Hitting Mat

[Redman]

I need a new hitting mat for winter practice. I’m looking for something that has “real feel” and isn’t so hard on the wrists and elbows, but also won’t break the bank. Certainly not looking to spend $300-$400 on one. You guys have any good ones to recommend? 

[Jtgavigan]

I grabbed on of these and like it pretty well have had it almost 2 months now. 

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.costco.com/country-club-elite-golf-mats.product.100034931.html&ved=2ahUKEwiczIL96ZKEAxWSl4kEHVLpAFAQFnoECBkQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw1famx6kLiqd714NKFHIAgR

[Redman]

Thanks, a lot.  Those look good and have great reviews.

[Jeselnik]

10 hours ago, Redman said:

Thanks, a lot.  Those look good and have great reviews.

 Those are some of the worst for golfer abuse when new but are of commercial quality.  Other than durability, I have no idea why they are so popular.   I actually like them better when the are very used and less soft and grabby……YMMV.

 

JNIK

[Redman]

3 hours ago, Jeselnik said:

 Those are some of the worst for golfer abuse when new but are of commercial quality.  Other than durability, I have no idea why they are so popular.   I actually like them better when the are very used and less soft and grabby……YMMV.

 

JNIK

Appreciate the feedback on it. What do you use or prefer? 

[Pepperturbo]

Costco carries a mat that is as good as they get, but it's not inexpensive.

[Switter]

Try D.W. Quail... I have bought 2 mats from them 5 or 6 years ago. Neither show any signs of wear... I dont shop anywhere else for matts.

 

https://www.dwquailgolf.com/

[Redman]

44 minutes ago, Switter said:

Try D.W. Quail... I have bought 2 mats from them 5 or 6 years ago. Neither show any signs of wear... I dont shop anywhere else for matts.

 

https://www.dwquailgolf.com/

Thanks for the recommendation.  Which version do you have?  I see they have 3-4 different options.

[Switter]

1 hour ago, Redman said:

Thanks for the recommendation.  Which version do you have?  I see they have 3-4 different options.

 

1) The 4'x5' - 5 Star Perfect ReACTION Golf Mat

 

https://www.dwquailgolf.com/4x5-5-star-perfect-reaction-golf-mat/

 

2) The unavailable or discontinued Zoysia Fairway Golf Mat.

 

We have a 200 yard driving range on our property. These mats are used probably 320+ days of the year. 

 

The 4' x 5' mat is mounted on a 4' x 6' 3/4" horse/stable mat using 3/8 carriage bolts to prevent the mat from moving around. These mats remain outside in the weather 24/7/365. Its a great system... 

Edited February 5 by Switter

[mgoblue83]

PLEASE spend the money on a good mat. Saving money to buy something cheap is asking for injuries. $300-400+ is the minimum you should expect to spend on a high quality mat. Anything cheaper is asking for problems and just isn't worth it. 

[Switter]

1 hour ago, Redman said:

Thanks for the recommendation.  Which version do you have?  I see they have 3-4 different options.

 

IMO whatever you do, do not purchase the commercial mats. The 5 Star reaction mats allow the use of tees... I used a 3/4 paddle bit and drilled various holes in the mat to facilitate the use of martini other tees(see image below). Bolting the golf mat to the horse mat allows me to place rags in-between the mats to simulate uneven lies... its a good practice set up. 

[Switter]

2 minutes ago, mgoblue83 said:

PLEASE spend the money on a good mat. Saving money to buy something cheap is asking for injuries. $300-400+ is the minimum you should expect to spend on a high quality mat. Anything cheaper is asking for problems and just isn't worth it. 

 

Completely agree. My first mat cost about $120.00... it was pure junk and caused injuries to my trailing shoulder. Mounting my golf mat to a rubber 4' x 6' horse mat (about $75) also helps to temper the shock of the strike... FWIW

[skim4]

I agree with mgoblue, I had a cheap mat and developed pain in my lead wrist. Got a fiberbuilt mat and haven't had the pain since. They are more expensive but it could be worth it! 

[DShepley]

I use fiberbuilt, it holds up well and hasn't caused any injury. This is the one I use but they also sell a 'flight deck' that is smaller and cheaper. https://fiberbuiltgolf.com/products/3-panel-set-fairway-grass-on-course-green-nylon-with-4-tee-holes-12-x-35?variant=21156652777554&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAq4KuBhA6EiwArMAw1IK-OGom-qCLP2mWEk9R5_3pBxgkTBIDs5yi9M9trPZQJXZNyWgHsxoCiQMQAvD_BwE 

[TheBiles]

12 hours ago, Jeselnik said:

 Those are some of the worst for golfer abuse when new but are of commercial quality.  Other than durability, I have no idea why they are so popular.   I actually like them better when the are very used and less soft and grabby……YMMV.

