Golf Hitting Mats
A hitting mat is the only part of your golf simulator you connect with on every single swing. Cheap, hard mats can lead to joint pain, damaged clubs, and bad swing habits. A quality golf mat provides a true-to-life feel that lets you hit down and through the ball with confidence. To find out more about the (often overlooked) importance of a mat for golf, contact us or book a golf simulator consultation.
Golf Hitting Mats
What a golf mat does and why it matters
A golf mat does more than just give you a patch of green turf to hit from. It simulates the fairway. A great mat has a thick, absorbent base layer that forgives a steep swing, just like real turf. It allows the club to interact with the surface realistically, giving you honest feedback on every strike.
Most importantly, a quality mat is an investment in your health. Hitting thousands of balls off a thin, unforgiving surface can send jarring vibrations up your arms, leading to chronic pain in the wrists, elbows, and shoulders. A premium mat absorbs that impact, allowing you to practice for longer and feel fresh when you get back on the course.
Austad's pro tip: "We know too many golfers who've been sidelined by wrist and elbow pain from cheap, hard mats. A quality mat with a thick, forgiving base isn’t a luxury. It's an investment in your health and makes your simulator shots that bit more realistic, so your gains translate to the course."
- Carson Buell, Head Simulator Consultant
Finding the right golf mat for your game
From portable practice strips to full-size turf systems, the right mat is waiting for you.
For portability and value
These mats offer a great hitting surface in a compact and easy-to-move package. They are perfect for smaller spaces, for taking to the driving range to save your clubs from worn-out range mats, or for golfers who want a quality feel without dedicating a large area to a permanent setup. At this size, you may also be looking for putting mats or other practice aids to sharpen up your work around the green.
Check out: Fiberbuilt's Flight Deck
For all-round performance
This is the sweet spot for most home simulator users. These larger mats provide a durable, realistic hitting surface and have enough space for you to stand comfortably on the stance mat at the same level as the ball. They offer an excellent balance of performance, size, and value, making them a popular choice for dedicated practice spaces.
Check out: Fiberbuilt's Practice Station
For pro-level realism
For the player who wants the most authentic experience possible. These top-tier turf systems mimic fairway-quality turf, allowing lefties and right-handers to hit down and through the ball and absorb impact. If you want a hitting surface that feels indistinguishable from the course, this is it.
Check out: Fiberbuilt's Studio Golf Mat
Golf mat buying guide: 3 things to consider
Don't overlook these details when choosing the surface from which you’ll be swinging.
1. Realism & injury prevention
The feel of the mat is paramount. A quality mat features a thick, forgiving base layer that absorbs the shock of impact, protecting your wrists, elbows, and shoulders from jarring vibrations. This gives you honest feedback on your strike, unlike cheap, hard mats that can make a fat shot bounce into a seemingly perfect result.
2. Size & stance area
It's important to stand on the same level surface that you're hitting the ball for the best results. If your mat is too small and you stand on the floor, you'll be slightly below the ball, which can negatively affect your swing and create bad habits. We recommend a minimum size of 4'x5' for a home simulator, which provides enough room for a comfortable stance. Larger mats (e.g., 4'x9') offer more flexibility and can easily accommodate both right and left-handed players.
3. Durability & Materials
The longevity of your mat comes down to its construction. Premium mats are designed to resist wear and tear over hundreds of thousands of shots. Cheaper mats can wear down quickly, become matted, and leave a green smear on the bottom of your clubs. Investing in a mat with quality materials ensures you get a consistent, long-lasting hitting surface.
Need help finding the right feel or size? Our team has tested these mats and can guide you to the perfect one for your swing and space.
Why buy golf mats from Austad's?
The Austad family is now in its third generation of matching golf fanatics with the right products, so their performance is on a par with their enthusiasm
- The best selection: We won't palm you off with a thin, punishing mat. Every product we sell has been selected for its ability to provide a realistic feel while protecting your joints.
- Family owned since '63: Golf is the tie that binds in our family. We get a big kick out of welcoming new people into our inclusive club and helping them find joy in this great game we love.
- Expert support: A passion for golf is the main thing we ask of all our co-workers. That means if you contact s or visit one of our stores, you'll always find someone who will love to help you with any of your golfing questions.
- Check our reviews: Don't just take our word for it. See what golf players just like you have said about how we've helped them.
Golf Mat FAQs
Do golf mats damage clubs?
Low-quality, hard mats may cause scuffs and excessive wear on your clubs. However, the premium mats we sell are made with soft, dense fibers and forgiving base layers that are designed to protect your clubs from damage while providing realistic feedback.
How do I keep my golf mat from sliding?
Most high-quality mats are heavy enough that their rubber base prevents sliding on most surfaces. If you do experience movement, especially on smooth concrete, you can use double-sided carpet tape around the edges or place the mat on a non-slip rug pad for extra grip.
What size golf mat do I need?
For a home simulator, we recommend a mat that is at least 4 feet by 5 feet. This ensures you have enough room to stand on the mat, level with the ball, which is crucial for maintaining a proper swing plane.
How long do golf hitting mats last?
The lifespan of a hitting mat depends on usage and quality. A high-quality, commercial-grade mat can withstand hundreds of thousands of shots and last for many years in a home environment. Even with heavy use, a good mat will provide a consistent hitting surface for years before showing significant wear in the primary hitting area.
