If you’re like most golfers, you don’t get out to the course nearly as much as you’d like. Life gets in the way sometimes. But with so many amazing golf simulators and at-home practice options, it’s never been easier to work on your game from the comfort of your home.
Whether you’re dealing with bad winter weather or just don’t have much free time for golf, you can still get better even at home. The one piece of equipment every golfer needs for their home setup is a golf practice mat. This will help keep your lawn looking good and not take a chunk out of the carpet if you’re banging balls in the house.
Best Golf Mats
- Country Club Elite Golf Mat – Best Mat for Most Golfers
- SwingTurf Golf Mat – Best All Around Value Golf Mat
- SIGPRO Softy Golf Mat – Best Premium Golf Mat
- Cimarron Sports Golf Mat – Best Budget Golf Mat
If you’ve ever hit off a golf mat at a driving range or golf course, you know that no two mats are the same. In fact, even the best golf hitting mats have come a long way in the past decade or more, making the experience more lifelike than ever.
As you probably remember, old school golf hitting mats used to be very clunky and could even cause wrist pain if you didn’t hit it right. Needless to say, it wasn’t the best experience!
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that nearly as much with so much new technology. Plus, mats have never been more affordable as there is such a huge selection of mats to help you practice golf at home.
Instead of making you research all of these golf practice mats on your own, we put together this one helpful post to make your buying decision easy. So if you want a simple practice facility or a full at-home simulator, we’ll help you find the best golf mat for your house.
We broke this post down into the bigger, full size mats first and then cover the smaller, more transportable smaller mats as well. Here are our top picks for the best golf mats…
Here are our top picks for the best golf hitting mats…
Key Takeaways
- A golf hitting mat can range in price from $100 to $500 (or more).
- A golf mat is a great way to practice at home so you can improve your swing in winter months.
- Golf mats come in all types of sizes to fit any type of simulator or at home practice setup.
Now, let’s get into the best golf mats on the market.
Country Club Elite Golf Mat
This is arguably the best golf mat on the market. The County Club Elite simulates what it’s like to hit a shot from the fairway as if you’re on the course.
With any of the sizes they offer, you can comfortably stand on the mat regardless of what club you’re hitting. It’s also one of the few mats that allows you to use a real wooden tee as well – no rubber tee required!
Here are some of the best features of these mats:
- Can be used indoors or outdoors.
- Comes in a variety of sizes (4’ x 5’, 5’x5’ and 5’x10’).
- Offers “No Bounce” feature which is the most common problem with mats. This looks and feels like you’re striking it from a real fairway.
- Has “True Divot Action” which doesn’t mask bad shots. Instead, it helps you realize if you hit down and through it or if it was a mishit. This hitting surface is very high quality!
- 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty which is a lot longer than most companies. These are used by golf clubs worldwide and usually last 2-3 years with heavy use. If you’re just using on your own, expect it to last for years or more.
The only downsides are that it’s only one type of grass, so you can’t practice hitting shots from the rough. But this practice mat is highly reviewed and loved by golfers all around the world!
Click here to learn more about the Country Club Elite mat.
SwingTurf Golf Mat
According to Rain or Shine Golf this is their number one choice and the only mat you’ll need. As they said on their website, “We engineered the SwingTurf to offer a softer, more forgiving hitting surface. Providing a similar feel to grass and is easier on the body after continuous use.”
It’s very similar to real grass which gives you more realistic feedback on thin or fat shots. Not to mention it’s easy on the joints thanks to the forgiving surface that provides less vibration and recoil.
Here’s what makes this one of the best golf mats:
- Great price.
- Three-year warranty.
- Used indoors or outdoors.
- Lets you insert a real wooden tee.
- Two sizes available to hit all types of golf shots.
SigPro Softy Golf Mat
If you need a monster mat the SigPro is one of the best golf mat options. What makes it great is the foam insert unlike other hitting mats.
Here’s how they described it, “A plush layer of 1-inch thick Teeline turf mimics real grass feel while providing 100% accurate feedback on great shots and mishits. A thin layer of responsive ABS polyurethane allows for the flex action to occur at impact and then returns the turf to the original shape.”
Additionally, there is a replaceable hitting strip that you can swap with ease (without buying a new mat).
Here’s why this full stance mat made our list:
- Available in two sizes.
- Use a real wooden tee.
- Replaceable hitting strip.
- Provides accurate data to pair with a launch monitor.
While it’s not a cheap mat, it’s worth the money to complete your full golf simulator setup.
TrueStrike Golf Mat
TrueStrike has made the premium golf mat with this new edition that recently came out. It’s the most realistic feel and surface you’ll find when it comes to hitting golf balls off of a mat.
