An experimental pilot study of the dynamic response of composite plates in low mass impacts is described. The purpose was to make an initial investigation of the validity of an analytical impact solution recently presented. In the experiments a small spherical pendulum was used to strike a carbon fiber/epoxy laminate at various impact velocities. The time histories of the impactor acceleration (contact force), plate displacement and flexural strains were recorded. The plate displacement history was studied using holographic laser interferometry. Only a limited number of displacement results were obtained, since the holographic method leads to a very large number of densely spaced interference fringes even at moderate impact velocities. The theoretical predictions of contact force and plate displacement were found to be very good, although the flexural strains were only predicted qualitatively. An almost linear relation was found between impact velocity and the maximum values of contact force, plate displacement and flexural strains, which is in excellent agreement with the analytical predictions.