Indoor play vs outdoor play

[Fallonator22]

All. I am a somewhat of a noob to golf. I played about 5 years ago and sucked, then picked it back up about 2-3 months ago. Still sucked, so had a swing evaluation at Golf Tec. This really helped my swing (along with a grip change), BUT only seemed to help my indoor play on mats and on turf driving ranges. 

When we play indoor golf at Swingzone on the simulators - I can hit 88 on a PGA course. I am a female, and it says I can get my driver about 160-170 in the air, and my 6 iron about 130.  

We came to play on an actual course for the first time since I’ve had the lesson (we’ve been to swingzone about 4 times since then), and I cannot hit anything - not even a driver, which is teed just like on the simulator course! I am topping everything or digging in the dirt and dragging the ball along the course. I have had maybe 3 decent shots, and I don’t know what I’m doing differently. 

Considering going for another 30 min lesson with GolfTEC, but we would be hitting off mats in there so what’s the point in spending the $100??

Any tips or advice for switching from mats/turf to the actual course? I get to the point where I get so frustrated I just quit mid game because I am holding everyone up with my hit and walk 5-10 ft technique lol. 

I’m not sure if I am scared to hit the dirt, or what- but I guess just things noticed when switching from one to the other?

[boogielicious]

12 hours ago, Fallonator22 said:

All. I am a somewhat of a noob to golf. I played about 5 years ago and sucked, then picked it back up about 2-3 months ago. Still sucked, so had a swing evaluation at Golf Tec. This really helped my swing (along with a grip change), BUT only seemed to help my indoor play on mats and on turf driving ranges. 

When we play indoor golf at Swingzone on the simulators - I can hit 88 on a PGA course. I am a female, and it says I can get my driver about 160-170 in the air, and my 6 iron about 130.  

We came to play on an actual course for the first time since I’ve had the lesson (we’ve been to swingzone about 4 times since then), and I cannot hit anything - not even a driver, which is teed just like on the simulator course! I am topping everything or digging in the dirt and dragging the ball along the course. I have had maybe 3 decent shots, and I don’t know what I’m doing differently. 

Considering going for another 30 min lesson with GolfTEC, but we would be hitting off mats in there so what’s the point in spending the $100??

Any tips or advice for switching from mats/turf to the actual course? I get to the point where I get so frustrated I just quit mid game because I am holding everyone up with my hit and walk 5-10 ft technique lol. 

I’m not sure if I am scared to hit the dirt, or what- but I guess just things noticed when switching from one to the other?

Mats can be more forgiving than real grass. I would recommend going to an outdoor range with grass tees if you have one available. Many courses have practice tees like this. It is actually better for your wrists too. The Golf Tec lessons are helpful. If you take another lesson, mention this to the instructor.

[Carl3]

13 hours ago, Fallonator22 said:

I’m not sure if I am scared to hit the dirt

I think that this is a real thing. Like Boogie I suggest getting a large bucket at a range with grass tees and work on tiny short swings and making sure you have a good feel for the club/turf interaction. Take a lot of little back and forth practice swings and get a good feel for where the grass ends and the dirt starts, then hit a ball with a little swing. A big bucket doesn't have to wear you out if you don't take all full swings. Work your way into some bigger swings and then back down again.

I was having trouble in June with a similar issue and about 2 hours at the range on grass got me over my issue.

[Fallonator22]

1 hour ago, boogielicious said:

Mats can be more forgiving than real grass. I would recommend going to an outdoor range with grass tees if you have one available. Many courses have practice tees like this. It is actually better for your wrists too. The Golf Tec lessons are helpful. If you take another lesson, mention this to the instructor.

Thanks for the advice! What you said about the wrists too answers another question of mine - after we do indoor simulation, my lead wrist kills and is sore for many days after when trying to do daily tasks which can get annoying!

58 minutes ago, Carl3 said:

I think that this is a real thing. Like Boogie I suggest getting a large bucket at a range with grass tees and work on tiny short swings and making sure you have a good feel for the club/turf interaction. Take a lot of little back and forth practice swings and get a good feel for where the grass ends and the dirt starts, then hit a ball with a little swing. A big bucket doesn't have to wear you out if you don't take all full swings. Work your way into some bigger swings and then back down again.

I was having trouble in June with a similar issue and about 2 hours at the range on grass got me over my issue.

Thank you for the advice! That course actually has the grass driving range, so will just have to wait until all this rain we are having goes away and try out what you are suggesting.