 

JNIK

Golfer abuse as in causing injuries?

[Ger21]

Check out the Franktech mats from Amazon. Very durable, and a thick softer foam padding. I've had mine a few years, and have been very pleased with it.

[GungHoGolf]

13 hours ago, TheBiles said:

Golfer abuse as in causing injuries?

Yes. Thick, deep pile mats like the Country Club Elite (and many copy-cats by other manufacturers) rapidly decelerate the clubhead if you hit fat or take a good “divot” with shorter clubs. The force of that deceleration hits your elbows and wrists. You may not notice it for days or even a few weeks, but the risk of developing golfer’s elbow is significant (ask me how I know). Or, to avoid injury either consciously or subconsciously, you learn to pick the ball clean… which isn’t a great way to play with wedges and short irons.

 

Just google “golfers elbow country club elite mat forum” to find many personal stories of injury.

 

The other way to get injured with a mat is hitting off one that is too firm (usually cheaper, thinner mats), which will transmit a shock force up your joints when striking fat or deep. That hurts, so again you’ll start picking it clean.

 

Golfers usually buy a mat because they want to practice more. So their average daily shot count goes way up, and so does their chance for injury.

 

Disclaimer: I’m biased in this opinion because my company makes a hitting strip and mat designed to prevent injury while allowing a deep virtual divot that minimizes club deceleration. The Fiberbuilt mat’s “Fibergrass” surface on their higher-end mats is also good in this regard, but many think it feels more like a flyer lie and doesn’t punish slightly fat shots enough or even let you recognize them by sound or distance loss.

[skim4]

11 minutes ago, GungHoGolf said:

but many think it feels more like a flyer lie and doesn’t punish slightly fat shots enough or even let you recognize them by sound or distance loss.

100% feels like a flyer lie. I can usually tell if I've hit it chunky but I agree it doesn't punish them enough. 

[golferdude54]

3 hours ago, GungHoGolf said:

Yes. Thick, deep pile mats like the Country Club Elite (and many copy-cats by other manufacturers) rapidly decelerate the clubhead if you hit fat or take a good “divot” with shorter clubs. The force of that deceleration hits your elbows and wrists. You may not notice it for days or even a few weeks, but the risk of developing golfer’s elbow is significant (ask me how I know). Or, to avoid injury either consciously or subconsciously, you learn to pick the ball clean… which isn’t a great way to play with wedges and short irons.

 

Just google “golfers elbow country club elite mat forum” to find many personal stories of injury.

 

The other way to get injured with a mat is hitting off one that is too firm (usually cheaper, thinner mats), which will transmit a shock force up your joints when striking fat or deep. That hurts, so again you’ll start picking it clean.

 

Golfers usually buy a mat because they want to practice more. So their average daily shot count goes way up, and so does their chance for injury.

 

Disclaimer: I’m biased in this opinion because my company makes a hitting strip and mat designed to prevent injury while allowing a deep virtual divot that minimizes club deceleration. The Fiberbuilt mat’s “Fibergrass” surface on their higher-end mats is also good in this regard, but many think it feels more like a flyer lie and doesn’t punish slightly fat shots enough or even let you recognize them by sound or distance loss.

 

What about the "golf ball bounce test" in figuring out which mats are best? As in dropping a golf ball on a real fairway/tee box and having the mat stimulate the same bounce. Because there are a LOT of mats out there where you drop a ball and it bounces almost as high as where you dropped it from.

[GungHoGolf]

48 minutes ago, golferdude54 said:

 

What about the "golf ball bounce test" in figuring out which mats are best? As in dropping a golf ball on a real fairway/tee box and having the mat stimulate the same bounce. Because there are a LOT of mats out there where you drop a ball and it bounces almost as high as where you dropped it from.

 

Haven't heard about testing a mat that way, but just thinking it through, I'm not sure it's a great test. A CCE mat would likely bounce similar to turf (minimally) due to the thickness of the fibers, and a Fiberbuilt mat wouldn't bounce much at all because the ball would penetrate the tall, stiff fibers. Our hitting strip would probably come close to reality, but haven't tried it.

 

That said, I agree that if the ball bounces really high off it, that's a bad thing - because your club will do something similar.

[JimmyC59]

On 2/4/2024 at 6:23 PM, Jtgavigan said:

I grabbed on of these and like it pretty well have had it almost 2 months now. 

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.costco.com/country-club-elite-golf-mats.product.100034931.html&ved=2ahUKEwiczIL96ZKEAxWSl4kEHVLpAFAQFnoECBkQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw1famx6kLiqd714NKFHIAgR

I have never hit off of a CCE, but I learned in this forum, they are notorious for severe wrist and elbow injury. I have a 5x5 Fiberbuilt in my Sim and it's fantastic! Realistic, but absolutely no wrist/elbow pain. That's after probably hitting 25,000 balls in the last 3½ years.

