Do you think simulated grass mats come close to grass on fat shots?

[nevets88]

Your club doesn't bounce like on padded mats and you do get a flight that looks like a fat shot sans the flying divot. The simulated mats I've used have about an inch or so of fake grass bristles.

[Koth]

I don't know if the ball flight is the same, but I'm always able to tell when I miss hit on mats. The driving range I go to during my lunch break only has mats, so I've gotten pretty good at being able to tell if I hit a shot cleanly or duffed it.

[Zeph]

I don't think mats ever will be able to simulate real grass in terms of fat shots, but the softer and higher the mat grass, the worse the results are.

The problem with hard mats and fat shots is not the ball flight, but that beginners can think it is supposed to feel like that. I hit off mats for a long time before I found how it feels to hit the ball first. Hitting off mats with softer and taller material will slow down the club and you will know you hit it fat. The distance will be shorter and you definitely feel it in the hands.

I only have mats to practice off here, there are simply no range with grass. My local course also got range tees. By working on my weight transfer and being aware of the problem with mats, I've gotten rid of most of my fat shots.

[WUTiger]

What I've seen the last couple of years is that all mats are not created equal.

Some 3' x 5' mats I've seen advertised have a short-bristled tee-fairway section, and a bushier section that approached light rough in depth. Also, some of them will take a wooden tee.

Not sure how many of the practice ranges get these better mats.

[mtsalmela80]

If you want to more closely simulate lush fariway on a mat, go to the range just after a rain shower when the mats are soaked.