I was at the local top golf knock off here in BCS last night (called Big Shots), and I was curious how the distances would compare to a real golf course. I haven't played golf in several years, and I've been lifting weights quite a bit in that time frame which is what drove my curiosity.

I was using their driver, their balls, and I was on the top bay. I was consistently hitting the fence in the air (225 yards) and the tracker was showing between 240 and up to 268. How different would that be with a nicer driver and premium ball? Or does the top bay cancel out any gains?

I've never been to any of the knock offs, but the top golf balls are definitely limited flight. Hitting off the top floor is like hitting down hill though.

Next time you go, slip a normal ball in your pocket and hit from ground level and see if it tags the net at a similar height.

Don't know big shots or whatever, but I am pretty sure the drivers at top golf are shorter than normal. Combine that with the soft golf balls and the elevated position and I imagine the simulated numbers were pretty close to true. Now tell us how many of those bombs would have been in the middle of the fairway.

Ha ha, actually more than half depending on how wide the fairway would be. I was pleasantly surprised--lol.

How hot was it out there? It's still 100 degrees at 8 pm.

Pretty warm but not miserable. They have fans, and we were in the shade.

Ive hit at big shots multiple times and i feel their distances are way off

I use big shots as my primary driving range. The trackman numbers are pretty much spot on for irons on the bottom level.

I wouldn't rely on the distance numbers from the top level or for woods/driver in general.

I think the biggest drawback of using it as my primary practice range is the artificial surface. I've found that I can create some bad habits through the contact zone that absolutely do not translate to the course.

Not being able to adjust tee height is also a bit of an annoyance.

Edit: I always bring my own clubs unless it's a purely social event.

Is the simulator set up to full flight mode or is it based on the initial velocity, spin and the launch? If it's not following the ball, then it wouldn't matter if it's hit from the deck or the first floor.

Top Golf balls and clubs knocked 20 yards off my 7-iron.