John B. fired this volley in
:

that specifies how far they may fly
when hit with some sort of standard blow

USGA tests and certifies balls using a mechanized "whacker" fondly called
by the techs, "Iron Mike". It's a fairly crude metal simulacrum of a
golfer with a driver in hand.

Why? I have no idea, except that's the way they've always done it. There
are probably more accurate ways of doing it instead of all that clanking,
loosely articulated "robot golfer" crap.

LLoyd