A commercial driving range is an operating system, not a collection of unrelated machines. The equipment has to move balls from the field back to the customer efficiently: collect them, wash them, transport them, store them, dispense them and keep the hitting area usable.
The core equipment in a commercial driving range
Ball pickers
Choose a picker around range width, collection frequency and manoeuvring space. Sim Golfer now carries compact, mid-size and high-capacity Wittek models.
Ball washers
Washer capacity should keep pace with collection. Compact units suit lower-volume operations; higher-volume ranges need faster throughput.
Ball handling
Transport carts and elevators reduce manual lifting and help move clean balls between washing, storage and dispensing.
Ball dispensers
Automatic dispensers reduce counter handling and help standardise how customers receive range balls.
Hitting surfaces
Commercial mats need durability, stable footing and repeatable setup across bays.
Targets and practice equipment
Portable targets, cages and club-cleaning stations improve the practice experience without changing the core ball-flow system.
Wittek ball pickers: match the machine to the site
Sim Golfer currently carries several Wittek picker formats, from compact straight-line models to wider multi-gang units.
| Model | Format | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Ace One | Reversible compact picker | Smaller ranges and practice areas |
| SL90 Junior | 7 ft straight-line picker | Tighter operating areas |
| SL90 Senior | 10 ft 7 in straight-line picker | Medium to higher-volume ranges |
| SL90 Super | 18 ft straight-line picker | High-capacity commercial collection |
| 3-Gang Eagle Lite | 9 ft multi-gang picker | Commercial ranges wanting lightweight multi-gang collection |
| 5-Gang Eagle Lite | 15 ft multi-gang picker | Wider collection paths and larger ranges |
| Range Rover | Commercial picker with configuration options | Facilities matching the picker configuration to workload |
Choose the washer around daily throughput
Wittek's current range gives you three broad levels. The Twist is a compact option for low- to medium-volume use. The 50G Junior is built for regular commercial operation. The 50G Superwash is the higher-volume choice for busy practice facilities.
Reduce manual handling between washing and dispensing
The Wittek Golf Ball Transport Cart is designed for moving and distributing dry balls around the service area. For more automated layouts, the Wittek Golf Ball Elevator transfers washed balls to a dispenser and can reduce repetitive lifting.
At the customer end, the Wittek Signature Automatic Golf Ball Dispenser gives a range a more self-service workflow, with cabinet and payment configurations available.
Do not ignore the hitting line
Back-of-house efficiency matters, but customers judge the range from the bay. The Wittek Quattro Commercial Golf Hitting Mat is a four-layer mat designed for driving ranges and simulator bays. The 6 ft Portable Range Target adds flexible target placement, while the Speedee Commercial Club Cleaner can support bag rooms, pro shops and range areas.
For academies and teaching bays
The Wittek Power Cage is a self-standing 10 ft × 10 ft × 10 ft practice cage for ranges, academies and golf shops. It can make sense where you need a contained practice station without committing to a full simulator bay.
A practical buying sequence
- Estimate balls collected on a normal busy day.
- Map the longest collection route and the tightest turns on the property.
- Choose a picker that can handle the range without creating unnecessary manoeuvring problems.
- Match washer throughput to collection volume.
- Plan how clean balls move from washer to storage or dispenser.
- Choose dispenser capacity and payment workflow.
- Standardise mats and practice accessories across the hitting line.
When to ask for help
If you are replacing an existing range system, opening a new facility or trying to remove a bottleneck in ball handling, send us your approximate daily ball volume, range dimensions and current workflow. We can help narrow the Wittek equipment that fits the operation.