Range mats promote bad habits?

[TN94z]

Mats don't promote bad habits....if they did, teachers wouldn't teach off of them.

[Zeph]

Players below 15 hcp probably got the swing to avoid the bad habits a mat can promote, for a new player or someone with a high hcp it's a whole different story.

To hit down and take a divot after the ball you need weight transfer and proper arm action. Many players lack at least one of these, and won't take a divot. Thinking "I'm going to take a divot" won't work, it's a result of swinging correct, something you may have a hard time learning if you practice on mats all day long.

[TN94z]

  Zeph said:

Players below 15 hcp probably got the swing to avoid the bad habits a mat can promote, for a new player or someone with a high hcp it's a whole different story.

But taking a divot is created by hitting the ball first with a downward blow....you should be able to tell if you hit the mat first (fat shot) or the ball first just from feel. Then you can tell from the ball flight whether it was thin, etc...

[Zeph]

Yes, you usually can, but a high hcp player may not, and he/she may not know you are supposed to hit the ball first, or even how that feels. I was amazed the first time I hit the ball first. I probably had before, but not like I did that day. I think I was around 25+ hcp. Knowing what to do is one thing, but knowing what you do wrong and how to change it is a whole different story.

On a mat, you can still hit balls. Short, but it's not impossible. On the turf, hitting it fat is killing the distance. Most people that never played golf before is trying to lift the ball off the ground. This is a lot easier to do on a mat since the club can bounce over to the ball. On turf you'll have a harder time, but then you'll have so many other things to think about you may not notice this.

[TN94z]

  Zeph said:

Yes, you usually can, but a high hcp player may not, and he/she may not know you are supposed to hit the ball first, or even how that feels. I was amazed the first time I hit the ball first. I probably had before, but not like I did that day. I think I was around 25+ hcp. Knowing what to do is one thing, but knowing what you do wrong and how to change it is a whole different story.

I guess my point is that the "mat" doesn't promote bad swing habits. From your statement above, it is the lack of golfer knowledge that causes the bad habits on a mat. I see what you are saying but I don't think the mat has anything to do with it. I think it is all about the golfer's swing in the first place. I mean, many golf teachers teach off of mats. If there was anything bad about them, they wouldn't teach a first time player while hitting off of them. With a little fundamental knowledge, they should be able to hit of the mats pretty well. But I see your point too.

[Knockglock]

  ClintonM3 said:

Hello, I am new to the forum, and also new to the game. Started a couple of months ago. When I practice at the driving range, I don't slice, I don't hook, no draw, no fade. Rather, slight push or pull if my face angle is off a bit. I've been to a few launch monitors, rarely deviate more than 5 degrees each way. And I am happy to have my swing path and face angle sorta under control.

I personally dislike mats. I usually don't hold much weight to shots done on a mat. I feel like its a no-win situation, if I swing slightly different to compensate for the mats it isn't good practice, but if I keep my swing the same the mat keeps me from making a divot and its a little bit awkward.

[jmanbooyaa]

I went to the driving range today after work and the range has mats. By practicing on the mats I noticed that the bottom of my clubs got all scuffed up. By hitting the way I would on a course taking a divot on a mat causes the turf to streak the club.

[max power]

Prefer grass to mats, but don't have a problem hitting off mats.  Honestly, the difference in feel between hitting the ball first or a fat shot on a mat is immediately apparent to me, and a thin shot feels the same as on grass.  Take some half swings, focus on ball first, and note the difference in feel from a fat shot and you shouldn't have any problems hitting from a mat.

[nevets88]

Ranges with mats should tell beginners and noobs what to look for, it would save a world of hurt. If you know the difference between grass and mats, mats are usable, but not perfect.

The thing about grass is your divot, or lack of one, is very revealing. Direction, how deep it is, where it starts. Yes, ball flight tells alot, but a divot and ball flight is a complete story.

[BostonSully]

post moved to get  a reply.