As they said on the website, “The True Strike Hitting System implements a revolutionary new concept, a thin layer of incredibly durable, yet soft, artificial strike surface with a silicone gel insert engineered under the strike surface. Not too firm and not too soft, it’s perfect.”
Here is what makes this golf mat one of the best ones out there:
- Removes the “fairway effect” that makes most golf mats too forgiving and not realistic.
- Gel-filled divot simulating subsurface. This makes it feel as if you’re actually taking a divot on the course from the comfort of your home!
- Large enough that you can use it with right-handed and left-handed players without switching it around.
When you purchase, you also get one edge trim, one golf ball tray, one gel section, and three range mat sections. The only downside to this mat is that it’s so heavy duty it’s actually really heavy — it weighs in at 112 pounds.
Don’t expect to buy this mat if you’re looking for something mobile. But if you’re a serious golfer who wants only the best, this is the mat for you.
Click here to learn more about the TrueStrike Golf Hitting Mats.
Fiberbuilt Launch Monitor Studio Golf Mat
If you’re looking for the best golf hitting mat for an indoor studio, you will love the latest mat from Fiberbuilt. This single sided mat is ideal for golfers with launch monitors as the mat is broken into three parts. One part is the Fiberbuilt grass section where you stand. Next is the performance turf section, and then the rough section.
Plus, this is one of the best mats on the list as it allows you to hit down and through it without any “turf shock.” Check out some of the best features of this amazing product:
- Rubber foundation frame.
- 7’ wide by 4’ long (broken up into three sections) making the surface unlike most golf mats.
- Created for launch monitors like Ernest Sports, Foresight, and SkyTrak systems.
- Hitting part of the mats have four tee holes, depending on which club you’re hitting and you can use real tees.
- Comes with a 300,000 shot guarantee or a 1-year warranty. The rubber base has an extended, 5-year limited manufacturer warranty.
The only downside to this mat is that it’s more than twice the price of the Country Club Elite. But is geared more towards players looking for the ultimate at home setup. With that price you figured they could include the half moon ball try but sadly that’s an extra cost.
Click here to learn more about the Fiberbuilt Launch Monitor Studio Golf Mats.
Cimarron Sports Golf Mat (Best Budget Golf Mat)
If you’re looking for a full-sized golf mat without paying the full size price, the Cimarron mat is the best one for you. For a fraction of the price of some on this list, you still get a full sized mat with tons of great features for your practice setup at one of the best prices.
Here’s the breakdown of the best reasons to buy this mat:
- Created for indoor or outdoor use.
- Three distinct sections of the mat to practice from all types of lies from fairway to rough.
- High-density tee turf so you can tee up drivers and fairway woods like you’re on the driving range.
- Knitted nylon fairway turf so you can practice hitting with all clubs.
- Semi-rough to practice for those times when you miss the fairway.
Click here to learn more about the Cimarron golf mat.
Best Golf Nets (Smaller Hitting Surface)
As you can tell, there are no shortage of awesome full size mats for your at home practice needs. But some of the best ones above are pretty big so if you have less space but still want to work on your game at home, check out some of the best smaller options as well.
Fiberbuilt Flight Deck (Best Small Mat)
If you’re someone who is on the go a little bit more and wants a transportable mat, the Fiberbuilt FlightDeck will help you practice your swing nearly anywhere. Even though it’s very small, it will help have an awesome practice session at home or on the go.
Here are some of the best benefits of these golf mats:
- Can be used indoor or outdoor with any club in the bag.
- Small, lightweight and can even be packed in a suitcase.
- Despite its small size, it is made with high quality turf material.
- Fiberbuilt is a trusted brand with a 300,000 shot guarantee.
- Includes a stabilizer hole to allow you to hit with conventional tees.
Of course, the only problem with this golf practice mat is the very small hitting surface. It’s so small that you might even feel intimdated to make good contact!
Click here to learn more about the Fiberbuilt Flight Deck golf mat.
Rukket Tri-Turf Golf Hitting Mat
Another great option for a fraction of the price of the Fiberbuilt is the Rukket Tri-Turf golf mat. This is an awesome way to practice at home, save your lawn, and not break the bank.
Here is what makes these golf mats such a good investment:
- Made for indoor and outdoor use.
- Train from every lie. It has three distinct types of grass to help you master different shots so you’re more prepared on the course.
- Extreme durability. It has an extra thick rubber base that will keep the mat stationary while you practice and last for years to come.
Click here to learn more about the Rukket Tri-Turf Golf hitting mat.
