james, if you practice at a club you must have a nice short game area to practice scoring shots. why don't you rotate your practice from long , to short game, so you are only hitting off turf.  this might help your handicap and make your practice time more fun.

Yes the do have a short game area with a chipping and putting green. That's a great idea you have, I can work on the short game when they are using mats and long game when they are using grass. THANKS !!! that will work our great   :-)

hitting off mats is not great for your clubs, so I avoid it as much as I can.  I try and hit at ranges that have grass hitting areas so I can simulate on course shots as much as possible.  If they have a big enough grass hitting area, suggest that they move it every few days so you can hit off grass when you practice.  Just a thought, maybe they will like it and all players will benefit.  Good luck. 

The only ranges I really have access to are always mats. I just don't think you get the same out of a practice session on the mats.  I would love any advise to make sure my practice is as effective as possible.

I WILL NOT ever, in my life, EVER hit off of mats.

You can see good, fake, results hitting off of mats. You might think that it's a good shot, but, I mean, when you're actually golfing, are the fairways made of mats? No. So, if you want the reality of your swing results, I'd suggest hitting off of grass.

Better mats. We have 2 inch thick mats that look more like moss than they do grass and they're great to hit off. We have 2 of the spring board mats, don't get used. Bad thing about our mats is that they really hold water like a sponge and when the club hits you get a big splash. It takes a couple of days for them to dry out.

We have grass too, most of the time it is your choice.

I have to say that I will not hit irons off the mats - only the grass.  I have bent too many clubs hitting off the mats.  They are good for off the tee hits - if you can find the right sized rubber tee.  Also, I have found that if the mat is the least bit slippery, it is difficult to maintain a good footing.