Mats or Grass

[sennawcf1]

I am planning on taking some lessons. But I can't decide whether to take lessons at Golf Town on the mats or at a range where they have grass tees. It seems to me that I swing differently when I hit from mats vs. grass. Is there any truth to this or is it all in my mind? I don't want to groove a nice swing on the mats and struggle all season long on the green fairways :)

[goshawk]

Personally speaking, I think there's very little difference between mats and grass. I can think of only two things that will be different between the two: 1) you won't get the same amount of spin on each surface, and 2) slightly fat shots (½ to 1 inch behind the ball) have very little effect on mats where they'll be very obvious on grass. That being said, you will get better contact on mats. I think it's mostly in the mind, but that's just my opinion.

[Louie]

I would think the mats would influence the clubs in deflection into the ball, giving you better contact? jat:cool:

[sennawcf1]

I think you may be right jat. I have found in the past that hitting off of mats and then subsequently playing on grass was very different. I guess from you can't use an overly descending blow with your irons, but that begs the question that waiting to get on grass is the best thing.
Thanks guys !

[el tigre]

I am planning on taking some lessons. But I can't decide whether to take lessons at Golf Town on the mats or at a range where they have grass tees. IMHO mats vs grass should not matter much at all.

The most important thing to consider is the choice of instructor. Price and location are also important considerations. The hitting surface is pretty far down the list for me.

To me, the most important consideration between the two choices you've outlined is indoor vs. outdoor. If you're fairly new to the game and need to learn the basics of a good swing, then it doesn't make that much difference. The sooner you get started, the better. But if you're an experienced player trying to turn a fade into a draw or change your launch angle, then indoor instruction will not work - regardless of how good their simulators are.

[goshawk]

I would think the mats would influence the clubs in deflection into the ball, giving you better contact? jat:cool:

That's exactly what I was saying. If, on grass, a particular shot strikes the ground ½ inch behind, you'd know it immediately because of the results and the "beaverpelt" you're like to see flying after the ball. If that exact same contact happened on a mat, the club would just slide on the plastic and make at least half-way decent contact with the ball.

[bigbertha]

Goshawk: I have had most of my lessons in the past on mats and I find that my contact on them are quite good. What I do find is when I take the same swing onto the golf course, I still have decent contact but I don't/not able to take a divot no matter what I do. I have been told by many this is not good. So to me there is a difference. Can you offer any kind of a fix?

[GQuizzle]

I prefer to practice off grass, however, it really doesn't matter if you practice off grass or mats because you are working (I would think) on the fundamentals of the swing. In other words, your swing shouldn't change regardless of the surface you're hitting off of.

[ethandelacroix]

I hate mats...

I have the chunky problem still... So when I was hitting at Launch, i was hitting the ball very well.

When I got to Arizona I found hitting on the grass ranges different. Again if I was a perfect ball striker no problem, but yeah it's more realistic to hit of turf...

Miles

[el tigre]

When you're practicing, what happens to the ball really doesn't matter.

Yes, mats are more forgiving. But I know whether I've hit the ball flush, thin or fat regardless of what surface the ball is sitting on. IMHO, the only problem with hitting off mats is if you let yourself believe that on a real golf course you can still be 1" behind the ball and get 90% of your distance.

At the range I'm simply trying to achieve the feeling of a good golf swing hitting the ball flush. I know when I've done it and when I haven't - the ball flight only validates what I already know.

[goshawk]

Goshawk: I have had most of my lessons in the past on mats and I find that my contact on them are quite good. What I do find is when I take the same swing onto the golf course, I still have decent contact but I don't/not able to take a divot no matter what I do. I have been told by many this is not good. So to me there is a difference. Can you offer any kind of a fix?

BB, I haven't seen what you set-up and swing looks like but I have the feeling that you're "picking" the ball cleanly from both mats and turf. It's another slight problem with mats because you can't always tell if you're really taking a divot. I have a question: are you getting consistent results even though you're picking the ball cleanly from the fairway? If so, why would you want to change? The reason why I asked that is because I play with several single digit handicappers who never take a divot except in greenside bunkers. All 3 of them pick the ball cleanly off the turf. If your ballstriking is consistent and you're satisfied with the results, I'd consider leaving it alone.
Now, having said all of that, it's not that difficult to strike down on the ball. It means a small change in your setup for the most part. If you move the ball about an inch toward the rear foot, you'll have to make contact with the ball before the absolute bottom of your swing arc or you'll be hitting it thin. It takes practice to get the position right. The other thing is you have to not change your spine angle from setup to contact. Any change will either cause you to pick it clean again or hit it thin or fat. Again, I'd have to see your set-up and swing to be more definitive, but I hope this helps.

[TourIQ]

My son was at an OGA [now GAO] event once and they only had mats to hit off of on the range. After hitting only 5 balls he said he was done, as the ball flight was nothing compared to what he would see hitting his 2nd shot into the 1st green. I said you can't be done. He never hit another ball and just played cold with no warm up, other than hitting the first 5 balls.