[anthony]

Obviously, most people would rather hit off of nice grass then mats. I have grass and mats at my range, but the grass isn't fairway grass. It's just range grass that gets mowed once a week and resembles a field more than a fairway. I hit from grass on occasion (chipping, pitching), but mostly hit from the mats. He has some mats that are thick soft rubber with fibers on top to simulate grass. These kind of mats are a million times better than the thin rubber with carpet on top style you find a lot. If he didn't offer these, I'd buy my own and bring it with me. I couldn't imagine using the super thin kind.

Personally, I can tell when I strike a good shot and when I don't. It's very obvious and is the same feeling as when I'm on the course.

[bangkoksand]

Interesting discussion - thanks all. My 2 cents worth in my first post.

Why does anyone care what the divot looks like or what direction it points? Did you hit the green? The spot on the range you were aiming for? Was it low or high, a fade or a push? Did it feel good? How are you going to forensically analyse your swing after hitting off a cart path? Through your footprints? If you take a divot, fill it with sand and forget it. It tells you nothing you can't see by watching your ball fly through the air, and likely a lot less.

Why the mat phobia? Going down to the local park or school or backyard is not going down the fairway either. How many golfers develop bad habits hitting the ball sitting up high on nice spongy grass?

Why does anyone care about 'the green plastic' on the bottom of their clubs? Takes me about, oh, 5 seconds to clean it off. Are your clubs a fashion accessory or tools of the trade? I don't get this at all. If your clubs need to be in a pristine state to give you confidence on the course, buy a second set and mount them behind glass in your study. You can think of them fondly as you swipe a ball off summer hardpan.

Someone please show me some evidence of a forged iron club being bent out of alignment by hitting off decent mats. Honestly, I am interested. If you can bend a forged iron (designed to collide with a hard plastic ball, and then grass and dirt at 100mph) by hitting a ball off a mat and backing that is thicker than say one or two fingers you need immediate golf tuition.

Would I hit LW - PW - 9 IRON off mats? Sure. And yes it feels different, but I know that going in. Way better than not practising. If you need to rip a one inch deep divot with your other irons to feel like you struck the ball first, grab a spade or hoe and do the job properly.

Don't even get me started on the drivel about not wanting to hit driver indoors (launch monitor) or off rubber tees. If you duffed it off the first tee when you get out on the course, you choked. I do often. Doesn't make me want to start a thread rubbishing mats.

Fellow golfers, let's not blame the clubs or the course or the weather for lousy outings.

Cheers, and enjoy your practice, range or grass.

[moparman426]

  bangkoksand said:

Originally Posted by bangkoksand

Interesting discussion - thanks all. My 2 cents worth in my first post.

Why does anyone care what the divot looks like or what direction it points? Did you hit the green? The spot on the range you were aiming for? Was it low or high, a fade or a push? Did it feel good? How are you going to forensically analyse your swing after hitting off a cart path? Through your footprints? If you take a divot, fill it with sand and forget it. It tells you nothing you can't see by watching your ball fly through the air, and likely a lot less.

Why the mat phobia? Going down to the local park or school or backyard is not going down the fairway either. How many golfers develop bad habits hitting the ball sitting up high on nice spongy grass?

Why does anyone care about 'the green plastic' on the bottom of their clubs? Takes me about, oh, 5 seconds to clean it off. Are your clubs a fashion accessory or tools of the trade? I don't get this at all. If your clubs need to be in a pristine state to give you confidence on the course, buy a second set and mount them behind glass in your study. You can think of them fondly as you swipe a ball off summer hardpan.

Someone please show me some evidence of a forged iron club being bent out of alignment by hitting off decent mats. Honestly, I am interested. If you can bend a forged iron (designed to collide with a hard plastic ball, and then grass and dirt at 100mph) by hitting a ball off a mat and backing that is thicker than say one or two fingers you need immediate golf tuition.

Would I hit LW - PW - 9 IRON off mats? Sure. And yes it feels different, but I know that going in. Way better than not practising. If you need to rip a one inch deep divot with your other irons to feel like you struck the ball first, grab a spade or hoe and do the job properly.

