Mats vs. Grass

[Just_the_Chip]

As a background , I used to "play" golf 15 years ago. It was more of a social excuse more than anything, with friends and pre-youtube help etc. So I was awful then. Recently the past couple of years, I started playing with a focus on enjoying the game and getting better. I have taken about 5 lessons which helped me dramatically. I went from shooting 110 -115 to 92 - 96.

I've read some things about Mats vs. Grass and I strongly feel like Mats are screwing up my game. For me personally it really doesn't translate. I can feel like I'm flushing irons on mats, but when I get to the course, even with a perfect fairway lie, I'm struggling to get the same consistent hits. There are not a lot of Grass driving ranges around me in Massachusetts, so I guess my ask from the many better players on this.... 

What is an effective way for a beginner to practice on mats that DOES translate to grass? Currently I practice my alignment with sticks, I use the towel drill to practice compression... What other drills would you suggest for some winter practice when I get to the indoor ranges this winter?

[Hook DeLoft]

I wish I could help. All I know is mats allow you to get away with hitting it a little fat. You may want to post this in the instruction folder. You might get more responses there. 

[Josh Parker]

Some easier drills to make sure your contact is better off of mats are put a coin right behind the ball and try not to hit it so that you are making contact with the ball first. Mats give some room for fat shots.  

You could also put down some blue painters tape if allowed and place ball right in front of line.  

[cnosil]

9 hours ago, Shakeyfly said:

I've read some things about Mats vs. Grass and I strongly feel like Mats are screwing up my game. For me personally it really doesn't translate. I can feel like I'm flushing irons on mats, but when I get to the course, even with a perfect fairway lie, I'm struggling to get the same consistent hits. There are not a lot of Grass driving ranges around me in Massachusetts, so I guess my ask from the many better players on this.... 

What is an effective way for a beginner to practice on mats that DOES translate to grass? Currently I practice my alignment with sticks, I use the towel drill to practice compression... What other drills would you suggest for some winter practice when I get to the indoor ranges this winter?

What is different?  While the feel of mat vs. ground may be different, it should generally be the same.  Fat shots are really where the issue comes into play.  Mats will often cause the ball to bounce and result in acceptable shots.  Fat on the course doesn't typically work.  The towel behind the ball should give you an indication of the fat shot unless the towel is too far back.  You could also use a line of foot powder spray on the mat to check impact location.   Other drills would be anything associated with low point control.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Practicing is still practicing and if you only have a mat to play on or use then don't let that get in your way. Mats as mentioned can hide some poor strikes as it allows you to not take big divots. 

The drill @cnosil mentioned is the best one I can think of. There are some mats that have more give or are less firm which can help a little bit. 

[wely324]

I absolutely despise hitting off mats and will avoid them to the point that I will just chip and pitch around the short game area if there is one and then take a bunch of practice swings in the grass. 

[paul6057]

My coach had a drill where he put a bit of paper about 4 inches behind the ball. That will show you if you're too shallow or hitting the ball a bit fat, which as you say, you get away with on a mat, but is a disaster on grass.

Edited October 27, 2023 by paul6057

[Preeway]

Mats definitely have their limitations but overall work great if you are trying to work on swing mechanics. I can’t use mats when working on my wedge game very well because  you can’t replicate a swing that takes a big divot. However, they work great for mid and long irons, and woods as well, where you have more of a sweeping swing. Add into the mix that some mats are better than others when it comes to feel so you can’t just simply say all mats are good or bad. In the end it’s definitely a personal preference thing but I would caution against using only mats for all practice sessions. Nothing prepares for the course better than hitting non grass. 

[Golfzilla70]

You'll definitely get away with some fat shots on a mat that you wouldn't on grass.  But having said that, any kind of swing practice you do can't be all bad.  I know it's a common saying that bad practice is worse than no practice, but that's not really applicable here.  Assuming you're working on solid fundamentals, I'd hit to my heart's content on the mats, knowing that you're getting away with misses that you wouldn't in real life.  And concentrate on KNOWING that you hit the ball solid - if you can come close to hitting the ball with near-perfect contact on a mat, you'll be fine when spring rolls around.  You just have to recognize by feel when you don't hit it perfect, and make adjustments where necessary.  Be slightly upset with yourself when you feel that clubhead vibrate on mis-hits, and work to make those shots the exception.  

 

And by the way, that's great progress going from the 110's to the 90's in scoring.  You're well on your way if you continue to work at it.

[PJVicary]

Mats can be a confidence booster as you can get away with some fat hits. Placing a small piece of painters tape behind the ball to insure you are hitting the ball first. Unfortunately many ranges do not have grass areas to practice on. 

