The playing surface on traditional mats certainly looks like grass but unfortunately it doesn't play like grass. This results in a number of swing problems when hitting from current artificial surfaces.

The golfer will tend to:

• Thin or top the ball to avoid the shock and vibration associated with striking a golf mat.
• Avoid commitment to the strike due to fear of the consequences of hitting hard into a traditional golf mat.
• Experience unrealistic and unrepresentative ball flight and trajectory.

As the top surface of traditional mats does not behave like a fairway it is easy to learn bad habits on a golf mat. Not only does this affect your customer's game but it makes them less willing to visit your range.

For example, a fat shot on a traditional mat will often have no affect on the outcome of the shot, as the club can bounce off the mat and into to the ball producing a seemingly satisfactory shot.