DIY TrueStrike gel pad 4x5 mat for around $175

[GungHoGolf]

Inspired by @mike80's great DIY gel pad mat for $271, I thought I'd share my version which came to around $175 (with $32 of gel pad and some lumber left over) and requires no cutting away of mat padding with a special tool.

I was motivated to try something different after owning a 3' x 5' Ultimate Matzilla Mat ($180) for 18 months, and it was 1) just a little too small; 2) was so thick and plush that my stance felt too squishy and my feet were making permanent indentations; and 3) the thick fibers grabbed the clubhead too aggressively, especially on slightly fat shots. Fairway woods in particular were difficult to pick cleanly from the mat without it slowing down the clubhead. I had some friends over recently for a round on TGC, and they were hitting everything about 3/4th as far as normal due to not picking the ball clean enough.

I decided to try a far cheaper mat (see below) with only 3/8" nylon fibers, and all clubs skim through it like butter or a nice moist fairway. It has virtually no padding (5mm foam backing), so the gel pad is a must, and feels awesome under the hitting area. Fat shots are not nearly as much of a shock to the elbows, have better distance, but still give enough feedback that I don't think I'll have a problem of drilling myself steep. I've only been hitting on it for a day, but I seem to be getting a little higher average distance from all shots, especially my 3W. It's also better for putting in TGC, as the short nap is closer to green speed and the ball rolls truer than on the thick stuff. Haven't noticed any green marks on my clubs yet, either.

I have no idea how long the mat or gel pad will last, but I'll update this post as the months go by. I'll be able to rotate the mat once, replace the gel pad once, and also move the SkyTrak around somewhat targeting maybe 4-6 different sections of the pad area. For now I'm quite satisfied with having a firm footing that doesn't leave indentations, along with a very forgiving hitting area.

PARTS:

1. UltraGel 18" x 16" x 5/8" gel pad from eBay - $64

2. 4' x 8' x 3/4" plywood sheet (MDF or particle board should work, too) - $25

3. 4' x 5' Premium Residential Golf Mat from AllTurfMats - $75

4. 1" wood screws and/or carpet tape


Cut plywood sheet to 4' x 5', then cut out 9" x 16" hole for gel pad at desired position (for SkyTrak, I used 4" from edge and 12" from front)





Cut gel pad in half to make two 9" x 16" pieces (you'll use one and have a spare to save or resell)





Put plywood in position, then lay in gel pad on top of the thin foam padding it was shipped with. (You may be able to use 5/8" thick wood and skip the foam padding layer.)





Put mat in position, and secure with a 1" wood screw at each corner and halfway points on long edges. Carpet tape is optional, but screws are easier to remove when it comes time to exchange pad or rotate mat.





Enjoy!

[cspin]

Plenty of ways to keep the plywoood from shifting on epoxy or concrete floors. One would be to use heavy duty double sided carpet tape around the perimeter edges of the plywood. It will grab well on the epoxy and can actually be removed later with a bit of effort. A thin non slip rug mat would work as well. There is also the option of anchoring the plywood to the floor with a couple screws. You can remove the screws if you need to move the plywood. Only problem is you would have a couple small drill/screw holes in the floor.

[Duckhook]

Hey all -

Just wanted to chime in that I had the same experience as Bilbo. Using the same Gel and hitting turf I ended up with ripples and a raised blister with the turf sitting directly on top of the gel. I think anyone that takes a sizeable divot will run into this same problem. The raised blister area messed with my SkyTrak being able to read shots so it's more than just cosmetic. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread - the gel allows for a serious deformation of the turf which is basically the idea in using it but this turf can't stand up to it (the stuff mentioned from Allturfmats). I have more of the turf so I'm thinking of putting a new piece over the Gel - but placing a thin 1/8 inch piece of plastic or lexan? between the turf and the gel. It will lessen the deformation/stretching but hopefully still allow the gel to reduce shock to wrists and elbows, etc. Will see how this works and report back.

[ncube]

Wonder if the DW Quail Residential Mat would hold up any better. They claim its more durable than standard residential hitting mats and it doesn't have excessive padding/foam underneath that would negate the gel underlayment.

https://www.dwquailgolf.com/training/DuraPro5x5Res.html

I have been using the DIY mat solution developed by Mike80. Performance wise I think its difficult to beat given all of the competing considerations we sim golfers take into account, specifically avoiding joint pain and being able to putt half way decent. The only drawback in my experience with the Mike80 mat was durability. I broke through the turf once (after a few months of use) rotated the mat and ended up hitting through the turf down to the gel pad again (a few months later). Because the Mike80 solution involves coring out the foam pad it's difficult to rotate more than once unless you're okay standing on relatively squishy and/or inconsistent mat under your feet while you hit. I don't think you'd have that same problem with this set up as you'd simply have to unscrew the mat and rotate as needed. Just need to find a more durable mat than the allturfmat it seems.

