Which golf ball to use by setting:
- Lessons: 2-piece Surlyn (Compression 45–75)
- Driving range: Range Ball, thick Surlyn cover (≥1.7 mm)
- Indoor: thick-cover or low-compression; matte finish/RCT (Radar Capture Technology) for tracking
- Putting greens: 3–4-piece urethane (Compression 85–100)
Which golf ball should I use for lessons, the range, indoor practice, and on the greens?
Use 2-piece Surlyn for lessons, Range Balls at public ranges, thick-cover or low-compression balls indoors (add RCT (Radar Capture Technology)/anti-glare if needed), and 3–4-piece urethane on the greens for spin and feel. Match compression to swing speed; prioritize durability where loss is high.
Table A — Setting → Ball Type → Why → Spec Tip
| Setting | Ball Type | Why | Spec Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lessons | 2-piece Surlyn, low/mid compression | Easier launch, straighter, budget-friendly | Compression = 45–75; cover ≥1.5 mm |
| Range | Range Ball (thick Surlyn) | Durable, washable, retrievable | Bands/ID; cover ≥1.7 mm |
| Indoor | Thick-cover or low-compression; RCT/anti-glare when needed | Protects screens; better tracking | Matte coat; unified pattern |
| Greens | 3–4-piece urethane | Higher greenside spin & feel | Compression = 85–100; keep batch consistent |
✔ True — Range Balls are built for durability and retrieval
Thicker Surlyn covers, harder feel, bold bands or IDs for sorting and washing cycles.
✘ False — “Indoor must be urethane”
Start with device compatibility and wear (mat/screen). Use RCT/markers and matte coats before swapping cover chemistry.
Quick decision matrix (lessons/range/indoor/greens)
Four simple picks. Lessons → 2-piece Surlyn (Compression = 45–75, cover ≥1.5 mm). Range → Range Ball (thick Surlyn ≥1.7 mm, bands/ID). Indoor → matte/anti-glare, low-compression or thick-cover; add RCT/markers if radar needs it. Greens → 3–4-piece urethane (Compression = 85–100), keep the same model for practice and play.
Compression guide (slow/avg/fast)
Match speed to compression. Slow (driver <80 mph): Compression = 45–65. Average (80–95 mph): Compression = 70–85. Fast (>95 mph): Compression = 85–100. Lower compression helps launch/feel; higher compression adds stability at speed. Validate with launch and dispersion, not only feel.
Cover choice (Surlyn vs Urethane)
Durability vs spin. Surlyn: tougher, cheaper, straighter on mishits—ideal for lessons/range/indoor wear. Urethane: higher friction for greenside spin and touch—best when scoring matters. For short-game practice, use the same urethane model you’ll play.
What golf ball works best for lessons (teaching range)?
Pick 2-piece Surlyn at low/mid compression (45–75) for easier launch, straighter flight, and lower cost. Use high-visibility prints and tougher coats to survive mats and shared use.
Compression × Swing Speed × Feel (quick fit)
| Swing Speed | Suggested Compression | Feel/Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Slow (<80 mph) | Compression = 45–65 | Softer feel, easier launch |
| Average (80–95 mph) | Compression = 70–85 | Balanced feel/flight |
| Fast (>95 mph) | Compression = 85–100 | Stable at speed, firmer feedback |
Note: start beginners on low-compression Surlyn to reduce curvature and frustration; progress the ball as contact improves.
✔ True — Lessons need forgiving, durable balls
Choose low/mid compression and tougher coats to survive mats, scuffs, and shared usage.
✘ False — “Teaching requires urethane tour balls”
Save urethane for short-game work or on-course fittings. In lessons, consistency and cost per hit win.
Specs to ask suppliers
Target Compression (±3), cover thickness ≥1.5 mm, UV/anti-yellowing coat, colorfastness, AQL plan, batch distributions for weight/diameter/compression, durability test protocol on mats.
Cost control & loss reduction
High-visibility colors, large numbers, inventory SOP with return bins. Use labeled sleeves per bay to improve accountability. Track loss by class to tune replenishment.
What golf ball should I use at the driving range?
Use dedicated Range Balls—2-piece, thick Surlyn, harder feel—built for machine tees, washing, and retrieval. They don’t match tour-ball flight; use them for reps, not final gapping.
Range Ball vs Regular — what changes
| Dimension | Range Ball | Regular (Course) |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Very high (thick Surlyn) | Moderate |
| Spin | Lower off wedges | Higher (urethane) |
| Cost per hit | Lower | Higher |
| Sorting | Bands/IDs for retrieval | Standard marks |
Note: yellow base + black bands balance visibility and recovery in mixed-light conditions.
