Can you really test out wedges from a mat? What lofts??

Only places near here are GGalaxy and Dick's, mats and simulator. How can you legitimately check out wedges not on turf?

What do you look for, feel I guess, but its very hard to take a divot.......without going to the ER.

My TM set has a 45 degree P, so I'm thinking 50 and 56, I might be able to try a friends Titleist SM-4's ifn I drives a bit.

Well, by design the divot comes after contact with the ball, so you should not see any real problems except for the fact that the mat won't allow you to take a divot.

That said, I HATE testing golf clubs out on mats, or hitting off of them in general. I bet there is a range near you with a pro-shop that will have demo clubs for you to test. Heck, I bet a golf pro shop will have such demos. Call around and find a range or pro shop that will let you demo on their range and BAM!! I'd be there in 10 minutes flat!

I remember a few weeks ago testing some clubs on a mat in a simulator. Not only was the tee ridiculously low for a 460cc driver, but the "grass" and "low tee" were both so messed up that I couldn't really hit it from an acceptable position due to abuse. The machines seem a bit inaccurate to me as well. Its probably due to calibration.

Look for some small golf shops that may have demos too... Don't know what kind of luck you'd have there, but its worth a shot as well.

Any demo days in your area? That way, you would be able to test several brands to see what you like.

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Well, by design the divot comes after contact with the ball, so you should not see any real problems except for the fact that the mat won't allow you to take a divot.

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Yep, and even most of the time now! But I hit off mats twice this year as I returned to the game, and my knuckles and even elbows ached

Demo days are the best way to go. If the DD starts on Friday, take off the day from work and get there about 8 AM. That way, you can hit the clubs you really want to try and get feedback from the marketing reps. About lunch time, the great herd of golfers arrives.

As for off mats, you can get info on bounce if you hit wedges off an impact board. The board leaves a scuff mark on the sole where you made impact. From there, a fitter can give you some advice on proper bounce.

- This advice, of course, suggest bounce for "ideal" neutral conditions. If you have super hard or super soft turf/sand, this will influence bounce choices.

Testing your friend's wedges is a solid idea. But, don't forget the impact board info.

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- This advice, of course, suggest bounce for "ideal" neutral conditions. If you have super hard or super soft turf/sand, this will influence bounce choices.

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This year, my usual two courses they only water greens. Things are so baked out you putt out of sand traps, a butter knife has too much bounce, and there are paramedics at the 150 stakes in case anyone tries to take a real divot.

Thursday I hope to get to the course by the state park with a lake, and the whole course is green rather than brown!

Yeah I usually never hit try clubs off mats at golf stores or hit off mats to be honest.  My home course has a grass range, but in the winter season it's back to the artificial stuff ,  But try and find fitting days, your best bet is there.