Full Answer
How much do range balls differ from each other?
How range balls differ on performance has a lot to do with what golf balls you are comparing. If you are comparing a regular range ball to another two-piece golf ball, you will probably see a difference of at least 10% in overall distance and it may be a lot more.
What are range balls used for?
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.
What is a range ball made of?
The covers of range balls are typically made of a thicker (and firmer) Surlyn blend to make them more durable. Additionally, there is a thick layer of paint applied to help preserve the external finish.
What makes Dean golf’s range balls different?
Long story short – Dean knows a thing or two about golf balls. According to Dean, most range balls use a very cheap base rubber. There are very loose specs, which means you can expect different performance within the same batch. The covers of range balls are typically made of a thicker (and firmer) Surlyn blend to make them more durable.
What are range balls made of?
According to Dean, most range balls use a very cheap base rubber. There are very loose specs, which means you can expect different performance within the same batch. The covers of range balls are typically made of a thicker (and firmer) Surlyn blend to make them more durable.
What is the difference between range golf balls and regular golf balls?
For the most part, the differences will be related to spin and feel, and sometimes launch as well. A range ball will usually feel quite hard when hit. This is because the cover on the golf ball is thicker and covered with some extra paint. A harder golf ball can be difficult to spin.
Are range balls any good?
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.
Why do range balls not go as far?
Too much spin can send the ball ballooning and lose distance, while spin too low can hurt carry distance and accuracy, sending the ball diving out of the air. As we saw with the driver, the range balls produced less speed and distance on iron shots, too.
Do range balls damage drivers?
Driving range balls are completely fine for your clubs and are made of the same material as the balls you'd use on the course. The only negative thing about range balls is that they won't perform as well as higher-end balls.
Do driving range balls go shorter?
So if you plan on using the driving range to practice, focus on your swing tempo, rhythm, and accuracy of ball flight rather than your distances. Expect that range balls will fly 10-15% shorter than normal and if you're using a limited flight range ball, then expect 25-30% shorter distances to result.
Do range balls go further than normal 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.
Do range balls spin more or less with driver?
A Lot. Really simply, the range balls we tested (Pinnacle Practice) spin more and, in some conditions, a lot more than the urethane balls in our test. Let's start with the driver. Across the three swing speeds we tested (85, 100 and 115 mph), the range balls spun about 250 rpm more than the average ball in our test.
How far can you hit a range ball?
ResultsAvg. Club SpeedAvg. Carry DistanceNew & dry balls hit from grass92,5mph163,6mNew & dry balls hit from the mat88,3mph145,9mOld & wet balls hit from grass91mph152mOld & wet balls hit from the mat87mph157,1m
Can you bring your own golf balls to a driving range?
Can You Bring Your Own Golf Balls to a Driving Range? As a general rule driving ranges prohibit golfers from using their own balls as a matter of both policy and practicality.
What is the number one golf ball on tour?
Pro V1Titleist likes to remind us that that the Pro V1 is the No 1 ball used by professionals on worldwide golf tours, but that it's a great ball for non-superstars as well. The ball is manufactured to perfectly balance short game control without sacrificing good yardage from the tee.
Is Wilson Premium a range ball?
More info. They are sold in 24 dozen boxes. This is a premium range ball.
How far can you hit a range ball?
ResultsAvg. Club SpeedAvg. Carry DistanceNew & dry balls hit from grass92,5mph163,6mNew & dry balls hit from the mat88,3mph145,9mOld & wet balls hit from grass91mph152mOld & wet balls hit from the mat87mph157,1m
Are golf range balls limited flight?
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.
How much different are range 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 V1s (162.7 mph versus 168.7 mph) and shorter carry distances (280 yards versus 298 yards — a 6 percent drop!).
Can you bring your own golf balls to a driving range?
Can You Bring Your Own Golf Balls to a Driving Range? As a general rule driving ranges prohibit golfers from using their own balls as a matter of both policy and practicality.
What is a range ball?
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.
What does "range ball" mean in golf?
"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.
Why are range balls hit over and over again?
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.
Do golf balls work on driving ranges?
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.
What is the process of making golf balls?
The process for golf ball manufacturing include: washing, imprinting, coating, pressing and packaging the golf balls. Every step must be done in a specific order and there are many different machines involved in order to produce a golf ball from concept to completion.
What are the main components of a golf ball?
