DIY Real Feel Golf Mat for only $271.50

[Mike80]

I wanted to share the latest golf sim project I just finished. I wanted to make my golf mat feel a little softer and more like hitting down in the ground creating a divot. So you could spend $750 for a TrueStrike golf mat with a gel insert or you could do what I did for 1/3 the cost...and actually I think it's better.

I have the 5' X 5' ULTIMATE PAR COMMERCIAL DRIVING RANGE GOLF MAT from AllTurfMats.com. Cost $199.
Link: http://www.allturfmats.com/product-p/utpq6060.htm

I bought a 18 in x 16 in Ultra Gel Pad from OnlyGel.com. Cost $72.50
Link: https://onlygel.com/index.php/motorc...stock-232.html

I flipped my turf over and cut out a section of the foam bottom and placed the gel pad below the turf. I didn't glue it or anything. This gel pad is 5/8 in thick and that was exactly the thickness of the foam padding below my turf. So it fit perfect.

This feels so much better now. You can hit down and compress the ball and it feels like actually making a divot. Doesn't have any hard feel like before. I definitely recommend others doing something similar. You won't regret it. I also like this method because you don't have any insert and everything looks clean on top with no cut outs or mismatching turf colors.

The biggest tip is to use a oscillating multi-functional power tool (see what I mean in picture). This was the easiest way to cut out the foam. It only took about 30 minutes to cut it out.

If anyone else does this post back your results and how you like it! But definitely recommend others trying this!!!

See attached pictures!

[wbond]

I'm looking at the emerald par golf mat from allturf since it says it has a taller turf at 1/2 vs the 3/8 of the premium residential mat. I'm wondering though, they are the same price do they really make two different mats with a difference of 1/8 of an inch? I want to lay the mat on top of a platform and have a cutout to hold the gel I have and then also make an option in the same cutout to put the diy divotaction in. Too many options.

[cspin]

While I don't know for sure, my bet would be that it is different turf. They are located in Dalton, GA and have access to pretty much all artificial turf options available. The turf height is not likely as important as the density and how the turf is woven into the backing.

Here is a review to consider that was posted on Amazon. The hitting area is not going to hold up over time under heavy use. Not a problem if you can rotate the mat or cut out and replace the hitting area.


1.0 out of 5 starsproduct wore out after 4 months of average use, customer service disappointing
ByAaron Jensenon July 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is the only 1 star review I've ever given, but I feel it's warranted. I started using this golf mat for my indoor garage simulator setup 4 months ago. In that time frame, I have hit between 1500-2000 balls (15-20 "range" sessions of 100 balls). The mat has bubbled up (the bottom has worn out) to the point where hitting balls from that area is ineffective for practice (image attached). That alone probably doesn't warrant a 1-star review, but I definitely expect a golf hitting mat to last more than 2000 balls, especially inside! I emailed All Turf Mats to explain my frustration, asking if I may have a defective mat because 4 months seems exceptionally soon for a mat to wear out. Their response: "Sorry - There is no warranty for damage caused by clubs. You may be able to reverse the mat around and hit from the other side". I emailed them back reaffirming my disappointment that they don't stand by their product lasting longer than 4 months of average use, and asking what the warranty would possibly cover if it doesn't cover damage from clubs. It's a golf mat! No response to my second email. All of this combined adds up to 1-star product in my opinion.

[Godfather]

I would not buy the residential mats (white pad like the Emerald Par linked). The turf eats into the pad and through it. The commercial mats with black or grey backing are higher quality.

However, if you are going to cut out a hole and use it on top of a sheet of plywood with the same hole cut out for a hitting strip, it could be a good option.

[wbond]

I was planning on using the mat to hit from with the gel pad or a diy divot action underneath it. But now I'm not sure. I'm thinking the other mats that have the thicker base defeat the purpose of the gel. Trying to get a one piece hitting platform that doesn't feel soft under your feet, doesn't bother the elbow, gives decent feedback and not overpriced apparently isn't easy to find.

[Godfather]

If you're cutting out the backing, I suppose it doesn't matter. My plan is to use the gel that's been placed in the padding cutout and when the turf starts to wear, I'll cut out a larger section 12"x24" including the turf so it's just a hole. From there, I'll do drop-in hitting strips either using gel or the divot action style.

[wbond]

I was hoping to find one that was square and one where I didn't have to cut anything out of the bottom. That way, i could just rotate the mat as it wears and it wouldn't really affect your stance when rotated.

[cspin]

One solution would be to find the source for the actual turf that gets bonded to the foam mats. I do not believe that the commercial grade mats use "putting green" turf on them, although I could be wrong. The ideal height would be 1/2" tall and heavy duty nylon synthetic turf. If it was bonded to a thin (but strong) foam/rubber base all the better. The heavy duty turf on the commercial mats from DWQ, Allturfmats, etc. are all made in Dalton GA.

