Fibre built or DIY Gel?

[Bender96]

I built my simulator a couple weeks ago and am loving it, only problem is I have been using an all turf mat with some foam pads underneath and I am starting to get some wrist pain. Wondering if anyone could offer suggestions on whether a DIY gel mat would help quite a bit or whether I should buy a fibre built insert. I’ve read good things about the fibre built for pain but am worried the putting won’t be as good and if it would have a negative affect on my irons IRL.

[prairie boy]

I don't know how the fibrebuilt could have a negative effect on irons. If you hit a fat shot, it is fat, unlike other mats. But it isn't the best to putt off of for skytrak. Haven't tried the gc2 yet.
The diy gel seems good, but I have no experience with it. I would recommend fibrebuilt to save your wrists, and elbows for sure.

[shwag33]

Disagree, if you hit it extremely fat you get punished. If you hit it a little fat there's very little yardage loss. It's so much easier to hit off of than my diy gel mat, but my body can't take it so I have the fiberbuilt.

[CHansen157]

I love my fiberbuilt strips, I highly recommend them. Putting isn't ideal but isn't bad either--its different from my putting turf but not so dramatically that it is distracting or annoying for me. But sim putting will never be ideal so it doesn't bother me too much.

[gene438]

I have used both. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. For me, I started out using the fiberbuilt and it is definitely easier on the wrists. I wanted a tighter lie but did not want to destroy my wrists, so I came across the gel insert and gave that a try. For me, it is the right solution. I like hitting off a tight lie and compressing the ball, and the gel insert gives me enough motion that I have not had any problems with my wrists.

[shwag33]

I had a DIY gel, and my knuckles felt it. I just installed a fiberbuilt and it's much easier on the body. My DIY gel was probably more difficult to hit on the most as I tried to make fat shots punishing (and they were), but my body just couldn't take it any longer.

Also I think how hard you swing and if you hit down on the ball matters. The harder you swing the tougher the gel will be on you. My driver swing speed is between 109-113. I wish I could go back to it, but just don't think it's possible at the moment.


Also, I haven't figured out why, but I lost yardage on my clubs inside 100 yards with the fiberbuilt. I haven't figured out why exactly. Anything over 110 there's no difference in yardage.

[wbond]

Maybe catching it a little bit higher on the face on the wedges inside a 100?

[Wizard of Coz]

wbond didn't you have something with magnets when I was at your place? How did that one work?

[calebm1001]

I’ve seen this one... can’t recall the name but it just hovers ever so slightly. Looked legit but I think was pushing $500+ for the insert?

[wbond]

Yes, it was the magstrike. Problem is there doesn’t seem to be anyone selling them in the US anymore. There was a company that had a couple of just the hitting strips left and that’s what I got. I’m pretty certain it was under 200 shipped.

wbond didn't you have something with magnets when I was at your place? How did that one work?

[Godfather]

Good work getting one. I looked into the magstrike last year, but couldn’t find a way to buy it.

[Bender96]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think ideally I’d like to have a gel mat because I like the tight lies but I played another couple rounds tonight in the q school event and ended up having to wrap my wrist, so I purchased just the cheaper flight deck model of the fiberbuilt to try it out. Thinking I’ll cut out the shape in my mat and give it a shot that way, if I like it, I will invest in the full mat. Thanks again for the tips and input, very much appreciated

[wbond]

You don't have to get the full fiberbuilt mat. You can just get the 1' sections and use your existing stance mat. I think you have to buy a 1x3 now though at a minimum. Here is mine setup next to stance mat with two 1' sections .

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think ideally I’d like to have a gel mat because I like the tight lies but I played another couple rounds tonight in the q school event and ended up having to wrap my wrist, so I purchased just the cheaper flight deck model of the fiberbuilt to try it out. Thinking I’ll cut out the shape in my mat and give it a shot that way, if I like it, I will invest in the full mat. Thanks again for the tips and input, very much appreciated

[Bender96]

Thank you wbond I will definitely look into that

[wbond]

I forgot to mention, it works well. My kids like it better than the fiberbuilt, I prefer the fiberbuilt since it's easier on the elbow. This is what it looks like, with some baosity tees!!!!

wbond didn't you have something with magnets when I was at your place? How did that one work?

[Wizard of Coz]

Just got to throw the baosity tee thing in there don't you!

[968Cab]

I think you have to buy a 1x3 now though at a minimum. Here is mine setup next to stance mat with two 1' sections .

Unless you happen to go check the classified “Home simulator” section today.

[Jwheels9876]

I wish I could try that Magstrike.

[wbond]

Where are you located? If you’re near S.E. Michigan you’re welcome to come try it out.

I wish I could try that Magstrike.

[Jwheels9876]

I'm in RI.. you're way too close to Wiz, I can't go within 500 miles of him, it's in the court order

Thanks for the offer though. Seems like these are pretty decent but impossible to buy

[James Spratke]

Do you have a diy magstrike or the original? I'm looking hard for one and can't find one. If I can't find one, id like to find some info on building one myself. I'm in SE Michigan also

[wbond]

James Spratke I now have an original magstrike. You can make you're own as I did, but it's work and will take time getting the right magnet combination down. I was able to get the original so stopped fiddling with magnets on my DIY version.

[Bubba22]

I added a gel under my Fiberbuilt mat. I must say I like it. Anyone else combine the gel and Fiberbuilt strip?

[Tonysmjc]

How ?

fiberbuilt has hard plastic on the bottom and the fibers are very long