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HI everyone,

I'm a beginner golfer. I've been playing for a few months now and just started taking lessons. My lessons take place on an artificial turf mat and I really hit well off of these. WHen I switch to grass ranges though I'm horrible. Now, I realize that its probably due to the uneven grass versus the flat/smooth turf but is this normal? I can barely even make contact off of the grass--I'm just so much worse. Should I continue to hit off the turf until my swing is consistently solid/good or should I just go onto the grass and grin and bear it until I improve seeing as the actual courses are grass. I'm not sure which approach makes the most sense so I would appreciate anyones help

Thanks

I would switch to grass if I were you. When I was younger and first started practicing and taking lessons I always found myself wanting to use the mats. Well when I got on the course did I ever suck. I could not hit anything off the grass and could only make decent contact if I used a tee. I think it is all in your head but I would switch to grass to build up some confidence on the surface that you have to play off of.

agreed with TStokes. Practice like you play. If you can possibly try to get the lessons on the grass.

Ditto to everyone....you're just cheating yourself with the mat. For me, I'm working on hitting the ball on the downswing, and the way I'm gauging it is by checking my divots....and needless to say you can't check divots on a mat.
Take it for what it's worth...
Mike

For most beginners and some of us who have been at it a while, the best place to practice our swings is behind trees, on the cart path, up against the water hazard, out of someones garden, in another fairway(I personally practice this shot quite a bit), in the sand, ect. Don't forget to practice using all clubs in your bag, most people forget the footwedge, but with some proper teaching it can become the most efficient weapon you have. Good luck dude.

I think most golfers would choose grass over mats any day.

I only hit off of mats when the ground is too wet or muddy to practice.

Artificial mats give a false sense of hitting the ball better than you really are. Using mats, you can hit 2 inches behind the ball and still produce a shot that looks playable. Try the same shot on grass and you're lucky to move the ball at all. Mats allow the bottom edge of the clubhead to pass 1/2 an inch or so (depending on how new the mat is) under the ball, no matter how poorly you swing the club. This results in decent contact with the ball most of the time but the solid contact is greatly enhanced by the mat.

Grass tee areas are not so forgiving, but are a far superior way to judge how well you are striking the ball. Initially, the grass area isn't as much fun, but if you want accurate feedback on how you're striking the ball, it's the best place to practice. IMO You'll improve quicker by practicing from grass. Good luck with your lessons.

Excellent post by "leaguegolf". Switch to grass right away!

Another tip is to hit balls out the fairway sand bunker, if your driving range has one. This really improves ballstriking, and teaches you to hit the little ball BEFORE hitting the big ball! :)

Grass mats just stink. Never use them unless they are your only option. Does not give you a realistic feeling and outcome of most shots. I hate them.

Great, thanks for the help everyone. I will practice off the grass from now on.

i don't have this problem, i'm a beginner too. i would switch to grass if you're sure theres not a problem in your swing.