But it's out of your price range

[vandyfan]

I just bought some anti-fatigue mats to put under my somewhat budget mat to hopefully save my joints a bit in the future. When it is time for a new mat it sounds like DW Quail is the way to go. 

[TheBiles]

5 hours ago, GungHoGolf said:

Yes. Thick, deep pile mats like the Country Club Elite (and many copy-cats by other manufacturers) rapidly decelerate the clubhead if you hit fat or take a good “divot” with shorter clubs. The force of that deceleration hits your elbows and wrists. You may not notice it for days or even a few weeks, but the risk of developing golfer’s elbow is significant (ask me how I know). Or, to avoid injury either consciously or subconsciously, you learn to pick the ball clean… which isn’t a great way to play with wedges and short irons.

 

Just google “golfers elbow country club elite mat forum” to find many personal stories of injury.

 

The other way to get injured with a mat is hitting off one that is too firm (usually cheaper, thinner mats), which will transmit a shock force up your joints when striking fat or deep. That hurts, so again you’ll start picking it clean.

 

Golfers usually buy a mat because they want to practice more. So their average daily shot count goes way up, and so does their chance for injury.

 

Disclaimer: I’m biased in this opinion because my company makes a hitting strip and mat designed to prevent injury while allowing a deep virtual divot that minimizes club deceleration. The Fiberbuilt mat’s “Fibergrass” surface on their higher-end mats is also good in this regard, but many think it feels more like a flyer lie and doesn’t punish slightly fat shots enough or even let you recognize them by sound or distance loss.

I actually have a Fiberbuilt Flight Deck, but I’ve heard that it feels different than a full Fiberbuilt mat. Any truth to that? I wanted to upgrade and wasn’t sure if I should go with the practice station or something else. 

[GungHoGolf]

28 minutes ago, TheBiles said:

I actually have a Fiberbuilt Flight Deck, but I’ve heard that it feels different than a full Fiberbuilt mat. Any truth to that? I wanted to upgrade and wasn’t sure if I should go with the practice station or something else. 

 

I think the Flight Deck is a nearly identical hitting surface as their Fibergrass surface, or at least it was 3 years ago when I saw them both.

[GullLakeMi]

On 2/4/2024 at 6:02 PM, Redman said:

I need a new hitting mat for winter practice. I’m looking for something that has “real feel” and isn’t so hard on the wrists and elbows, but also won’t break the bank. Certainly not looking to spend $300-$400 on one. You guys have any good ones to recommend? 

For indoor use or does it need to stand up to weather?  In my opinion, a few well known mats are made for public outdoor range year-around use and thus aren't gentle on humans.  

[GullLakeMi]

On 2/5/2024 at 2:52 PM, mgoblue83 said:

PLEASE spend the money on a good mat. Saving money to buy something cheap is asking for injuries. $300-400+ is the minimum you should expect to spend on a high quality mat. Anything cheaper is asking for problems and just isn't worth it. 

 

Please clarify.  If using a hitting strip, can't it be done for half that?  One option is to go cheap where your feet are and spend money on a 12"x30" strip that is often aligned with the window a LM can see anyway.

 

I'm in the market for a better strip to address some back pain.  I'm not aware of any $300-400 options.

[Jeselnik]

On 2/5/2024 at 12:19 PM, Redman said:

Appreciate the feedback on it. What do you use or prefer? 

 

1.  5 Star commercial I use for chipping off deck, 6/10.  Practically gave them away xmas 2021, overpriced now. Good stance mat, light/portable.  Hated perfect reaction mat and returned it, too much like a new CCE, to grabby for me.

2. two old CCE mats $75 each from range, lost a lot of the grabbiness and softness. 7.3/10.  I put one on top of the 5 star and like the impact better but too soft for stance.  Occasional full swings are fine, mostly partial wedges.

3.  Fiberbuilt grass panel indoors, with homemade stance mat. 8.8/10.  This is the best mat for novices to avoid injury and increase enjoyment.  I put a washcloth behind ball to increase feedback.

 

If you can’t decide, snag a used CCE.  If you’ feel aches in the arms or hands the day after a vigorous session it is from the mat/turf interaction, tone it down a bit and lose any OTT move.

 

JNIK

 

 

 

[mgoblue83]

12 hours ago, GullLakeMi said:

 

Please clarify.  If using a hitting strip, can't it be done for half that?  One option is to go cheap where your feet are and spend money on a 12"x30" strip that is often aligned with the window a LM can see anyway.

 

I'm in the market for a better strip to address some back pain.  I'm not aware of any $300-400 options.

 

Sure, hitting strips are great and should be cheaper. I just wouldn't ever recommend anyone to hit balls from a cheap mat. All it takes is one bad swing and you are going to have problems for a long time.