Range Mats to Grass

by Gary
(Chicago)

Hi Louis,

I hit balls all winter off mats, always hate it, but its the only choice I have in the Chicago area. Ninety percent of the time I hit the ball well using a tee 4 inches in front of ball just to make sure my divots occur in the right place.

Well, today (first time on grass) I felt a little uncomfortable and found myself with a less confident swing! This was quite disturbing for me.

For some reason, my divots were way too deep!

I made an adjustment by choking down slightly on the club, which seemed to help (for whatever reason). In fairness, the tees were really wet and soggy.

Just curious of your thought as to reasons why going from mats to grass would screw me up?

When focusing and keeping my eyes steady on the ball I would pick something or a spot on the ball. I felt my eyes loosing that focus.

I tried (late in the practice today) focusing my eyes on the spot at the back of the ball. It seemed to help, but could that have been a major issue with my downswing and contact with the ball and the big divots? or does that not matter?

Thanks,
Gary


Answer

Your swing plane is very steep into the ball, hence you deep divots. The cause of this can be traced back to your body posture and upper body position at address. Swing plane is directly affected by your posture.

Focus on standing as tall as possible to the ball at address, chin out of chest. Tilt your spine slightly away from the target. This position will help your body to turn easier also widening your swing arc on the back swing. What is vital to feel here is the weight transferring to the right instep.

From this top of the back swing position you will be able to swing down into the ball with a flatter swing plane producing a shallower divot.

With regards to driving range mats you need to feel from swing to swing whether you are hitting the ball first or the mat first. Sometimes it is difficult to tell. Check your ball position. Make sure it is midway between both heels or opposite your sternum or middle of your chest with the irons.

Hitting from mats too often can cause shoulder injuries if you are swinging too steep on the ball. This action places a lot of stress on the joints of the shoulders. Be careful.

Transitioning from the mats to grass can take some getting use to because of the forgiveness of the mats. Be patient with your practice from grass and you should get use it hitting shallower divots in no time.

Regarding your eyes on the ball. You should be focused on the target rather than the ball. Good players are not as much aware of the ball as they are of the target.

Focus on your target and you will be more inclined to swing through the ball to the target rather than swing at the ball. Club/ball contact will also improve.

Thanks for your contribution,

Louis