Hitting Balls off Mats

Hitting Balls off Mats is a short golf blog post that looks at the difference between playing from the grass and the mats.

It is a well-known fact that most golfers do not like playing off mats.
Interestingly, most Americans and Canadians hate it. Most Europeans are split 50/50, but most British Golfers don’t mind.

Before I point out all of the disadvantages of playing off mats, let’s start with the advantages of mats.

The Advantages of Hitting Balls off mats

The lie of the ball is always good. It is never nestled down in the grass.

The mat is always level. No up-and-down lies.

Your stance is always the same. There is no need to move after each shot.

The Disadvantages of Hitting Balls off mats

Mats have a stronger resistance than grass. This is not so good for your wrists and elbows due to the lack of forgiveness, even more so if you have a steep swing.
Therefore, any practice sessions off mats should be shorter in length than when practising from the grass.

Because of this, you may find that the lifespan of your clubs, especially the irons, is a little shorter. (Only after extreme practice)

Your ball flight characteristics will be slightly altered too. For example, the ball flight will tend to be higher when playing off mats due to a higher launch angle.
The spin of the ball will also be affected. This will be lower than playing off grass.

10 x Balls hit with a 7 iron of the Grass

Ball Speed = 129.3mph
Launch = 14.5°
Spin = 7613rpm
Carry = 179.7yds
Height = 95.8ft

10 x Balls hit with a 7 iron of the Mat

Ball Speed = 128.5mph
Launch = 17.2°
Spin 5685rpm
Carry = 186.9yds
Height = 107.1ft

A difference of…

Ball Speed = 0.8mph
Launch = -2.7°
Spin = 1928rpm
Carry = -7.2yds
Height = -11.3ft

I wonder if that is the reason that a lot of golfers think that they hit the ball further than they do.
This may also be another reason why the front bunkers come into play more often than any other. Food for thought!

What are your thoughts on Hitting Balls off Mats? Have I missed any Pros or Cons?

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Image by HeungSoon from Pixabay

Image by Mads Liebst from Pixabay