I know range balls don't travel as far as proper golf balls, but what other wonderful characteristics do they have, ie: spin rate and launch angle.

None, you might as well hit a bar of soap. Which is why I never go on a driving range, the balls are usually one piece lumps of rubber, and when you get on the course with a Pro v1 it's totally different. One day they may invest in some decent balls, but then everyone would nick them. You would not catch Vijay Singh on one of our driving ranges for 7 hours trying to improve his game.

Interesting page detailing the different types of range ball available. I knew most were one piece and usually brick hard (which I think caused the very fine hairline markings on the face of my driver) but didn't realise different compression in balls are available depending upon range distances. How do you know yardage markers are correct in ranges if the ball only travels 80% distance.
Hence the reason to only establish your hitting yardage on the course.
Edit - didn't add the link! http://www.golfmachinery.com/range_balls.htm

Well, I didn't know they were that specialised, Topslicehookpullsh**k. I definately won't go on a range now. Thanks

I go to Northwick Park range, and their range balls seem to be good quality, if that's not a contradiction in terms.

r7 Boomer, you're entitled to your opinion and I agree to a large extent, but a lot of the shots I hit on the range occur on the course as well, so I don't think going to the range is completely useless.

Does anyone know if range balls slice/hook more than proper balls, I would guess not.