course.

Unless you are lucky enough to a be a member of a professional golf tour or a very posh golf club however the range balls you use are going to be different to the ones you play on the course and this has a big impact on the distances you find yourself hitting the ball at the range.

Golf range balls are most commonly comprised of ‘2-pieces’ – a hard cover and material inside and they can be a reduced ‘compression’ as low as 80 or even 70.

Premium golf balls, such as the Callaway’s Chrome Soft X or Titleist’s Pro V1x (Amazon links) , are by comparison 4 or even 5-piece with softer covers and higher compressions which can measure over 100.

What’s this got to do with distance?

Well the number of layers and compression a golf ball has affects a large number of things. The spin rates, launch angles, ball speeds etc that the same golfer gets from different golf balls will vary and this can impact both the distance and flight of different shots with different clubs in different ways.

To demonstrate this Today’s Golfer tested of a range golf ball against a TaylorMade TP5x (check out the latest price on Amazon here ) using a launch monitor to assess how the different balls measured up.

Not only did they find distance differences when their test pro hit the different golf balls but they also found different results with different types of clubs.

When hitting wedges for example the range balls went 16 yards further on average but when it came to the driver the TP5x ball was the one that performed better distance-wise carrying almost 10 yards further on average.

The detailed reason behind these differences has all to do with spin rates, launch angles and shot heights but the simple point to take away from such tests however is that to base your distances for the golf course on the accuracy of how far you are hitting the ball at the driving range is not a great idea.

Another factor to bear in mind also is that range balls also suffer much more wear and tear than the balls you use on the course. They get hit more often, picked up and knocked about by the tractor picking them up, and of course they also get washed over and over.

Any driving range regulars will have come across a range ball now and again where it has been used and washed so often that the dimples look to have almost completely worn away. And with that comes funny spins and strange ball flights which again affects distance.

And of course different driving ranges may have different types of range balls.

This we would repeat is not because the driving ranges are doing anything wrong but you have to keep in mind that they are a business and their business is not to make money off golf balls but to give you a great venue to practice hitting golf balls.

The reason behind the range balls they choose also can be entirely logistical.

Many ranges for example will actually use balls that are made to make sure you hit the ball shorter simply because the space they have available for the range is limited and they clearly don’t want lots of golfers knocking balls into adjoining properties or even roads!

The type of driving range mat which is used at your local range can also affect the distance you hit the ball there compared to the course.

So all in all when it comes to how accurately the distance you hit the golf ball at the driving reflects how far you hit it on the course be aware that the golf ball which is available to you at the range has a big impact.

Geometry Needs Taken Account of For Driving Range Distances

No matter how many driving ranges you have practised at in your life, you will have noticed that they all have a different number of hitting stations or bays.

The total number of bays has of course a lot to do with the size of range of itself. The more land there is available for the range the more hitting stations there will be for people to hit some balls and practice their golf game.

And this feature of a driving range infrastructure has an affect on the accuracy with which you can precisely measure the distances you are hitting the ball as their are angles to take into consideration.

If for example you are hitting the bay at the far right of the driving range and your ball unfortunately soars 30 yards left to land towards the left-hand side of the range the distance marker it is closest to can’t be an entirely accurate measure of the yardage you have hit the ball.

Driving ranges of course try and get round this problem but having different sets of distance markers lined up and meant for use by different bays across the range but there is never going to be one of set of markers for every single bay so it’s clear the distance markers can never be relied on for precise yardages.

There are therefore always angles to take into consideration and angles don’t make for exact distance measurements unfortunately.

You also have to take into account any arc that is present on a driving range when it comes to assessing distances.

Again in a perfect world all the driving range bays would all be set up along a straight line and whilst this would still not give an absolutely precise measure of the distances you are hitting the ball at the range, it would still be reasonably good although never precise.

The reality at a lot of driving ranges however is that are set up in some type of arc. And if there us an arc the degree of that arc is something that has to be taken account of when it comes to measuring distance.

