Bluesman57 Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 I went to the range today, armed with my wedges and ESB1 to reassess carry distances. More importantly, I spent the bulk of my time in the short game area to work on 15-40 yard pitches. I want to dial in carry and roll as best as I can, so I hit pitches of various distances, aiming to carry just to the front of a green that is ~10 yards deep; roll-outs were 8-12 yards, depending on the club/distance. Anyway, I was using Pinochle range balls, so I am wondering if I can trust those numbers to be the same with my gamers (Snell MTB-X). I know MGS has included range balls in their testing, but I am just wondering if there would be a significant difference at such slow speeds. Tanks as always. Quote G430 Max HL Max Driver G430 Max HL 5- and 7-Woods G430 Max HL 4-Hybrid T300 6-GW Irons Glide 3.0 52 and 58 degree Wedges Vokey SM9 56 degree Sand Wedge BB-8W Putter ProV1x Balls Semper ubi, sub ubi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny B Posted August 25, 2022 Share Posted August 25, 2022 I wouldn't trust any numbers with range balls. A range ball is not going to react off the club or on the green like your MTB-X. I use range balls (nice new Srixon) for pitching to only work on my technique; I use slightly used gamers (currently Maxfli Tour X) for distance and reaction on the greens. Try your MTB-X and see for yourself. TR1PTIK, Bluesman57, ChiefMikeOfficer and 4 others 7 Quote “We don’t stop playing the game because we get old; we get old because we stop playing the game.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesman57 Posted August 26, 2022 Author Share Posted August 26, 2022 Thanks, I'll do that. I didn't have my bag with me yesterday, so I am just questioning whether I should trust my results. Quote G430 Max HL Max Driver G430 Max HL 5- and 7-Woods G430 Max HL 4-Hybrid T300 6-GW Irons Glide 3.0 52 and 58 degree Wedges Vokey SM9 56 degree Sand Wedge BB-8W Putter ProV1x Balls Semper ubi, sub ubi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russtopherb Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 12 minutes ago, Bluesman57 said: Thanks, I'll do that. I didn't have my bag with me yesterday, so I am just questioning whether I should trust my results. I wouldn't trust anything short-game related with range balls. I always use my own balls for chipping, putting, pitching etc. practice so I know what the real results would be that I'd see out on the course. Kenny B, Vegan_Golfer_PNW, ChiefMikeOfficer and 1 other 4 Quote In my carry bag: ST-X 10.5* Kai'li Blue R Flex ST-Z 15* Kai/li Blue R Flex ST-Z 4h Linq Blue R Flex Launcher 5h Launcher CBX 6i-PW CBX 54* & 58* Huntington Beach #10 e12 Contact CURRENTLY TESTING - Mizuno Long Game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revkev Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I would be reluctant to trust run outs with range balls. I think that you can trust carry distances for short shots - 40 yards or so - not for full shots because you will get lots of variance there - but unless you are using a two piece ball run out is not the same at all between a range ball and a gamer. I try to only have balls in my shag bag that are at least similar to my gamer. GregGarner, Vegan_Golfer_PNW and Bluesman57 3 Quote Taylor Made Stealth 2 10.5 Diamana S plus 60 Aldila R flex - 42.25 inches SMT 4 wood bassara R flex, four wood head, 3 wood shaft Ping G410 7, 9 wood Alta 65 R flex Srixon ZX5 MK II 5-GW - UST recoil Dart 65 R flex India 52,56 (60 pending) UST recoil 75's R flex Evon roll ER 5 32 inches It's our offseason so auditioning candidates - looking for that right mix of low spin long, more spin around the greens - TBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
null Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 Range balls tend to roll up the face, so you’ll see higher launch and less spin than you’d usually see Vegan_Golfer_PNW, Bluesman57, Kenny B and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goaliedad30 Posted August 26, 2022 Share Posted August 26, 2022 I have an entire shag bag full of used Titleist ProV1s that I take to the short game area with me. Even warming up before a round, I chip and pitch with the balls I am playing as opposed to the range balls we keep in the chipping area. And I'm lucky - our range uses brand new AVXs, so they're actually not bad for full shots. GaDawg, GregGarner and Bluesman57 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DriverBreaker Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 