Was Told to NOT Practice Past 150 yard shot on Turf

[infoe]

Any truth to that? I would think that excludes teeing up. I always though the woods and 4iron would take very little divot as compared to wedges and high irons so it almost seems it should be the other way around?

[Golfingdad]

For health reasons?

I know of one person who has been teaching for a long time who told me that he got arthritis in his hand or wrist, and he believes it to be from hitting off of mats for several years.  I have no idea if that is accurate or not.

I hit off mats with all clubs all the time.

[Dave2512]

I don't get the turf and yardage part. Curious to see what else can be said about that.

[cipher]

Yeah I don't get it.  There should be less impact to the mat with the longer clubs, if this is about avoiding injury.

[David in FL]

Told by whom?

[infoe]

Aspiring teaching pro. Hes taking his tests. I know him from the retail (sales) side

[David in FL]

Aspiring teaching pro. Hes taking his tests. I know him from the retail (sales) side

And his reasoning?

[WUTiger]

I hope this aspiring pro has strong skills on the retailing side.

[MS256]

Maybe he had a reason for telling you that but I surely can't think of a good one.

Maybe he thought you only needed to practice short irons before you moved on to longer clubs.

Not much but that's all I've got.

I know of a couple of ranges where only irons are allowed because the range is too short, but that's about it.

BTW I got in trouble at one of those ranges for hitting a 5W (before I knew the rule). Funny thing was that a guy next to me was hitting a long iron that was going farther than my 5W and they didn't say a word to him.

[infoe]

Dont remember exactly but i think it had to do with hitting down /getting used to grass vs turf. I don't remember to be honest thats why i thought id ask here

[David in FL]

Maybe he had a reason for telling you that but I surely can't think of a good one. Maybe he thought you only needed to practice short irons before you moved on to longer clubs. Not much but that's all I've got. ;-) I know of a couple of ranges where only irons are allowed because the range is too short, but that's about it. BTW I got in trouble at one of those ranges for hitting a 5W (before I knew the rule). Funny thing was that a guy next to me was hitting a long iron that was going farther than my 5W and they didn't say a word to him.

Wanna bet he teaches at a range that only has mats, and is trying to convince people that they're a better option than grass? ;-)

[MS256]

Wanna bet he teaches at a range that only has mats, and is trying to convince people that they're a better option than grass?

Probably something like that or a misunderstanding about a temporary suggestion. (Grasping at straws). Ha ha!

[Dave2512]

The only yardage rule I have ever seen is due to the range being so short balls could land in the homes behind it. My parents club features this short range. Men are asked not to hit driver but many do because they can without getting close to hitting out of it. Personally I don't take more than a middle iron to the range. I hit 3 bags of balls with my 7i last night. Just working on full swing and setup changes. Mostly enjoying the longer days and weather.

[billchao]

I find that a little weird, too. There's a driving range near me (the only one I've found where I can hit off grass) that has a pretty short range length, and they ask you not to hit woods because the net in the back of the range protects one of the lateral sides of their nine hole course. Pretty much in line with others have said. I have injured myself on a range mat before, but that was back when I first started playing and I was really hacking it. I'm pretty sure that if I was practicing on grass, I would have hurt myself eventually back then, anyway.

[k-troop]

I never hit off of mats because I don't like them, but I'll agree mats suck equally with all clubs.

[Orlando38]

well, I was hitting off mats a few weeks ago...and chunked a iron and actually hurt my hand! never have done this before, but I am now back to hacker stage since having about a 3 1/2 year lay off from the game. Embarassing, since I used to be a low-cap.

[Golfingdad]

well, I was hitting off mats a few weeks ago...and chunked a iron and actually hurt my hand!

I'll do that occasionally too.  But it's gotta be a real bad chunk to hurt ... such that were you on grass, you would likely not even make it through.  On mats it bounces, but at least it keeps moving. :)

[Dave2512]

Yeah has to be some really odd swing that would likely hurt on grass too. I don't see pain mentioned regarding mats as much as people think they are too easy to hit off of. What I like about mats is a consistent area to stand and the perfect lie. Makes working easy without needing to move around. Set up your camera, rods, whatever and get to work. I am mostly looking at ball flight, seeing where it starts and ends. Not too worried about how comfortable it is, typically not taking full speed swings anyway.