Mat choice opinions requested

[Burtgolf]

So I was about to purchase the Martin Hall 5 Star 3 x 5 Gorilla Perfect Reaction Golf Mats with the thin urethane backing not the one with the 5/8 inch backing one its 1 and 1/4 inch thick and supposedly takes a tee. Price 127. I have called Fiberbuilt and was quoted too much for 3 panels of 1x1 which is about the same thickness and the rep said the practice station they have would probably be a better option for what I am planning on doing. Well I have been watching that on Costco and as others have already posted its finally on sale for $199... hitting deck and mat about the same as 3 x 5 and I know... I am not going to be able to putt off of it.

For now I am just planning on hitting into a net with the R-Motion (not purchased yet) to get into this awesome simulator world of golf (I currently have PGA Store membership where I hit off their mats and the GC2) I do see myself upgrading next year around this time to SkyTrak or if I can save like crazy the GC2 but for sure at least the SkyTrak.

My hope is someone has been through this budget friendly startup and has upgraded and can share which mat they would get to start off with. I am good with either one at the current price (or if you have a suggested mat no more than the $225 budget then i would consider that too). I just don't want to have to get another mat when I am finally able to upgrade the simulator from R-Motion to "X" - I am sorta leaning towards the Gorilla mat but at half off for the fiberbuilt would hate to not take advantage of its price.

Any help you can provide is MUCH appreciated!

[wbond]

Go with the fiberbuilt. Also, putting off something that is higher than another surface is not that bad. I've been doing it for years.

[gnomike]

I did all kinds of reading about how the FB isn't good to putt on, but the worry is for nothing IMO. The ball is on the FB surface for what, 5-10 inches max? I really don't find that it affects the roll or the readings by the launch monitor at all.

[Burtgolf]

gnomike I appreciate your input on the putting portion of this. Do you think there will be an issue where the ball is teed up in the front of this compared to where your hitting iron shots from it? I think this is the only worry I have on the Practice Station for later on when I get the SkyTrak or GC2. I know the ball has to be in a specific area for either of them to pick it up.

[gnomike]

Shouldn't be an issue at all. While I can't specifically comment on SkyTrack, the GC2 won't have an issue

[triplebogeysrbetter]

I have the 4x5 Martin Hall 5 Star. I forget which option. Its 1 3/4 though. Go with the fiberbuilt. I'm in the process now of ordering a 1x4 Fiberbuilt strip to add on to my mat.

They claim no bounce and no shock. I would tend to agree with the no bounce, but the no shock is a stretch IMHO.

I can only hit every other day, because of the toll on my shoulders, elbow, and wrist.

[triplebogeysrbetter]

Did you speak with David?

[Burtgolf]

I did not write down the name. I called in told the person that answered what I was wanting and they transferred me to another person which I got a voicemail and left a message to call me back and they did in about 5-10 minutes. Very helpful but I was expecting it to be about $50 cheaper than he stated so being on a tight budget he recommended the Practice Station (when/if it goes on sale) instead of what I was planning on doing with the 1x3 strip. If your saying this person named David can get it closer to the $175 then I would prefer to get that over the Costco Practice Station for sure!

[frodaddy00]

The practice station is on sale for a few more days at Costco.. $200 (add 5% for non-members)

https://www.costco.com/Fiberbuilt-Golf-Practice-Station.product.100461497.html

[Tj_Denawli]

So I was about to purchase the Martin Hall 5 Star 3 x 5 Gorilla Perfect Reaction Golf Mats with the thin urethane backing not the one with the 5/8 inch backing one its 1 and 1/4 inch thick and supposedly takes a tee. Price 127. I have called Fiberbuilt and was quoted too much for 3 panels of 1x1 which is about the same thickness and the rep said the practice station they have would probably be a better option for what I am planning on doing. Well I have been watching that on Costco and as others have already posted its finally on sale for $199... hitting deck and mat about the same as 3 x 5 and I know... I am not going to be able to putt off of it.

For now I am just planning on hitting into a net with the R-Motion (not purchased yet) to get into this awesome simulator world of golf (I currently have PGA Store membership where I hit off their mats and the GC2) I do see myself upgrading next year around this time to SkyTrak or if I can save like crazy the GC2 but for sure at least the SkyTrak.