[WeDrewStraws_CameIn3rd]

How do you know mats are screwing up your game if you’re getting better?

[ebaileymershon]

As my old boss would say, both. Hitting into a net with mat is great to work on timing, keeping loose.  On grass range can visualize the shot, execute the shot, watch the results, commit to memory. Many an instructor recommends edges of ranges for variance in lies, feet placement. 

[Chip and a putt QUV3u]

Matts are one of, if the, worst thing on which to practice, especially irons.  They give you a false sense of security in that a fat hit on mats seems ok because the club "bounces" off the concrete, or whatever is covering the artificial grass and that doesn't happen on real grass.  Not to mention it also does no good for your arms and elbows.  When mats look my only option I head for a practice sand trap and hit irons out of there.  It's not perfect but WAY better than a matt and if you hot behind the ball in a trap you'll know it - instantly.  It's too bad there aren't any grass practice areas near you but I'd drive a bit to get to one over mats, or chip and putt as one other poster mentioned.

[Englhard]

It all depends on what you have available and time. Grass is preferred, but if I only used grass, I would swing my clubs a lot less often. I bought a mat, a net and a Garmin R10 that I use to practice on in my garage. It’s not perfect, but getting reps in on the mat in my garage has helped me to start and improve my swing. I think consistency is the most important thing, so if you can’t get to grass, it’s better to do mats than nothing at all.

[RickK]

Mats give me a false sense of hitting almost perfect shots. And, hitting off mats screws with the tendonitis in my elbows if I do it too often. 

[Tommy E]

5 minutes ago, Englhard said:

It all depends on what you have available and time. Grass is preferred, but if I only used grass, I would swing my clubs a lot less often. I bought a mat, a net and a Garmin R10 that I use to practice on in my garage. It’s not perfect, but getting reps in on the mat in my garage has helped me to start and improve my swing. I think consistency is the most important thing, so if you can’t get to grass, it’s better to do mats than nothing at all.

I have the same set up and use it to keep my golf muscles was getting sore between actual visits to the golf course to practice or play.  I’m 71 going on 72 and keeping the muscles loose and the swing with some consistence helps.  I’m not concern with distance on the mat practice, just ball flight and swing drills to maintain my game! ️

[Englhard]

3 minutes ago, Tommy E said:

I have the same set up and use it to keep my golf muscles was getting sore between actual visits to the golf course to practice or play.  I’m 71 going on 72 and keeping the muscles loose and the swing with some consistence helps.  I’m not concern with distance on the mat practice, just ball flight and swing drills to maintain my game! ️

Yes, that’s the important part! It always pained me a little bit to do drills at the range when I was paying by bucket, but with an unlimited ball setup at home, I actually do drills now.

[Oudefart]

On 10/27/2023 at 3:49 AM, paul6057 said:

My coach had a drill where he put a bit of paper about 4 inches behind the ball. That will show you if you're too shallow and hitting the ball a bit fat, which as you say, you get away with on a mat, but is a disaster on grass.

If you’re shallow, you’re not hitting it fat.

everything everyone else has said. For me the main thing about mats is potential for injury. I’m fortunate to have grass whenever I want/need. However within walking distance is a public course with mats., so sometimes. I noticed how much mats on concrete messes up my elbows, wrists and hands. If I go, its for an intentional drill of only 40 balls and I’m finished. Can’t afford the lingering aches and pains of that constant practice.

At your current index, spending more time at a grass short game area would probably be more beneficial if improvement vs “grooving you swing” is the true goal.

Edited October 28, 2023 by Oudefart

[Breakpar]

Hi Everyone: I think the drills for ball first contact on a mat are all listed above. I note that several of you mentioned that mats may hurt your wrists or elbows. I feel compelled to remark that I had developed tendinitis in my elbow. I went to an ortho who injected cortisone. I stayed off playing for a month. Yet the first swing I took hurt. Ortho gave me another shot of cortisone. One month later I learned that the cortisone had dissolved several ligaments in my elbow, which then needed grafts. I was told then by several experts that this experience is not unusual bc the elbow capsule is so small. Condition is called cortisone toxicity. Be careful 

[Franc38]

In my opinion there are 3 thing you can work on on a driving range and for some mats are ok, for some not so much!

-If you work on swing mechanics, mats are fine (and you don't even need to hit a ball more than once every 4 or 5 shots

-if you work on trajectoires and distances, mats are very bad, they're robbing you of about 1000rpm of spin, giving you repeated flyers. Plus range balls don't spin/react like "proper balls"

-if you work on contact, the foam and plastic strands of fake grass rob you of some feel. Not too bad if you're playing blades, much worse if you play GI. However that can be addressed "easily" :

place the ball between two broken tees or other small objects leaving only a tiny bit of leeway for the head of the club to pass though. That's for heel-toe centering.

