DIY TrueStrike gel pad 4x5 mat for around $175

[brg1875]

You should be fine with the super tee mat in terms of durability but I can only imagine how grabby that may will be for irons.

I just replaced mine with Synlawn precision Putt and it's held up well so far.

[Alphaseekr]

I just picked up the ultimate super tee from allturfmats in 4x5, so far so good, no issues with skytrak compatibility, 99.9% reads. Great value vs cost with this vendor imo. I would suggest a mat size no smaller than 4x5.
Premium residential was my entry point, I started with that mat in 3x5. Great mat, no issues just had a preference for a thicker mat and larger size.

[Stackchaser]

I'm definitely building this out for my sim build I just started. I have some Synlawn Precision Putt remnant that I am going to use. I have one roll that is 15'x 6' and another that is 15' x 3'. My plan is to lay four 4x8 pieces of plywood side by side giving my an 8' x 16' base to lay the Synlawn on, secure it with screws around the edges, cut some holes for putting, and a cutout for the gel insert. This would fill out most of my space and give my a nice indoor putting green to use as well. Glad I saw this thread!

How has the precision putt material held up? Am halfway through my diy build and getting to the mats. Would like something I could hit and putt from. Synlawn store a couple of hours from me but I travel that way at least monthly. Thanks for your response!

[brg1875]

I just got the precision Putt remnants myself 6'x12' was the smallest they had which was about $120.

So far it's holding up well even. I really hit down through the ball and it's been good. I've put 3-4 practice sessions through it and 6-7 rounds.

[Champ11]

I ordered this piece from onlygel.com (https://www.onlygel.com/products/ult...d-stock-series) and used half of if for my mat, it works great. If anyone wants the other half, it is 8"x18", $35 plus shipping.

[JacobM21]

how thick is your mat? I have a 1" mat and i'm afraid i might have to switch it up to a 1/2 inch.

[Champ11]

my mat is 5/8, which is same thickness as the gel I have. My guess would be even if you had to block it to fill the entire 1" inch it still would perform well. The interlocking foam tiles people here use for underlayments are usually 1/2", you could use that. Onlygel may have something 1" thick also. I have a pending sale with another member for the piece I have for sale.

[Sully]

I would like to build something very similar to the 4x5 DIY Truestrike mat, but I will need one that accommodates both right and left handed golfers. Further complicating things is that because of the width between garage door rails, lefties and righties can't hit from the same spot. As such, I will need to make two gel pad hitting areas. Not a huge deal as I can simply cut the large gel pad into two pieces.

I have two critical things that I'm considering with regard to the finished product:

1) Which turf mat should I use, knowing that I need something more like 4'x10' or 6'x10' and it will have gels pads underneath in the hitting zones? The two best options that I've found are:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Premium-Res...V2oO:rk:2:pf:0

and

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Golf-Mat-6-...S!-1:rk:3:pf:0

If I wanted to go even wider at 4'x12' and get a better deal, I could buy this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Wide-Ber...PdA:rk:27:pf:0

Which, if any, of those three options will work for the DIY mat?

2) Rather than plywood, could I use the inter-locking foam tiles and somehow secure the hitting mat on to the foam tile underneath? I would actually prefer plywood, but a 6'x10' or 4'x10' hitting area may be served by the foam tiles, as most sheets of plywood come 4'x8'.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[StuartG]

1) Which turf mat should I use, knowing that I need something more like 4'x10' or 6'x10' and it will have gels pads underneath in the hitting zones? The two best options that I've found are:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Premium-Res...V2oO:rk:2:pf:0

and

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Golf-Mat-6-...S!-1:rk:3:pf:0

If I wanted to go even wider at 4'x12' and get a better deal, I could buy this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Wide-Ber...PdA:rk:27:pf:0

Which, if any, of those three options will work for the DIY mat?

I bought the All Turf Premium Residential mats for a stance mat. I haven't' tried it myself with gel pads yet, but it looks like should work well over them. In fact, since I wasn't planing on hitting off it, I bought the 5x5 and cut off a 1' strip for future experiments.

[calebm1001]

Your idea for the DIY mat is awesome... you got me trying to figure out a way to try it on a section of my CCE

Did you ever figure out how to do this with your CCE? My lower back is starting to feel a little rough. Not sure if it’s from the mat or how often I’m playing...

[Marcusma]

Any update on the longevity of this DIY. I'm trying to decide should I make one of these or make a Divot Action

[brg1875]

Mine is still going strong, the gel doesn't have a blemish. The allturfmats residential pro bubbled after 20-30 rounds, switched out to synlawn precision putt over the top and it's lasted much longer.

10/10 would do in my next build.

[Marcusma]

Mine is still going strong, the gel doesn't have a blemish. The allturfmats residential pro bubbled after 20-30 rounds, switched out to synlawn precision putt over the top and it's lasted much longer.

10/10 would do in my next build.

When using the SYNlawn, how long did it last and how did you tack it to the gel pad?

[brg1875]

I haven't had to replace it yet, I have a 6'x6' piece for my mat and I have extra whenever I need to make strips.

I've played about the same 20-30 rounds with little to no wear.

I used wood screws at the perimeter of the wood platform to keep it attached.

[Marcusma]

I haven't had to replace it yet, I have a 6'x6' piece for my mat and I have extra whenever I need to make strips.

I've played about the same 20-30 rounds with little to no wear.

I used wood screws at the perimeter of the wood platform to keep it attached.

Ok, I understand now. You just drop in the gel pad and cover the entire sim surface with the SYNlaw, then tack everything down so to keep it from moving.

[GungHoGolf]

I switched to a DIY DivotAction with 3/16” lexan under Synlawn Precision Putt and like it much better than the gel. Doesn’t grab the club as much. Does wrinkle a tiny bit at the front edge of the lexan but nothing excessive.

[Marcusma]

I switched to a DIY DivotAction with 3/16” lexan under Synlawn Precision Putt and like it much better than the gel. Doesn’t grab the club as much. Does wrinkle a tiny bit at the front edge of the lexan but nothing excessive.

Thanks for the reply. DA it is.

[Tdionne]

I am putting together my first Skytrak simulator setup, and I trying to figure out the best mat option. I was originally going to go with the CCE, but am am a little nervous about the wear and tear on my elbow. I like the idea of the gel mat. I need something that works for Right and left handed golfers.

Has anybody tried building a mat insert with the gel? Something that could be replaced after wear it cheap may inserts. What is the turf that seems to be the most durable with this setup?

Thanks in advance!