I use it every time I play with my dog.  Supposedly, the 26M Launcher throws it farther, but I really want to keep my dog within sight anyway (I live in a big city).  This is useful for picking up other balls too.  Doesn't have to be this exact ball.  I use it for a squishy one that's way bigger, when we play with 2 balls.  So I make her drop 1 ball before releasing the other, while she fetches, I pick up the ball that's been released.  That way, they come back and I don't have to walk a long distance for the balls (which is the whole point anyway, so I can stay lazy ;)