Fairway mats

[Swango1980]

Why? Hitting off a mat "should" be a little easier.

Presumably it depends on an individuals swing, and how they come into contact with the ball?

One golfer may really benefit from hitting of a mat, or a specific type of mat. Whilst another golfer may really struggle of a particular type of mat, and may actually benefit from hitting off a solid mud fairway (i.e. bare grass pitches, clean lie on mud)

I'd imagine a lot of elite golfers would actually prefer to hit the ball off a solid stone path at times that a rubbery fairway mat?

 

[Mandofred]

Presumably it depends on an individuals swing, and how they come into contact with the ball?

One golfer may really benefit from hitting of a mat, or a specific type of mat. Whilst another golfer may really struggle of a particular type of mat, and may actually benefit from hitting off a solid mud fairway (i.e. bare grass pitches, clean lie on mud)

I'd imagine a lot of elite golfers would actually prefer to hit the ball off a solid stone path at times that a rubbery fairway mat?

I don't think a pro could care less. They hit the ball first like you are supposed to.....in which case it just doesn't matter what kind of surface you hit off of.....by the time they hit the mat the ball is gone. Occasionally, I actually hit it like I'm supposed to.....occasionally

 

[chellie]

Mats now compulsory at one of the courses I play at and looking at the latest competition scores it's making it much easier.

 

[simsini]

I don't think a pro could care less. They hit the ball first like you are supposed to.....in which case it just doesn't matter what kind of surface you hit off of.....by the time they hit the mat the ball is gone. Occasionally, I actually hit it like I'm supposed to.....occasionally

They would care. The speed they generate, and the frequency they play, would mean injuries pretty quickly if they had to use mats all the time.

 

[Mandofred]

They would care. The speed they generate, and the frequency they play, would mean injuries pretty quickly if they had to use mats all the time.

What are you talking about? How would hitting off a cheap plastic mat cause injuries? You aren't just doing a Trump thing here and just making stuff up are you?

And....you missed the point. While hitting off the fairway you are supposed to hit the ball first and then connect with the ground. I'm crap at it....but that is what "good" players do. Longer clubs like fairway wood are a bit more level hitting, but irons.....usually hitting down on the ball. If you hit the ball first....the mat is kind of irrelevant.

 

[simsini]

What are you talking about? How would hitting off a cheap plastic mat cause injuries? You aren't just doing a Trump thing here and just making stuff up are you?

And....you missed the point. While hitting off the fairway you are supposed to hit the ball first and then connect with the ground. I'm crap at it....but that is what "good" players do. Longer clubs like fairway wood are a bit more level hitting, but irons.....usually hitting down on the ball. If you hit the ball first....the mat is kind of irrelevant.

The mat is very relevant. Instead of taking a divot through soft ground under the grass, you are hitting down into a firmer mat. Your previous comment insinuated that a pro wouldn't care if they hit off a solid stone path. They certainly would. They don't swing the same and pick the ball off the surface, like they would do with mats. Wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries would be pretty common.

 

[CliveW]

First game of the season playing off fairway mats. God I love them, hitting wedges stiff from 120 yards is fantastic! If I could, I'd use them all year round!

 

[Mandofred]

The mat is very relevant. Instead of taking a divot through soft ground under the grass, you are hitting down into a firmer mat. Your previous comment insinuated that a pro wouldn't care if they hit off a solid stone path. They certainly would. They don't swing the same and pick the ball off the surface, like they would do with mats. Wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries would be pretty common.

You are nuts.

 

[clubchamp98]

Presumably it depends on an individuals swing, and how they come into contact with the ball?

One golfer may really benefit from hitting of a mat, or a specific type of mat. Whilst another golfer may really struggle of a particular type of mat, and may actually benefit from hitting off a solid mud fairway (i.e. bare grass pitches, clean lie on mud)

I'd imagine a lot of elite golfers would actually prefer to hit the ball off a solid stone path at times that a rubbery fairway mat?