Pretty much what everyone else has said. It’s like anything else in golf, practice with what you play with whenever possible. It would be like practicing your buddy’s driver that has a different shaft and then going to play with your own and trying to figure how it’s going to go. Bluesman57 1 Quote Instagram: @tony_rosselli_ Training Pre training max driver speed: 124mph Current: 130mph WITB: Driver: G425 Max, 9* Woods: 2007 Burner TP 3 wood and 5 wood Irons: Z765 4-PW (1 degree flat) with KBS $-130 shafts Wedges: SM7 50/12/F, 54/10/S and 58/12/D Putter: L.A.B. Directed Force 2.1 Ball: ProV1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDGolfHacker Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 Agree with a lot of the comments previously made. Distance might be ok, but I wouldn't trust the rollout on those pinnacle range balls compared to your gamers (unless your gamers are pinnacles ). I always work on the swing mechanics with range balls but verify with the balls I actually golf with at a local course that allows pitching and putting. Let us know what you end up doing and how it goes! MdGolfHacker Bluesman57 and DriverBreaker 2 Quote What's In This Lefty's Bag? Driver: TSR2 11° Project X HZRDUS Black 4G 60g 5.5 Flex Fairway Woods: F8 3W Project X Even Flow Blue 75g shaft Fairway Woods: Hybrid: TSR2 18° Graphite Design Tour AD DI-85 Shaft Irons: 2021 T200's 4-GW AMT RED shafts Regular Flex Wedge: Tour Satin RTX 4 Wedges in 52° and 56° 2 Dot Putter: Gray Matter TDP 2.2 32.75" Bag: Three 5 Ball: PRO V1 / Z*Star RangeFinder: In search of new range finder Social Media: Facebook: MD Golfhacker Twitter: @mdgolfhacker Instagram: mdgolfhacker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenmore5 Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 Agree with all the above comments...stands to reason that range balls are there for a reason...not to trust them for short game purposes. Happy you are working on your short game...only way to bring your hc down....keep it up...I see a single marker hiding in there. Bluesman57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djrexyman Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 8 hours ago, goaliedad30 said: I have an entire shag bag full of used Titleist ProV1s that I take to the short game area with me. Even warming up before a round, I chip and pitch with the balls I am playing as opposed to the range balls we keep in the chipping area. And I'm lucky - our range uses brand new AVXs, so they're actually not bad for full shots. where can I go to this place!! that's amazing avx for practice that's awesome. Bluesman57 1 Quote Jlo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaffleHouseTour Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 When I go to a particular range that has two different short game practice areas I always take and use my own balls. I buy a small bucket at the shop - like paying rent for my time - but I use my own. I get some odd looks for other players. A) mine are yellow OnCore Vereox so they stand out, B) I’ve got to go shag them rather than just keep wailing away C) why am I leaving a bucket un-used…. But A) always practice with the ball you intend to use for spin and rollout - and I’m lucky the range balls are white so I can spot mine B) keeps me moving around the different greens so I’m not just hitting the same distance from the same lie, C) some junior golfer always gets a nice surprise… ChiefMikeOfficer and Bluesman57 2 Quote Walking ahead of my BagBoy QuadXL w Alphard eWheels Driver: Callaway Mavrik SubZero 9* Neutral w stock Evenflow Riptide R flex shaft 3W Titelist TS2 15* Draw w Tensei Blue R flex 3H, 4H Cobra One Length F9 Speedback hybrids (1”short) w Fujikura Atmos R flex shaft 5I-GW Cobra Forged TEC Black One Length (1”short, 2* flat) KBS 90 R flex shafts 56, 60 Cobra King MIM One Length Black (1” short) KBS HiRev2.0 125 S flex shafts ER7 or Scotty Futura X - 35” OnCore Elixr (lemon or lime) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesman57 Posted August 27, 2022 Author Share Posted August 27, 2022 17 hours ago, revkev said: I would be reluctant to trust run outs with range balls. I think that you can trust carry distances for short shots - 40 yards or so - not for full shots because you will get lots of variance there - but unless you are using a two piece ball run out is not the same at all between a range ball and a gamer. I try to only have balls in my shag bag that are at least similar to my gamer. Thanks, Rev. I went to Chestnut