Don't even get me started on the drivel about not wanting to hit driver indoors (launch monitor) or off rubber tees. If you duffed it off the first tee when you get out on the course, you choked. I do often. Doesn't make me want to start a thread rubbishing mats.

Fellow golfers, let's not blame the clubs or the course or the weather for lousy outings.

Cheers, and enjoy your practice, range or grass.

Nice rant, for a first post.  You will fit in here nicely.  Welcome to TST!

[GJBenn85]

I don't think mats promote bad habits, but they may not provide the visual feedback a new golfer needs to learn how to properly hit a ball.  The range I usually go to is grass only, and the range I go to for lessons is either grass or mats depending on the day.  Overall, I notice very little difference but mats require you to KNOW what a fat or thin shot feels like, whereas grass can provide a clear visual indication.

[Nole77]

Patrick?

  bangkoksand said:

Originally Posted by bangkoksand

Interesting discussion - thanks all. My 2 cents worth in my first post.

Why does anyone care what the divot looks like or what direction it points? Did you hit the green? The spot on the range you were aiming for? Was it low or high, a fade or a push? Did it feel good? How are you going to forensically analyse your swing after hitting off a cart path? Through your footprints? If you take a divot, fill it with sand and forget it. It tells you nothing you can't see by watching your ball fly through the air, and likely a lot less.

Why the mat phobia? Going down to the local park or school or backyard is not going down the fairway either. How many golfers develop bad habits hitting the ball sitting up high on nice spongy grass?

Why does anyone care about 'the green plastic' on the bottom of their clubs? Takes me about, oh, 5 seconds to clean it off. Are your clubs a fashion accessory or tools of the trade? I don't get this at all. If your clubs need to be in a pristine state to give you confidence on the course, buy a second set and mount them behind glass in your study. You can think of them fondly as you swipe a ball off summer hardpan.

Someone please show me some evidence of a forged iron club being bent out of alignment by hitting off decent mats. Honestly, I am interested. If you can bend a forged iron (designed to collide with a hard plastic ball, and then grass and dirt at 100mph) by hitting a ball off a mat and backing that is thicker than say one or two fingers you need immediate golf tuition.

Would I hit LW - PW - 9 IRON off mats? Sure. And yes it feels different, but I know that going in. Way better than not practising. If you need to rip a one inch deep divot with your other irons to feel like you struck the ball first, grab a spade or hoe and do the job properly.

Don't even get me started on the drivel about not wanting to hit driver indoors (launch monitor) or off rubber tees. If you duffed it off the first tee when you get out on the course, you choked. I do often. Doesn't make me want to start a thread rubbishing mats.

Fellow golfers, let's not blame the clubs or the course or the weather for lousy outings.

Cheers, and enjoy your practice, range or grass.

[dak4n6]

Mats suck. Period. OK, they are acceptable for loosening up and getting a feel for overall swing objectives like timing, tempo, swing plane, etc. But for precision fine tuning, they don't give the proper feedback. Sure, anyone can feel an iron shot chunked an inch or more behind the ball, but what about one only 1/4" fat? On that kind of shot a mat will let the club skid forward, and it feels pretty close to flush contact, whereas on grass you can tell immediately. This is why many golfers will think they are hitting great off a mat and then go to the course and hit chunk after chunk.

[joekelly]

Have read that Yani Tseung, the top golfer, grew up on plastic mats in Taiwan and only met the grass while on the course. .  In Asia, other places too, mats are most common due to  population pressure (too many golfers) and too little land available for practice. Maybe you have seen the 3 story practice range in Japan, lit up for night use, and offering 300 golfers the chance to 'pound the ground' at midnight. Figuratively Turf also more difficult to cultivate in the tropics.    The big divot idea is overplayed esp. for golfers shooting more than par.   However, i have found that if using poor technique on the mats and hitting the surface with too much vigor will damage forearms and wrists.  If i had a choice i would go for the turf. But i would choose practice  on mats before 'no practice'.