If you had just paid £209 for a new Vokeys wedge not sure many would.
But the ones who get them free wouldn’t be concerned

 

[clubchamp98]

The mat is very relevant. Instead of taking a divot through soft ground under the grass, you are hitting down into a firmer mat. Your previous comment insinuated that a pro wouldn't care if they hit off a solid stone path. They certainly would. They don't swing the same and pick the ball off the surface, like they would do with mats. Wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries would be pretty common.

Yes I stopped using ranges because of this .
Mats do jar you a bit
But can’t see many pros or elite golfers having this problem given the places they play.

 

[Backache]

The mat is very relevant. Instead of taking a divot through soft ground under the grass, you are hitting down into a firmer mat. Your previous comment insinuated that a pro wouldn't care if they hit off a solid stone path. They certainly would. They don't swing the same and pick the ball off the surface, like they would do with mats. Wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries would be pretty common.

I think at the elite level injuries come through the amount of practice they do , considering how many short shots and tee shots they do a tiny proportion of their total shots would be off mats in competetive play if they were required. to . Even a Spurk plastic backed mat has a decent amount of give for a solid strike I don't think it would bother them.

 

[clubchamp98]

I think at the elite level injuries come through the amount of practice they do , considering how many short shots and tee shots they do a tiny proportion of their total shots would be off mats in competetive play if they were required. to . Even a Spurk plastic backed mat has a decent amount of give for a solid strike I don't think it would bother them.

The Spurk open would be interesting.
Seeing top pros playing off mats.
Imagine the backspin .

 

[Mandofred]

Yes I stopped using ranges because of this .
Mats do jar you a bit
But can’t see many pros or elite golfers having this problem given the places they play.

A range mat with cement underneath.....maybe you are right.....that would be a bit of a bounce off a hard surface. How much stress is on the body when you hit down into the ground? A fair bit I'd say.

But....we aren't talking about mats with cement under them. My mat (and any fairway mat) will give nicely when you hit off them....and the grass/mud underneath.

 

[Swango1980]

I don't think a pro could care less. They hit the ball first like you are supposed to.....in which case it just doesn't matter what kind of surface you hit off of.....by the time they hit the mat the ball is gone. Occasionally, I actually hit it like I'm supposed to.....occasionally

Of course it matters. Which is why it often adds much more difficulty if they roll into first cut, as they have less control of golf ball.

I imagine they'd be a lot more confident in controlling their spin of a hard bare lie, compared to the spongy cheap mat the club gave us

 

[Mandofred]

Of course it matters. Which is why it often adds much more difficulty if they roll into first cut, as they have less control of golf ball.

I imagine they'd be a lot more confident in controlling their spin of a hard bare lie, compared to the spongy cheap mat the club gave us

A pro would figure out how to hit off any surface.....because they can.

 

[IanM]

A pro would figure out how to hit off any surface.....because they can.

Pretty much, quality of strike is way beyond ours

 

[Swango1980]

A pro would figure out how to hit off any surface.....because they can.

I'm not saying they'd be duffers off a mat. They can hit a ball out of the first cut and thick rough.

I'm simply saying they will still prefer certain lies over others. Often more so than us, because they have the ability to actually control spin and ball flight. And certain lies make that much easier for them

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

My place is suggesting we use a fairway mat for all social golf...choice not mandatory. They have identified two products at discounted cost to us members- Spurk Golf mat for £20/mat and Fairway Productions mat @ £10/mat

I prefer the 'look' of the Spiurk one - but thoughts please.

Note - question to those who use one - does use of a mat make any significant contribution to slow play?

 

[upsidedown]

Spurk all the way and that's a decent price.
Not really those that faff will faff and those that get on with, will get on with in

 

[KenL]

Yes, I have a short pile Spurk, going into 3rd winter, it’s like new. Great stable mat.