When one goes to a range, you pretty much get 2-piece range balls that are similar in performance to a Top Flite, Pinnacle, etc... Assuming most players use a ball other than a Top Flite or Pinnacle during regular play, how does one accurately "dial in" one's distances? Or is it assumed the range balls perform in a similar fashion to a Pro V1, Bridgestone E6, etc...?

bkuehn1952 wrote:

When one goes to a range, you pretty much get 2-piece range balls that are similar in performance to a Top Flite, Pinnacle, etc... Assuming most players use a ball other than a Top Flite or Pinnacle during regular play, how does one accurately "dial in" one's distances? Or is it assumed the range balls perform in a similar fashion to a Pro V1, Bridgestone E6, etc...?

Unless you plan to get a few boxes of ProV1s and hit them at the range (in which case, I want to be your best friend), I think the best thing to do is use the range as a starting point. Take the distances you get there, and then tweak them when you play with your own higher quality ball on the course.

I usually save my pro v's that have two or 3 rounds on them and put them in my shag bag. I then drop balls on the course while I am playing and hit from diferent yardages to get a more acurate yardage of carry on my clubs.

Oh lookie here at Mr. 'I'm too down to earth for country clubs' Brian Kuehn showing his true ballsnob colors. I happen to play Top-Flites and I'm highly offended!

j/k

I think most range balls, provided they're in decent shape and still have the clear coat on them, travel the same distance as any other ball give or take a few yards. The best way to get an exact read would be to laser your shots during actual play, I guess.

Duke of Hazards wrote:

Oh lookie here at Mr. 'I'm too down to earth for country clubs' Brian Kuehn showing his true ballsnob colors. I happen to play Top-Flites and I'm highly offended! j/k

Touche! I did say most people play another ball. That left enough wiggle room for those who play Top-Flites.

Last edited by bkuehn1952 on Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:47 am; edited 1 time in total

Duke of Hazards wrote:

I think most range balls, provided they're in decent shape and still have the clear coat on them, travel the same distance as any other ball give or take a few yards. The best way to get an exact read would be to laser your shots during actual play, I guess.

The range balls I use do not carry nearly as far as a new ProV1, NXT or other decent quality new ball. I use a range finder, both on the range and on the course. I can say for certain there is a pretty good disparity in distances between my regular ball and the range ball I warmed up with. The difference is most noticed with a driver, but I even seem to consistently get a few more yards with a sand wedge on full swing shots using a quality ball.

We have a flag on the range that is set at 235 yards (measured with my range finder) and I have a lot of trouble reaching it. Maybe 1 in 20 will get there, yet on the course with a good ball, I measure numerous 240-250+ yd. shots (using GPS) throughout a round. I can also feel the difference in the 'pop' off the face of my driver with a quality ball compared to a range ball.

Maybe others on here don't see that much difference, but for me, after hitting range balls, I can't wait to hit a ProV1x off the first tee and feel the magic I didn't feel on the range. (Unfortunately, when I thin or pop up that first one, it sucks even more considering the high expectations I had at address.)

Doug, another possibility you might not be factoring in is your landing areas. I am sure the range is not cut at fairway length, so shot you hit on the course probably roll out more than your shots on the range.

In fact, I would think that the range balls would have less spin than a quality ball, and less spin usually would mean more distance and roll.

As far as the range, I basically use it just to warm up, not to calculate my distance. I get better feel for my distance on the course.

So I tried this out on the par three course to see what I would find. Took a range finder out to both the range and the course. Bridgestone B-330 on the course.

7 iron (my "go to" club) on the range was 145ish with a normal smooth swing. On the course was 155.
PW - 120 on the range. 125 on course
9 - 130/135
8 - 135/145
6 - 155/170
5 - 165/185
3&4 didnt hit on course

I did hit driver on the range and was carrying 240. Normal carry for me is 260 with longest carry ever at 285.

I'm glad this came up, because it definitely relieved some frustration on the range.