Why hitting the ball on grass is so different from hitting it from the practice mat?

Hello all, I am new to this forum. I live in Bangkok, Thailand and this is my firt post.

I have been practicing golf for 5-7 months, mostly on the range (with golf mats), and I have never been to a real game yet.
I figured I could master my swing pretty well on the range. I typically hit my 7I about 150 yards or even > 160 yards on a good day.
Today, I went to a different range and gave it a try on the grass, Wow! it was so different.
Most of the time, I hit the ground about 3-5 cm behind the ball (toward my right foot, I am right handed). It was very frustrating, to keep hitting the ground, like that . I figured I used exactly the same swing, same stance, and same grip, and same ball position as when I practiced on the mat (for the 7I, I placed the ball center).
What went wrong, any ideas friends?
Should I just move the ball more toward the right foot near where the divot took place or should I slide my hip to the left more before down swinging to move the divot more toward where I placed the ball?

Also, I didn't get the feeling of snapping (or releasing) my right hand when hitting the ball. Most of the time I just tried to swing smoothly through to get the ball fly (If i tried to release my RH, I just hit the grond).

Many thanks for any tips,

You've now learned the peril of mats. They're very, very forgiving. Grass however, not so much.

Time to look at your swing on video, and figure out why you're chunking it.

I practice on mats 2 times a week and play once or twice a week (15 hcp) when I first started, I too had a lot of problems making the transition to grass - always hitting behind the ball.

However - once you learn that you always have to strike the ball before the turf (or mat) there isn't too much difference.

Its all about practice..practice..practice!

Good luck!

Hi Lowpost,

I can see what you mean that mats are forgiving for example if you hit it fat and the club bounces off the mat and you might still make a decent shot. However as long as you are aware of that, you yourself would know whether that was a good or a bad shot (unless you are kidding yourself heh).

Other than that, I'm not sure how practising off the mat would be bad? (I ask this because I only get to practise off mats! :O)

[quote=Karamari]Hello all, I am new to this forum. I live in Bangkok, Thailand and this is my firt post.


Most of the time, I hit the ground about 3-5 cm behind the ball (toward my right foot, I am right handed). It was very frustrating, to keep hitting the ground, like that

Odds are you were hitting the mat first as well. The reason it is so noticable on grass, is when you hit the ground, your club digs in, When you hit the mat slightly behind the ball, your club simply bounces (IF that is the right word) into the ball and you are not nearly as aware of the mis hit.

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SneakyShort

Lowpost Are Totally Right In The Mat (so Foregiving) You May Hit 4 Inches Behind The Ball And Still Hit The Ball...try To Hit The Same Shoot In The Grass...lol FIRST SECOND LATER