Does hitting irons off mats increase launch angle?

[Typhoon92]

At work I hit on the GC2 using mats, it's an indoor facility. I was working on my impact flip and was able to go from a positive decent angle/approach angle to a -4 degrees using my 9 iron. Shortening my too long backswing works aces.

 

For some reason though, the launch angle which is too high does not come down by more than a degree. The height of the ball, decent angle and distance remain the same...too high. Yet when I've played the last few days the ball is flighted down with no distance loss.

 

So I'm very happy seeing the difference on the course but I'm curious to what's up with the gc2. Only thing I can think of is hitting off mats vs. Grass.

 

Thoughts? On the gc2 I use the HMT so I could fix my clubs approach angle but it's not the hmt that is measureing launch angle.

[BrianMcG]

It can.

[wkuo3]

You animal !

[jll62]

Here's a link with some data that shows mats can increase launch and reduce spin by a noticeable amount. There's been some debate in the past over the testing methodologies used in that study, but anecdotally I've observed the same each time I've tested on mats.

 

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

[VNutz]

On mats the general tendency (broad generalization) is to flatten out the swing as there’s less need to hit down on the ball. So yes it happens.

[Typhoon92]

Thanks guys, funny I found that Trackman article about a half hour before u guys sent me the link in the thread.

I as relieved to see that it was a full club difference. By fixing my approach angle there had to be an explanation of why I wasn't seeing better launch.

[ForTourUseOnly]

Yes the softer the mat or the steeper the AOA the higher you will generally hit it on the face and ball speed will go down, launch will go up and spin will go down. All factors that indoor fitters need to take into account.