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 is a a range ball?
A range ball is designed to take quite a bit of abuse. Range balls will be hit hundreds and most likely thousands of times before they are replaced. Since they continue to get beat up, range balls have a very thick outer cover. They are a two-piece golf ball with a cheaper rubber insert, and they have a ton of paint on them.
What's the difference between driving range and golf course balls?
When you move from the driving range to the golf course, take into consideration the balls you're using. Range balls are usually different from golf balls used for distances on a course. Even with a consistent swing, you'll notice some distance variation between the range and your game.
What are limited distance golf balls?
These limited distance balls are also being used on some ranges that have a limited amount of space. If you attend a PGA Tour event, spend time watching the players practice on the range. Take particular notice of the practice balls being used — they are not the typical range balls with stripes.
Do range balls fly longer than 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.
What is the difference between range balls and regular golf balls?
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.
How do you tell if a ball is a range ball?
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.
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
Do driving range balls go as far?
Range balls typically do not fly as far as your golf balls you'd use on the golf course for a live round of play. The majority of the range balls you encounter on the driving range will not perform as well either if you tried to use them during normal play.
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.
Why don t range balls 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.
How many range balls do pros hit a day?
How Many Range Balls Do Pros Hit A Day. On average, professional golfers hit around 500 balls per day when they're not playing a tournament. The majority of these balls are hit either around the green or on the course, while only 50-100 would be hit at the driving range.
How much shorter do range balls travel?
At slow and mid speeds, the range balls are about four yards shorter than the average ball. At higher swing speeds, the distance gap creeps above seven yards.
How many balls should I hit before a round of golf?
Hitting balls before you play is a warm up. Nothing more, nothing less. It's an opportunity to get loose, reaffirm a feel and prepare both physically and mentally for the round. I prefer three to five balls with a wedge, short-iron, mid-iron, hybrid and driver.
How far should I hit 5 iron?
The average golfer should be able to hit a five iron 160 yards. This is for a player with average swing speed. The faster swinging players should be able to get 170 to 180 yards out of their five iron. Golfers with very slow swing speeds may only see 150 or fewer yards out of their five iron.
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?
Titleist 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.
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.
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 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.
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!
What is range ball vs pro?
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.
How much does a range ball weigh?
Technically, per the USGA Rulebook, a golf ball should weigh no more than 45.93 grams.
What golf ball should I use for spin?
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.
What happens when you slice a golf ball?
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.
How to break 200 yards with irons?
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.
What is a golf ball made of?
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.
Why is it harder to slice a range ball?
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.
How much shorter is a range ball?
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 contact. References. Top Flite: Range.
How much does a golf ball weigh?
For this reason, a golf ball manufacturer created a ball which weighs 24 grams, compared to the approximately 45 grams of a golf ball.
Why are some balls limited in flight?
You will be able to identify a limited flight range ball because it seems to dive to the ground once it reaches its peak height.
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.
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 dista…
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 …