Place a towel 3 or 4 inches behind the ball and a broken bit of tee 4 inches after the ball and avoid touching the towel while clipping the broken tee off the mat .. that's for high/low centring and working on a downward angle of attack.

 

As stressed by some, hitting on mats may be quite detrimental to your elbows. I avoid hitting more than 20 balls per fortnight off mats and wear a padded elbow brace when I do ... 

Plus "practicing on the course" is better anyway if you can, since we play golf, not swing and a "good golfer" may go around 18 in 3 or 4 over par while never having a good swing or perfect contact while a mid handicap player may have only great swings and contacts while shooting 95...

Edited October 27, 2023 by Franc38

[jolter1]

During the grass growing season, I am fotunate to have a driving range that offers both grass and mats. Naturally I drift toward the grass during those months and find that finding it in the dirt has been much more beneficial to my game. During the winter months I will gravitate to the mats, not to work on my game, but just to get outside and swing  bit.

[peterg2000]

For me there are several parameters involved to choose a surface I'll practice on. 99% of public driving ranges don't maintain the practice surface so grass is sparse. The better practice ranges are the higher end golf clubs that are usually private and they usually take good care of their practice facilities. Most driving ranges that use mats have the cheap kind where the ball ends up an inch lower due to the wear on the mat. The range I go to installed high quality mats over 10 years ago and they have the same feel now as when they were first installed. No dips where the clubs hit the mat. Those mats aren't cheap to buy $500-$1200 range. So most driving ranges go for the cheap mats. If I go to some other course or range and see they have these mats then I would most likely use them over their poor excuse for grass. With the high end mats, I like the consistency on every shot. Plus I don't have to search around every time I hit a ball for enough blades of grass to put a ball on!    I should also mention that the landing area I practice at is a lake with targets which makes it great to see your distance, so if you hit a fat shot the feel and distance will be off. 

Pete

[MarcB11]

I turn my mat so I'm hitting off the front edge of it. I can hit down and through normally. I discovered trying this after developing tennis elbow. Also, the sound of a pure strike  I have discovered is elevated especially indoors.

[JeffSL]

If no one has mentioned previously, another training aid is a Divot Board.  Check the Google.  Seems to be a price reduction going on.

Not necessary to use it for every shot; I use it more for a few drills.  It can definitely let one know if the current “feel” is correct, whether that feel is “I think I’m ok” or “dang, my shots feel heavy.” 

[Englhard]

14 minutes ago, JeffSL said:

If no one has mentioned previously, another training aid is a Divot Board.  Check the Google.  Seems to be a price reduction going on.

Not necessary to use it for every shot; I use it more for a few drills.  It can definitely let one know if the current “feel” is correct, whether that feel is “I think I’m ok” or “dang, my shots feel heavy.” 

$99 seems high for it… what’s your experience with it? For $50 it would be a no brainier. Here’s hoping for a good Black Friday discount…

[JeffSL]

My experience is in my post.  That’s about all I use it for.  Sadly, it points out how bad my swing still is!

Cost is usually a matter of perceived return.  I paid a bit more when I got mine a couple years ago.  No regrets.  Also, it’s there when friends are struggling and can show what turf contact looks like.

I use it in my sim.  Haven’t taken to the range as yet.

[Big C]

Hey y’all I rather hit on grass any day than a mat like of the guys said it’s not forgiving then when u get on the course it’s a different story do practice on grass to c where u r striking the ball 

[higherplane]

Given winter coming if mats really screwed up your game we are all in trouble.  As others have stated mats will give you and advantage on fat shots as club will bounce a little.  Our local course has mats with brushes for hitting that in theory make it a little more realistic.  With mats you can still work on your swing which is better than doing nothing and off season with mats is great for learning to hit ball first on iron shots.       

[Johnnyzen]

I am a mats believer. I much prefer them to grass ranges...at least those around here...that are chewed up, uneven, and shaggy. 

I believe mats have helped me become a better ball striker, because I must hit the ball first. Through the bag on-course my divots are shallow to virtually non-existent. If I take a big divor, that's a mishit. 

Anyway, I am in the minority (as I am in my belief that beginners should be practicing with...if not playing with...forged blades).

Edited October 27, 2023 by Johnnyzen
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[Donn lost in San Diego]

Try teeing up on a short tee, so the ball is about 1/4 inch above the mat.  Gives you room to get deep under the ball without jamming into the hardrubber and concrete.