Anybody have or ever use a residential mat from dura-pro? Thoughts?

[BogesMalone]

Anyone tried this yet?

[BogesMalone]

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 much did that roll cost you?

[BogesMalone]

Hey all -

Just wanted to chime in that I had the same experience as Bilbo. Using the same Gel and hitting turf I ended up with ripples and a raised blister with the turf sitting directly on top of the gel. I think anyone that takes a sizeable divot will run into this same problem. The raised blister area messed with my SkyTrak being able to read shots so it's more than just cosmetic. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread - the gel allows for a serious deformation of the turf which is basically the idea in using it but this turf can't stand up to it (the stuff mentioned from Allturfmats). I have more of the turf so I'm thinking of putting a new piece over the Gel - but placing a thin 1/8 inch piece of plastic or lexan? between the turf and the gel. It will lessen the deformation/stretching but hopefully still allow the gel to reduce shock to wrists and elbows, etc. Will see how this works and report back.

Have you had a chance to give this a shot? I ordered the Gel today, on the fence about what mat to use. Also does anyone know if there is a 5x5 version of the AllTurf mat?

[theizer]

How much did that roll cost you?

It was $2 / sq ft

[BogesMalone]

Wonder if the DW Quail Residential Mat would hold up any better. They claim its more durable than standard residential hitting mats and it doesn't have excessive padding/foam underneath that would negate the gel underlayment.

https://www.dwquailgolf.com/training/DuraPro5x5Res.html

I have been using the DIY mat solution developed by Mike80. Performance wise I think its difficult to beat given all of the competing considerations we sim golfers take into account, specifically avoiding joint pain and being able to putt half way decent. The only drawback in my experience with the Mike80 mat was durability. I broke through the turf once (after a few months of use) rotated the mat and ended up hitting through the turf down to the gel pad again (a few months later). Because the Mike80 solution involves coring out the foam pad it's difficult to rotate more than once unless you're okay standing on relatively squishy and/or inconsistent mat under your feet while you hit. I don't think you'd have that same problem with this set up as you'd simply have to unscrew the mat and rotate as needed. Just need to find a more durable mat than the allturfmat it seems.

Anybody have or ever use a residential mat from dura-pro? Thoughts?

My DW Quial Residential Mat just got here. I am trying this project with that mat. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[sdrthedj]

How is the putting? does the ball come off the gel ok?

[BogesMalone]

Yeah putting seems fine, I had to finagle with it for a bit so that the gel sat flush with the turf. At first there was a slight bulge that would effect shots but I was able to work that out with a bit of cardboard.

[Sejzilla]

My DW Quial Residential Mat just got here. I am trying this project with that mat. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Reviews pls on this mat?

[BogesMalone]

I actually really like it, with and without the gel. My sim setup is right in the middle of my living room so I need to be able to move it around when I need to, and its perfect for that. Seems very sturdy and I have had probably 10-12 long sessions on it so far with two people. Very happy with it.

[wbond]

My DW Quial Residential Mat just got here. I am trying this project with that mat. I'll let you know how it turns out.

How thick is the top layer and the foam layer. I think it says the overall thickness is 5/8".

[BogesMalone]

Yes its 5/8" total and 1/2" of it is top layer (guessing). The gel feels great when you hit a solid shot with divot. I'll try and take pics of my setup tonight.

[Youngsun Kim]

great idea. thanks for sharing. i will use rubber board where gyms use.and cuttout for gel pad area. i will buy liquid slicon and mix hardner. awsome cant wait!

[ATROVARIOUS]

Has anyone tried this with a higher end mat like the Real Feel Golf mat for example? I'm a little leery of modifying a $500 mat.....

[Zappster]

I already have the the Rukket tri Mat in the link below and I’ll probably pick up a used mat from the range to use as a stance mat. What do you guys think of the idea of cutting a hole in the stance mat to plop the gel in and that mat on top?

I’m not sure if thickness or the width of the mat would be a concern or if it would be difficult for the skytrak to read shots with this mat. I only have 10’ of width in my garage as well which might make me cut the mat and only use the two side sections in a long vertical alignment or square adjacent alightnment set into the stance mat

https://www.amazon.com/Rukket-Tri-Tu.../dp/B00VGQYIGY

[brg1875]

So I also built this with a 6x6 premium residential golf mat and it has worked and felt great but after a measly 1000 shots the mat bubbled on top and shredded apart. I do hit down on the ball but now I'm thinking I'll want a 1'x2' insert. Any thoughts of what will work best?

http://imgur.com/zo8pK1A

http://imgur.com/Ky99O41

[HeelMD]

i'm going to be trying this out with the super tee mat from allturfmats. hopefully not the same result as some of you guys, but we'll see.