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Just wondering if anyone has any preference at the driving range regarding mat tees versus hitting from the grass. Who has more luck where, and why? Furthermore, which would you suggest hitting from if you were a golfer who used to have a swing but just hasn't been hitting the ball well at all lately?

Personally, like the grass because I can learn from the divots I take (or don't take!). It's easier to shank from the grass, though, which means more time is wasted trying to re-learn my swing. The mats are great for ball-contact, but they stop the club from coming down through the ball as much.

Is is just me, or does anyone else notice that time at the driving range doesn't hold a candle to actually going to the course to learn technique?

I hit the ball better off of mats but I think hitting off of grass helps the game more. I think most people will agree with this.

Hitting off the matts is false contact, and it wears down your clubs must faster than normal contact does. Divots are good to read as well. Grass all the way. Plenty of times a fat shot off a matt will feel perfect.

I actually struggle for decent contact on mats. I hit way more shanks at the range off the mats. Unfortunately I don't know of any local ranges with a grass hitting area - not even my local club has one.

I hit quite well off the mats, my pro told me that if you make good contact off the mats then it will be good contact anywhere.

Was he wrong ?

for a start you can get away with catching it fat a lot more, since the club doesn't dig into the turf.

Yeah as Ringer said...you can go to the mats and hit 5 inches behind the ball and the club will still bounch up and catch the ball making it seem as though you hit a good shot. Its alright to hit off mats in my opinion but you've got to know what to listen for in a good shot off the mats. You have to hear that crisp sound an iron makes to know its a good shot. If you here a thud sound then hear the contact with the ball then you know its a bad shot regardless of where the ball ends up.

Good tip on the noise, I always go off the noise as it is....

Cheers

Exactly. It is always a treat to be able to hit off the grass. Unfortunately, in my area I have to hit off mats. You definitely get better feedback on mishits from the grass.

I fortunately have access to both and I prefer to hit off grass.That way I can tee the ball up the way it would be at the course instead of hitting off the rubber tee's that you cant adjust.

Agree strongly with the "grass" camp. Vastly prefer the real thing, for reasons stated above.

Real grass here...I can't stand the mats. I've also read that hitting off the ones with concrete under them can mess up the lie angles or lofts on your clubs. I read it in Golf Digest I think, anyone know if there's any truth to it?

I actually broke the shaft off of a club while hitting off mats. I NEVER hit off them any more

True Card. If you hit off of mats you should check your loft and lie angles atleast twice a year. Especially if you play forged irons.

I prefer grass, it is a better representation of real golf. I'm trying to remember the last time I hit off the mat in the middle of a round...