Practicing Irons on Mats

[zero]

Hello all. Last year, my closest and favorite range got rid of their grass range, now it's mats-only. Now I'm finding that my iron play is deteriorating because I'm not used to hitting down on the ball and creating a divot. I'm now "afraid" to hit the ground because on mats it vibrates the hell out of the club and also flares up my shoulder injury. What to do? Thanks!

[ChetlovesMer]

  On 1/1/2025 at 6:09 PM, zero said:

Hello all. Last year, my closest and favorite range got rid of their grass range, now it's mats-only. Now I'm finding that my iron play is deteriorating because I'm not used to hitting down on the ball and creating a divot. I'm now "afraid" to hit the ground because on mats it vibrates the hell out of the club and also flares up my shoulder injury. What to do? Thanks!

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My range has become mat only as well. I actually don't have a problem switching from mats to grass and back again. I find that if I'm hitting well on mats I tend to hit it well on grass. When I'm not hitting it well on mats, I won't hit it well on grass.

I will say I don't ever hit those huge buckets of balls some guys will hit, and I take time to really stretch out my elbows and forearms. I used to get golfers elbow, but I seem to have beaten that. 

Here are some tips:

• Hit fewer balls. Work on reversals more and slow-mo more before stepping up and hitting a ball. 
• You may want to switch to graphite shafts. Or at least go to play-it-again-sports and pick up a cheap set of graphite shafted clubs. ... Heck, maybe even just a practice 7 iron and a PW. I switched to graphite about 6-7 years ago, I wouldn't want to go back. 
• If your range will allow it, and I find most will if I just ask politely, bring some chalk with you and draw a short line on the mat. Place the ball on that line and be sure to hit ball first and leave the line. (In lieu of that you can simply put a piece of paper behind the ball and try not to hit the paper.) It won't help your shoulder, but it will prevent you getting used to the "mat-forgiveness-bounce-shot".  BTW - Instead of chalk, I've seen guys put a strip of duct tape. 
• Work on drills. There are literally hundreds of golf drills out there. Pick ones that attack your weaknesses and work on those. I'm sure your swing coach can guide you on what to work on. 
• If you want to drop some cash you can get a small "Divot Action" or "Fairway Pro" type mat and place it next to your ranges mats. You can stand on the range mat and hit off the divot action mat. Here's an older review on the Fairway Pro: 

 

Good luck. 

Let us know about your progress. 

[zero]

Thanks a million, those are some good suggestions. I will report back.