Fiberbuilt Interlocking Hitting Mat Question

[scelebre]

Hi,

I have a new sim and wound up buying a 5 Star Perfect Reaction Mat. It feels good and I like it and I have been hitting about 100 balls per day for a month. I am starting to feel some wrist pain in my left trail hand (left handed golfer) and starting to think it is the mat. I am trying to rectify the situation without breaking the bank.

Anyone have any knowledge of these.

https://www.par2pro.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=633

This is the only place I have seen these. Do you think this would help? Could I buy 2 of these and place them next to the mat I have? Might sit half an inch taller but probably not a huge deal. Are they heavy? Would they move on each hit?

Any other suggestions?

[Dax]

I have them and find them to be good. I bought mine from Par2Pro and this have the exact same as what you are considering. The issue I have with the mat is if you hit down a lot. Their is a hard plastic base and I find that this can start to cause issues for those that always hit down with their irons. I noticed it as I went through swing changes this past winter. If your swing is grooved and you don’t hit down the ball too much, then the mat is great and unlike what others say, I find that it still does punish a fat shot.

Another thing to consider is your age. I was finding that my steel shafts in my irons were also starting to cause me some issues and have since switched to graphite shafts and have found this to be a big help.

note, my mat issue was hurting my right arm and my irons were affecting my left arm. I am sure for others it can be different, but this is based on my experience this past year. Since rectifying my swing my right arm issues went away as I was no longer really hitting down on the ball but my left arm continued to hurt and after switching to the graphite shafts I saw the pain in my left elbow go away.

[scelebre]

i don't really hit down on the ball but I am also far from a pro and those fat shots are taking a toll on me. Im 38 years old so should not have a problem with steel at the moment. My left hand and arm are fine so I find that odd as my left hand in theory should be less involved but who knows.

[Dax]

You likely should be fine as the fat shot penalizes ball flight and not really your joints. I think the issue is hitting the hard base, but hitting through the bristles seems fine and not punishing. In terms of staying in place I have not had an issue with them being inserted into the cutout I made in my floor mat. You could try double sided carpet tape just for the extra stick.

[cmckelvmi]

That's what most of us use that have Fiberbuilt. For example it comes in 4' x 5' mats and the 4' is made with four of those interlocking pieces. I changed from a CCE mat after developing bilateral tendinitis in my wrist to FB and no pain.

[scelebre]

ok thank you. I definitely think something is flaring up and I don't want it to continue. So putting a couple of those beside my current mat should work? Do you think they will move around at all?

[scelebre]

ALso, anybody use the Hourglass Mat. It is alot cheaper. How come?

https://fiberbuiltgolf.com/collections/traditional-mats/products/hourglass-performance-turf-mat

[Dax]

Have a search on this forum as a few have used them and commented. I believe some were not overly happy in general, but suggest reading the threads.

[jasonreg]

I have both (I know). The hourglass one is a fairy small hitting area but it works just as well (injury prevention etc.) as my larger mat. You stand on rubber however rather than turf which some may not like. I am fine with it.

[wbond]

I had both and returned the practice station for a few reasons. As far as the panels, pretty certain they would move around so if you can keep them in place that would be better. Mine sit in a tray I made and then that attaches via a hook to my stance platform.

[cmckelvmi]

You will need to build something to keep the FB squares in place. Also, you will need to consider if the squares are a different height than your mat.