The turf used by Truestrike and Fiberbuilt over their gel insert mats has to come from somewhere as they are not turf manufacturers.

Check this out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21zgFcKIAHQ

[Mike90210]

One solution would be to find the source for the actual turf that gets bonded to the foam mats. I do not believe that the commercial grade mats use "putting green" turf on them, although I could be wrong. The ideal height would be 1/2" tall and heavy duty nylon synthetic turf. If it was bonded to a thin (but strong) foam/rubber base all the better. The heavy duty turf on the commercial mats from DWQ, Allturfmats, etc. are all made in Dalton GA.

The turf used by Truestrike and Fiberbuilt over their gel insert mats has to come from somewhere as they are not turf manufacturers.

Check this out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21zgFcKIAHQ

I didn't realize that Fiberbuilt had a gel hitting strip- I thought it was only their brush/grass type. Anybody have this?

[bkh8]

Wbond- Im interested in doing the same thing.. so are these the two mats you are looking at?

https://www.amazon.com/PGM4860-Emerald-Par-Golf-Mat/dp/B00CX8OJ7W/ref=nav_custrec_signin?ie=UTF8&

and

http://www.dwquailgolf.com/training/DuraPro5x5Comm.html

there is also this option :

https://www.allturfmats.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=UTPQ6060&CartID=1

Having not hit off any of them, part of me thinks i will order one of the last two and see how it feels. If I dont like it then I would modify it with the gel insert.

[cspin]

Others to consider would be:

Duffer mat - from same person who developed the CCE Real Feel mat - just not as thick of turf (1/2" thick nylon turf on 5/8" foam)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x5-Duffer-Commercial-Golf-Mat-1-25-thick-made-4-golf-no-cheap-white-foam-/162330633679?hash=item25cba8e5cf:g:9esAAOSwItFYXFXb

DuraPlay mat - (could be the same as the above)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commercial-Golf-Mat-Heavy-Duty-Practice-Mat-Multiple-Sizes-/322457065167?var=&hash=item4b13f056cf:m:m4l7QdvflpHBQ-KMTDZTT2w

My opinion FWIW is that both of these have the right height (1.25"), both look to have heavy duty turf material, and they also both look to have a good bond layer between the foam pad and turf. That would come in handy if you go the gel route as you would have commercial bonded turf over the top of the gel pad after you cut out the foam.

I am looking at the same thing as you guys and just have not made a decision yet.

Also, this one looks to be the same as well http://www.tourgreens.com/synthetic-...ting-mats.html

[wbond]

That about covers all the options. I think I've narrowed down my plan. I'm going to go with a 4' x 5' platform. From my current setup, i have a 20 x 36 CCE strip, I've got a a 3'x4' piece that looks like either the all turf mats commercial mat or dw quail commercial mat since it has the 5/8" black pad and the black bonded piece between the turf and pad. It's about 1-1/4" thick. I'm going to get a cheap 4'x4' mat for just the stance portion, then I will have a 1' wide strip to have three options, CCE, DIY gel and DIY Truestrike. I wish there was a mat that had 1/2" thick turf, with a bonded section and a 1/4" commercial type foam so i could lay it directly over anything that I wanted. From comments and reviews, it doesn't sound like the mats with the 5mm white backing is very durable.

[wbond]

I meant to say DIY Gel and DIY Divotaction

[inorkuo]

wbond, how about this guy for the diy divot action? http://r.ebay.com/eSk9jW
i'm still looking for a thinner mat to go on top of the gel.

[bpk]

inorkuo let me know if you find a good thin mat to go on top the gel. I am looking for some turf or Mat material as well. I am about to try the cheap on from all turf mats.

[cspin]

It occurred to me that maybe the way to go about this is to:

1. Locate and purchase heavy duty turf that is 1/2" +/- in height and dense (the type of turf that is used by companies when making golf mats)

2. Locate a thin yet durable foam rubber for a backing material for the turf (something like the 5/8" foam on commercial mats)

3. Find a way to glue the thin backing to the turf

Now you have your DIY mat to lay over your gel. Already have a good idea on the turf and a foam store that has multiple foam/rubber backing options. Then it is just a matter of sourcing a proper adhesive to bond them together, which I believe the foam store will be able to recommend. They may even be able to professionally adhere it for us with their equipment.

I think it's doable. What do you guys think?

[wbond]

Sounds good. I wonder though if the 5/8 backing is too thick to get the gel effect.

[cspin]

I agree that 5/8" is too thick. The same type of foam (range mat closed cell foam) is available in thinner versions, like 1/4". Might work well.

