I hate drivers

[Nyper]

I found a new driving range today that I had never been to. There was a market in front of the range that said "All Distances Measured From Here".

Ok.. good enough for me. I started off hitting some wedges at the 100 yard marker, and it seemed about right. Then the 150, and it also seemed about right. Then some long irons at the 200 mark, and it also seemed correct. The last marker was 250. There tees were elevated, so it was very easy to see where your balls were landing. The 250 yard marker was attached to a pole that supported a huge net - the end of the range.

I hit half a dozen really nice drives, but none of them flew to the net. I would have been willing to bet someone a hundred bucks that I could carry a driver 250. A few balls later, I really got a hold of one somehow and it hit way up on the net. It would have easily been a 280 carry. I never hit one like that again .

I hate this game. Today has really got me wanting to go buy a driver with less loft. Mine is 10.5* and it hit it pretty high. I have REALLY got the itch to go buy one that is about 8.5 or 9.... but I TRY to keep telling myself it's much more valuable to have a ball in the fairway at 250 than it is in the trees at 280. I hate golf.

[fore142]

the 250 yrd sign could have been off even if the others were not, also keep in mind you were hitting range balls.

[warbirdlover]

Don't EVER go by the distances you hit at the range. I learned that lesson years ago...

[demon]

Range balls are more accurate on short distances, the range balls I hit I can never get past 260 and I hit driver and 3 wood the exact same distance at the range. Most long irons are off by as much as 15 - 20 yards.

[AaA]

Originally Posted by demon

Range balls are more accurate on short distances, the range balls I hit I can never get past 260 and I hit driver and 3 wood the exact same distance at the range. Most long irons are off by as much as 15 - 20 yards.

Why is it that the short distances are accurate, while longer distances prove to be less accurate?

[Sandpiper3]

Because the longer the club the more SS is produced (unless your magic and can swing your 8i faster then your driver). When the SS is faster then when you hit the ball it compresses more, if it compresses too much (ie ball is SUPER soft), then it has a backwards effect and goes shorter then normal. With the shorter clubs it doesnt affect it as much because the ball will "tolerate" a top SS before the ball starts compressing too much and decreases distance.

I believe thats about right.

[fore142]

also a loss of 10percent of 100 is 90, and a loss of 10 percent of 300 is 270. This is a slightly less compicated reason for there being more impact of the longer clubs.

[gwlee7]

Nyper = newest driver 'ho. Look for many future posts in Equipment Talk.

[JEFF4i]

Range balls are a joke. 'Nuff said.

[ManchesterGolfer]

Originally Posted by Nyper

I hate this game. Today has really got me wanting to go buy a driver with less loft. Mine is 10.5* and it hit it pretty high. I have REALLY got the itch to go buy one that is about 8.5 or 9.... but I TRY to keep telling myself it's much more valuable to have a ball in the fairway at 250 than it is in the trees at 280. I hate golf.

I wouldn't change loft of your driver, I hit 10.5 just as far as 9 or 9.5. The kick point of the shaft and having a shaft that suits you is more important than loft. A 9 degree driver with a pro launch (low kick) would probably fly higher or as high as a 10.5 with the normal Graf Blue (high kick). I'd say get on a launch monitor and check your launch angle and spin rates before changing the driver. 10.5 may be the best loft for you, you may just need a different shaft.

[AaA]

Originally Posted by fore142

also a loss of 10percent of 100 is 90, and a loss of 10 percent of 300 is 270. This is a slightly less compicated reason for there being more impact of the longer clubs.

Ah, good point here. Also what Sandpiper said. I was thinking more along the lines of ball compression for some reason. Just wasn't too sure.

[dave.]

I think the range ball short thing may be exaggerated sometimes.If they are the ultra low compression rubbbery things then yes,they are utter shit.However,the Top Flite and Srixons are standard 2 piece,yes they will fly less than a premium ball but imho its not 10%,its nearer 5 at most.However,many ranges go uphil,this takes something off and of course its winter,and the air is denser.If you can carry a Srixon range ball 250 uphill in winter its a bloody good hit all the same.

[warbirdlover]

I spent some time this summer talking to the guy that runs the range. He showed me their catalog that they buy the balls from. They make different ones to limit distance to however long the range can handle.

http://www.caymangolf.com/Merchant2/...ry_Code=rballs

I wouldn't change loft of your driver, I hit 10.5 just as far as 9 or 9.5. The kick point of the shaft and having a shaft that suits you is more important than loft. A 9 degree driver with a pro launch (low kick) would probably fly higher or as high as a 10.5 with the normal Graf Blue (high kick). I'd say get on a launch monitor and check your launch angle and spin rates before changing the driver. 10.5 may be the best loft for you, you may just need a different shaft.

ManchesterGolfer

This is true. And the loft stamped on the club may not be accurate. Like MG says the best way is get on a launch monitor and find the best "combo" that consistently falls into the optimum (per Wishon) 14º-16º launch angle for longest carry. Then if the ball speed is up there and the spin is down you have your best setup.

[limpalong]

Pay no attention to these guys telling you how range balls may not give you exact yardages. After all...

Range
bAlls
fiNd
lenGth
Exactly

I mean, why in the world would range owners ever purchase anything but premium balls for you to accurately judge distances? Preposterous!!!

What you are finding about your driver is fact. The ONLY answer is what you already have hinted at. You MUST purchase at least one new driver. Michelson carried 2 drivers this past year to win the Masters. He's a pro and we're rank amateurs. Every amateur should purchase and carry at least 3, if not 4 drivers. I carry a 325 yard driver, a 315 yard driver, a 305 yard driver, and a 295 yard driver. The 295 yard driver was purchased a few years ago. Golf Digest's Hot List then told me to purchase another one and I'd gain 10 yards. The next year, they suggested yet another driver to add an additional 10. And, with the new square head, square face, premium shaft, and pro only paint on their newest recommendation... I have again gained 10 yards. Some would suggest differing ball flights between drivers. Left to right, right to left, high ball, low ball. Personally, using the premium range balls at our local lighted range... the one right next to the puttputt course... my superb skills allow me to work the ball in any direction with any one of the drivers. So, I am blessed to now have the tools to pick a spot in the fairway between 295 and 325 and drop a ball in that spot. As recognized, my expertise is a direct result of my vast experience hitting bucket after bucket of the very range balls these other posters have denegrated.

Yep, the answer... the ONLY answer is you must immediately become a driver 'ho and your quest must begin today!!!! Good luck!!!!