Taking Unused Balls Home from Driving Range (MERGED)

[MiniJ83]

[quote name='BuckyBadger' timestamp='1407202797' post='9858675']
WOW! It's been over four years since someone posted on this thread. I agree with you gol4fun.
[/quote]

Thank god you brought it back.

[someon3]

Whenever I find a practice proV1 mixed in the range balls, it goes home with me. The teaching pro is out about 13 in the last year and my shag bag is looking good.

[Hawkeye77]

[quote name='gol4fun' timestamp='1407202192' post='9858573']
[size=3][size=5] I own a practice range and lose approximately 5000 yellow pinnacle "range" balls per season. I figure that 97% are taken by golfers whom "intend" to bring them back on their next visit, but happen to go golfing at another course and use them there or hit them at a different range. 2% are stolen by dishonest people whom are really thieves. 1% are cut by the mower. My cost for this annual loss is about $2900.00.[/size][/size]

[size=3][size=5] My range is part of an upscale public course where I worked as a Pro prior to leasing the Range, balls are vended by machines and it is WELL posted that "TAKING BALLS OR BASKETS FROM THE RANGE AREA CONSTITUTES THEFT, VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED".[/size][/size]

[size=3][size=5] Cheapskates will always try to justify their actions with excuses, I've heard them all. Today I caught a man walk over, take a half basket which another golfer left and dump them in his golf bag. I told him he was stealing my property to which he stated "I'm too tired to hit all of the balls that I purchased. "[/size][/size]

[size=3][size=5] Definition of Larceny: "The taking of another's property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive them of the said property." It's the same as taking towels from the golf cart or towels from the gym, SURE YOU'LL RETURN THEM!!!! [/size][/size]
[size=3][size=5] [/size][/size]
[size=3][size=5] I have not prosecuted anyone to this point, I try to give them my side of the story. I am getting fed up with golfers who STEAL my property, and I am ready to call the police to make an example out of the next THIEF.!![/size][/size]

[size=3][size=5] Also, I kick out anyone whom I catch hitting their own balls or balls from another range, that is also depriving me of making an honest living. [/size][/size]

[size=3][size=5] In Closing: taking MY range ball, that "I" paid for, even for one hour, without my permission, is STEALING it from me, same as me going in YOUR golf bag while your hitting balls and taking six of your Pro-V1s while you're not looking. Hey, maybe I could do that to the next guy I see taking,,,,,,,,,,, No, then I would be as low as him.[/size][/size]

[size=3][size=5] [/size][/size]

[size=3][size=5] [/size][/size]
[/quote]

So the reason for resurrecting this thread is to warn us not to take your balls?

[bladehunter]

[quote name='hawaiicy' timestamp='1268421255' post='2311816']
To me this is a business plan issue. Buying "buckets" of balls is a flawed concept from the start. This gives the golfer the idea that they've purchased the balls, to use as they see fit (presumably within the confines of the practice area). That's what leads to all the aforementioned shenanigans. This issue goes away when the range provides balls already, and you are allowed access to them by paying a fee, or it's included in your green fee. Then you don't feel like you're not getting your money's worth in balls if you don't hit 70+ shots.

I say, set the balls out there in pyramids or little shag bags, and charge people a flat access fee to the range. People will always steal balls, but you won't have the issue of people taking buckets and then bringing them back (or not).
[/quote]


most ranges have this practice already......its called a range membership..... hit all you want 1 monthly or yearly price.....

[TappaKegga]

I just did this, I got a bucket sat my stuff down and sirens went off for a tornado warning. Am I a bad person?

[Sun Devil]

The decision here is unanimous. Don't steal range balls. If anything .... I contribute to the ranges. Lost balls I find usually find a home at the range.

[PeanutsDaddy]

A thread that will not die. The balls are angry.

[Kaysquare]

If anyone is at a driving range & has to pay for a bucket of balls, why would anyone be stupid enough to buy a large bucket knowing they don't have time to hit them all? Or two guys could buy a large bucket & share. But I'd never ever even consider taking range balls home.....they are usually cheap balls, & sometimes they're even the limited distance balls. Who needs'em that badly?

[TStry21]

I just did this, I got a bucket sat my stuff down and sirens went off for a tornado warning. Am I a bad person?

 

Yes you are. Why steal golf balls when you could of simply explained your situation and asked for a refund? If they wouldn't give you 1, tough s***, that still doesn't justify your actions.

[HoffTTM]

You leave them for the next person/walk them to the youngest kid that looks like they are practicing seriously

 

side note I keep a spare stash of range tokens to get balls out of the machine when the shop is closed (we get the tokens/balls) free as members, so shoot me ;-)

[stage1350]

I just did this, I got a bucket sat my stuff down and sirens went off for a tornado warning. Am I a bad person?

 

You're a bad person for resurrecting this thread... :rolleyes:

[b.helts]

I just did this, I got a bucket sat my stuff down and sirens went off for a tornado warning. Am I a bad person?

 

You're a bad person for resurrecting this thread... :rolleyes:

 

lol

 

if he hadn't he'd have probably gotten the old "use the search function, pal"

 

Regardless, total shitheel move taking range balls from the range.

 

edit: With regard to Kaysquare's post, doesn't matter if it's a dimpleless, limited flight Srixon or a ProV1 stamped practice. Same principles apply.