Champkey Premium Dual-Turf Hitting Mat
If you’re looking for a small training mat but want different types of grass (instead of a one size fits all mat), the Chapmpkey is one of the best options. You can practice any type of shot with this mat as they have rough, fairway, and the ability to tee up the ball as well.
Here’s some of the best features of these golf mats:
- 3-Layer structure. This mat has three kinds of different materials that offer amazing shock absorption and are extremely durable.
- Small and lightweight. While it’s bigger than some, it’s only seven pounds made with an eco-friendly rubber base. This ensures it won’t move when you’re swinging.
- Three sizes available with high-quality rubber backing.
Click here to learn more about the Champkey Premium.
How Pick the Best Golf Mat
So how do you actually pick the golf mat for your game? Here are some of the biggest factors to consider when shopping around.
Primary Use of Golfing Mats
First off, what are you planning to do with this mat? Is it a small mat to hit golf balls casually in the backyard or are you creating your own diy golf simulator?
Each situation is very different and usually requires different types of mats. Plus, if you’re planning on using it indoors vs. outdoors or both, this should also play a factor as well. The last thing you want to do is buy an indoor mat and leave it outside and lose out on your investment when it rains. (Make sure to read our article about outdoor golf simulators.)
Step one in picking the mat for your game is to get clear about what you want the mat for now and in the future as well. If you plan on creating a more in-depth at home setup, make sure to buy accordingly so you don’t have to purchase another down the road.
Golf Mat Turf Material
The next major thing to evaluate your mat for is the material itself. As mentioned before, golf hitting mats have changed a lot over the last two decades and only become more like it is on the course than those old mats of the past.
You want the surface to feel like real turf as much as possible!
Remember, you want to find a mat that makes it feel as if you’re on the golf course to give you the best practice session. The last thing you want is a mat that hides bad shots or gives you a wrist injury. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that as we only selected the best picks for this list that were highly reviewed by fellow golfers.
Another thing to consider is if the mat has different types of turf to simulate both fairway and rough. This is common with a lot of mats and will help you practice missing fairways (as no one hits 14/14 fairways) which will make your practice sessions even more effective.
Finally, you want to make sure that you can insert a tee so you can bomb drivers as well. Some cheaper mats might just have a rubber tee which is better than nothing but ideally, you want to find one that you can hit with a wooden tee.
Size of Hitting Mats
Another factor is the size of the golf mat itself. Some are just a small strip of turf for a golf ball and a club with a minimal surface area, while others are the size you see at a driving range or even longer. The size of your practice mat also depends on the primary use and how much space you have.
Unlike indoor putting greens, you can’t usually roll up a normal golf mat as they will get a crease and are way too big. But a few on this list do have that option and double as a putting green like the Net Return Pro Turf model.
Not to mention, you don’t want an oversized mat that will take up a huge surface and make your family angry for taking up the entire backyard or garage.
Warranty / Guarantee
While size and turf material are important, don’t forget to look for golf mats with the best guarantee or return policy as well. It likely won’t matter if you’re only spending $100 or less but if you’re investing in a high-quality, premium golf mat you want to ensure you’re protected in case something happens.
Make sure to save your receipts and contact the manufacturer if anything goes wrong before the warranty expires.
Price
Finally, don’t forget about the price of your mat as well. While you shouldn’t make the decision 100% on price, it’s obviously something to consider when purchasing. Some of the mats on here are under $100 while others are more than a $1,000.
While it’s easy to look at price alone, don’t forget that you get what you pay for so think of it as an investment. Some of the more expensive mats will last you 2-3x as long as cheap ones and can also help your game much more as well. Not to mention cheaper golf mats might increase the chance of a golf injury too.
Next Steps – Complete Your Home Setup
Now that you have all the information about the best golf hitting mats, it’s time to complete your at-home practice setup. While the hitting mats are arguably the most important part, there are still plenty of things to consider when putting it all together.
Practice Net vs. Golf Simulator
Once you have the “teeing ground,” it’s time to figure out what you’re hitting the golf ball into. If you’re keeping this as cheap as possible, you’ll likely go with a golf net instead of buying a full-on simulator.
But if you’re investing more for better practice sessions, a simulator could be the best move. Not to mention create an awesome experience for friends and family. And a great way to get your kids involved in the game.
A golf simulator allows you to play cool courses from the comfort of your home, even if the weather is terrible outside. Plus, they have never been more affordable than now. Sure, some of them are still wildly expensive (like more than your car) but a lot of them aren’t more than a new driver.
Click here to read the Ultimate Guide to Home Golf Simulators and the best picks for your game!
