Are some winter golf mats better than others?

If you play a lot of golf during the winter, there is a good chance that you will have been required to use fairway mats. 

Alongside things like winter tees, winter greens and other such measures, if you are choosing to continue playing the game throughout these darker and colder months, then you have to accept that some compromises will probably have to be made, with use of mats among the most common.

Why Do We Need to Use Fairway Mats in Winter?

These small pieces of plastic bristle or artificial grass are often mandatory as golf courses look for ways to protect their playing surfaces when conditions turn cold, wet and boggy.

When deployed, golfers will be asked to place one of these mats under their ball on the fairway, ensuring that the turf won't be damaged at a time of year when growth and recovery is difficult. It's all part of the effort to ensure that a course remains in the best shape as possible during the peak months of the season - which is a small sacrifice that many of us are content to make.

Sometimes these mats will be supplied by the venue itself before you tee off, but a considerable number of golfers bring their own, as the quality and feel of hitting from these products can differ widely.

Not every mat is the same - and your choice of artificial surface could have an impact on your game.

Are Some Winter Golf Mats Better Than Others?

Taking a scientific, data-led approach to test several popular varieties of fairway mats, Golfshake's Equipment Expert, Ryan Rastall has analysed an old-school plastic bristle mat, a long-pile artificial grass mat, and a shorter-pile mat.  

Using TrackMan from his indoor performance studio at Howley Hall Golf Club in Leeds, Ryan discovers just how each of these mats can affect spin, distance and your ball flight with a range of different clubs. 

Paying close attention to wedges for the short game and 8-iron shots for approaches, Ryan finds out just how winter mats can impact your performance on the golf course, especially as it relates to spin control. Many golfers state that they generate unnatural levels of spin when hitting from mats - and that can affect your game.

If you're a golfer who is happy to help protect the playing surfaces - but nonetheless desires to replicate the ideal experience of playing where possible, then we can help you choose which winter golf mat is the best for you by watching the video below or directly on YouTube.

Do Winter Golf Mats Affect Your Game? (We Tested 3 Winter Mats!)