[bpk]

What are you thinking for turf?

[Mike80]

Hey guys! I'm the original poster of this thread with the gel idea below your turf. I see lots have tried this and wanted to provide some updates.

Haven't been on here in awhile. Bought a new house and haven't had my golf sim in awhile. I'm in the process of building a new and better setup!

I see cspin is recommending to put a foam bottom backing below turf and above gel. Based on my experience using the gel for over a year I would not recommend having any foam padding between the gel and turf. You will lose all the benefits of the gel. What you want is a thin high quality turf directly above the gel with no foam backing on turf.

The Allturfs mat I originally posted worked pretty good with the gel. But this new setup I am wanting an even thinner high quality turf to get more gel effect. So here is what I'm doing in the new sim setup!

1) Flooring: Putting DRIcore 7/8" 2'x2' flooring down (easy installation with snapping each piece together). 10 ft x 10 ft cost $149.50.
Available at: https://www.menards.com/main/buildin...0783479&ipos=5

2) Gel: Will cut out section to insert the gel. Will have a thin board at bottom of cut out to push the gel higher up to surface to press against turf tightly.
Source 1: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ULTRAGEL-Mot...torefresh=true
Source 2: https://www.onlygel.com/collections/...-pad-rp-series
Source 3: 16"x18" gel: https://www.onlygel.com/collections/...d-stock-series

3) Turf: I have found a very durable turf that is thin and allows you to feel the gel during impact of the club. I saw samples of this turf at Menards and it is very dense and high quality. This is not the cheap turf sold at many hardware stores. This is a special order they sell.
- I am getting a 15 ft x 10 ft roll and then putting on top of the DRIcore flooring and over the gel section in the middle. This will give a solid 1 piece turf floor and have the soft gel in the hitting area.
Source: https://www.menards.com/main/floorin...946-c-6542.htm $3.65 sq.ft. So very cost effective because it does not have the foam backing like the expensive turf mats sold by many others.

4) Another benefit of using this turf. Since it is a dense turf also made for putting, I am going to cut out multiple holes for practicing putting.

The online pic of turf on Menards website doesn't look as good as it does in person. I saw it in the store and it is very nice turf. I'm attaching a pic of the real turf I saw in the store.

I'm also probably going to cut out a section of the turf to go over the gel and keep it separated from the main flooring. This way I can replace it as it wears. Also think it will allow the gel to work better with it compressing down into the gel. Otherwise have the entire turf over the gel is restricted from dropping down on a strike by the stretched resistance of the under lament glued to the turf. Meaning it only can drop down so far. By having the turf above gel separate will not have any restriction.

[bpk]

Mike80

Thanks for the update! Good luck in your new build.

I am looking for something similar My floor is 3/4 in sand filled quality putting turf with a 1/4 inch or so felt under layment. So I have about a inch depth in my cutout hitting area. I figured with the 5/8 gel and 1/2 inch turf that would be perfect.

The stripped off padding CCE I'm currently using sucks Thought I would try this before just buying the truestike.

Do you know the maker of that turf? I will see if I can source it locally.

[cspin]

Hey Mike80,
Thanks for all the info and nice setup your working on. The turf from Ménards looks good, although it looks to be a poly turf not nylon. The wholesaler for the turf is https://www.globalsynturf.com/catalog/golf. All the specs for the various turfs they have are on the website, including pile height, face weight, denier, density, etc. The pile height on the bi-color 60 looks to be .75" and it is designed for putting greens and believe it requires infill. I'm not positive on this, though.

I've located a couple .50" nylon turfs that look promising. I here what your saying on not needing the backing layer. I was mentioning it because others on here were looking for a solution where they could rotate the turf around when it wears out, and not have to buy a mat with a 5/8" closed cell foam backing like most range mats. What I was thinking was to find a similar durable backing material, except at maybe a 1/4" whereby it would have all the properties of a durable range mat, yet have some flex to it and be able to be placed right over the gel with not cutting. I agree though, that if we can find a durable turf like what it used on range mats, it may not need a backing and may stand the test of time over gel.

I will post something tomorrow on the turfs I've located. Samples are on the way from the manufacturer.

Good luck on on the new and improved build!

cspin

[Mike80]

cspin Yeah, let me know what options and sources you find for the 1/2" nylon turfs. I haven't bought the turf I mentioned yet. I have been looking and the bi-color 60 at Menards is very dense and I think that is very important in a quality turf. My thought is find a good thin dense turf for over the gel. Then if the turf wears out, replace with another new cutout turf.

Looking forward to seeing the other turfs you found. Haven't bought this one yet but almost ready to purchase and start setting everything up. Our winter is coming and need my golf sim working soon!