You only need to think of a standard running track here and how the start positions for different runners is staggered for sprint events like the 200m and 400m are staggered based on their lane to ensure they are all running exactly the same distance.

As we’ve mentioned driving ranges do try and get round this problem by having mutliple sets of distance markers lined up as best as they can to a number of bays across the arc but they are not lined up in a straight line to all the bays and as such the accuracy of the distance measure for different bays on the arc is compromised accordingly.

Whilst clearly its not going to be 30-40 yards out the distance markers on the driving range cannot be an accurate measure for all the golfers on the range.

And as any golfer knows sometimes only a couple of yards, never mind 5 to 10 can make a massive difference when it comes to getting into trouble on the golf course.

How Do You Measure Accurate Distance at the Driving Range

Knowing how far you hit the ball is crucial in golf. Getting your distances wrong and choosing the wrong club can lead to deep trouble only on the basis of a yard here or there of misjudgement.

But if you only have access to driving ranges to help you practice and measure how far you hit each club to help you when you reach the golf course the problems we’ve already covered on doing this accurately on the range obviously present a problem.

Thankfully however technology has come to the rescue again in recent times and there are some options now to help golfers to combat the inaccuracy of driving range distances. And this technology comes in the form of rangefinders.

There are basically two types of rangefinder – Laser and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices – and both can be used to accurately measure distance.

Laser rangefinders are so-called for the simple reason that they use a laser to calculate the distance to a specific point. They work similarly to a pair of binoculars and all you need to do is look through the eyepiece to focus on a target, press a button and the rangefinder will give you a yardage.

So on the driving range if you were aiming for a specific target on the range you can simply point and press to determine instantly how far the target is away from your hitting bay irrespective of the arcs and angles.

And the great news is laser rangefinders are incredibly accurate with some models accurate to within 1/10th of a yard!

GPS rangefinders by comparison measure distances based on satellites and will display yardages to specific points on the screen of the device.

It’s important to bear in mind though that GPS devices are not considered as accurate as laser rangefinders. They can be inconsistent at times which is what we are trying to avoid at the driving range and is something to take into consideration.

Neither rangefinder is the perfect option of course as you will still have the problem we have already covered of the affect that the range ball has on the accuracy of the distances at the driving range but it’s something to think about if the range is the only option you have to accurately measure how far you are hitting the ball.

[Note – We have put together a detailed break down of the differences between laser and GPS rangefinders including the main functions and features to consider if you decide to buy one which you can check out here. ]

If your driving range has a club fitting service you could also potentially ask if the range provides a service which lets you use their launch monitor to accurately assess your hitting distances.

And given they are going to know exactly what type of range balls are being used, and how they match up to the ball you use on the course, this can be a good option to get a more precise read out of the distances you hit at each club at the driving range.

Increasingly also many driving ranges are beginning to install technology like ‘Toptracer’ to combat this age-old problem of inaccurate driving range distances.

Toptracer works via a series of cameras and tracks the balls hit from any bay on the range until it lands. The software then send all the distances back to your phone or sometimes screens which are installed in the hitting station you are playing from.

This then takes all the guesswork out of driving range sessions by offering distance measurements to golfers individually.

Now a quick read of many golf forums will bring up lots of golfers talking about the inaccuracies they find when practicing at a driving range with Toptracer technology but tests by multiple YouTubers seem to suggest that Toptracer is pretty accurate even when put up against top of the line launch monitors.

So if you’re lucky enough to play at a driving range which has this sort of tech available in your hitting bay it looks like this is a good option for getting an accurate assessment of your hitting distances, especially if you are averaging out the distance results over a number of shots.

Just don’t forget even with this though that you need to know how the range ball you are hitting compares to the golf ball you typically use on the course!

Final Thought

Driving ranges as any golfer knows are great places to get some much needed and often more convenient practice in.

There are however clear challenges to relying on the distances you appear to hit the ball on the driving range when you get to the golf course.

