Mats vs Grass - Significant Ball Data Difference

[TorchRedRob]

I've been hitting quite a lot of shots on my Skytrak over the last month in the basement, and I have started to notice two things:

1) my spin rate for irons (especially mid to long irons) seemed really low for my typical ball data, to the tune of about 2000rpm on 5, 6, 7, and 8 irons for example.
2) my launch angle was a little higher than my usual, almost 2-3 degrees for each club
3) wedges were not really affected, e.g. my 56deg vokey still spins it 10,500+ on the Skytrak

My first thought was to blame the ball, so I plopped down a new ProV1, followed by a new Hex Black, followed by a new Penta. All had similar results, and I assumed the Skytrak was not to blame based on others' testing. I'm only left with the mat at this point. I recall discussions on this and other forums that mentioned how some mats affected ball data, so I started searching to see if I could find any real data on the subject. I found the following:

http://blog.trackmangolf.com/mats-vs-grass-whats-difference/

Short synopsis: A Real Feel Elite mat reduced ball spin significantly and increased launch angle significantly during a fairly controlled test with a +2 handicapper on a Trackman.

These results were very similar to mine. For example, I typically hit my 7-iron around 124-127 mph, launch at about 17-18 deg, and spin it around 7000rpm (with a KBS Tour shaft in a Callaway X-Prototype iron).

Off of my Monster Tee mat with the Skytrak, I am seeing a similar ball speed, but launch is up around 19-21 degrees, and spin is down to 4500-5300. For another comparison point, I can barely get a 5 iron to spin over 3000 rpm at a 136 mph ball speed. I thought my swing was just a little rusty at first over the last month, but since this has been consistent over several weeks now as my ball speed starting coming back to normal, I am glad I have found some data to make me feel better about my swing.

The only thing now is: how the heck do you practice at home and get even close-to-real results? It looks like I will be trying several different mats until I find one that more closely approximates real turf. Anyone want to buy a barely used Monster Tee mat? (only somewhat kidding...) I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, does anyone know of a mat that solves this problem (real data would be great!) Thanks! Rob

[DougieMn]

Interesting data especially intriguing since I just rolled out my new 5x5 Monster Tee mat yesterday to begin using! Thank goodness the cost is only a small percentage in relation to my total build and would have no problem sh&t canning if something better was out there.

[sb81]

Interesting... have you tried some tests with a tee to take the mat out of the equation? I have the ultimate monster mat, and aside from the fact it is so thick that it doesn't want to level out completely (minor issue really) on my non-level garage floor, I thought it was pretty awesome allowing for fat shot feedback and low wrist impact.

[ChicagoJoe]

Interesting. I've been using my SkyTrak with a TrueStrike mat for the last month or so and the launch angle, spin rate, ball speed, etc. seem to be pretty accurate.

[TorchRedRob]

Interesting. I've been using my SkyTrak with a TrueStrike mat for the last month or so and the launch angle, spin rate, ball speed, etc. seem to be pretty accurate.

Joe, According to their website, it looks like TrueStrike claims a difference of only 3% compared to grass in their testing, where they claim other mats see 12+% difference. Maybe I need to pick up a TrueStirke to test.

sb81, I tried a tee tonight. Spin did increase.

I also did a little more testing. I hit a few shots off of the carpet (eeek!!) just to see if there was any noticeable difference. I assumed the carpet might be a little stiffer than the mat and thus would provide more resistance. The few shots I hit on carpet spun 500-1000 rpm higher than the ones hit from the mat. Launch angle was roughly the same as the mat- maybe a degree higher off the mat, but I didn't hit enough shots off the carpet to say that with any certainty.

Anyway, the point is that I am convinced the surface you are hitting from can influence spin and launch angle. I also saw ball speed drop a couple mph when hitting from carpet, but that may just be because I was scared I would break my wrists or ruin the carpet. But even with reduced ball speed, spin still increased significantly when on the carpet.

After the carpet, I also tried fades, draws, straight shots, etc. on the mat to see if I could make any difference in spin. In general as I moved from the draw side to the fade side, the total backspin increased. I only compared shots that were well struck and where ballspeed and vertical launch were the same or within a point or two of each other. In summary, I was able to increase spin from about 5400-7300 for my 7 iron as I moved from big draw to big fade, but for my swing I feel like these numbers are still at least 700-1000rpm low. For example, typically when I hit the big fade, I balloon the crap out of it. To me, 7300 for that shot doesn't sound balloony at all.

Maybe I'm being too critical, or maybe I'm just full of it. When we get a nice day I'll head to the range, burn a few real balls once I'm warm, and see if I'm crazy or if there is any validity to any of this very un-scientific research I am conducting. I'll let you know. In the meantime, if anyone has any other experience or articles on the subject, I'm all ears. Thanks!

[DougieMn]

How about the "Divot Action" mats? Anyone have one of these and how does it perform? Seems like it would be great if you hit a lot of balls because it doesn't jar the body like the other mats but does it produce a realistic flight? I saw them at customdesigngolf.com.

[billydruce]

Any more updates on this, I'm looking at purchasing a insert and making my mat, would like advise on the best insert

[Mxwoodman]

I have a true strike, monster, and the country club elite. I think the true strike is very close to how the grass is in my area and is very forgiving. Monster mats I used around my yard for chipping and is too thick and more like rough stops the club too much. The country club elite is not forgiving but I think it's the best if you are looking to get the best ball striking. But here's one thing at least for me when I play on real grass my ball striking is great and then when using the country club elite in the sim after my real grass rounds I almost always hit it a little before the ball not sure why but my guess is you need to pick it a little on the mat than in the grass. My vote is true strike or country club elite with the country club elite being on top of the list

[billydruce]

Thanks for your post. Just a quick question if the true strike is very close to how grass plays why do u prefer the country club elite
Thanks

[Mxwoodman]

I think as the gel breaks down you get away with hitting a little or a lot fat, country club elite doesn't break down and also you can put a tee in it. Also I live in Nor-Cal and most of the courses the grass is forgiving to a point if you hit it a little fat your still ok and that's why I think the true strike is close. But country club elite has helped me, you just can't hit a little bit fat without losing a lot ball speed.

[Ronsc1985]

I have a Country Club Elite mat and a Foresight GC2. The difference between the ball statistics on a well struck shot is negligible between the mat and the close cropped grass on my clubs range.

By well struck I mean you do not hit behind the ball even a little. If you do the ball launch parameters are a lot different. These mats are really thick and don't take well to any degree of fat hit. Other mats I have used on some driving ranges are very forgiving on fat hits aside from the fact they are also murder on your wrists and elbows it you tend to hit behind the ball.

The CC elite, due to it's rather think and spongy construction, hasn't bothered my joints at all and I do hit some fat every now and then especially when trying to hit the shot really hard.

[Tsupa]

I've got the CC Elite too, and to me it's a little too punishing on mishits. I can't do long practice sessions with it, just wears me out. That said, my ball striking on grass is definitely better after a session on the CC elite.