Sponge Ball Practice
 

I'm wondering if anyone has practiced much with sponge balls (Either Pelz type or whimpier indoor sponge types)..If so, are there any adjustments with aimpoint due to the sponge balls compression or aimpoint with slow motion and low compression?..I'm pretty sure the aimpoint is supposed to move down plane the slower on swings...or any other adjustments to consider?

I ask this because my two closest driving ranges have shut down and I'm sure others are probably in this same boat..or sponge ball backyard practice is not recommended when leaning TGM?

Mashie72

If you have a 20-30 yards in your backyard, then why not use regular golf balls for basic motion ? If you have 50 then that even good for aquired motion with a lob or sand wedge.

Backyard Details
 

Kaplowd,

Good question..I've got 45 yds before the woods and hit the real ball with basic & acquired motion all the time...However, this chews up the grass pretty fast balls and don't feel like using mats...

Also with a slow motion total swing with an 8-iron, I can see the tight draws or fades that I can't practice with a real ball..Plus the Pelz ball sits up a little bit and don't need to beat up the grass as much..

Also I've got 9 ft. ceilings and can go at full speed between rooms inside with the lightest sponge balls..Here I can see draws and fades as well...

Mashie72

Well there you go. If you can practice draws and fades with the alternative balls, then I don't think Homer would have objected to using them. The only difference is the compression feeling you get using the real thing.

I can say enough good things about birdie balls

I use them at my local park, they fade/draw, feel like a ball and only go 60 yrds with a nailed 5 iron


http://www.birdieball.com/

I'll echo this. Birdie balls feel far more like regular golf balls than any other limited flight practice ball I've used. The ball flight is a bit exaggerated (no big deal), and it doesn't take much wind before they are unusable.

I also like the Pelz "almost golf" balls, but they still go quite far and I tend to lose them.

I don't adjust my swing for either of these types of practice balls. If I hit the really light, foam, squishy practice balls, weird stuff happens - usually a big hook.

BirdieBall
 

Ruthin & Bambam,

Thanks for the info...I'll check'em out :salut:

Mashie72

The nice thing about the Almost Golf balls is that they are safe around glass and other materials. I have two stories and I can hit 'em in the back yard, using my house as a backstop without worry of damage to windows or vinyl siding. And they have pretty good feel and ball flight. I like Birdie Balls in an open area (and the sound they make is pretty cool).

Totally agree. I like to hit them at our barn. My biggest problem with the almost golf balls has been the color. I lose those yellow ones way too easy in the grass, especially after they've bee hit a few times and when there are a few weeds in the yard. Thought I saw that they have white ones available now?

They come in yellow, white, blue and orange. Just check their website. They sell 'em at Dicks Sporting Goods.