A golf ball comprises of three main elements. The cover, the mantle and the solid rubber core. These three areas combine to allow golf balls to offer spin rate, compression and initial velocity.
What is the mantle of a golf ball made of?
Golf ball mantle is made from different materials within their respective layers. A strong, rigid thermoplastic is found on the outer layer of the mantle. Whereas a thermoplastic polymer would be found in the middle section and a rubber is used in the mantle’s inside layer which is much softer. Before plastics and other synthetic rubbers were used, ...
What are the different materials used in golf balls?
What Are The Different Golf Ball Materials? Golf balls are made from different materials from synthetic rubbers for the core to thermoplastic polymer for the mantle to Surlyn for the cover are used to construct a golf ball. All of these different components play a key role of the make up of a golf ball.
How to wash golf balls?
Step 1: Washing. The first step, washing involves the use of a machine that washes the golf balls in order to prepare them for the imprinting process . The washing machine is a washer and dryer hybrid that uses high pressure to remove unwanted material, such as oil, from the ball surface.
Why are golf balls segmented?
Finally, the golf balls are segmented for packaging and a metal casing. Compression is important and can have an impact on how the ball travels. Golfers should take golf ball compression into consideration when making a purchase.
What are the three main areas of golf ball performance?
In golf speak, they are referred to as the spin rate, compression and initial velocity respectively. source: intheholegolf.com.
Core
The core of a two-piece ball is molded under heat to the manufacturer's specifications.
Outer Casing
After the core has been molded, the outer casing of a two-piece ball is applied through an injection molding process.
Dimples
A golf ball's dimples are formed by a mold. But the dimples aren't just there for looks. A golf ball in flight creates friction as it passes through the air. A smooth ball would create more drag than a dimpled ball, which separates the air later in flight, causing it to travel farther.
Smoothing, Painting and Finishing
After the ball has been covered with an outer casing, the seams are smoothed. The ball is then spray painted and logo stamped. There are no restrictions on what color the ball can be.
Three- and Four-Piece Balls
Three- and four-piece balls are manufactured differently than two-piece balls. More than 80 steps and 32 inspections are involved.
What is a range ball cover made of?
The covers of range balls are typically made of a thicker (and firmer) Surlyn blend to make them more durable. Additionally, there is a thick layer of paint applied to help preserve the external finish.
What type of rubber do golf balls use?
Long story short – Dean knows a thing or two about golf balls. According to Dean, most range balls use a very cheap base rubber. There are very loose specs, which means you can expect different performance within the same batch.
How many pieces are in a golf ball?
Regular golf balls can have two to five pieces inside them, and the cover is usually thinner to help you get some extra spin and distance out of your golf shot. A regular golf ball does not require as much paint either as it is meant to last you for a round or two, not an entire season!
How many holes does a golf ball have to go through?
Of course, with a players golf ball, the cover will have to be tough enough that it won’t cut after a few holes, but outside of that, a typical golf ball only really has to make it through an eighteen-hole round. Another factor that is more important with a regular golf ball is the feel.
Why do golf balls feel better?
Regular golf balls feel better because they are softer and capable of spinning. You can see the backspin rates with the wedge are 2500 rpm with a range ball and 7000 rpm with the TaylorMade TPX 5. One of the most surprising things for people is that the golf ball seems to carry further with a range ball when hitting a wedge.
What is the best premium golf ball?
Best Premium Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1. The performance you get out of a Titleist PRO V1 will not even come close to comparing to a range ball. Whatever you need a golf ball to do around the green or off the tee, the Titleist Pro V1 can handle it.
What to do when you are not spinning range balls?
The best thing you can do for your game and the golf course you are playing is to leave them on the range. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you are not spinning range balls the way you want or hitting them as long as you want; the range ball will perform differently than a regular golf ball. KunLehane.
How far should a golf ball go at a driving range?
Sometimes a driving range is shorter than the recommended three or four hundred yards. If this is the case and a golf ball going too far could impact a house or a building behind the range, a golf course will use a limited flight golf ball.
What is the most important thing about a golf ball?
Another factor that is more important with a regular golf ball is the feel . People aren’t going to complain about how a range ball feels because it doesn’t count on the golf course; however, a regular ball feel is going to matter, and it will make all the difference, especially in the short game.
Are Range Balls Built The Same Way as Regular Golf Balls?
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: 1. Do range ball…
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 sta…
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 coursemight 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 …