Range Picker Drop-Off Solutions
From ball collection to the next step in your operation.
The Relox Range Picker automatically collects golf balls across the outfield. A drop-off solution gives it a designated place to unload—either into accessible storage baskets or into a connected ball-handling system that moves balls toward washing, storage, and dispensing.
OnPar Automation helps facilities plan a solution that fits their space, staffing, ball volume, and long-term goals.
Choose the Right Level of Automation
Every range operates differently. Some need a practical way to automate collection now while keeping their existing routine in place. Others are ready to connect ball collection with washing, transport, and dispensing.
Bridge
Best for: A flexible first step into automation
What happens after drop-off: The Range Picker unloads into removable baskets for staff to empty.
Integrated Ball Pit System
Best for: Facilities planning a more connected ball-handling process
What happens after drop-off: Balls move from the pit into transport and washing equipment, then toward existing storage or dispensing equipment.
Integrated Golf Ball Ditch System
Best for: Facilities using, or planning, a Range Servant ball-management system
What happens after drop-off: Balls enter a ditch that carries them into the next stage of the washing and dispensing process.
The Bridge
A practical, above-ground drop-off solution
The Bridge allows the Relox Robotics Range Picker™ to unload automatically into a series of removable baskets. It is a straightforward option for ranges that want to reduce time spent collecting balls without committing to a full ball-handling system right away.
After each collection run, the Range Picker drives to the Bridge, unloads the balls, and returns to work or charging as scheduled. Staff empty the baskets when needed.
The Relox App records drop-offs, helping operators see how many times the Range Picker has unloaded and better plan when baskets should be emptied.
The Bridge is a good fit when you want:
- Automatic ball unloading without a below-ground installation
- A flexible, accessible above-ground setup
- A solution sized around your ball volume, available space, and operating routine
- A clear first step toward driving range automation
Bridge configurations can be designed with different basket capacities, including larger multi-basket systems for busier facilities.
Bridge configurations can be sized around your ball volume, available space, and operating routine.
4,000 Balls
A flexible, above-ground option that unloads balls into removable baskets for staff to empty as needed.
6,000 Balls
A larger Bridge configuration that gives the Range Picker more automatic drop-off capacity between basket emptying.
18,000 Balls
An expanded Bridge configuration for busier ranges that need greater storage capacity while staff manage basket emptying.
Integrated Ball Pit Systems
Connect collection with washing and transport
A Ball Pit receives balls from the Range Picker and starts a connected ball-handling process. Balls can move through transport and washing equipment on their way to storage or dispensing equipment.
This option is well suited to facilities that want to reduce manual handling between collection and the next stage of their ball cycle. It can also work within a broader system when a range already has compatible storage, hopper, or dispensing equipment in place.
OnPar helps evaluate how the Range Picker, Ball Pit, transport, washing, and existing equipment can work together as one operational process.
A Ball Pit system may be a good fit when you want:
- A more connected path from collection to clean, ready-to-use balls
- Less manual movement of balls after the Range Picker unloads
- A system planned around existing or future storage and dispensing equipment
- A foundation for an integrated ball-handling system
How it works:
- The Range Picker unloads collected balls into the Ball Pit.
- A ball-handling system moves balls into transport.
- Balls are washed during the process.
- Clean balls continue to a storage hopper, dispenser, or another compatible destination.
Range Servant Golf Ball Ditch
A drop-off point within an integrated ball-management system
The Range Servant Golf Ball Ditch is another way to receive balls from a robotic picker and move them into the next stage of a ball-management system. Depending on the configuration, the ditch can feed equipment such as a pre-soaker, ball washer, elevator, storage, and dispenser.
Range Servant offers a smaller ditch designed for robotic pickers, as well as a larger concrete ditch for higher-volume systems. The right option depends on the facility’s ball volume, layout, and the other equipment included in the system.
OnPar can help facilities evaluate how a Range Picker can work alongside a Range Servant ditch and related ball-handling equipment.
