When you head to the local public course, you may notice an abundance of yellow golf balls on the driving range. While the range is a great place to practice your swings and improve your golf game, it may not be the best place to test out new clubs. The latest episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast delves into the importance of range balls in practice sessions. These balls can help you work on your tempo, groove your swing, and improve turf interaction, but they fall short in overall consistency.
During testing conducted with Golf Laboratories’ swing robot, it was found that there is a significant gap in carry distance between range balls and premium multi-layer golf balls. For example, with the driver, there was a 12-yard drop-off in distance at 95 and 105 mph with the range ball compared to a premium ball. Additionally, the range ball had double the lateral dispersion with the driver, making it unreliable for testing new clubs or conducting thorough testing on the range.
The inconsistency of range balls was further highlighted in the testing results, which showed a 12-yard drop-off in distance on average, with some instances seeing a 25-yard difference between range balls. The results were similar with a 5-iron, where the range ball was 8 yards shorter and had a wider distance band compared to the premium ball. Even with a pitching wedge, the range ball ended up being 4 yards longer due to a significant decrease in spin rate.
The difference in performance between range balls and premium golf balls can be attributed to the construction of the balls. Range balls typically have a thick Surlyn cover and rubber core, whereas premium balls have multi-layer construction that offers better consistency and performance. This inconsistency in production tolerances of range balls can lead to varying launch and spin results, making it difficult to rely on them for accurate testing.
For serious club testing and fitting, it is recommended to seek out a certified club-fitter and use your preferred golf balls for accurate results. The use of range balls for testing new clubs is not recommended as the results may not be indicative of actual performance. If you are looking to upgrade your golf equipment, consider visiting a True Spec Golf fitting location near you to get expert advice on improving your game.
