Never seen this before: Smart Mat for winter rules

[nevets88]

It's more divot sized than golf range mat size. Anyone ever use these? I have yet to play on a course that requires a mat during the winter.

http://www.divotend.com/golf-mats/best-golf-mat

[billchao]

It's more divot sized than golf range mat size. Anyone ever use these? I have yet to play on a course that requires a mat during the winter. [URL=http://www.divotend.com/golf-mats/best-golf-mat]http://www.divotend.com/golf-mats/best-golf-mat[/URL]

Required? Never, but I'd definitely recommend it. Frozen ground is awful to hit into, and it's impossible to stick a tee into it.

[boogielicious]

Well I guess we'll have to get one an review it now!  I am hoping we can extend the season into December this year.  I actually like playing when it's cold.

[Patch]

I use something similar to this product, although it/s a little bigger, It a piece of impact resistant, bowed plastic/rubber gizmo. It originally had synthetic turf around it, but the turf wore out, and the rubber/plastic gizmo was left over.

I also made one out of some synthetic turf with a bungee cord attached to it. It's  like the link I posted at the bottom.  Both work quite well on the "no grass" areas I practice off of. Both allow for a divot like strike.

I know a guy in Utah who, in the winter time, practices off a piece of rubber tire, which of course has a bow built in, which also allows for a divot like strike. Not sure what kind of a tire he made it out of, but I think it's made out of a larger bicycle tire.

http://www.dwquailgolf.com/training/divothit.html This is an easy DIY project.

[nevets88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevets88

It's more divot sized than golf range mat size. Anyone ever use these? I have yet to play on a course that requires a mat during the winter.

http://www.divotend.com/golf-mats/best-golf-mat

Required? Never, but I'd definitely recommend it. Frozen ground is awful to hit into, and it's impossible to stick a tee into it.

What temps were you playing in? That's cold ! I've never played and had problems sticking a tee in the ground, yet. 40, maybe 35 with no wind and sunny is my limit. I only play in one complex during the winter, so maybe they still do some maintenance on the teeing areas.

[MS256]

I use something similar to this product, although it/s a little bigger, It a piece of impact resistant, bowed plastic/rubber gizmo. It originally had synthetic turf around it, but the turf wore out, and the rubber/plastic gizmo was left over.

I also made one out of some synthetic turf with a bungee cord attached to it. It's  like the link I posted at the bottom.  Both work quite well on the "no grass" areas I practice off of. Both allow for a divot like strike.

I know a guy in Utah who, in the winter time, practices off a piece of rubber tire, which of course has a bow built in, which also allows for a divot like strike. Not sure what kind of a tire he made it out of, but I think it's made out of a larger bicycle tire.

http://www.dwquailgolf.com/training/divothit.html  This is an easy DIY project.

I made a home plate out of a piece of rubber belt line years ago. Then when I started playing golf I decided to use it for a mat so I drilled some 3/8 inch holes in it for a golf ball to sit in.

I still use it either when it's very muddy in the yard or when I want to practice a little before going to the course and I want to make sure there is no chance I am going to hit a bad shot.

The drawback is that I can hit balls all day long off of it and never hit a bad shot. A far cry from my normal ball striking and it doesn't translate to hitting off of grass.

The benefit is that I can hit balls all day long off of it and never hit a bad shot. No risk of going to the course without at least having confidence (justified or not) in my ball striking.

[billchao]

What temps were you playing in? That's [COLOR=40E0D0]cold[/COLOR]! I've never played and had problems sticking a tee in the ground, yet. 40, maybe 35 with no wind and sunny is my limit. I only play in one complex during the winter, so maybe they still do some maintenance on the teeing areas.

I've played below freezing a couple of times. It's...interesting :-) One guy used an ice pick to drill the hole for a tee. We got smart and used rubber tees the next time. I remember walking on the fairway and my spikes would start collecting ice on them. You'd have to stop periodically to knock the ice off. Can't shoot for the greens because they won't hold. I did drive the ball 400 yards once, straight down the fairway. It just bounced and bounced :-D

[newtogolf]

I've played below freezing a couple of times. It's...interesting

One guy used an ice pick to drill the hole for a tee. We got smart and used rubber tees the next time.

I remember walking on the fairway and my spikes would start collecting ice on them. You'd have to stop periodically to knock the ice off.

Can't shoot for the greens because they won't hold. I did drive the ball 400 yards once, straight down the fairway. It just bounced and bounced

That's hardcore, I usually put the clubs away around Thanksgiving time and don't take them back out until March.  I keep the putter handy for days when it's warm and my backyard putting green isn't covered with snow.

[billchao]

That's hardcore, I usually put the clubs away around Thanksgiving time and don't take them back out until March.  I keep the putter handy for days when it's warm and my backyard putting green isn't covered with snow.

I haven't done it in a few years because of the snow, but I will play in the cold if the course lets me play. All you really need is to prepare properly and not make big swings :-)

[cubdog]

That's hardcore, I usually put the clubs away around Thanksgiving time and don't take them back out until March.  I keep the putter handy for days when it's warm and my backyard putting green isn't covered with snow.

A couple years ago I played 18 on Christmas day. Not unusual except for the fact I live in northern Il. It was in the 50s, sunny, with little wind. I had the course to myself. What a beautiful day that was.

cubdog

[nevets88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtogolf

That's hardcore, I usually put the clubs away around Thanksgiving time and don't take them back out until March.  I keep the putter handy for days when it's warm and my backyard putting green isn't covered with snow.

I haven't done it in a few years because of the snow, but I will play in the cold if the course lets me play. All you really need is to prepare properly and not make big swings

I hit into a fairway bunker that was basically a tiny ice skating rink. It bounced back into the fairway and I got some extra yardage.

[14ledo81]

Can't play here in the winter anyway. To much snow.

[billchao]

I hit into a fairway bunker that was basically a tiny ice skating rink. It bounced back into the fairway and I got some extra yardage. :-O

Oh yea, I forgot about water hazards. There weren't any :-D If the weather holds up this winter, I'll try to get a vlog out. It really is a completely different way to approach the game.

[ay33660]

It's more divot sized than golf range mat size. Anyone ever use these? I have yet to play on a course that requires a mat during the winter.

http://www.divotend.com/golf-mats/best-golf-mat

St. Andrews requires the use of fairway mats from November to March.

http://www.standrews.com/Policies

Scroll down and you will see the Fairway Mat policy.

Looks like a great idea but the strip seems a bit small for high handicapers like myself. We may end up hitting it fat and missing the whole strip.