✔ True — Range numbers don’t equal course gapping
Use range for mechanics and tempo; confirm gapping with your play ball.
✘ False — “We can just use regular balls on the range”
Attrition, wash damage, and sorting time spike when you mix in non-range balls.
Spec checklist
Cover ≥1.7 mm, higher cover hardness, banded/labeled prints, and durability testing targeting 300–500 machine hits before replacement. Require washer/sorter compatibility and colorfastness reports.
Special cases: aqua ranges & glow nights
Aqua ranges → floating balls (low-density core or cavity); recalibrate target distances. Night sessions → glow/LED or high-visibility matte; check weight/balance control and battery swap workflow. For tight spaces or events, consider limited-flight/airflow plastic balls to reduce risk and noise.
Which balls are best for indoor practice and simulators?
Choose thick-cover or low-compression balls with matte/anti-glare prints; add RCT/markers if radar tracking struggles. For office/home nets, use foam/limited-flight for safety and noise.
Indoor modes → recommended balls
| Mode | Recommended Ball | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Radar (TrackMan-type) | RCT or marker-ready balls | Stronger tracking fidelity |
| Camera (optical bays) | Matte, high-contrast prints | Cleaner edge detection |
| Office/Home nets | Foam/limited-flight | Safety + low noise |
Note: unify the print pattern across balls in a bay—tracking stability improves.
✔ True — Finish matters indoors
Matte, anti-glare coats and consistent graphics reduce flare and boost detection.
✘ False — “Only urethane works for simulators”
Device compatibility and wear resistance come first; both Surlyn and urethane can work if finished right.
Radar vs camera tracking tips
Use reflective dots/RCT for radar, high-contrast but matte graphics for cameras. Keep a clean screen/mat, and standardize ball orientation when possible. If bay space is tight, limited-flight/airflow plastic balls are safer during clinics.
Net/mat wear management
Thicker covers, non-smearing inks, no dye shedding on screens. Rotate inventory and log bay-specific attrition to preempt hotspots.
What should I play on the greens and for short game?
Play 3–4-piece urethane for higher greenside spin and consistent feel. Practice with the same model to keep rollout and launch aligned; “Practice”-marked versions help control cost.
Urethane staircase — who fits what
| Player Type | Suggested Build | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Emerging single-digit | 3-piece urethane | Balanced speed/spin |
| Competitive/elite | 4-piece urethane | Added spin tuning, wind control |
| Budget-sensitive | Practice-marked same model | Identical build, lower cost |
✔ True — Short game demands consistency
Keep the same model for chips, pitches, and putts to stabilize rollout and launch windows.
✘ False — “Any ball works on the greens”
Mixing constructions changes friction and launch—your touch will drift.
Spin/feel tuning
Specify cover hardness windows, track batch distributions (weight/diameter/Compression), retain samples per lot, and audit spin variance. Label Practice for cost control while preserving build identity.
Winter & visibility tweaks
Switch to orange/yellow matte, UV-stable clear coats, and anti-yellowing formulas. Lower Compression can help when temperatures drop.
Supplier shortlist: China OEM factories that cover these use-cases
China can supply nearly all categories: 2–4-piece Surlyn/urethane, Range Balls, floating/glow/limited-flight, and foam. Use two-supplier sampling for urethane consistency; demand COC + batch distribution with durability and spin data before PO.
Representative China OEM factories & capabilities
| Company | Location | Capabilities | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hangzhou Grasbird | Hangzhou, Zhejiang | Specializes in 2-piece Surlyn balls; also produces 3-piece models | 3,000–5,000 pcs |
| Ningbo Golfara | Ningbo, Zhejiang | OEM for 2 / 3 / 4-piece balls (incl. urethane-covered); floating balls; limited-flight plastic balls | from 1,000 pcs |
| MLG Sports | Xiamen, Fujian | Manufactures 2 / 3-piece balls (Surlyn & Urethane) | 2,000–3,000 pcs |
| Shenzhen Xinjintian | Shenzhen, Guangdong | Produces 2 / 3 / 4-piece balls; owns in-house molds & production lines | 2,000–3,000 pcs |
| Chengsheng Golf | Xiamen, Fujian | Mainly makes 2-piece Surlyn and 3-piece Urethane balls | from 2,000 pcs |
| Yihong Sports | Ningbo, Zhejiang | Floating balls; driving-range balls; airflow/limited-flight plastic balls; custom logo & colors available | ~3,000 pcs |
RFQ checklist (for this topic)
Define setting × layers × cover × compression × color; request durability/initial speed/spin distributions (12-ball batch); require Range durability ≥300–500 machine hits; for urethane: keep retain samples + COC with tolerance bands.
