Fairway woods and mats

[pierreman]

Is it safe to use my 5 wood and 3-hybrid off the practice mats (without tees). I am terrible with my fairway woods and need the practice to see if I can sort it out to at least some extent. However, its wrong to practice shots as you play a round, also irritating when others do it.

Is it safe/how risky is it? Is there a chance I'll break the club when i try to take a divot out of the mat like I do on the course?

 

[medwayjon]

I alays practice my fairways off the mats at the range and have never sufered any damage whatsoever to my clubs.

The practice will be worth it and it will work wonders after a while.

I would concentrate on playing the shot as if you are sweeping the ball away rather than consciously trying to play as if taking a divot. If you strike the ball cleanly the loft of the club will do it's job and you will hit a nice ball.

 

[madandra]

Pierreman, I am sure the matts are of a certain standard that will avoid causing injury when used in anger. Added to the fact that your swing should sweep the ball off the floor and not dig the club into the matt.

 

[pierreman]

I never mean to take a divot! it just seems to happen. But thanks for the advice, will take the clubs with me next time I go!

 

[toonarmy]

Where are you practising pierreman? I assume from your sig it's in my 'neck' of the 'woods'?

 

[pierreman]

Yep, i'm a member of Forest of Galtres. Only been playing on propoer courses since october. had some lessons over the summer and played at Swallow hall as it was reccommended as being good to learn and get used to irons. Normally go to Melodies for its driving range. Funny place that!

 

[RGuk]

I practice all but my driver off the mats, never had any problems. A good fairway wood shot requires excellent technique (or luck) catching the ball at the low point of the swing, normally just on the up. If you can do it off a mat, it's a cinch on the course.
As for the hybrid...go for it! The first thing I noticed about a 3H instead of a 3 iron, is the ease with which I can bosh 'em all day off astroturf!
I'd say, unless you are a real novice, there's more chance of damaging yourself or the club with a punchy short iron.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

The essence of a good fairway shot is to sweep the ball away. I was taught as a junior to imagine the ball on a sheet of ice and imagine sweeping the ball away without cracking the ice.

Unless you hit it like a punched wedge I don't think you will do any significant damage. I practice with my 5 wood and Cobra hybrid all the time with no ill effect

 

[toonarmy]

Yep, i'm a member of Forest of Galtres. Only been playing on propoer courses since october. had some lessons over the summer and played at Swallow hall as it was reccommended as being good to learn and get used to irons. Normally go to Melodies for its driving range. Funny place that!

Galtres not in the best of nick over winter, so you should enjoy it a bit more over the coming months. Swallow Hall is OK but you might find Skelton is a better place to go and practise as it is usually deserted and you can play a couple of balls. Also, if you rock up in the lighter months you can invariably get on without paying as they've gone home!

You might also want to check out the range in Strensall (York Golf Range) which has auto-tees and you can play from the grass if you want. It also has an academy course.