A Golf Ball Ditch may be a good fit when you want:
- An integrated receiving point for the Range Picker
- A connected Range Servant washing, storage, or dispensing system
- Less manual handling after collection
- A solution designed around a broader ball-management plan
Planning the Full System
The Range Picker is only one part of a well-planned operation. Before installation, OnPar looks at the full workflow:
- Where balls are collected
- Where the Range Picker charges
- Where it unloads
- How balls move after drop-off
- What equipment is already in place
- How staff will interact with the system each day
We help facilities choose a practical starting point—whether that is a Bridge today or a more integrated ball-handling solution—and plan for the way the range operates now and may grow over time.
Autonomous does not mean unattended
A good system still needs an operating routine, maintenance, and a team that knows what to watch for. OnPar provides planning, installation, mapping, staff training, remote monitoring, and U.S.-based support for the Range Picker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Range Picker Drop-Off Solutions
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Where does a robotic golf ball picker unload collected balls?
A robotic golf ball picker unloads at a designated drop-off point planned for the facility. This may be an above-ground Bridge with removable baskets, or an integrated system that moves balls into transport, washing, storage, or dispensing equipment.
OnPar Automation helps facilities determine which drop-off approach best fits their ball volume, available space, staffing routine, existing equipment, and long-term automation goals.
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What is the difference between partial and complete driving range automation?
Partial automation automates ball collection and unloading, while staff continue to handle the next step. For example, the Range Picker can unload into a Bridge, and staff empty the baskets as needed.
More complete automation connects collection with ball handling. After the Range Picker unloads, balls can move through transport, washing, storage, and dispensing equipment with less manual handling between stages.
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What is a golf ball return Bridge, and how does it work?
A Bridge is an above-ground drop-off solution for the Range Picker. When the robot completes a collection run, it drives to the Bridge and unloads balls into a series of removable baskets.
The Range Picker can then return to collecting balls or charging as scheduled. Staff empty the baskets as part of the facility’s normal operating routine. The Relox App records drop-offs, helping operators keep track of how often the Range Picker has unloaded.
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How much golf ball capacity can a Bridge hold?
Bridge capacity can be planned around a range’s ball volume, available space, and operating routine. Configurations may range from smaller setups of about 4,000 balls to larger multi-basket systems, including 6,000- and 18,000-ball examples.
A higher-capacity Bridge gives staff more time between basket emptying, but it does not replace the need for an operating routine.
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Can automated ball collection connect to an existing ball washer, hopper, or dispenser?
Often, yes. A Ball Pit or other compatible drop-off system can be planned to move balls from the Range Picker into transport and washing equipment, then toward an existing storage hopper or dispenser.
Every facility is different, so the existing equipment, layout, ball flow, and operating goals should be reviewed before selecting a system.
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Can a robotic golf ball picker work with a Range Servant Golf Ball Ditch?
Yes. A Range Servant Golf Ball Ditch can receive balls from a compatible robotic picker and move them into the next stage of a broader ball-management system. Depending on the configuration, that system may include washing, elevating, storing, and dispensing equipment.
The appropriate ditch and related equipment depend on the facility’s layout, volume, and desired level of automation.
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Who supplies and supports a driving range drop-off system?
Relox Robotics manufactures the Range Picker. Bridge, Ball Pit, Golf Ball Ditch, washing, storage, and dispensing equipment are supplied by their respective manufacturers.
OnPar Automation helps facilities evaluate the overall workflow, plan the Range Picker installation, and determine how compatible drop-off and ball-handling equipment can fit the operation. OnPar provides U.S.-based installation, training, remote monitoring, and support for the Range Picker.
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Does a Range Picker Bridge require power or a below-ground installation?
No. The Bridge does not require power and is an above-ground drop-off solution. For a stable, long-lasting installation, OnPar strongly recommends placing it on a concrete pad.
The required footprint depends on the Bridge configuration. For example, a 6,000-ball Bridge is approximately 9 feet by 5 feet. During the initial planning call, OnPar reviews the proposed location, ball volume, site layout, and operating routine to help determine the best Bridge configuration for the facility.