Until you see a divot fly off the practice mat it will never be true similation of the turf. Rubber practice mats are the driving range owners pot of gold and the golfers pot of *%#@&!!

I saw a recent post about a GTO member with tendenitis. I'm not sure if his case was caused by rubber mats but it is a common malady for golfers who hit off mats frequently.

When at a range with mats, I try to stick with teed balls and practice driver, three, five, hybrid etc.. as this is practical practice. I also hit the fairway woods directly off the matt with a few short wedges mixed in.

On a grass range, I take advantage and do the opposite of the mat scenario. Mostly irons with a just few teed balls for continuity.

There is no place like the course to hone your golf game. Using boundaries, targets and not trying to kill the ball at the range are good ideas but you need to play golf to get better. Speaking of which I have played over 150 different courses and not one was easy. How do those architects do that !!!!!!

Thanks,
Tim S