Hitting balls off a mat
 

Is there any implications with hitting balls off a mat,and never actually reaching low point....

Tour Striker recommends it
 

Using the TS training club you must hit down to much that you are instrusted to hit off a tight lie.

Yes. I hit off of mats during the long winter months here in Canada. I found that the lack of down you refer to effected my procedure silently. A silent killer. That is until I discussed it with Yoda one March day at the Swamp, with the effects in full bloom.

Basically the clubs reluctance to go all the way down has more implications the further the ball gets positioned back of low point (there being more down and out progressively). My tendency was to unknowingly move the ball forward in my stance closer to low point OR move my head back of center in my stance OR hang back a touch during the shot and not get as far left as I should OR simply flip it and come up early OR a combination of all of the above. All terrible stuff to add to your game over the winter.

A person returning to grass after a winters worth of hitting off of mats will often wonder what happened to his divots and contact. Its sort of like the brain manages the low point to ball relationship in a sneaky unknown to the golfer way to avoid the harsh impact of the mats. TGM explains this relationship and its knowledge allows you to deal with it accordingly.

Id say keep your centered pivot, get left in transition and play the ball a little more forward than normal off of mats if need be. In other words change you ball position slightly instead of your pivot or zone 1. Expect a period of adjustment when you get back to grass. The time frame should be considerably shorter given your knowledge of what is going on.

Longer clubs with ball positioned closer to low point off of mats will be effected less by the mats. I work primarily on shorter shots however during the winter. Basic and acquired and so it a bit of a problem. VJ advertises a mat that has some down to it. Ive never tried it though. Im ok with things now that I know what factors are in play. Knowledge is power once again.

I wonder what Luke thinks. He hits off of mats on occasion at the swamp. I darn near destroyed my left wrist goofing around with a swingers left wrist throw off of a mat. Maybe hitters feel no pain and just replace the mats every bucket or two given all of the divots they take out of them?

ob

Thank you for the heads off. I HATE mats, but I have been using them this winter as I am so excited about my adventure in G.O.L.F. I had assumed that it would not be a problem as Mr. Kelley spent so much time teaching off mats in his garage.

I'm glad to know what to look for!

Thanks O.B.

Kevin

These have a pretty good rep....never used one myself

http://www.truestrike.com/

I have a standard mat in the garage. I think as long as you are aware of the possible problems you should be ok.

I have a truestrike and although it is well designed and made I would not recommend it for TGM folks (who hit down and take divots). Depsite what they claim there is considerable impact shock. I am looking for an alternative mat with far less impact shock. Fiberbuilt is pretty good but searching for others.

Thanks for the in depth reply, we're almost off mats at my home course in
Scotland now that temperatures are rising. But I asked more for if i was practicing in the back garden with a net up, guess i'll just have to wreak the grass or go to the practice area.

I agree about the truestrike. They aren't that much different than hitting off a standard mat unless your divots are very shallow. Check out our proshop for a link to "The Golf Mat". Last I checked, it was cheaper than the truestrike, and it seems to be more friendly for hitting down. I've not used one, but I know Lynn and Ted used them at the Barclay's at least one year.

Fairway Pro
 

When I was at the PGA Show last month I saw this product and I thought it was far-and-away the best practice surface I have ever hit from. I really got excellent feedback from each shot and because it is a spring mechanism slide tray I really felt like I was taking a divot and could go to low point. The best thing is that it is portable so you can take it from range to range. Check out the website at www.fairwaypro.com .

Interesting product unfortunately not available until April?