Launch Monitor
Another way to make your practice sessions even more effective is buying a launch monitor. These devices are like having your very own PGA Tour swing coach and provide so many details about your game.
Remember, more you can measure in your game (like distance, ball speed, etc.), the easier it will be to know what to practice during your sessions. Similar to golf simulators, they aren’t nearly as expensive as they once were and for a few hundred bucks, they can really help your game.
Some of our top picks are the Swing Caddie SC300 and the Swing Caddie SC200. Both of these devices will help you learn more about your game even if you aren’t a “tech” guy.
Or, if you want the full setup as if you’re hitting at your local golf shop, make sure to check out the SkyTrak Golf Launch Monitor. This is the mecca of golf setups that is fun for the entire family. Not only can you use it for golf but it has fitness mode and other video games for your kids as well.
Click here to learn more about the SkyTrak Golf Launch Monitor
At Home Putting Greens
While having a net and practice area are great, don’t forget about your short game as well. Nearly 50% or more of all shots happen inside 100 yards and a lot of that includes putting so maybe adding a putting green will help as well.
Check out one of our top picks, the Perfect Practice Putting mat here.
If you are really serious about golf, go here to learn how to build a backyard putting green.
Training Aids
While having an at home practice setup or simulator is awesome, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll automatically improve (that’s golf for you). But if you’re committed to improving your game and want the best results, check out these 25 golf training aids that actually work.
FAQS About Best Golf Mats
Still have questions about the best golf hitting mats? If so, keep reading through the most frequently asked questions and answers below.
How do I choose a golf mat?
Start by figuring out the main goal of your mat. Is it for indoor use to build a simulator? Or simply hit into a net?
Then, figure out how much space you have for your golf mat. As you can tell from the list above, some are very small and others are huge.
Lastly, don’t forget about the weight of the golf mat as some are extremely heavy (more than 100 pounds).
What mats do GolfTec use?
GolfTec is a great place to work on your game and get golf lessons. The hitting mats used are Fiberbuilt which is in our list above.
Why do I hit better off mats?
A hitting mat can sometimes disguise a bad swing – this is known as the fairway effect. Since you’re not hitting from real turf, the club can bounce if you hit slightly behind it. If this happened with real grass you would normally hit a chunk shot.
But the best golf practice mats on the market offer much more realistic fairway like feel. This makes practice much more realistic to the golf course.
How do I keep my golf hitting mat from sliding?
If you buy a heavy-duty golf mat you won’t have to worry about it sliding. But if not, use these strategies to keep your hitting mat from moving.
- Use non-slip adhesive.
- Try out double-sided carpet tape.
- Secure the mat using Velcro strips.
- Position it so one side of it is aganist a wall.
Are swing mats worth it?
Yes, a hitting mat can give you more practice time even if you’re busy with your career, family, and other responsibilities. Even a few minutes of practice each day and/or using it during cold winter months can keep your game sharp.
My Experience
While a golf mat isn’t as good as real turf, we’ve come a long way from rubber tees and clunky old mats. I still think that your golf swing is sort of “disguised” with a mat (especially fat shots) but they’re better than nothing. An outdoor golf mat and practice setup can help your game a ton when you aren’t able to make it to the course.
Indoor golf mats for simulators have also come a long way as well. With some of the premium mats above, you can make a beautiful at home simulator setup.
Not to mention a putting mat is another great investment in your golf game. If you don’t have time to always get to the “real golf course” a putting mat can help dial in your short game.
Final Thoughts on Best Golf Hitting Mat
As you can tell, there is no shortage of awesome golf mats on the market and range mats have come a long way in the past few decades. Whether you want a cheap golf mat for practice in the backyard to introduce your kids to the game or a full-on golf simulator mat, there are options for everything. Remember to think about things like hitting surface and other features mentioned above to get the best golf mat for your home setup.
Here are some of our top picks based on hitting surface, cost, and reviews:
- Best Value: Country Club Elite Golf Mat – These golf mats are a middle-priced mat that has everything you need whether you’re hitting into a net or setting up a full-on simulator.
- Most Versatile: Net Return Pro Turf Mat – These golf mats are the best for your simulator as it makes it easy for the ball to return back to your feet. Plus, you can easily double it as a putting green as well – unlike any other mat on this list!
- Most Portable: Fiberbuilt Flight Deck – These smaller golf mats are conveniently sized so you can take it on the go and practice where you like. Plus, they are built to last!
Go out there and pick one for your house, invite your friends over, get into nature, and enjoy it! Also, if you have a golf practice setup at home, we’d love to hear about it.