Recommendation for a injury-proof golf mat

[LEO MODE]

I've been hitting balls at either indoor/outdoor ranges. I don't know if this was because of golf mat or simply my wrong swing, but my wrist and thumb bone is starting to hurt like they are sprained. (I just got back to golfing starting a month ago after 10 yrs of absence).

So since I'm planning to set up a home sim, as well as until I get that set up, I was wondering if there is a very safe and realistic portable golf mat (portable for now so I can take them to the ranges) that I can buy.

Can you guys recommend me the most popular mats? I see that Truestrike and Real Feel were the most popular ones it seemed.

I really don't want to ruin my wrist and end up not being able to play golf for the rest of my life. So please help!


TLDR: I am looking for a injury-proof+realistic+portable(for now)+hopefully turf/sand integration too golf mat!

[Snaphook]

I can recommend the Truestrike. It's a great mat, but expensive and not portable. I also have the Real Feel wich is portable but not very good on your wrists etc.
Have also heard good things about divot action, but never tried it.

[N54TT]

I had a CCE type mat that was pretty plush.....but still developed wrist pain. It wasn't imediately after I got it. I used to hit here and there...and didn't have any issues. Then I started practicing more regularly and hitting alot of shots for multiple days... and I started developing wrist pain. I have since gotten the Fiberbuilt mat system and love it. I can swing all day....for days....and have never had the wrist pain I was getting with the CCE. You'll have to look at the other systems they have come out with, if portability is also a priority. I can move mine around in the garage with one of those 4 wheel furniture dollies, but the rubber base of the traditional system is pretty heavy and not meant to be portable.

[Daddio]

I have a divot action, I like it, but lately my arms and shoulders have been very sore. I don't know if that is the problem or just playing to much.
I had this problem last year but just my right arm, this year it is the left arm.
How do you guys who have or have built the Divot Action hitting modules like them after using them for awhile?

[Jtangm04]

I got some interlocking exercise foam matting from Costco and made it 2 layers thick. Bought a motorcycle seat gel insert pad of ebay. Cutout the top layer of the foam pad to match the shape of the gel insert. Used a combo of gorilla glue and duct tape to keep it all together. Placed a cheap golf mat from amazon on top of it. I went with a 5x5 size so can rotate it 4 times and won't have to replace the golf mat as frequently. A lot cheaper DIY option than CCE or Truestrike. No wear or tear issues with me and I hit about 200 balls a week on it for the past 6 months.

[teamacacia]

I am going to add the fiberbuilt insert into my allturf mat.

[Lgnir]

I love my Martin Hall 5 start golf mat! However if you hit a lot of fat shots, you are still going to have some soreness! This mat absorbs a LOT of the shock though!

[CW35]

I would recommend Fiberbuilt as well. I have some wrist/tendon issues in my right hand and this insert allows me to hit balls every day w/o too many issues. I've used the truestrike, divot-action, etc as well on a buddy's sim and found Fiberbuilt to be the best option so far to alleviate some of these concerns.

If you need to be portable, they have a newer product called the "flight deck" that could be an option. Here is a link from the PGA Merchandise show w/ that product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGUenHbMcBs

[CintiGolfer]

I would recommend Fiberbuilt as well. I have some wrist/tendon issues in my right hand and this insert allows me to hit balls every day w/o too many issues. I've used the truestrike, divot-action, etc as well on a buddy's sim and found Fiberbuilt to be the best option so far to alleviate some of these concerns.

If you need to be portable, they have a newer product called the "flight deck" that could be an option. Here is a link from the PGA Merchandise show w/ that product.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGUenHbMcBs

I have a Skytrak and I am in the process of replacing my mat (I have an Ultimat 2) to something that is easier on my elbow. I am considering Fiberbuilt and the Divot Action. My big concern with the Fiberbuilt is putting. How do you like putting on the Fiberbuilt? Do you putt off of the long grass or somewhere else?

[BadEddieKit]

I have the Divotaction, havent ever tried the Fiberbuilt, but from those that do, I have heard they are great to hit off. I also hear from them that an issue you may have, is putting off it. As far as the Divotaction goes, I haven't had any pain from playing off it whatsoever. It moves, so hitting down or getting fat isnt an issue. It is also great to putt off of. The problem I have encountered is durability. The mat itself is fine, but the turf on top overtime gets ripped and I have had to continuously glue it back down. I am still in pursuit of finding the right kind of glue to keep it from coming back up.

[CintiGolfer]

How long did the Divot Action insert last before the turf came loose?

[BadEddieKit]

Not long unfortunately, within 2 months. Alot of it has to do with friends coming over and playing on it.

[CW35]

Hi CintiGolfer, I have yet to setup the putting on TGC (just using 2 putts if outside of gimmie range). From what I can tell, I will be able to move my gc2 a little closer so that I will be able to putt off of the stance mat that is right next to where my 1x4 fiberbuilt insert is. I previously read the posts about putting off the insert as being a problem but the forgiveness was much more important to me when deciding on a stance mat.

[CintiGolfer]

Since I have a Skytrak, I don't think I can position the Skytrak in a stationary place where I can hit off of one surface and putt off of a different surface. From my testing, I can move the ball about 1.5" to either side of the laser dot and still have the Skytrak pick up the shot. This 3" depth of field is not big enough for me to hit off of the two different surfaces.

I think I would have two options for a Skytrak to be useful on a Fiberbuilt mat system.
1. Put a piece of lexan on the insert whenever I am going to putt.
2. Design and build some sort of sliding track system so I could quickly reposition the Skytrak. I'm not sure how well this would work.

For now, I think I'm going to try the Divot Action and hope that the insert lasts 1 year.

[CW35]

For your 2nd item, BadEddieKit turned me on to a product called "position track" that is made by Custom Design Golf. Their product is designed for a gc2 but gives you an idea or maybe someone out there makes one for skytrak. Or maybe the skytrak could sit in that same holder...not sure

It's a pretty speedy item but does solve the issue

[BadEddieKit]

Pretty sure thats for the Gc2 only. I spoke with the owner at custom golf and he said that plans to build a positiontrack for skytraks has been abandoned, not sure why. That was about 3 months ago tho, perhaps something has changed. Might be worth a phone call.

[Sledge0001]

He's launched and is pushing his own simulator platform which probably is consuming his time and resources.