Why can I hit range golf balls better then regular balls?

Question

I recently went to the course to play with a friend and I could only hit one straight shot all day we decided to go to the driving range. Then out of 36 balls only 2 did not fly straight so why is this. My friend was having the same problem. His range shots were straight also. Should I buy range balls and play with them. I quess I would mind the water hazards as much. Also i tried three different balls while playing Maxfli Noddle+, Callaway HX Hot, and some Wilson my friend wanted me to try.

Answer 1

Obviously you were better focused at the range than you were on the course.  I don't know how long you've been playing, but it's typical of someone who hasn't been playing very long.  There will come a time when you figure out that hitting on the range and on the course are the same thing.  The ball only matters when it comes to distance.  You'll hit a regular ball farther than a range ball.

Answer 2

You were probably more focused on your swing and what you had been doing wrong on the course in your post round range visit. Once you hit about 3 good shots in a row, you start to build a repeating swing that you will mimic on the rest of your swings. On the course you only have 1 tee shot so you do not build a repeating swing. Also, if you were hitting of a driving range mat, the mats are designed to help you hit the sweet spot and not hit the ball fat. If you hit the mat 6 inches before you contact the ball, the clubface will slide forward and strike the ball squarely. Not so on the tee box.

Answer 3

Next time you're on the range do this.  Instead of just dumping a basket of balls out and chopping away at them ... draw imaginary lines down the left and right of the range (simulating a fairway).  Pick some targets and aim for them ... now see how straight you are.  If you are straight and are hittign your targets at the range, you may have some course anxiety or just may not execute well under different conditions (different lie, ball elevations, conditions etc.). With time and experience you'll get better in those situations.  I'm sure though that it has very little, or absolutely nothing to do with the balls you're playing.

Hit 'em hard, they'll land somewhere!

Answer 4

My guess is you are the type of range person that just wacks away, not aiming for a specific target.  When you hit on the range and miss your target by 10 yards, it doesn't feel as bad as when you miss your target on the course by 10 yards.

In regards to range balls, the yellow range balls are set up at 83% compression, so they don't fly out of the range.

Answer 5

The balls at the driving range are designed to last and have a very hard consistency. That hard consistency takes away the ability to spin the ball as you would the ball you normally play. Take away the spin and you'll hit the ball straight. However, because the range ball spins so much less than your regular ball, it will be difficult to stop a pitch shot, wedge shot, short iron shot on the green with any regularity.

Answer 6

On the golf course you usually line up wrong combine that with uphill shots downhill shots and uneven lies and you got many variables. The driving range basically lines you up to a specific target and after a while say 15 balls you get in a groove. I have found range balls to be worse they are dead and do not fly as far. It pretty ridiculous to believe that brand new golf balls are worse than range balls. believe me when I say its due to alignment. The other possibility is the mental factor on the range you are hitting to a specific target in a flat open field with zero pressure this enables you muscles to stay relaxed and make free swings. In conclusion make your freeist swings on the tightest holes and really work on proper alignment.

Answer 7

One other thing to do is to make sure you back away and re-line up all of your range shots. It is too easy to stay in the same place while hitting a number of shots on the range but you don't get that same luxury on the course. This will also help you get a feel for a pre-shot routine.