My hope is someone has been through this budget friendly startup and has upgraded and can share which mat they would get to start off with. I am good with either one at the current price (or if you have a suggested mat no more than the $225 budget then i would consider that too). I just don't want to have to get another mat when I am finally able to upgrade the simulator from R-Motion to "X" - I am sorta leaning towards the Gorilla mat but at half off for the fiberbuilt would hate to not take advantage of its price.

Any help you can provide is MUCH appreciated!

I just went the same route and pulled the trigger on the Fiberbuilt from costco, the R-Motion and the Spornia SP-7 net yesterday. The mat and R-Motion should be here by Thursday, no word on the delivery date for the net. Can't wait.

[Burtgolf]

well that's 3 for 3 on the Fiberbuilt hopefully its still in stock! Thanks for your feedback all!

Tj_Denawli let me know how that R-Motion works out for you..also did you order straight from the site or using another vendor? Have not purchased mine yet. Will be doing it soon though!

[Tj_Denawli]

well that's 3 for 3 on the Fiberbuilt hopefully its still in stock! Thanks for your feedback all!

Tj_Denawli let me know how that R-Motion works out for you..also did you order straight from the site or using another vendor? Have not purchased mine yet. Will be doing it soon though!

I went with Amazon for the device itself, but they were out of the additional clips which I just bought directly from rmotion.

[Burtgolf]

That's the same site where it was for $242 for all 14 clips and the sensor. I as hoping to hold out a bit and see it back at that price but has not happened yet so doubt it will. Got a birthday coming up so once I get the mat then I can get the R-motion. Might just get the one clip and sensor at first for $199 and get the 4 extra clips later on. Baby steps with my budget right now

[wbond]

Burtgolf If you go with Fiberbuilt and use TGC, they have a straight putting patch that negates the effect of the ball not traveling in a straight line on the fiberbuilt. The effect is more prevalent on short putts without the straight putting patch.

[JiminSc]

well that's 3 for 3 on the Fiberbuilt hopefully its still in stock! Thanks for your feedback all!

Tj_Denawli let me know how that R-Motion works out for you..also did you order straight from the site or using another vendor? Have not purchased mine yet. Will be doing it soon though!

Just ordered a Costco FB a few minutes ago. I think today is the last sale day.

Your Price
199.99$

$199.99 After $70 OFF

Valid 11/26/18 through 12/2/18. While supplies last.

[Burtgolf]

Well I just placed my order along with 2 dozen of the Kirkland 3-piece golf balls. Even at the $199 on sale price I was still leaning towards the 5 star mat but with all of your responses on the Fiberbuilt I had to pull the trigger on it. wbond thanks for the feedback on the putting as I didn't think I would be able to do it at all with the Fiberbuilt. I will be ordering the R-Motion next. Slowly but surely! Thanks everyone for your input! It was very much appreciated!

[Burtgolf]

Figured I would add an update here .. I ordered the Fiberbuilt practice station and the R-Motion. I have mainly been hitting off of it outside as I still have not decided where in my garage I would like to set things up but am planning on trying out the two different locations this weekend. I moved it to my theater room last weekend and did not like the netting in front of the screen as it was actually blocking my view of TGC. I also experienced the "indoor" swing pretty bad so I think the garage will be my only option left.

As far as the FB practice station. I actually don't mind it one bit for a hitting mat, the width is more than enough for my stance with Driver and the swing lines help with my stance. My biggest issue with it is moving the provided tee in and out for Driver over Irons/putter which I know there are other products (birtee or something like that) that will eliminate that issue. I had a few "strands" come out at first like most others but do not see that anymore and a slight discoloration in my iron hitting area but again not a big deal. I can definitely tell when I hit it "fat" and pretty sure I have reached the bottom of it a few times so far which of course will send that stinger sensation up the arm. The R-Motion does not pick up the roll of the ball off of this so putting has not been an issue at all, and for me the ball seems to roll very well over the small area its travelling, I am sure the ST or GC2 might be different but that wont be anytime soon that I could get one of those.

Overall, for a hitting mat to practice hitting balls, chips, putts I have been happy with it and its super easy to set up and tear down as I don't leave it where I am using it very long at all. I sometimes think about trying another mat just for comparison but at the price points they are costing I really see no reason at this time to change.