From the mat to the turf and the wheels fell off....

[Uthinkso]

I typically go to a local miniature golf place that has 40 mats and I use that range. I play on the weekends and tune up during the week to keep swinging and work on long irons etc.

Yesterday I went to a course where I am playing an outing on Saturday because they have a natural range. At first strike and step I noticed the ground was surprisingly soft and there were divots a plenty. I couldn't hit the ball at this place for anything, in fact it was significantly worse than I typically swing in league play. My swing felt awkward, I was getting ticked, and bad things happend. So I needed to vent some frustration and got out the big stick. Fixed that problem and the Cleveland Hi-Bore is a much better driver for me than my R7 ever was. I could hit the R7 further but I can keep the Hi-Bore in the fairway.

So the question here, other than failing myself at the mental game and getting excited rather than composed. Are there any physical differences from the grass to mat that could effect my play? Am I advised to avoid the mat all together? The mat really gave me a false sense of security because I hit so well off of it.

[traviswise]

I never really liked the mats b/c I never encounter ground that flat and level except for the tee box.

[Uthinkso]

I never really liked the mats b/c I never encounter ground that flat and level except for the tee box.

Thats very true. Plus I feel I can really get under the ball and hit it almost perfect. Its a false confidence builder.

[Smallville]

Am I advised to avoid the mat all together? The mat really gave me a false sense of security because I hit so well off of it.

I think you just answered your own question. I NEVER hit off the mats at the range. If it's been raining and the grass area is closed and the only option is the mats, I practice chipping and putting.

[ssrs8]

I try to hit irons from the grass only. The mats can keep you from hitting the ball too fat and sometime even deflect the clubhead into the ball so you think the swing you are trying to groove is just fine.

[Anand]

There's another thread on this very topic ...

http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16290

[Uthinkso]

Well thats the fix then. Off a tee, it doesn't matter much in my mind, but the irons and hybrids just aren't the same.

[B-Lo Golfer]

I never hit from the mats, I don't think you get accurate feedback whatsoever.

Even chipping, I can never tell if I'm hitting the shot fat because the club would just bounce forward into the ball & you hit a perfectly straight shot.

Wait, now that I'm thinking about it, they should make golf courses out of matts

[chris408]

There's another thread on this very topic ...

I started the thread above, and for me, my iron play was terrible when going from the mat to grass. The mat really does give a false-sense of confidence. I thought all my work in fixing my swing with a pro was a waste of time. Fundamentally and technically that was not the case, but it took time to get use to hitting on the grass.

I would recommend avoiding the mats if you can, and if you do use it, use a tee. For "on the grass' work, stick with the natural stuff. You'll get better feedback on the grass.

[Augusta Hacker]

I don't know if this is true or not, but at one driving range I was hitting from prior to a round, I grooved the driver and then went to the wedges. My driver was fine but when I grabbed the wedge, it was horrible. Ever attempt produced a shank to the right that didn't get off the ground. I told myself that because this particular range has a lot of sand on the range, that was messing me up. I am sure this is not true but I didn't have one shank on the course after that.

Our courses here have a hard clay surface with grass on top and most ranges are thick with sand from maintenance. How does that difference affect ball contact?

[Uthinkso]

I'll agree with the above comment too. The range I was at last night at my local course has a very soft feel because of the sand under the grass from repair. Its almost deceptive because the course isn't like that at all.

[I <3 Titleist]

The range I go to has both mats and grass. What's funny is, people who hit off mats usually get on grass and then you notice they never take *any* divot whatsoever. If you don't take a divot, you're not compressing the ball. If anything, mats encourage bad ball striking.