Range Balls vs. "Real Balls"

[DevilDog]

This experiment supports an article I read a couple of years ago about range balls in that they are usually around 10% or off from the ball you would normally play. The primary reasons given where the range balls don't have the resiliency of a regular ball you would play, the dimple patterns don't cover as much area as a regular ball, and the dimples get worn down. Seems the original poster's experiment verifies the article I read. Good work!

[Hidalgo]

[quote name='DevilDog' timestamp='1393511060' post='8757038']
This experiment supports an article I read a couple of years ago about range balls in that they are usually around 10% or off from the ball you would normally play. The primary reasons given where the range balls don't have the resiliency of a regular ball you would play, the dimple patterns don't cover as much area as a regular ball, and the dimples get worn down. Seems the original poster's experiment verifies the article I read. Good work!
[/quote]

And add in the possibility of them being in an unheated barn for days on end and the core dropping to sub-freezing temperatures. IMO range balls are good for nothing except getting warmed up and possibly practicing your ball striking with tape on the clubhead.

[DevilDog]

[quote name='Hidalgo' timestamp='1393512025' post='8757150']
[quote name='DevilDog' timestamp='1393511060' post='8757038']
This experiment supports an article I read a couple of years ago about range balls in that they are usually around 10% or off from the ball you would normally play. The primary reasons given where the range balls don't have the resiliency of a regular ball you would play, the dimple patterns don't cover as much area as a regular ball, and the dimples get worn down. Seems the original poster's experiment verifies the article I read. Good work!
[/quote]

And add in the possibility of them being in an unheated barn for days on end and the core dropping to sub-freezing temperatures. IMO range balls are good for nothing except getting warmed up and possibly practicing your ball striking with tape on the clubhead.
[/quote]

I totally concur.

[BobbieDollar]

[quote name='DaveLeeNC' timestamp='1248740338' post='1846907']
I don't know what got into me, but I decided to do a (admittedly limited) experiment on 'range ball' vs 'real golf ball' distances.

I "borrowed" 9 golf balls from our club's range (yes - all 9 are already returned) and went to my favorite "shag ball area" a couple miles down the road.

I pulled out 9 ProV1x'es from my shag bag (a mixture of 2007-8 and the previous version all in 'slightly less than course playable' condition). I then proceeded to hit alternate shots with the "Pinnacle Practice" range balls and my V1x'es. As far as I know these range balls are not 'limited distance' balls as the range at our club has plenty of room. And they were in as good as (or better) condition than the V1x'es.

I was hitting into a very light "quartering against" breeze (est. 5 mph), slightly uphill, into what you would call "moderate rough" on a golf course. IOW, VERY little roll-out and marginally unfavorable carry conditions.

I am absolutely certain that (based on my extensive range experience vs. shag area vs. on-the-course) these range balls are absolutely no more than 1/2 club short (and maybe zero) vs. 'real balls' inside 150 yards. But with longer clubs it is harder to judge.

So I hit (driver) the 9 range balls and 9 Pro V1x'es into my shag area. My expectation was to find little to no difference in total distance. I was very wrong on this point.

On picking up the longest 6 balls, 5 of them were the V1x'es. I would estimate that the average carry distance difference between the two ball types was somewhere in the 10-15 yard range.

FWIW, the longest couple of balls ended about 230-235 yards out. Given the slightly unfavorable conditions (slightly against breeze, very limited roll-out, slightly uphill) this matches my expectations/experience (mid to high 90's driver SS).

FYI.

dave
[/quote]

[BobbieDollar]

JoeSch- I know that guy on your logo from Caddyshack. From around L.A. I shouldn't go out of my way to say it but he seemed a real arrogant *****. Fat and bald now and probably bitter about his career. Anyway, on topic, the best range balls I have hit and the most consistent are the Nike ranges, they seem to be within 5-7% of real quality and they do hold in the air and carry when you hit them imo. The worst hands down are the Srixon bombs. A range I go to just rolled them out and I almost broke my driver on one, the skin is 4x as thick and in the description they brag about that. They feel like rocks when you hit them hard, they even fly out slower but then, like V1 rockets the engine just cuts out and they die. That is the last time I ever go to that range, made me miss their old Nike practice balls which even when beaten up would sail well past the dreaded Srixon. The only way to get an accurate idea of distance off a tee is to take 3 tour quality new balls and play 9 holes with them on a day when there is no traffic on the course.