[luv2golow]

I have the luxury of an indoor net system at a buddy's place for the winter, so I'm hitting off a mat for the entire off season. The only thing I find is that it takes a little adjustment going into the golf season hitting off grass again, and once the season starts, the mat gets retired for all grass ranges only. Mats are great for practicing fundementals. Grass is great for grooving your stroke. In my experience, I know lots of great "range" golfers who could hit off mats all day, but on the course, it's fat after thin after fat. Take mats for what they are....just a means to practice where there is no grass. If you have access to a grass range, to me it's a no brainer where to practice.

[milner_7]

Hate mats but when they are the only option in the winter I suck it up. You can never reall get the feeling of hitting the ball pure. Its grass for me all season and back to mats in the off season

[bigbertha]

BB, I haven't seen what you set-up and swing looks like but I have the feeling that you're "picking" the ball cleanly from both mats and turf. It's another slight problem with mats because you can't always tell if you're really taking a divot. I have a question: are you getting consistent results even though you're picking the ball cleanly from the fairway? If so, why would you want to change? The reason why I asked that is because I play with several single digit handicappers who never take a divot except in greenside bunkers. All 3 of them pick the ball cleanly off the turf. If your ballstriking is consistent and you're satisfied with the results, I'd consider leaving it alone.
Now, having said all of that, it's not that difficult to strike down on the ball. It means a small change in your setup for the most part. If you move the ball about an inch toward the rear foot, you'll have to make contact with the ball before the absolute bottom of your swing arc or you'll be hitting it thin. It takes practice to get the position right. The other thing is you have to not change your spine angle from setup to contact. Any change will either cause you to pick it clean again or hit it thin or fat. Again, I'd have to see your set-up and swing to be more definitive, but I hope this helps.
Goshawk Thanks for the tip and advice! I would say I do pick it pretty clean. Consistent? I would say so so ... If I am on, I feel like I can't miss. I have tried to place it an inch back as you suggested and I still picked it clean ... I am just hoping I am not casting or releasing my wrists too early.:eek:

[itrcb4]

Now if you tee it up, then it doesn't matter whether it's grass or mat, does it ;)

One more thing...

I would think the quality of the instructor will always matter way more than what kind of surface you're hitting off.

[Carlton]

I do find the mats more forgiving. If you hit off the fluffy part of the mats, if you hit it fat, you'd probably never know. I try and hit off the mat itself and not off the fluffy part. This way I'll know if I'm hitting it fat etc. It helps me get into the habit of picking the ball cleaner off the tight lie.

[pdonnelly]

Grass, that is where you are going to play.:)

[sennawcf1]

GQ, I would think that the angle of attack is an important facet of the swing mechanics.

[abbeypro]

It depends on the quality of the mats. Mats have come a long way....some of them feel very 'real'. However most facilities don't spend the $$$ to purchase these available mats.

If you are looking to improve your swing I highly recommend indoor lessons in the winter. Changing or improving your swing is challenging to say the least but also very rewarding if you understand the process. It is much more difficult to change your swing outdoors as you'll become more focussed on the ball and the result of the shot. Indoors you'll be able to focus on the position(s) you are trying to improve.

When it comes right down to it, the best players in the world work on and continually improve their swings. Problem is, most amateurs don't have the time to commit to making changes. Many of my students fall into this category, so we work on the fundamentals such as grip, etc....which are easier to improve and lead to immediate improvements.

Anyways, all the best and have a great season.

[sennawcf1]

Great insight Sean.
I agree that taking lessons will help any time.

[Grobar]

Practice on the surface you plan to play on.... unless your golf course is made of carpet, I suggest you practice on "real" grass... unless you don't have a choice, like in winter, but as soon as it's available.... PRACTICE ON GRASS!!!

[Golfing in Ottawa]

Prefer grass, as yes mats will give you a false sense even if you are hitting behind the ball.

The worst material I warmed up on was actually at one of the nicest courses up in Muskoka. At "The Rock" they have that artificial material over what appears to be a sandy base on the practice range. Everyone warming up was complaining about this material, as it would grab your club unless you made perfect contact. Did not like that material at all, and moved my ball off onto the natural grass and started hitting great shots. So this material was the other extreme then mats..........
Hopefully when they re-open the course in 2008 some of the renovations will include getting rid of that artificial material (whatever it is).
Have any of you seen this material on any other courses.......?