Unless therefore you are hitting every shot on the range with the same ball you use on the course and have access to accurate technology it’s probably better as a general rule to focus on ‘distance gaps’ rather than distances when you get to the range.

You want regular distance gaps between each of the clubs in your bag and these should be consistent at the driving range and on the golf course even if the precise measurements at both of these venues may differ for the reasons we’ve covered.

And one thing to bear in mind also given the impact we can see that a driving range ball can have on distance, flight, spin rates etc compared to a regular golf ball is to make sure any golf club fitting you get done at a driving range is carried out using the ball that you play with regularly on the course!

[Note – Just so you know, and we are upfront as an affiliate program participant, Golfing Focus, at no cost to you, earns from qualifying purchases made through links on this page.]

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Do Range Balls Go a Shorter Distance?
Do RANGE BALLS Go SHORTER? Golf Ball Test

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COMMENTS

Range vs. Premium golf balls: I hit both on a launch monitor to find
6-iron: Range vs. Premium. As we saw with the driver, the range balls produced less speed and distance on iron shots, too. They also delivered less launch and more spin, which for me, produced ...
The Difference in Range Ball Distances
91mph. 2878rpm. 152m. Old & wet balls hit from the mat. 87mph. 1592rpm. 157,1m. To be honest, I was expecting all the shots played from the mats to have a lower Spin Rate due to less friction. The super low Spin Rate with the shots hit with the old & wet balls from the mat were the biggest surprise to me.
Range Ball Vs Real Ball Distance: What's The Difference?
At higher elevations, the air is thinner, causing the ball to travel farther due to less resistance. Conversely, at lower elevations, the air is denser, causing the ball to travel shorter distances. When hitting range balls, altitude and elevation are often controlled, but when playing with real balls, it's important to take these factors ...
Data Dive: Do Range Balls Fly Shorter Than Normal Golf Balls?
Range balls, as a general rule, will travel up to 10 yards less in distance when struck with wedges or short irons. The longer the club, the less noticeable the drop in distance will be, with data showing drivers suffer almost no loss in distance when hitting either range balls or premium balls.
Range Balls Vs. Good Golf Ball Distances
When you head to the range, don't focus on distance, as most range balls will not perform the same as the ball you will put into play once you get to the golf course. Expect the range balls to fly 10 to 15 percent shorter than a normal golf ball. A limited-flight range ball could be 20 to 30 percent shorter. Focus instead on timing and solid ...
Do Range Balls Travel As Far As Normal Golf Balls? Understanding The
What are Range Balls? Range balls are golf balls specifically designed for use at driving ranges. They're typically cheaper and less durable than regular golf balls, making them a practical choice for a high volume of use. They're also designed to travel shorter distances than regular golf balls, with less spin and lower compression.
Driving Range Question: Do Range Balls Go Shorter than Normal Golf Balls?
Sadly, no, range balls are not as good as premium golf balls but are closer than you think with some clubs. Most studies have found that range balls are roughly 6-10% shorter than regular balls. You will notice this loss of distance in shorter clubs and irons more than you will with woods and drivers.
Range Balls In Golf (Comparison With Regular Balls)
Do Range Balls Go As Far As Regular Golf Balls? There is definitely a difference between a range ball vs a real ball's distance. Range balls usually fly shorter than normal golf balls. Since they've been used so much and could be waterlogged or damaged, they tend to travel less distance through the air and often can have less rollout.
GD Tested: Range Balls
Turns out they don't. At least in terms of distance. We borrowed 20 from practice areas all over the United States (including 12 from the same bucket) and shipped them to Golf Laboratories in San ...
How much different are range balls than premium golf balls?
The results showed a drastic difference. The range balls produced higher spin rates (+158 rpm) and lower launch (1.47 degrees). More critical, I saw less speed with the rangers compared to my Pro ...
Do Range Balls Fly Shorter Than Regular Golf Balls?
