Why are many driving ranges sloped?

rosskoss · October 13, 2007

Is it to let you see where the balls land better?

Also, how are driving range distances calculated? On a driving range that's sloped, are the distances to the flags "effective yardages" that take into account the slope or are they the actual distance to the pins?

EnglishBob · October 13, 2007

In my experience the distances are what someone pacing it off and then converting from cubits might guess 200 yds, 100 yds are etc. Not even close to accurate most places I have been, with or without a slope.

tina · October 13, 2007

majority are sloped to make it easier to pick to the range ... abig collection area

Titleist87 · October 13, 2007

Because it is the leftover land after the course was designed.

mikpga · October 13, 2007

Our facility was measured via laser...

In regards to sloped, my guess would simply be allowing the range to drain properly...

One of the major problems with ranges is the loss of range balls due to them sinking in the ground...

The better the land drains, the less likely the balls will plug into their graves...

Just my opinion and guess, mind you...

oregongolf · October 13, 2007

Our facility was measured via laser...

In regards to sloped, my guess would simply be allowing the range to drain properly...

One of the major problems with ranges is the loss of range balls due to them sinking in the ground...

The better the land drains, the less likely the balls will plug into their graves...

Just my opinion and guess, mind you...

I know that was the reasoning behind our range at the golf course I worked at when I was a kid. Not so much because they were plugged and sunk, but more so because they plugged and weren't picked up. And the balls that weren't picked up ended up getting mowed over .

LONG&STR8 · October 13, 2007

At one of the ranges I practice both sides are sloped down to a cement canal that slopes towards the back of the range where the balls are collected by a machine and sent back up to the building via a pvc pipe. There IS no ball picker. Pretty low maintenance range IMO.

oregongolf · October 13, 2007

At one of the ranges I practice both sides are sloped down to a cement canal that slopes towards the back of the range where the balls are collected by a machine and sent back up to the building via a pvc pipe. There IS no ball picker. Pretty low maintenance range IMO.

That sucks. Nobody to hit at ;)

DavidR · October 13, 2007

I would think it had more to do with the value of the land. A nice piece of flat land is more valuable for other things while a sloped range isn't that big of a deal.

mac94 · October 13, 2007

I think the slope is there to give you a clear view of the landing area. My range actually slopes AWAY at about 240 and you can never see your driver when it lands so i have no idea who long my drives go. Drives me nuts.

akanacl · October 14, 2007

I would think it had more to do with the value of the land. A nice piece of flat land is more valuable for other things while a sloped range isn't that big of a deal.

EDIT: Regarding Stand Alone Drivng Ranges

Exactly DavidR....you just summarized the "highest and best use" concept for real estate. That's exaclty why its so hard to build a nice driving range in established suburban areas. The land is more valuable for other things...condos, office buildings, Walmarts..etc. etc. . Which explains why most driving ranges are kinda thrown toghether on a shoestring budget, in more outlying areas, where the land is more affordable. Which is partly why many driving ranges are not perfectly designed with regards to seeing the landing areas. Its probably the only piece of land available for a driving range, and the budget usually doesn't include an expensive mass grading project.

ezra76 · October 14, 2007

There is one near me in the city that is pretty severely upsloped starting at 200yds. The range itself is only about 270, if it wasn't sloped up a lot of guys would be hitting it out of there. It takes a good 15-20yds. off drivingn distances. Also the grass is pretty long out there, you might see the ball bounce once or twice but not roll. They can use less land that way and drivers can still be used. There is also no fence or net at the back of it but you'd have to carry one about 310 to get it out of there.... which would not be a good idea since there is an elemtary school parking lot up there.

Chip_Shot · October 14, 2007

I live in south florida...

If there was any sloped land here, the natives would all freak out.

My question about ranges is.. why do some allow for hitting off the grass and others do not.

I mean charge me an extra dollar per bucket ... but you have 10 acres of grass at the range... let me touch some of it.

AirTime23 · October 15, 2007

The range has to have enough grass available to alternate the hitting spots or there soon wouldn't be any grass left.

Some obviously want to save on those grass rebuilding costs, others might be afraid that moving the tees up will make their range too short, with big hitters in mind.

But then, why not make a range completely out of artificial turf? A breeze to keep green...no work at all.

oregongolf · October 15, 2007

The range has to have enough grass available to alternate the hitting spots or there soon wouldn't be any grass left.
Some obviously want to save on those grass rebuilding costs, others might be afraid that moving the tees up will make their range too short, with big hitters in mind.
But then, why not make a range completely out of artificial turf? A breeze to keep green...no work at all.

We have one here, just outside Portland.

Nice idea in theory. I wish they had better golf balls though.

pocketfulladoubles · October 17, 2007

I find that the better the course, the flatter the range. I think most ranges are leftover space. My home range (although they do have grass to hit off) yardage markers are WAY off.