[dekker]

Not all grass is equal and neither are mats.
If you want the real experience hitting off grass, make sure the grass has a sand subtrate or you'll hurt yourself as from a mat and you'll skid into the ball same as from a mat.:;)
I recommend you don't hit off the hard portion of the mat because the floor can be concrete and your shoulders are not.:rofl:

[iyell4]

The worst material I warmed up on was actually at one of the nicest courses up in Muskoka. At "The Rock" they have that artificial material over what appears to be a sandy base on the practice range. Everyone warming up was complaining about this material, as it would grab your club unless you made perfect contact. Did not like that material at all, and moved my ball off onto the natural grass and started hitting great shots. So this material was the other extreme then mats..........
Hopefully when they re-open the course in 2008 some of the renovations will include getting rid of that artificial material (whatever it is).
Have any of you seen this material on any other courses.......?
yes, Angus Glen just installed this on their driving range.:)

[Golfing in Ottawa]

Has anyone tried these "TrueStrike" mats.....???
http://www.truestrike.com/

TrueStrike golf mats have a "ruckable" top surface and a gel-filled divot simulating subsurface which accurately recreates the effects of playing off a natural fairway by allowing the club head to play through the playing surface as it would on turf.

[The Troll]

Thundering Waters has the funkiest mat area, sandy and slippery.

During the summer at my local range I switch over to the mats when the turf gets really hard to spare my elbows.

[TourIQ]

Has anyone tried these "TrueStrike" mats.....???
http://www.truestrike.com/

TrueStrike golf mats have a "ruckable" top surface and a gel-filled divot simulating subsurface which accurately recreates the effects of playing off a natural fairway by allowing the club head to play through the playing surface as it would on turf.

They have these mats at Golftown. I wasn't impressed.
I hit a TM forged iron and the vibration to my hands was terrible.
Never got that feeling playing my own clubs off grass with stainless irons.

[pdonnelly]

Doesn't matter if it is good grass or bad grass you'll get both on golf courses. The only place I ever tee'd off from on mats was at the 9 hole exec facility across the street from the two 18 hole courses at Bobby Jones Golf Complex in Sarasota, it wasn't pretty. Fiberbuilt mats seem to be the best I have used, but more for you FW woods than irons. If the grass isn't up to snuff then use what you would use from the rough:)

[kingplayer]

While hitting balls off grass is definitely better than mats, just being able to hit balls outside and watch your ball flight is probably the most important thing. Seeing the ball flight gives you feedback you don't get when hitting balls into a net or indoors.

[Golfing in Ottawa]

They have these mats at Golftown. I wasn't impressed.
I hit a TM forged iron and the vibration to my hands was terrible.
Never got that feeling playing my own clubs off grass with stainless irons.

Thats interesting to hear that Golftown has them....... If you watch the company's promo video from the Golf Show you will see that every close up shot is of people hitting their driver off a tee. Why are they not showing the closeup of irons being hit and the reaction of the club to the mat.........Unless they do not want you to see that...........;)

[TourIQ]

Thats interesting to hear that Golftown has them....... If you watch the company's promo video from the Golf Show you will see that every close up shot is of people hitting their driver off a tee. Why are they not showing the closeup of irons being hit and the reaction of the club to the mat.........Unless they do not want you to see that...........;)
Hi GiO

Could be, I don't know [lol]

I was looking into buying 1 of these mats and the distributor told me they had them installed at Golftown if I wanted to try hitting off of the gel mat. Man the shock to my wrist and hands was terrible and I was hitting a forged TM iron. I commented to a sales rep. about the discomfort and he said TM wasn't the softest forging out there. I said heck they gotta be a ton softer than my 431 stainless cast irons, and it feels like butter when I hit good shots off of real grass. My son gets pain in his elbow when he hits off of mats for about 10 minutes, but never any discomfort hitting off grass. He has never tried the mats at Golftown, so I can't comment on this.

I attributed the first few stings to not having hit a golf ball in 4 months, then I started to hit a few pure shots and the shock to my hands and joints was about the same.

[swingpure]

I rarely find that the "grass" area you practice on, is like the grass you play from. Although mats are more forgiving, I agree it is the swing fundamentals that you are working on and you can tell by the feel or the sound if you have struck the ball well or not.

I prefer the mats myself, which is good because that is all they have at the driving range at my club.

[rbaker]

Grass,
Mats will cause "Tennis Elbow" if they are used frequantly. A Painful condition that will stay for LIFE.:eek:

[pir2]

Prefer grass, as yes mats will give you a false sense even if you are hitting behind the ball.

The worst material I warmed up on was actually at one of the nicest courses up in Muskoka. At "The Rock" they have that artificial material over what appears to be a sandy base on the practice range. Everyone warming up was complaining about this material, as it would grab your club unless you made perfect contact. Did not like that material at all, and moved my ball off onto the natural grass and started hitting great shots. So this material was the other extreme then mats..........

Wouldn't this be the GREATEST material for people trying to improve?

[milner_7]

I avoid mats whenever I can. I hate them. They are no good for those of us who hit down on the ball. If your a sweeper they are not so bad but for me they tend to slow down my follow through and skew my ball flight.

[Frank101]

OMG MATS FOR SURE!

Hes the best leaf EVER!

woops...am I talking about the same thing?:rofl: