What is the truth about range balls....

[SiberianDVM]

and golf ball compression in general?

What does "high compression" vs. "low compression" really mean? Is a 70 ball compressing more than a 100 ball? Are range balls like Top-Flite and Pinnacle limited in the distance they fly? Why do some golf balls feel better when struck than others?

And why can't I ever hit 2 good shots in a row at the range?

[DaveE]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

Why do some golf balls feel better when struck than others?

This is only one I know. It's because they cost more.

[Loop]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

And why can't I ever hit 2 good shots in a row at the range?

Hmm.... You're a hacker?
On the other hand, you can blame everything on the ball

[SiberianDVM]

Hmm.... You're a hacker?

That could be it. How low do I have to get my handicap before losing my hacker status?

[ualtim]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

That could be it. How low do I have to get my handicap before losing my hacker status?

I don't know where the line is, but it is definitely below a 15 where I am hovering at.

Had another typical ualtim hole on Monday. Absolutely a perfect 5-iron off the tee setting up an easy 9-iron to the green. Dead center in the fairway, sitting on a perfect lie. SHANKOLA! Right on the edge of a lateral hazard about 30 yards to the right of the green behind and under a tree. Kind of bump and run an 8-iron to the fringe as the tree was blocking the path to the pin. Chip to 2 inches. Bogey.

As far as range balls go, until they go to multi-peice (more than 2 piece) balls on the ranges, range balls are not going to be up to par with your gamers. I can not blame the ranges as the 2 piecers will last a lot longer and are cheaper, but they just do not accurately represent what I am currently playing with on the course. Of course, the way I am hitting my irons this week, I am doubting any golf ball I hit could go straight.

[Rockford35]

High compression = distance. Hard balls. Remember the old Golden Ram 120's? Those things sounded like you hit a peice of granite, but boy did they go....into the trees...

Low compression = spin and control. Softer balls.

Range balls suck. They are the lowest of the low. Well, at least at most ranges. My uncle played some high end establishment in Hawaii last year and they had ProV's as range balls. He grabbed a bunch and put them in his bag. Cheap bastard...

I was at the range once hitting my limited number of driver balls that I do through my routine. Grabbed what I thought was a brand new, sparkling Pinnacle Distance, only to have the cover explode off it and shatter into a million peices. I got some applause from the gallery, but it sure made me weary of hitting the rest of that bucket of potential explosions...

R35

[SiberianDVM]

My favorite ball is the Hogan Tour Deep with a compression of 70. My second favorites are the Callaway HX Tour, HX 56 Tour, and the HX.56 Tour. Are the Callys also low compression?

[The master]

Range balls are shit, simple as that.

They are like rubber at my range, you hit one pure, it starts of with a nice high draw and decided to change 5 directions in the air, also you would easily lost 10-15 with range balls.

70 seems a awful low compression, maybe for low swing speeds so they can compress it better, maybe ladies would benefit from a lower compression.

[Andy_79]

Yeah, a nice, worthwhile reason to go to the driving range you would hope is to be able to see exactly how far you hit a club with any particular club. Unfortunately it don't work that way as balls in the vast majority of places are battered one & two-piece pieces of shit. Sad to say, but its true..

[The master]

Originally Posted by Andy_79

Yeah, a nice, worthwhile reason to go to the driving range you would hope is to be able to see exactly how far you hit a club with any particular club. Unfortunately it don't work that way as balls in the vast majority of places are battered one & two-piece pieces of shit. Sad to say, but its true..

Also the mats I have to hit of at some ranges, it has probably completley upset the lies of my clubs. They where 2* flat probably know 3 or 4* after countless sessions at the range.

[Pa Jayhawk]

The balls at my range are probably like a 5 compression. I could save money and just bring a bag of rocks, and probably do less damage to my clubs. Even worse, the b@$+@rds dip the things in red ink as though someone wants to steal a ball with less compression and dimples than a rock, so I need to clean my clubs afterwards. I pretty much quite using the driving range towards the end of last year. The only good side is that they use standard tokens that are only $2 for what would buy you 25 balls, they are the same tokens that a lot of courses use that are normally $5 for 50 balls. So I alway buy about 5-10 anytime I go.

[DouginGA]

Originally Posted by ualtim

Had another typical ualtim hole on Monday. Absolutely a perfect 5-iron off the tee setting up an easy 9-iron to the green. Dead center in the fairway, sitting on a perfect lie. SHANKOLA! Right on the edge of a lateral hazard about 30 yards to the right of the green behind and under a tree. Kind of bump and run an 8-iron to the fringe as the tree was blocking the path to the pin. Chip to 2 inches. Bogey.

Tim, I feel for ya.