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**lrtoinbert** · 02-24-2012, 12:46 AM

that's sweet how the tee goes below the mat and a new ball is added automatically. Only wonder how it would work if you're hitting off the mat with irons

Several of the driving ranges here in California where I live have that. If you're hitting irons off the mat, just pull the ball off the tee with your club and into position on the mat. It (usually) wont detect that as a swing. It has a sensor that detects a full swing and that triggers a new ball. Short chip shots wont trigger the sensor, so there's a button you hit which forces a new ball. There's also a button that cycles through 4 different tee heights.

Honestly, though, it's more trouble than it's worth, and just another example of how American golfers (as a species) are the laziest people on the planet. Bend over and TEE A BALL for crying out loud!!!

All kidding aside though...they jam, they are slow, and they make a lot of noise. Further, the sensor triggers a new ball on practice swings so you end up with it sucking a ball back down, re-teeing it, sending it back up, while you sit there waiting...and of course your routine is all messed up by then. And like I said...they are constantly jamming so you're having to open the hopper and unclog the balls. Usually a fourth of the stations are out of service because they're being worked on or re-calibrated.

Unless I'm just ripping driver after driver (which is almost never) I just dump all the balls out on the mat and "dispense" them myself....and when I look around, I see a lot of people doing the same. Some things just don't need to be automated, and this is one of them.

02-24-2012, 12:46 AM	#14
lrtoinbert Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 380 Senior Member	that's sweet how the tee goes below the mat and a new ball is added automatically. Only wonder how it would work if you're hitting off the mat with irons Several of the driving ranges here in California where I live have that. If you're hitting irons off the mat, just pull the ball off the tee with your club and into position on the mat. It (usually) wont detect that as a swing. It has a sensor that detects a full swing and that triggers a new ball. Short chip shots wont trigger the sensor, so there's a button you hit which forces a new ball. There's also a button that cycles through 4 different tee heights. Honestly, though, it's more trouble than it's worth, and just another example of how American golfers (as a species) are the laziest people on the planet. Bend over and TEE A BALL for crying out loud!!! All kidding aside though...they jam, they are slow, and they make a lot of noise. Further, the sensor triggers a new ball on practice swings so you end up with it sucking a ball back down, re-teeing it, sending it back up, while you sit there waiting...and of course your routine is all messed up by then. And like I said...they are constantly jamming so you're having to open the hopper and unclog the balls. Usually a fourth of the stations are out of service because they're being worked on or re-calibrated. Unless I'm just ripping driver after driver (which is almost never) I just dump all the balls out on the mat and "dispense" them myself....and when I look around, I see a lot of people doing the same. Some things just don't need to be automated, and this is one of them.
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