Stance Mat 101

[Bubba22]

Certainly the stance mat is an important element of the simulator experience. It allows for comfortable stance, painless and realistic club swinging, realistic putting, cosmetic appeal and finally multiple surfaces if possible. There are many different stance mats on the market. The mat slected may be influenced by the type of simulator selected. For instance some sims such as the Protee, Spotscoach, Foregolf etc will require a relatively non reflective hitting area to allow for easier camera integration. Check with the system you are using before purchasing a sim mat. There are many different type of mats out there but remember there is absolutely no mat that will 100% mimick real golf with respect to rough, sand, divots, cart path etc and all the crazy lies that we see in real golf. Do keep this in mind because nothing is perfect.

Here are some links on some mats available:

Fiberbuilt www.fiberbuilt.com/golf/?gclid=CLTsjO3Y07sCFcpDMgodECQAXA
TrueStrike www.truestrike.com/
RealFeel www.realfeelgolfmats.com/
Par2Pro www.par2pro.com/shop/index.php?cPath=23_25_69
Custom Design golf www.customdesigngolf.com/the_first_pract...els_like_grass__.htm

[Maverick]

To keep cost down, I would suggest using cheap $50-100 stance mats for your standing area and then just get a small section of Realfeel or a Truestrike insert. Place these small hitting surfaces in between your left and right stance mats. Most GC2/launch monitor users do it this way.

For me, I use 2 P3pro stance mats with fiber boards underneath each one. The Protee sensor, which has a Fiberbuilt grass panels, is placed in the middle between the P3pro mats.

[mjbgolf]

I want to get something like this seen below:

http://www.par2pro.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=23_25_69&products_id=275

I don't want to pay $1,400 for it, when I should be able to build it pretty easily. I was thinking of using a combination of plywood and foam roll to get the required thickness for the sensor and cover it with an artificial grass. I read on one of these forums that the turf near the putting sensor needs to be black or at least real dark?
I'm finishing my basement currently and I have an area that is dedicated as a golf simulator home theater. I want it to be nice, like what you see on aboutgolf.coms website. Since I'm doing everything myself, I'm able to keep costs down, but I want to build this thing so it's professional looking.

[Maverick]

You can certainly do it a lot cheaper. See Sim pics section and the how to install a protee section.

[mjbgolf]

I saw the pics. I was thinking of making mine all one piece like the par2pro one. I was thinking of having one solid piece of artificial turf. So my question is regarding the putting portion. Does that need to be black to function properly? The par2pro one is not, but I read somewhere it needs to be black and your pictures show a black surface.

Also, do you putt from the hitting sensor to the putting sensor, or in front of the hitting sensor. Basically, I don't totally understand how the putting component works. I would think the putting extension needs to have a smooth transition. Are you supposed to aim towards the middle of the putting sensor or does it just measure speed. SOOO many things to consider to make it perfect!!!! I'm an engineer and I have to have everything perfect!

[Maverick]

You're an engineer? Sorry to hear that...hahah. just kidding.

You can putt from anywhere between the putting sensor and the main sensor. From any angle. Most have will tell you its best to aim in the game and just putt straight across the putting sensor. Doesn't have to be from the middle. A straight putt across the sensors from anywhere will be straight in the game.

I would recommend a dark carpet similar to mine for area that will be in the hcam's FOV. Non-reflective dark green might work too.

[Rambo]

I recently purchased this mat and very happy with it:

http://www.allturfmats.com/Monster-Tee-Golf-Turf-TT4860-p/tt4860.htm

I had paid over $750 for a TrueStrike last year. Liked the hitting surface and was smooth with the GC2. The biggest complaint was the tee for the driver. I had to drill a hole and insert a rubber tee just before the gel mat and while still in view for the GC2. It left me with a somewhat small impact area. The other complaint (and biggest one) was putting. It was just too clunky to putt off the surface and hit the front lip of the stance mat. Took all the roll out of your putt. This new mat solved both of my problems and absolute love the idea you can just stick a tee into the mat anywhere you want to tee it up. The mat is a bit squishy to stand on, but stable. For the price, it's a no brainer for GC2 users.

[Maverick]

Thanks Rambo.

I think a piece of this mat sandwiched between my left/right stance mat would be perfect for a LM.

[Bubba22]

Thanks Rambo.

[Rambo]

Agreed. They have a 13 x 20" piece for $10.00.

http://www.allturfmats.com/Monster-Tee-Golf-Turf-TT1320-p/tt1320.htm

[bubs3141]

Thanks Rambo.

I think a piece of this mat sandwiched between my left/right stance mat would be perfect for a LM.

then if you could get a multi surface in there you would have the whole ball of wax.

[bpep]

This is the stance mat I went with for the GC2, but are there any suggestions for good affordable carpet for putting? I built a subfloor which is 12x20 and I am including 2 holes for real putting. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

[HWoods]

This is the stance mat I went with for the GC2, but are there any suggestions for good affordable carpet for putting? I built a subfloor which is 12x20 and I am including 2 holes for real putting. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

I dont see any refrence or pic for your mat. Which one is it? Is it built in completely to your subfloor? If so that opens up alot of options.

[bpep]

yea I built the subfloor so the mat sits in ( TT4860 48" X 60" Monster Tee Golf Turf ) and will be flush with the entire floor. I could use any carpet good for putting. was thinking of the stuff that comes in 12ft wide rolls cause my room is about 12 x 20. not sure yet though. still researching.

[mayassa]

I picked my All Turf Matt from amazon when it went on sale, now I have a big hole where the optishot used to be. I wonder if the can send me a plug they cut out, time to make a call.