As for the non range variety of ball showing up in the range ball dispenser, that happens at my home course all the time. Not much of a mystery how they get there at our course. They are fished out of ponds, and creeks, by the course employees, who then add to the supply of range balls. A couple of holes are close enough to the range, that good slice will mix the private balls in with the range balls, to be collected later on. Strangely enough I see all the brands except the high end series of balls, such as the PV-1s for an example. Never see them mixed in. I think when those $$$$ balls are collected, they go into the collector's bag.

As for taking the range balls from the course, or to play with, not sure why anyone would want them. Most of them will have there own ball flight charactoristics, since they have been hit so many times. That, and that contraption that picks them up is pretty tough on covers. Those who keep them to practice with, would do just as well to go to a dollar store, and buy a box of some off brand for couple of dollars. GJS