Hitting Off Mats vs Grass
Also known as: hitting off mats, range mats, mats vs grass, hit well off mats but not grass, driving range mats, practice mats vs real grass
Many golfers hit it better off mats because mats forgive fat shots. The club bounces off the hard surface into the ball, so a strike that would dig into grass still looks fine. On grass, that same swing takes turf first and the ball comes up short.
On real turf, the club must reach the ball before the ground or it loses speed in the grass. A mat is firm and slick. A club that lands an inch behind the ball skips forward and still catches the ball cleanly.
So a range session on mats can hide a low point that sits behind the ball. The ball flight looks good, but the course shows the truth. Thin shots can also go unnoticed, because the club skids along the surface.
You can still practice well on mats. Place a towel a few inches behind the ball and miss it. Listen for a clean strike. And hit off grass whenever you can.
Tips by skill level
Put a towel a few inches behind the ball on the mat. If you hit the towel, your strike was fat.
Draw a line on grass and hit across it. Your divots should start on or ahead of the line. Use that check to calibrate what you feel on the mat.
Example
Her irons look great at the range, but she hits them fat on the course. She puts a towel behind the ball on the mat, hits it often at first, and starts fixing her low point.
Why it matters
Mats can give false confidence. Checking your strike makes range work carry over to the course.
Common mistakes
- Trusting ball flight off mats alone
- Ignoring a thump before the ball
- Only practicing on mats before a round
- Not checking strike with a towel or line
Frequently asked questions
Do range mats hide bad shots?
Yes, often. A slightly fat strike skips off the mat into the ball and flies close to normal. On turf, the same strike loses speed and distance.
How can I practice on mats without bad habits?
Put a towel a few inches behind the ball. If you touch it, your strike was fat. Listen for a clean ball-first sound and hit off grass when you can.
Related terms
- Range vs. CourseThe gap between range performance and on-course performance is one of golf's most common frustrations. Understanding why it exists helps close it through deliberate practice design.
- Low PointLow point is where the clubhead reaches the bottom of its arc through impact. Controlling it — keeping it at or just ahead of the ball with irons — is the basis of pure contact.
- Ball-First ContactBall-first contact means the club strikes the ball before it reaches the ground. It is the fundamental requirement for a clean, compressed iron or wedge shot.
- ChunkA chunk (fat shot) is when the swing bottoms out too early and the club hits the ground before the ball. The short, low shot often loses most of its distance.
- How to Practice at the Driving RangeGive every range ball a purpose: pick a target, go through your pre-shot routine and watch where it finishes. Warm up with short clubs and easy swings, then work on one change at a time with a clear goal. Finish by changing club and target on almost every shot, the way you would on the course, so the practice carries over to real rounds.
Related guides & benchmarks
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