DIY Gel Mat - This is the combination you want to get!

[Jtangm04]

I'm going give the durapro a shot. I recently bought a rawhide mat and it is a great mat but jars any fat shots and now I've developed a bad habit of picking the ball.
I already had a gel pad done with my previous setup using interlocking costco foam pads and cutting out a section to match the gel pad instead of a plywood platform. I used an all turfs mat on top but it's such poor quality it forms bubbles quickly. Hoping the durapro lasts longer.

If that doesn't work then my plan B is to hack into the rawhide mat and put a gel insert there..

[Jtangm04]

Durapro arrived today and looks pretty decent. The backing is similar to the all turf which has me a little worried the same bubbling will happen. However the green fibers on top are longer and a little more plush which will lessen the force to the underlying foam. Does make it a little squishy to stand on but not bad. I got the 5x5 since I can rotate it 4 times before I need another one.

[WisconsinGolfer]

Did you end up doing any modifications to the raw hide mat?
I am in a similar situation.
Started with a divot action mat, which is great as it moves with impact and you can hit down on it without any pain to joints, but I wanted a full size mat to stand on and for putting on my sim so I picked up a rawhide mat. Nice mat, but same issues. If using for a while, my elbows and wrists really hurt and I am trying to pick the ball like you had done to avoid this discomfort. Developing bad habits.
Debating trying this set up as it isn't too expensive or just buying the gel insert and taking apart my rawhide mat.
Thanks.

[WisconsinGolfer]

Thanks for posting this. Went ahead and made this mat. Coming from my rawhide mat, my elbows and wrists say thank you. The gel insert is really nice. I can now swing normally, rather than trying to pick the ball clean to avoid punishing my joints with my old mat.

[Bender96]

This looks great, do you find enough cushion in the stance area with just the mat over the OSB?

[abenjami]

Bumping this thread hoping for some fresh replies. I have been hitting off a Fiberbuilt for the past year. It's pretty good for irons but sucks for hybrids and fairway woods, they just bounce off it.

Has anyone else made this, or can the OP comment on anything he would change if building it again?

[Jtangm04]

The durapro is holding up nicely. I just rotated it once so it lasted 6mo on one side. Stretching out to 2 years total makes me happy.

[taylor310]

I'm debating looking at the durapro or precision putt. I would rather do the precision putt but i'd have to get a 4x15 which would be more expensive.

[abenjami]

I'm going give the durapro a shot. I recently bought a rawhide mat and it is a great mat but jars any fat shots and now I've developed a bad habit of picking the ball.
I already had a gel pad done with my previous setup using interlocking costco foam pads and cutting out a section to match the gel pad instead of a plywood platform. I used an all turfs mat on top but it's such poor quality it forms bubbles quickly. Hoping the durapro lasts longer.

If that doesn't work then my plan B is to hack into the rawhide mat and put a gel insert there..

I was considering this setup, using foam pads instead of plywood for the platform. How did that work out for you?

[Jtangm04]

Worked out really well for me. I also use my garage spot to park my car so mobility for my mat was key. My platform will shift which is greatly reduced using safety walk underneath for friction. Still will shift a centimeter or so after a round. I put some alignment markers on the boundary of the mat to realign it quickly.

[abenjami]

Cool, thanks for the reply. I also want a mobile platform. What kind of safety walk are you using?

[Jtangm04]

Nothing in particular... went cheap on this part of the build.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MI8B8HG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Michael M.]

Ok, ready to move on this project.
I bought the gel and the OSB board (although I am going to construct a 5x5 set up).
BUT . . . with regard to the mat . . .
Has anyone tried the Dura Pro Commercial Mat (link below) instead the Dura Pro Plus Deluxe Residential that the original poster tried?
Is it overkill? Is it too much padding between the turf and gel? Or is if fine or even better?
Would love to hear from someone who has tried this!
Thanks,
Michael

https://www.amazon.com/Golf-Dura-Pro-Premium-Commercial-Balls/dp/B003E6IZ36/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1HJ02YUU967JA&dchild=1&keywords=durapro+golf+mat&qid=1585342072&sprefix=Dura+Pro+%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-4

[Michael M.]

I actually see now that jpetrunger said it worked out great. Good to hear. Anyone else?
I noticed that the commercial version has precut tee holes - do they get in the way of putting? Are they annoying as they are not needed?

[WisconsinGolfer]

Did you end up doing with the commercial version?
Debating getting the residential again or trying the commercial

[japeru01]

Would this work as an insert into a rawhide mat?

[WisconsinGolfer]

I have had durability issues with this mat. I bought it back in November and in the hitting area it starts to bubble up. The foam padding under the mat thins out and is pushed forward creating a depression in the hitting area and then a bump in the foam. I rotated it 180 degrees and the other side is about used up. With COVID I am using my simulator more and I do tend to hit down on the ball with my irons, but this has only lasted me 5 months. To keep this set up, it would cost around $250 annually to replace the mat twice per year. If you have the space, I wish I would have gone with the 5 x 5 foot size as this would allow 4 rotations, doubling the duration of the mat and the cost is only $150 for 5 x 5 as compared to $125 for 4 x 5.

[Jtangm04]

I made the same error with my first setup. I bought a 4x5 thinking large enough but never thought about wear and tear to the mat.

Sorry to hear that your mat didn't last that long. Still getting decent longevity with my durapro.

[WisconsinGolfer]

I decided to move the mat 6 inches over, exposing 6 inches of the underlying plywood, allowing me to hit on a different area of the mat. It doesn't look as professional as the plywood is now showing, but will allow another 4-5 months of use.

[Liveonce]

Any idea how this compares feel wise to the actual True Strike mat for those that have used both?