Ideal hitting strip - pile height and density

[Willie H]

Hi folks, I've just started using SkyTrak and been reading lots of useful tips on here to get set up. One thing I've not found much on is related to the ideal pile height and density of a homemade hitting strip. I'm making a hitting strip with a layer of Ultragel below the turf (for divot interaction). Is there an ideal pile height and pile density for the turf I should use?

The reason I ask is that I've been using a very dense turf with a pile height of 13mm (on a wood board, no Ultragel yet) and am finding my yardages to be on the short side (especially with wedges). I'm using outdoors so its not indoor swing syndrome. Also using same balls I play with competitively. Can it be the dense turf I'm using somehow slowing the clubhead speed? I have read elsewhere that using a denser turf can promote better ball striking as less than perfect ball striking is punished.

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

[GungHoGolf]

You want a surface that doesn't grab and decelerate the club - not for club speed reasons (if you catch the ball first, it doesn't matter what the club does after impact), but for injury prevention reasons. Rapid club deceleration on fat shots and good divots with short irons and wedges is the #1 cause for elbow injury when hitting off a mat.

More in the product description of our Holy Grail hitting strip: https://store.gunghogolf.com/Holy-Gr...rip-p360373867

[Willie H]

Thanks for the info Ron. Your hitting strip looks great. I've already bought the Ultragel and plan on going down the route of making a homemade strip. Cheers

[James Spratke]

Hey Ron. Any plans to make a holy grail strip that could fit into a true strike mat? I'd be interested in trying one out when my gel pad is worn out.

[Morini]

Hit off a short tee to compare numbers when using mat. It is very likely that it is cause of short distance.

I made a diy divot action as per Gunhogolf's instructions. I took the advice and used a synlawn precision putt pro, which is NOT grabby. I have no regrets, as it is a phenomenally performing mat.

I think Ron took the lessons learned from testing mats to create the Holy Grail. If you are not handy and/or willing to tinker, I'd give this a serious look. The flexible membrane style mat is a great solution.

[GungHoGolf]

Willie H - just look for a 100% nylon short pile putting turf. They're all pretty similar. Nylon is important - it won't leave green residue on your irons like polypropylene will do. Do not get turf with a padded backing - you just want the thin mesh or thin rubber backing. Thin mesh, like GrassTex Money Putt, is best, as it holds glue better than rubber and won't separate like rubber can.

[Willie H]

Thanks Ron. Thats really helpful. I've begun the search for this turf here in the UK but nylon (it's mostly polypropylene) and short pile (UK greens generally run slow so artificial greens match this) is proving tricky to find. Do you ship your GrassTex Money Putt Turf to the UK?

[GungHoGolf]

Sorry, we do not ship outside the continental US.

[that0n3guy]

You want a surface that doesn't grab and decelerate the club - not for club speed reasons (if you catch the ball first, it doesn't matter what the club does after impact), but for injury prevention reasons. Rapid club deceleration on fat shots and good divots with short irons and wedges is the #1 cause for elbow injury when hitting off a mat.

More in the product description of our Holy Grail hitting strip: https://store.gunghogolf.com/Holy-Gr...rip-p360373867

I see you use 3/8 pile height for your strip. Why not 1/2? Does 1/2 affect it at all?

[GungHoGolf]

Shorter the better to minimize clubhead grabbing. 1/2" pile height will work fine, though. Wouldn't go taller than that.

[that0n3guy]

Thanks! I found some local 1/2" pile remnant to use.