Range Balls vs Premium Balls – How the Differences Affect Fittings

In our latest YouTube video, we compare range balls with premium balls (Pro V1) and examine how much impact the balls have on the results.

We tested both range balls and premium balls with three different clubs: a 54-degree wedge, a 7-iron, and a driver, and measured the results using the GC Quad.

Performance Differences

The first test was with our 54-degree wedge. Here, we quickly noticed that the range balls spin significantly more, causing them to fly shorter and with a higher launch than the premium balls.

This means that range balls don’t achieve the same ball speed or distance, making them more unpredictable in terms of performance.

When we tested with the 7-iron, the differences became even more apparent. Range balls still had much higher spin and much lower ball speed.

This means it would be difficult to make an accurate assessment of a club’s performance when using range balls during a fitting.

When we then tested with the driver, the differences became even more noticeable. Range balls launched higher, but without reaching the same ball speed or distance as the premium balls.

The differences we saw here were much more significant, and it became clear how much the balls can affect the results of a fitting.

How Does This Affect Our Fittings?

As we saw during our tests, the differences between range balls and premium balls are so significant that they affect the results of a fitting.

For us at CustomClubs, this means we can't conduct a truly fair fitting outdoors if we use range balls, as they don’t offer the same performance as premium balls.

This makes it difficult to make an accurate assessment of how a specific club would perform on the course.

When we conduct fittings, it’s crucial that we use good balls with reliable numbers, as they provide us with more realistic and trustworthy data.

That way, we can help our customers find the best equipment for their game.

Conclusion

One important takeaway from our tests is that the difference between range balls and premium balls is so large that it impacts our fittings in a way that leads us at CustomClubs to avoid conducting fittings outdoors at various ranges.

We no longer travel around the country to do fittings outdoors, as the results become misleading when we use range balls – the differences are simply too significant.

To illustrate this more clearly: If Oscar, our master fitter, were to build a driver based on a fitting with range balls, it wouldn’t perform on the course at all. A driver built for range balls would be completely unpredictable and wouldn’t deliver the performance needed to play well on a golf course.

That’s why we always use the ball you actually play with when conducting fittings – to provide the most accurate and realistic picture of how your equipment will perform on an actual golf course.