FAQ
Do range balls go the same distance as regular balls?
No. Range balls are tougher and often have thicker Surlyn covers and firmer constructions, which change launch and spin. Expect shorter carry and different roll compared with your urethane gamer. Use ranges for mechanics; confirm yardages with your play ball on course or in a calibrated bay.
Real-world ranges prioritize durability and retrieval. That means harder covers, banded graphics, and washing cycles—none of which optimize pure distance. Treat range sessions as tempo and strike training. When you need reliable numbers, switch to your gamer in a controlled environment (or a monitored “gapping” session) so your wedge windows and spin profiles match the course.
Should beginners use urethane balls?
Usually not. Low-compression 2-piece Surlyn balls cost less, launch easier at slow speeds, and curve less on mishits. Urethane makes sense later—when short-game spin control becomes the bottleneck rather than launch and consistency.
Early on, you want forgiveness and repeatable contact. Low-compression Surlyn reduces harshness and helps you get the ball airborne without overspinning it. As swing speed and contact improve, short-game control starts to matter more. That’s the right time to A/B test urethane models against your current Surlyn to confirm a net scoring gain.
What compression is best for slow swing speeds?
Target Compression = 45–65 if your driver speed is under ~80 mph. That range improves feel and launch without forcing you to swing harder, and it keeps the budget in check.
Compression is a tuning knob, not a rule. If your delivery is very soft, a ~55 compression often feels lively without getting “mushy.” If you’re closer to 80 mph, try 60–70. Use a net or simulator to compare launch (higher is usually better) and dispersion. Keep what yields tighter patterns, not just what “feels soft.”
Can I practice short game with range balls?
Avoid it. Range balls don’t spin like urethane gamers and won’t roll out the same. Practice chips and pitches with the same model you play—or its practice-marked version—to lock in touch and rollout.
Short-game calibration happens in the last 30 yards. Change the cover and you change friction, launch, and rollout. If budget is tight, buy “Practice” versions of your gamer—same build with different ink. Use range balls for bunker blasting drills only when you’re working on contact, not precise carry/roll numbers.
What ball should I use indoors with a radar tracker?
Use regular balls with marker/RCT-ready surfaces or purpose-built RCT models. Matte finishes, consistent graphics, and clean screens improve detection.
Radar needs a reliable signal. Reflective dots or embedded RCT tech make tracking more robust, especially at lower spin/speed. Avoid glossy, low-contrast prints that flare under bay lighting. Standardize the pattern across the bucket and check that mats and screens are clean—small tweaks often fix “missed reads.”
Are glow or floating balls legal for play?
They’re for fun and training, not for sanctioned rounds. Use them at glow nights, aqua ranges, or family events, then switch back to conforming models for competitions or handicap-posting rounds.
LED and glow coatings can change weight distribution and balance. Floating cores are lighter and will alter flight. Great for special events and safety/environmental needs, but not designed to meet conformance lists. For club events with prizes, confirm rules and supply conforming balls or “practice-marked” equivalents of your gamer.
How many hits should a range ball survive?
Target 300–500 machine hits before replacement. That benchmark balances cover thickness, hardness, and cost per hit, while keeping washers, mats, and sorters from excessive wear.
Durability depends on your equipment and wash cycles. Thicker Surlyn (≥1.7 mm), harder cover formulations, and robust inks extend life. Track attrition by bay and season—sand and cold weather can accelerate damage. Replace early if covers start to shred; fragments can mark screens and gum up washers, increasing downtime.
Is matte color okay on real courses?
Yes. Matte orange/yellow improves visibility in winter, dusk, or rough. Just ensure the finish has UV-stable, anti-yellowing coats so the ball stays bright and easy to find after repeated rounds and cleanings.
Visibility is performance—lost balls and misreads cost strokes. Matte reduces glare and helps you pick up spin. For summer, white remains fine; for winter or overcast, rotate in high-vis colors. Ask suppliers for UV testing data and colorfastness so the ball doesn’t fade to an off-shade after a few washes.
Conclusion
To keep choices simple: lessons → 2-piece Surlyn, range → Range Ball, indoor → thick-cover/low-compression with RCT/anti-glare as needed, and on the greens/short game → 3–4-piece urethane. Fit compression to speed, protect your facilities with the right finish, and standardize models where touch matters most. If you’re sourcing, validate urethane consistency and demand batch data before PO.
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