Range Balls

[MTVike]

So it's Spring and time to take the clubs out for another season. Today I hit the driving range at my public course and enjoyed being out there. However, I'm beginning to wonder if it makes any sense to try to determine distance accuracy with those balls. I mean, I know I'm getting older, but coming up 5-10 yards short with shorter clubs? With my rangefinder I know the exact distance to the flag...but the ball ain't getting there even with my best swing. It's a weird feeling.

These range balls have definitely seen a season or two. I've heard guys say you lose about 10% distance on the range. What do you guys think? Same experience, or do I need to eat more spinach?

 

[fknhippie]

So it's Spring and time to take the clubs out for another season. Today I hit the driving range at my public course and enjoyed being out there. However, I'm beginning to wonder if it makes any sense to try to determine distance accuracy with those balls. I mean, I know I'm getting older, but coming up 5-10 yards short with shorter clubs? With my rangefinder I know the exact distance to the flag...but the ball ain't getting there even with my best swing. It's a weird feeling.

These range balls have definitely seen a season or two. I've heard guys say you lose about 10% distance on the range. What do you guys think? Same experience, or do I need to eat more spinach?

On the driving range it seems like every club goes the same difference...driver.... seven iron...same thing.

I hardly ever play with a new ball, but when I do, I can really tell the difference.

 

[H2S]

So it's Spring and time to take the clubs out for another season. Today I hit the driving range at my public course and enjoyed being out there. However, I'm beginning to wonder if it makes any sense to try to determine distance accuracy with those balls. I mean, I know I'm getting older, but coming up 5-10 yards short with shorter clubs? With my rangefinder I know the exact distance to the flag...but the ball ain't getting there even with my best swing. It's a weird feeling.

These range balls have definitely seen a season or two. I've heard guys say you lose about 10% distance on the range. What do you guys think? Same experience, or do I need to eat more spinach?

upscale club I played last month featured a range with little pyramids of Titleist RANGE balls at each station... o mai...
things seemed like every other range ball ever...
rocks

ps... I figure I lose about 10% every year... of distance, stamina, bladder control... the usual maladies of accelerated golfing decrepitude

 

[NEhomer]

Yeah, they can be duds but temperature makes a big difference too.

 

[BigKen]

I know I'm getting older,

I went to Golf shop to see if I could trade my old clubs for new ones. Yep. But the pro took me to the test area and handed me a Callaway 5 iron with a steel shaft. I hit the ball a computer measured 134 yards. Then he handed me an Accurite 5 iron with a graphite shaft and I hit it 153 yards.
Swing speed with a steel shaft was 53 mph and with the graphite 58 mph.

He smiled and said, "I can sell you a $3000 set of steel shaft Callaways, Taylor Mades or Nikes. You won't hit a ball further or more accurate than you will with a $600 set of graphite Cobras." I got the Cobras after the trade for $450. I've played five rounds about every other week on the course that surrounds my house here in Florida. I've played in temps from 60-78 degrees and I'm knocking the hell out of the ball. I haven't gotten the accuracy completely under control, but I'm having a hell of a lot more fun.

I don't know how old you are, but I turned 75 in February and I feel a hell of a lot younger looking forballs than I used to.

 

[Fish]

Range balls here at the resort course are hard as a rock and a cut on 1 out of 5. Happily they're only $3 a bucket. Pretty sure I lose 2 clubs distance with them.