driving range closed !!

 i went over to the driving range yesterday only to find it was closed...

There was a sign saying that 10,000 balls had been stolen over the last month and would not re-open until these were recovered.

This seems a bit excessive. Does anyone know what is happening and whether the range will re-open ?

There has been another thread were people have been commenting on the theft of the balls from the driving range, damage to the golf course generally and people using it inappropriately by allowing children to play on the greens and by others using the course as a short cut to the Al Kasar (not just using the buggy paths but trailing across greens and bunker). Various p[eople have posted about children/people coming out late at night to collect the drving range balls- even with the use of a torch. However one post did say children were collecting the balls and then leaving them for the green keeper. Clearly if 10,000 balls have been stolen they must be stock piled somewhere. I dont think our regular security have any jurisdiction on the golf course so there's no-one to keep an eye on what is happening there once the golfing day is over.

Whichever way you look at it Jan, It is 'a load of balls'  .

Regards,

This is a problem for Olagolf who are clearly not collecting the balls often enough.

i hear the range has re-opened.  can anyone confirm this?

10,000 balls stolen, do we really believe so many have been stolen, id be suprised if there were 10,000 to start with. Dont get me wrong I am sure there are idiots out there nicking the balls, yet any Golfer knows that they are no good for the course as they dont have the same distance as regular balls.

I dont blame Olagolf for closing the range, act like children be treated like children.  Another blow to the reputation of us Brits, theifs as well as thugs, we're really doing ourself proud this summer. 

 Yes the range was in use today, and they collected the balls at sundown, Ola Golf I mean!!

Sorry to hijack this thread but where is the driving range exactly? Do you have to pay to use it?

Your supposed to pay, but a lot of people have not been paying!

it is just after Naranjos 6 on the left hand side if you're coming from the Al Kasar. You'll see a wooden buggy store, the range is along the pathway to the right.

The machine takes one euro coins, there are also excellent short game practice areas. Golf dress code applies.

Ian 

you dont pay to use the range, you pay to use the balls.

I would have thought short game area you can use your own balls if you want.  Same applies for putting green, but then who would want to put with a range ball.

You are supposed to use your own balls on both the chipping and putting greens so you should be able to use these for free, although the 'dress code' will still apply if the course marshall happens to see you. Think there is a sign up which says range balls should not be used.

Regards,

David

i havent seen that sign, but i cant see why it woudl make any difference if yuo used range balls on the chipping area. 

No harm i guess as long as your paying for the use of the balls

There is a definitely a sign saying range balls should not be used on the chipping/pitching area.

I always use my own balls on this area, much better to get a feel for spin, distance, etc ready for the course.

true, but that only helps if the greens are in the same condition

never found the need to use my own balls while practicing my short game on any golf course,  

Its all about muscle memory and feel.  if your firing range balls and getting them to stop on a 6 pence then your balls should do the same job

If there is a sign saying Range Balls Should not be used, then surely you should not be using range balls? Or am I missing something here?

no your not

but i havent seen it, mind you not been over for a while. 

But what difference would it make, using range balls or your own balls on the short game area.  None

at the end of the day you pay to use the balls,  as long as you use them and dont rob them, then i cant see what the issue is..

I have never been to a club where it says you cant use practice balls on the short game area.  a practice ball is there for one thing and one thing only, practice, and the short game area is a practice area

...the temptation would be for people to practise with the range balls and then leave them in that area for someone else to collect. We were told by the course steward that range balls should not be used on these areas and there is a sign. Instead of making a big thing about why not just do what you're asked? There's bigger things to worry about.

I'm worried as I've started to agree with Darren far too regularly.