Grass Ranges

[iPutt]

Personally, all the ranges around me are the turf mat ones. I've always wanted to try one of the all grass ranges, but there are none around me. But apparently they are pretty common all around the US and people refuse to hit off turf. So I ask you guys, what are the difference between the grass and turf (like distance or height)? And how do they last for more than a week with everyone making divots with irons and wedges?

[Harry Longshanks]

It's just more difficult to learn to hit "down and through" on most range mats. They are hard, jarring, and you can't take divots.

But you can certainly learn a good swing on mats. It's just not optimal.

Most people who say "don't ever hit off of mats!" don't realize that many of us don't have that option. For example, I practice most mornings early before work. I couldn't do that if I refused to hit off mats because the closest grass range is 30 minutes away (each way and assuming zero traffic.)

[Yanks Fan]

My home course (where I work) has an all grass range and I like it a whole lot better than a range with mats. Just isn't the same imo.

[FatNakedGuy]

I recently discovered birdieballs and feel sorta bad about the sudden appearance of divots in my neighbors plush front yard..

[iPutt]

  Yanks Fan said:

My home course (where I work) has an all grass range and I like it a whole lot better than a range with mats. Just isn't the same imo.

I can defiantly see why it's a lot better but I can't see how it would last more than a month.

[Harry Longshanks]

  iPutt said:

I can defiantly see why it's a lot better but

Do you mean the grass teeing ground?

If so, its because they have a large teeing area and they move the tees forward and back while they re-seed and re-grow the recently divoted tee line. (That was a horrible explanation. I hope it was at least enough to be somewhat understandable.)

[JerseyThursday]

There are several ranges in my area that have grass areas. The same ranges also have mat areas. I see an equal amount of people hitting from both. Typically it’s the beginners/less serious golfers who are over in the mat area.

  iPutt said:

And how do they last for more than a week with everyone making divots with irons and wedges?

Usually the grass areas are large enough that they move the hitting area day to day. Thus, giving the each area ample time to grow back before it's used again. Sort of like moving the tee markers each day on the golf course except on a larger scale.

[Yanks Fan]

  Harry Longshanks said:

Do you mean the grass teeing ground?

That about sums it up. At my course, we have an area probably about 75 yards wide and about 25 yards deep that we have as our range area to hit off. We move the hitting area everyday to a different spot. Then we fill the divots with sand, re-seed the area and in a few days, we have fresh grass back there. Continuous cycle and it works out well. Only problem is the distances to the flags will be off depending on where the hitting area is set up for the day but thats not much to complain about.

[iPutt]

  Yanks Fan said:

That about sums it up. At my course, we have an area probably about 75 yards wide and about 25 yards deep that we have as our range area to hit off. We move the hitting area everyday to a different spot. Then we fill the divots with sand, re-seed the area and in a few days, we have fresh grass back there. Continuous cycle and it works out well. Only problem is the distances to the flags will be off depending on where the hitting area is set up for the day but thats not much to complain about.

Ohh ok lol. I didn't know grass could regrow that fast. Damn I gotta find a grass range lol.

[xiphos888]

Depending on the size of the range they can last a while, but they can get beat up. Especially when people do not know how to keep all of their divots together.

A mat allows you to hit a little behind the ball, whereas turf will tend to grab the club. Just pay close attention to the sound you make. Learn the difference between a fat shot and a solid one. Listen for ball first.

[Harry Longshanks]

  Yanks Fan said:

That about sums it up. At my course, we have an area probably about 75 yards wide and about 25 yards deep that we have as our range area to hit off. We move the hitting area everyday to a different spot. Then we fill the divots with sand, re-seed the area and in a few days, we have fresh grass back there. Continuous cycle and it works out well. Only problem is the distances to the flags will be off depending on where the hitting area is set up for the day but thats not much to complain about.

Yeah, something people always seem to forget to mention about grass ranges is that, because of the frequent divotting and the quick-growing seed/san mix that doesn't ever have time to grow real roots . . . half the time you are basically hitting off of sand. It's just divot fill with a tiny bit of grass on top for appearance.

[Yanks Fan]

  Harry Longshanks said:

Yeah, something people always seem to forget to mention about grass ranges is that, because of the frequent divotting and the quick-growing seed/san mix that doesn't ever have time to grow real roots . . . half the time you are basically hitting off of sand. It's just divot fill with a tiny bit of grass on top for appearance.

Yep, whenever I take up a divot, you can just see the layer of sand right underneath the grass.

[Harry Longshanks]

  xiphos888 said:

A mat allows you to hit a little behind the ball, whereas turf will tend to grab the club. Just pay close attention to the sound you make. Learn the difference between a fat shot and a solid one. Listen for ball first.

True. And you learn to feel it too.

I wear an iPod at the range (so I can't hear the "thump"), but I can definitely feel a fat shot off the mat. And even if it flies ok, it still makes me mad.

[chris408]

At my course they have a mat range and two grass areas; one being the current hitting side, while the other is the re-growing side. The hitting area can last close to a month, by moving the hitting area back every couple days, but also usage of the grass area is only available as part of their membership. Their membership allows for unlimited use of the course, all practice areas, and even the mat range. It's a nice setup, and definitely hitting off the grass does provide a closer-to-realistic hitting surface.

[joshtpa]

Where I live in FL, the grass ranges are usually quite large and have no problem growing back full while the tees cycle.

[TCCcaddie]

I like that a lot of ranges in my area offer both grass and matt ranges. Thats good because i hate having to walk by hundreds of matts that are all beat up and then seeing kids who dont even play golf and are just fooling around using all the good ones. Havng the grass there is good because you know you'll be around people who are as serious as about playing as you are.

[Harry Longshanks]

  The Birdieman said:

Where I live in FL, the grass ranges are usually quite large and have no problem growing back full while the tees cycle.

Yet another reason I hate you B-Man.

[joshtpa]

  Harry Longshanks said:

Yet another reason I hate you B-Man.

Come for a visit in the cold weather and Ill treat.