Percentage of distance loss. Studies have shown that range balls typically fly about 6-10% shorter than regular golf balls. This means that if you hit a regular golf ball 200 yards, you can expect the range ball to travel between 180-190 yards. The loss of distance is more noticeable with shorter clubs and irons, so it's important to take ...
The Difference Between Range Balls & Regular Golf Balls
Range balls generally have two-piece construction with a rubber core and a thick outer cover. The thicker cover makes range balls a little heavier than typical golf balls, resulting in less distance and spin. Like any other golf ball, the performance of a range ball is heavily influenced by your individual playing style and varies from person ...
Range ball distances vs ProVs
Unless you're at a high end facility that's using V1 practice balls or similar, range balls are basically distance balls. They have a hard cover to help them last longer and they're going to spin a significant amount less. Wedges and short irons will go further, while hybrids, FW's, and driver will show less difference.
Range Balls and How They Compare to Regular Golf Balls
Generally, range balls do not fly as far as regular golf balls. But the biggest difference isn't necessarily that range balls typically fly shorter distances, but that they vary so widely in distance performance. It's the range of distances from ball to ball, in other words, that is the biggest distance difference between range balls and ...
Golf Balls Vs. Driving Range Balls: The Shocking Distance Truth Revealed
A tour-level ball is like a well-made nail, designed to penetrate far and straight into the board with each strike. Driving range balls, on the other hand, have a harder cover and a more basic construction. They are designed to endure the abuse of countless hits, which often means sacrificing distance for durability.
Do Range Balls Go a Shorter Distance?
Key Takeaways. Range balls generally travel 6-10% shorter distances compared to regular golf balls. The loss of distance is more noticeable with shorter clubs and irons, but less significant for drivers and woods.; Ball construction, materials, and range surface conditions can influence the distance of range balls.
DO RANGE BALLS GO SHORTER?! Range Ball vs Premium Ball Test
The range balls may be useful for practice sessions, but they do not deliver the same distances and spin levels that premium golf balls deliver. As you can see in our video, the Callaway Chrome ...
Distance with driving range balls vs normal
Feb 25, 2014. Messages. 3,801. Location. Wiltshire. Visit site. Range balls usually go a lot less distance than a 'proper' for a number of reasons, including how they are made, condition, etc. Some ranges cater for this by putting the distance flags at the 'range ball distance' rather than the true distance ie 175 yards flag might be at 155 yards.
How much do range balls and premium balls differ?
Robot data reveals the secret to hitting more fairways. With the driver, there was a 12-yard drop-off in distance at both 95 and 105 mph with the range ball compared to the premium version. The ...
How far do range balls fly and should you trust them?
While Trackman and Practical Golf used humans to perform their studies, the results found that, on average with a 7-iron a range ball flies 5-10% shorter than a premium golf ball most golfers would use on the course. Other tests found a wide variance between the shortest and longest shots when swing speeds and conditions we manipulated.
The complete guide to range balls(all questions answered)
Typically the Cayman Golf Ball weights 50% less than a standard golf ball and travels half the distance of a normal golf ball, helping those limited on space keep their balls on the range. The majority of range balls are a lot heavier and clunkier than a standard golf ball , which can be heavy, have a much lighter, softer, and smoother feel ...
Are Driving Range Distances Accurate? Golf Balls are a Problem
As a general rule driving range distances should not be considered accurate. Range golf balls often have a lower compression and more wear and tear than standard balls which impacts the distances they travel. The angles created by the arc hitting bays are set up on at ranges also impacts accuracy. Being clear on how far you hit the golf ball ...
How much shorter do range balls travel : r/golf
The choice of ball is usually one with a harder, durable cover. Think Top Flight or Pinnacle. The reason you get different results from range balls is usually tied to simple wear. Range balls wear down over time and balls are a range's biggest expense, so a lot of ranges push the balls too long. The range I ran had a ball inventory of 100K to ...