Grass vs. Hard Mats vs. Brush Mats

Several courses in my area have GREAT driving ranges with fairway like hitting areas. NONE of these are close to my work. There are 2 ranges within 1 mile. They have all of the hitting surfaces found in my subject.

When I hit off the "grass," I don't hit the ball very well. At both places, its like 1/2 way between fairway and rough. I can't seem to get any compression on the ball.

Now, when I hit off the hard mats (very short bristles with a hard sponge-rubber below) I can generate good compression and what feels like a fairway like hit.

I get similar results off the brush mats (longer bristles, but nothing really below).

My questions:
1) Should I be worried that I cannot hit the ball well off the "grass" area?
2) Which mat simulates the fairway better? I feel the hard mat does, but I have read some things about how the hard mat will "square" the face up for you. Which I don't believe, because I hit the ball 1st, not the mat.

Curious to see the posts!

Thanks!

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What's in my bag....
Cleveland VP 2 Blade Putter
Ping Tour Wedges, 54 & 60
TaylorMade rac LT2, 4i thru PW
Tour Edge Exotics Iron-Wood 21* 3i - Aldila NV 90 Stiff Shaft
Ping G5 18* 5 Wood - ProLaunch Blue 75 Stiff Shaft
Ping G5 15* 3 Wood - Aldila NV 75 Stiff Shaft
Cleveland HiBore XL 9.5* - Fujikura Fit-On Red Stiff Shaft

My questions:
1) Should I be worried that I cannot hit the ball well off the "grass" area?

Yes. We play the game on grass, we need to be able to hit off of grass. Sorry for the short answer, but mats no matter the type allow too much error and still produce good looking shots.

2) Which mat simulates the fairway better? I feel the hard mat does, but I have read some things about how the hard mat will "square" the face up for you. Which I don't believe, because I hit the ball 1st, not the mat.

I tend to cringe when I hear people wacking away on the hard mats---unless you are getting lies and lofts checked regularly these mats will change your clubs over time. I prefer the deep brush mats, if I can't hit off the grass. They are easier on your clubs, you just need to pay close attention to catching the ball clean. at the end of the day, a driving range is a good place to practise mechanics and keep from getting rusty, but the real practise happens on the course. Particularly during twilight rounds, when no one is around and you can repeat shots a few times.

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SumoSid
"Moments of Greatness followed by Moments of horror."

i'd perfer not to practise, than to hit off a synthetic surface.

it always ruins my game. nothing is like hitting off grass. hard mats would be better, but it's not the same.

major difference. if you do a bad shot it still comes off good as it bounces the club, where as grass would just dig in.

I tend to agree with that. There was a boy at my club who used to go to the local driving range every day for about 3 months and hit about 200 balls. I used to once a week and see him there and he'd be hitting everything great. I watched him play once on the course and he was all over the place. The range is good for just working on a few things but you wont get better until you continually play a course and learn to scramble, play off a propoer tee etc

I realize that you get a better shot from a fairway lie than a rough or 2nd cut lie. I can hit from the grass, it's just not as "solid"

I hit from the grass again yesterday and did much better. Moved the ball back SLIGHTLY and used a slightly steeper swing. Better results.

I hit this morning from the deep brush mat and hit the ball very well. I agree with pnearn when it comes to the range. I work on form and contact. I don't concern myself with distance, just direction and flight (most range balls are SO beat).

I never really hit from the hard mats until a couple weeks ago. But if I find a newer deep brush mat, I feel I get the same results. So I stick to the brush mats if the grass is not an option.

Thanks guys...

__________________
What's in my bag....
Cleveland VP 2 Blade Putter
Ping Tour Wedges, 54 & 60
TaylorMade rac LT2, 4i thru PW
Tour Edge Exotics Iron-Wood 21* 3i - Aldila NV 90 Stiff Shaft
Ping G5 18* 5 Wood - ProLaunch Blue 75 Stiff Shaft
Ping G5 15* 3 Wood - Aldila NV 75 Stiff Shaft
Cleveland HiBore XL 9.5* - Fujikura Fit-On Red Stiff Shaft

I feel there is way to much bounce off a hard mat. Doesn't simulate what you do on real grass at all. Hard mats are just a cheap alternative to a plusher, softer mat. Ranges don't like the maintenance costs for really good mats or grass hitting areas in my opinion. Hitting off hard mats is a waste of time.

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