Bravopilot On the mats, are these artificial grass, such as range mats? Do they impact your stance since the ball is slightly above your feet? I assume they offer some protection to the fairway?
Golf_ghirl uses one of these
and me
We have 2 courses, in winter 1 of them goes to preferred lies, the other mats. There's no grass growth at this time of year so even a replaced divot won't re-root, a few months rest (and seeding program in early spring) gives us better fairways on our championship course (used by Dunbartonshire and Scottish Golf Unions for mid-level amateur and team comps).
My mat's OK and you get used to it after a few holes. Hole in the middle is for tees (not used often, we have temp astroturf tees on a lot of holes) and is off-centre; long side facing backwards for hybrid/fw shots, short side for irons where you're hitting more of a descending blow. Hit it fat with either and the ball can pop up in the air before the club gets there, contact is either nil or top of clubface and launch angle resembling a Harrier jump jet 🤣
Typhoon Rain gloves will screw you up hitting a bit. Also weather wasn’t friendly either so I wouldn’t blame myself.
Thanks, we treat winter golf as a way of maintaining a swing, useful exercise, and an excuse for a beer with pals. We accept bad shots as a matter of course (we're amateurs for a reason). Need to try that attitude when the season restarts.
