Hitting Strip vs Hitting Mat

[Krumz]

I am in the very beginning stages of research and have my skytrak unit on order. I am wondering what might be the advantages of a hitting mat vs a hitting strip? I feel that for my simulator build, a hitting strip would be more appealing as it would be centered on my screen. If I get a hitting mat, it would be offset from the screen so that the ball would strike the center. I am not looking to cut corners with the hitting mat but also not looking to spend thousands on it either.

If I were to use a hitting mat, what turf is everyone using to butt up to it? What do you put under the turf to make it all flush?

My total area for this unit will be 17ft wide X ~15 ft deep. The screen itself will be 12' wide x 8' tall x 4' deep.

Pictures and feedback on mats or strips would be fantastic. It is a bit of information overload and I don't want to make the wrong decision. Thanks in advance.

[Celeras]

12x8 is a little weird for a screen size. It is compatible with neither 16:9 or 4:3 resolutions, so the image from your projector would not fill the entire screen. I know you didn't ask that, but sounds like you have the room to pick a better size? Just a thought.

I went with a hitting strip center cut into a stance mat, DYI. Price was the primary reason as fiberbuilt stance mats expensive.. so I just bought a strip and did it myself for half the price.

[Celeras]

Krumz Do you understand what I was suggesting? Because neither "nearly full 17' width at ~90" tall or go nearly 8.5' tall at 12' width" like you said are compatible with either resolution. It's not a big deal, it just means the picture wont fill up the entire screen and you'll have dead space. For example if you wanted to use a 4:3 resolution, then a 12x9 screen (which is a 4:3 ratio) would fill the picture entirely. If you have a 12x9 screen and used a 16:9 resolution, then in order for the picture to fit on the screen the size would only be 6.75 feet tall.. leaving 2.25 feet of vertical dead space.

Here is a link for the calculator using my own projector (change the link for different projectors): https://www.projectorcentral.com/Opt...ulator-pro.htm

If you use the slider you can see exactly what size the picture will be from the projector. Ideally, you'd like your screen to be close to that size. That's all I was saying, hope it makes more sense.

[Krumz]

Completely understand, I was letting you know my limitations.

[Celeras]

@Krutz Gotcha. It'd depend on what resolution you want from your projector, but at your original suggested height 16:9 would be just over 14ft wide. That's probably what id do if I had your width

(Mine is 12x9 and my projector is 4:3)

[jerry3]

Krumz

I'd highly recommend you consider building stance platform and put turf on top and insert a hitting strip of choice. It looks good and it can be done very affordably...

1) Buy 1.5" thick MMA Mats from Amazon, this is thick enough to insert almost any hitting strip and just the right firmness under foot to feel like a fairway. I’ve been using it for several years and think it is the perfect solution.
2) Buy your putting turf, for budget conscious buy menards marine carpet, for a more premium experience buy from Turf Factory Direct
3 )Buy your preferred hitting strip (I highly recommend fiberbuilt, your joints will thank you!)
4) Measure your platform and cut your putting surface to size
5) Place your putting turf onto your platform
6) Place your hitting strip exactly where you would want it to go, mark it and cut out the spot in the turf and the platform (can be done with razor)
7) Insert Hitting strip and you've got your self a great looking platform

I've been using this setup for a few years now and love it.

[jerry3]

Krumz I have used both for my setup. For a year or so I grizzly grass marine carpet, which can be bought from home depot or menards, this is a very good budget alternative to a true putting turf. Currently I'm using TFD because my marine carpet got ruined in my recent move so I decided to upgrade. TBH I think the marine carpet is basically just as good for a fraction of the cost. As far as wearing golf shoes, I almost always just wear my regular shoes because traction is very good as is. ButI have on occasion worn my spike-less golf shoes, not sure how it would go with spikes. I will say that eventually there will be a wear pattern on the marine carpet from all the twisting durning the swing, but it doesn't affect how it rolls imo. If you look at my picture below you can see the wear pattern slightly. My TFD is very new so can't really comment on the wear, but it does roll true and is much thicker than the marine carpet so probably more durable. But I could have bought the marine carpet 5 times over for what I paid for the TFD

[Krumz]

Jerry,

Any thoughts on stacking (2) 3/4 thick EVA foam instead of the one 1.5 thick? Or even foamular 150 and then (1) layer of foam above that? Drywall then foam haha? I have roughly 250 ft^2 so there is money to be saved here if possible. Let me know your thoughts, thanks

[ekniffin]

Jerry, this is very helpful. Thank you!

What do you use to adhere your grizzly grass marine carpet to your foam mats?

[jerry3]

Adrenaline

[Adrenaline]

Very nice!