Mats vs. Grass at Practice Range

[Trader Will]

I'm lucky to have a great practice facility 15 minutes from my house. It has a chipping green, a nice putting only green, and a green with a sand trap; in addition to a driving range with no mats. I get unlimited use of the practice facility and get to hit unlimited range balls for $29 a month. I play every day it's not raining, and even when it is I can usually get some practice in! -North Florida

The driving range has a bunker you can hit out of onto the driving range, too.

[lumpuckeroo]

Depends on the time of year, I hit balls this weekend and had to use the mats, the grass portion of the range is not open yet.  In late summer, the grass is gone from the range so I will have to use the mats, unless I want to practice hitting from hardpan!

Never understood why all the golf courses in the Midwest have gone to Zoysia or Bermuda fairways but all the driving ranges still insist on having bent grass that is stressed and gone by mid July.

[Mr. Desmond]

I prefer grass because I can hit my forgings (softer steel is easier to bend on unforgiving mats).

When I'm on a mat, I bring my Pings.

[Deryck Griffith]

Grass is my number 1 option; if available of course.

In the winter, I am forced to hit off of the mats inside the golf domes we have here in Toronto.

[MiniBlueDragon]

Grass if possible as it gives me a better idea on the low point of my swing, however the only grass rang eI know of near here (Wimbledon, UK) is a good 30 mins drive. :(

[dbwood]

I prefer grass, but I'll have to hit off mats until the grass comes in strong.  Maybe the end of April.

[dbuck]

Well I should have read a little more before I voted--voted 50/50.

It is not by choice though. I prefer grass for the most part, but hit the mats when the grass is in bad condition.  The mats at my range are fairly thick, so the lie is perfect, and I will sometimes use them if I am working on something to take a variable out of the equation. The range allows it, so I always move off the mat if I am using a tee.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

I prefer grass because I can hit my forgings (softer steel is easier to bend on unforgiving mats).

When I'm on a mat, I bring my Pings.

I should add, that I think unforgiving mats led to golfer's elbow for me ... or tendonitis. The mats are shocking to the arms. After rest and a change to Aerotech Steelfibers, I recovered and have since gone to Nippons without pain. But I stay on grass, rarely on mats. In fact, for the last 3 years, I've only been on a mat for lessons inside

[mdl]

I hit only off mats, as the range close to me is all mats.  But the mats are pretty good there, and I've never understood why everyone hates them so much.  I've found them excellent practice for fairway shots.

Though I'm super jealous of you guys who can practice on the course.  I can't afford membership or green fees at any courses where that would be an option, but I'd only do that if I had the option.  Some day...

[RichWW2]

I like hitting off grass and will try at all costs.  I'll hit of the mats if I have to, but the mats just feel weird when I hit off them.

[DannyB215]

Thanks to all the snow, I'll probably have to wait until about April-May until grass opens up at the ranges I go to. One of the public courses I play at gives you free practice balls at a very nice range area, so I usually go there before I play. I really prefer grass, I really like to make sure I'm truly warmed up before I go to the course.

[joegolfpool]

Grass only unless I'm hitting the ball off a tee.  I feel like I make way to good of contact off the mat even if it doesn't feel like that good of a swing.  like the club face bounces and glides under the ball insead of hitting the grass and grabbing.

[The Recreational Golfer]

It depends on the mat, too.

The range where I practice has mats with a thick pile and are not tight at all. You always know just where your club hit the ground, and if it's in less than the ideal spot, the club does get grabbed a bit.

[TalkingRock]

I use grass until it goes dormant and then you have to use the mats.  The hitting area at my course can only hold 5 golfers max at a time.  I have been interested in taking a look at your brush caddy to.

C'ya

[BrushCaddy]

Originally Posted by TalkingRock

I use grass until it goes dormant and then you have to use the mats.  The hitting area at my course can only hold 5 golfers max at a time.  I have been interested in taking a look at your brush caddy to.

C'ya

T-Rock, If you're interested in a Brush Caddy, now's the time to get one.  I've got a promotion going on right now for $5 off for all The Sand Trap members.  Just type in “TST2011” at checkout and you're set.

[SusanLawless]

I am assuming that most ranges just have mats and that this is where most people practice...I am lucky enough that near me there is one range which allows you to play of grass and to be honest I find this the most "realistic".  Sure hitting off a mat can be useful for swing practice etc. but nothing like the real thing.  And I endeavor now to just hit off the grass as much as I can...

What do you guys think?  Does it really make much of a difference?

[carpediem4300]

a mat doesnt respond to the club the way the grass do, matts can very easily mask a "fat" or "heavy" contact,...and sometimes increase the effect of a "thin" shot

Grass is grass, what happens on grass is what will happen on the course,

[Mr3Wiggle]

I'm fine with mats.  Obviously grass is preferrable, but the range I go to changes out their mats regularly.  My biggest gripe about mats is practicing tee shots.  I don't like the rubber tees that are often too high or too low.