Range vs Course Driving Distances

From what I gather, range balls will never fly as long or true as balls that are used on the course for a proper round.

Even in my own limited experience I can 'feel' and notice the difference in my putting between using range balls (on the short course practice green) and the same putt using a good branded ball, even if it's not top quality.

I am also aware that my range shot doesnt roll/travel much after it's flight due to the iffier ground it lands on.

My questions:

If I hit a good sweet drive with my 3 wood on the range with a range ball, and it's first bounce is at the 150-175 mark, how much further would I expect a branded ball used in a game to fly?

How much further would I expect it to travel/roll, provided of course I hit the fairway?

So if I can factor in the natural improvement of proper balls & a proper fairway etc adding a regular yardage / percentage, then I'll be able to back off trying to hit it further and further on the range, and prob end up the extra distance without really trying and also with greater accuracy. Yes?

About 10% more carry from a decent golfball than from a range ball.

I assume thats just extra on the flight?

How about the 'carry'? I guess I'm expecting more from a nice bounce and then a good roll off a nice hard fairway.

Hi Jon,

I think you are getting a little mixed up, carry refers to distance in the air, so Mox is saying you will get about an extra 10% in air "carry" which obviously means you will get plenty more roll if you hit the fairway.

I reckon I easily hit 50 more yards than I do at the range (assuming I hit fairway). Which is not often, but the ball does make a big difference.

Unless you're at a top-end course hitting top-end balls, I'd never trust the distance I'm hitting a range ball.

You need to find a quiet night on the course, drop some of your gamer balls at the 150 yard marker, and hit clubs until you hit about the middle of the green. This is your 150 carry club. From there, you could reasonably expect 10-12 yard gaps from 5i through PW. 4i and 3i may go similar distances, and may even go only as far as your 5i.

Range balls are cheap one piece balls that will not carry or spin like a good ball. In saying that any hooks or slices will not be as severe with a range ball.

I was once given some good advice regarding range practice: A coach said to me "Watch the ball in flight then look away before it lands, you will be disappointed with a range ball's distance" It's pretty good advice.

Thanks all for some good info. Now I can re-assess my drives, soif I can get a range ball to 'carry' 175, then I reckon I should be able to get a proper ball, hit well, onto the fairway, no slice or hook... about 225yds easy

Yeah right

Bit worried about range balls slice/fading less tho

the range nearest to me uses old range balls most of the time and i can drive those past the 200yd marker

on course with anew pro v1 im averaging 250/260 yds

Pro v1s - Mr Money bags!

Lake Rescue Ball loyal! Me!

not mr money bags
2nd hand/one hit wonders off ebay

Do they have "XOUT" and "PRACTICE" stamped on the side like mine do
(Save the good ones for medals!)

no they dont

bought 3 dozen a couple of weeks back and all but 2 look brand spanking new!

i went to a course once that had a 2 striped range ball and wow was there a huge diference, it felt very clunky and you could tell it was a 2 striper. i have heard there are 3 strippers out there. but other than that one range i have played 1 strippers everywhere i go. i am sure there is a diference, but i don't notice it. every now and then you find a real ball that they probly got from the course someone lost or somhow becuase out or 40 balls i usually get at least 1 real midranged ball like a titelist or a callaway, but i never saw a high end ball. i don't really notice a difference to be honest, maybe if they had a green i don't think it would spin back as much then a real ball, but maybe 5-10% difference sounds good.