Hills, which has a nice short game area. Since I only hit wedges, I left my bag in the car, and so had to use their Pinochles. BTW, I have room in my small suburban back yard to work on 15 and 20 yard carries, but obviously not run out. I'll have to get back there and see what difference there is when using my Snells. Quote G430 Max HL Max Driver G430 Max HL 5- and 7-Woods G430 Max HL 4-Hybrid T300 6-GW Irons Glide 3.0 52 and 58 degree Wedges Vokey SM9 56 degree Sand Wedge BB-8W Putter ProV1x Balls Semper ubi, sub ubi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goaliedad30 Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 16 hours ago, djrexyman said: where can I go to this place!! that's amazing avx for practice that's awesome. We're a private club in Northern California. Just put in a membership application! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shottmaker Posted August 28, 2022 Share Posted August 28, 2022 Great ideas here. I too use Snell balls - recently changed to MTB Black. I'm going to order a dozen of optic yellow so I can use just them on the short game practice area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donn lost in San Diego Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 I think I remember that the distance dropoff of range balls decreases with shorter distance. Driver, range balls might be 15 yrds shorter, but on little wedges, only 1 or 2 yrds at most???? And yes, I never use range balls when chipping & putting. Ug. I do have some new 2 piece and some nearly new urethanes, and I use both to test my touch on different clubs on chips n putts. Quote Drv: PXG 0211, Evnflo Riptide CB Senior, Callaway 454 TI (2004) 10 and an 11, regular flex. 3W: Callaway Steelhead Xr Tensei Blue CK 55 gram senior. TM Burner Superfast 3.0 M flex. 5W : Titleist TSi 1 on Aldila Ascent 40 regular flex. Driving Iron: Mizuno MP 18 MMC 3 18 degree, on Mamiya Recoil reg flex. 4 iron: forged Mizuno Fly-Hi, 24 degree hollow body. 6 - PW: Ping I 500, on Recoil reg flex. Gap: 52/9 GFF Mizuno S5, Lob: 60/6 GFF Mizuno T7. Sand: Ancien Regime 56/12 Hogan Sure Out, Apex shaft. Heavy sole. Chipper: Ancien Regime Don Martin "Up n In" bronze or copper. Putter: Odyssey Stroke Lab "R" Ball, face balanced, 2 piece, multi material shaft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiefMikeOfficer Posted September 1, 2022 Share Posted September 1, 2022 Basically just repeating recommendations here...but my strategy is to keep a lot of used / slightly damaged balls for this purpose (emphasis on slightly - anything with significant damage is out). When I take them out of play during a round, I put them in a shag bag or tube to use later in some way -- some friends will take damaged "good" balls for their own use, and I keep a tube of the better-condition balls that I leave in the trunk for short game sessions. The tube holds 18 or 20 balls, and helps with collecting the balls from the green. Bonus tip, depending on whether you're open to colored balls (you could also do this with ball number, but I found colors more effective at keeping me honest): bring a mix of colors/designs to the green with you, and change your shot based on the ball. For Snell, you could hit your typical shot with the white, and then hit a high one with the yellow (or low, you pick); for a PIX- or Truvis-style ball (or Vice with all their colors), there are more options, so you could have balls for three different shots (in my tube I have 3 designs, and depending on the design will hit stock/square, open face, and low-checker). This makes the session a bit less robotic and forces you to adapt to different shots you might need on the course. GregGarner 1 Quote Driver: Stealth Plus 8* (adjusted to 8.75*), Mitsubishi Diamana ZF 70 X Flex (New toy incoming!) Fairway: Stealth2 Plus, 15* (adjusted to 14.25*) w/ Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ 7X Irons: U505 1 Iron (16*), T200 "Utility Build" 3 and 4 irons, all with Graphite Design Tour AD-IZ 95 X Flex, T100S 5-9 with Nippon Pro Modus 120 X Flex (2021 MGS Test). These things are monsters. Wedges: SM9 46.10, 54.12, and 58.08, all with custom etchings & KBS Tour Masters-themed shafts, X-flex (CHA Post) Putter: Total headcase and Putter Ho. Down to two main options in the rotation (one mallet, one blade), but have 4-5 by the basement putting green that might make it in the bag at some point this year... Mallet: Mezz XL 36" Orange; Blade: Link.1 w/Accra White shaft & grip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.