Hard practice mats

[shivas irons]

Why o why are some range mats like hitting a ball off concrete!! They dont simulate any sort of lie at all even in deepest summer with hard fairways, In fact I would go as far to say I think actually ruin your swing.I travel twice the distance to a range just so I can hit a ball off the bristle mats.When ive caddied for Senior players they wont go anywhere near those mats when they practise, they are crap and a waste of time :sbox:

 

[One Planer]

Our rnage has these

http://www.true-strike.ca/

No complaints from me

 

[In_The_Rough]

I agree that some are in poor nick. Some due to excessive use and needing to be replaced which is not cheap either for a decent one or some just poor quality. You say this can ruin you swing, how so? surely if you are hitting the ball first like you should this should not be a problem. Can be a problem though when you hitting the ground first as I found out when I was a total novice, I caught one heavy and sent the head of the 7 iron flying down the range and the club shaft still in my hands

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It has always been a drawback of using the range. Some have these strips to replicate the fairways but even these are unrealistic. To be honest I use the range to drill swing changes or work on things. I just try and make a good strike and get a good direction. Of course the biggest issue is with the club sliding on the mat so heavy strikes can be easily masked.

I've been to some top courses and they still have the same type of mat so clearly even though they could afford to get the top of the range (sic) mats they choose not to. Would it be durability being an issue?

 

[davidy233]

Why o why are some range mats like hitting a ball off concrete!! They dont simulate any sort of lie at all even in deepest summer with hard fairways, In fact I would go as far to say I think actually ruin your swing.I travel twice the distance to a range just so I can hit a ball off the bristle mats.When ive caddied for Senior players they wont go anywhere near those mats when they practise, they are crap and a waste of time :sbox:

I'd have agreed with you when I was a member at a parkland course - but as I'm now at a links I'd say the mats replicate the lie quite well - except that you get a level lie at the range and you're lucky to get one on the links.