Launch Differences between Mats and Grass

[DrvFrShow]

They need to do the mat part of these tests in real life situations that the majority of golfers face - using the average driving range mat sitting on concrete, otherwise they're meaningless.

[natureboy]

Yes agree, gotta be the vertical gear effect.

It could also be that a good golfer knows that a mat is less forgiving and therefore swings through impact with a shallower AoA than on grass.

Sure, the ball settles into the grass a bit, but I would bet much less than the much heavier feet which may actually sink into the root zone a bit. That won't happen on your typical hard range mat where the bottom of the feet and the bottom of the ball will likely be on the same level. So the grass makes the ball effectively higher relative to the feet or the bottom of the arc.

That plus the forgiving nature of the turf (divots allowed) lets a good golfer come into the ball with a steeper AoA and probably with hands further ahead so lower launch and more spin.

[tristanhilton85]

The piece mentions the exact model name of the mat. Dunno if it's the bristle type or astro turf like type. It didn't sound like your typical range mat though.

These are the mats that were used: http://www.realfeelgolfmats.com

They are supposed to be pretty good; something similar to the True Strike mats. According to their site, they let you hit down on the ball.

[natureboy]

These are the mats that were used: http://www.realfeelgolfmats.com

They are supposed to be pretty good; something similar to the True Strike mats. According to their site, they let you hit down on the ball.

I wondered about that. I wish our local ranges used them. Could be less 'spongy' than real turf, but the feet should still sink in a bit and the ball less than on grass so probably comparable ball height above bottom of feet to grass.

But were the 'good golfers' regular users of those mats? Swing habits are hard to change and if they thought 'mat' they might have still swung the same as with the typical range mat.

[rehmwa]

I wondered about that. I wish our local ranges used them. Could be less 'spongy' than real turf, but the feet should still sink in a bit and the ball less than on grass so probably comparable ball height above bottom of feet to grass.

But were the 'good golfers' regular users of those mats? Swing habits are hard to change and if they thought 'mat' they might have still swung the same as with the typical range mat.

another spring crimped - maybe even more spongy than the real thing - I have one and it's great - hate hitting off of range mats

http://www.allturfmats.com/MonsterTee-Golf-Mats-s/36.htm

[smellysell]

[QUOTE name="nevets88" url="/t/78417/launch-differences-between-mats-and-grass/18#post_1081085"] The piece mentions the exact model name of the mat. Dunno if it's the bristle type or astro turf like type. It didn't sound like your typical range mat though.[/QUOTE] These are the mats that were used: [URL=http://www.realfeelgolfmats.com]http://www.realfeelgolfmats.com[/URL] They are supposed to be pretty good; something similar to the True Strike mats. According to their site, they let you hit down on the ball.

I've got one off those. They're pretty nice, far cry from your typical range mat.

[Zeph]

This should've been tested with a machine.

It would've been interesting to see more results from more players. I know from experience that I do things differently when hitting off mats. Small things here and there.