Fiberbuilt Practice Station $199.99 at Costco, yay or nay?

[dxdgenert]

https://www.costco.com/Fiberbuilt-Golf-Practice-Station.product.100461497.html

 

From what I understand, Fiberbuilt is the “gold standard” for hitting mats. However, I don’t want the expense of a full Fiberbuilt mat for my Skytrak setup. What do you guys thinking this?

[Olde Maroon]

I have the individual mat piece of that setup, and it's fantastic (especially since I've had terrible tendinitis and can't hit off regular mats AT All). You would essentially be paying $100 for the black standing mat, which seems steep to me based on initial observations. Also, it seems a bit narrow, but maybe that's just the photos.

[bkirkley09]

Honestly thanks for posting and a great deal. It secures the flight deck and is a fully modular set up. I think it’s well worth the cost. I will be ordering as you can always return to Costco but I will report back on it!

[Pleasedwith3putts]

From the photos it makes it look like the grass teeing area is a few inches higher than the standing area??

[dxdgenert]

From the photos it makes it look like the grass teeing area is a few inches higher than the standing area??

According to Fiberbuilt, the base of the Flight Deck (turf piece) is only 1/8 inch higher. Not sure how high the ball sits up on the surface of the turf, however?

 

I figured that I’ll give it a try and return if it doesn’t work out. The one pain will be repositioning the Skytrak unit for sim golf. I’ll have to move the Skytrak or Fiberbuilt between each tee shot and “standard lie”.

 

I figured the $100 cost for the stance mat could be justified by the modular nature (it is 4 or 5 interlocking pieces), quality and if I actually use the alignment rod features (can’t stick rods into garage floor).

[wundej]

From the photos it makes it look like the grass teeing area is a few inches higher than the standing area??

I thought the same thing. They are supposed to be flush.

 

Here is some good discussion we had on it at GSF. https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum/build-your-own/mats-turf-and-flooring/166510-fiberbuilt-systems-for-those-who-bought-theirs-on-sale/page2

 

I picked up a flight deck a few months ago and just bought this from Costco. Great price

[bkirkley09]

Just an update but I picked this up and am loving it so far. Really great for practice and the turf is really easy on the joints. Overall would not be happy at $399 retail but at $200 it is awesome.

[Olde Maroon]

Just an update but I picked this up and am loving it so far. Really great for practice and the turf is really easy on the joints. Overall would not be happy at $399 retail but at $200 it is awesome.

 

Great to hear and thanks for the update. The fiberbuilt portable mat has saved my ability to hit the range (especially in the long offseason). The quality is amazing and the feel is so easy on those of us with terrible elbows. Glad to hear it's working out well for you. Happy new year.

[Jagpilotohio]

If the top of the turf sits above the level of rubber mat you stand on it is worthless.

 

I’d never practice with the ball always above my feet. Constant side hill lie.

[Olde Maroon]

If the top of the turf sits above the level of rubber mat you stand on it is worthless.

 

I’d never practice with the ball always above my feet. Constant side hill lie.

 

So...right where I hit most of my drives?

 

Seriously, though. These fiberbuilt mats are tall and you do have to spend some time making sure everything is level. I would assume that a full fiberbuilt setup would be calibrated to take that into account.

[JPW75]

$269.99? Guess it was on sale?

[dxdgenert]

The ball sits 1/8 above your feet. It is an optical illusion that it is drastically higher.

[gibbiesmalls]

Come on guys....

 

Fiberbuilt specializes in making hitting golf mats - you guys don't really think they'd design a mat with the hitting surface above or below the stance mat, do you?

 

For anyone interested in it - it's level - and Fiberbuilt nor any other golf math manufacturer would be that stupid.

[bkirkley09]

If the top of the turf sits above the level of rubber mat you stand on it is worthless.

 

I’d never practice with the ball always above my feet. Constant side hill lie.

 

Ball is nowhere near a side hill lie. Honestly it is almost perfectly even with my feet. If you want I can try to get a picture of a level but in my opinion this is a great practice station and the lie is 100% fine for everyone. I can’t imagine what you do when your ball sits up on the grass on the course. Do you smash it down level with your feet? Most people consider that a premier lie I would think! Just my 2 cents.

[Olde Maroon]

Come on guys....

 

Fiberbuilt specializes in making hitting golf mats - you guys don't really think they'd design a mat with the hitting surface above or below the stance mat, do you?

 

For anyone interested in it - it's level - and Fiberbuilt nor any other golf math manufacturer would be that stupid.

 

Agreed. The full mat is undoubtedly level. And if you buy the mini portable met, it's on you to make sure it's level (which isn't too hard). They are great mats and I can't recommend them enough.

[bkirkley09]

$269.99? Guess it was on sale?

 

Yea it was 199.99 for Black Friday. Still at $270 it’s a great mat but retail is $399 and at that price no thanks would rather get the full fiber built for $499.

[Mike90210]

This is back on sale at costco. Looks like OP's link still works

[dxdgenert]

Thought I'd update my experiences:

After a month, I returned the Practice Station for a few issues.

 

First, this thing is heavy. Like, really heavy. I didn't weigh it but the box holding all of the pieces must be 70-90 lbs. I needed a modular, portable solution and the weight just didn't make that feasible. If it works for you, more power to you.

 

Second, I'm running a SkyTrak with TGC out of my garage. The provided tee placement prevented me from placing the ball in various positions. I tried using my Tomahawk tees but they just sunk down into the fibers.

 

Thirdly, it was almost impossible to putt of of this for my simulation needs. The ball just drops "off a cliff" after a few inches of roll.

 

With all that I said, yesterday, I just purchased the Fiberbuilt Flight Deck (just the insert with no stance mat) from Amazon for $62. The Fiberbuilt hitting experience is just too good! I'm going to integrate the Fiberbuilt into my DIY stance mat. It'll negate the weight problem and allow me to putt a little better by being able to recess it into my stance mat. I've also been told that stacking 2-3 Tomahawk tees together can fix the problem of them sinking in. For $62, I think it is a better deal than the Practice Station.

[sTmGolfer]

I just ordered the Practice Station from Costco so just waiting for it arrive. I’m building a DIY hitting net from PVC and mesh tarp. Can’t wait to try it out. Will report back once I get the full assembly up.

[bkirkley09]

After having it for a while I wish I had just gotten a full mat. But it is still a great item just wish I would have gone the whole way now.