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What Surface Do I Need To Put My Golf Mat On?
Editor's Note: This article about What Surface To Put Your Golf Mat On was originally posted in November, 2021. It has been updated in October 2024 with new information, updated links and stats.
Golf mats have become an essential training tool for golfers of all levels, providing the convenience of practicing your swing anytime and anywhere. According to a survey by the National Golf Foundation (NGF), about 68% of golfers use golf mats for off-season practice, especially in colder regions where grass is not available year-round. So whether you're working on your game in the backyard, at the driving range, or indoors, a high-quality golf mat simulates the feel of real grass and can improve your performance on the course. But where exactly can you set up a hitting mat, and what surfaces are best for it?
1. Concrete and Hard Surfaces
Golf mats have become an essential training tool for golfers of all levels, providing the convenience of practicing your swing anytime and anywhere. According to a survey by the National Golf Foundation (NGF), about 68% of golfers use golf mats for off-season practice, especially in colder regions where grass is not available year-round. So whether you're working on your game in the backyard, at the driving range, or indoors, a high-quality golf mat simulates the feel of real grass and can improve your performance on the course. But where exactly can you set up a hitting mat, and what surfaces are best for it?
1. Concrete and Hard Surfaces
- Why use a Golf Mat on Concrete and Hard Surfaces? Practicing on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt is one of the most common applications for golf mats. These surfaces provide a stable, flat base, but can be damaging to both your clubs and your body without a proper mat. A well-cushioned golf mat acts as a protective layer, absorbing impact and simulating the turf experience.
- Features: For hard surfaces, choose a hitting mat with a thick foam backing or shock-absorbing padding. This will not only protect your club from damage when you hit down, but also provide a more comfortable experience for your joints. Mats with heavier weights or non-slip backings will stay securely in place on hard surfaces. The Perfect Reaction golf mats have a non-slip base pad that makes it a great option for hard surfaces.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Grass? Even if you have access to natural grass, a golf mat can be an excellent addition to your practice routine, most importantly because a golf mat provides a consistent surface for practice.
- Features: On grass, you don't need as much padding, but you still want a sturdy, turf-like surface to mimic the feel of a fairway. Any Five Star Golf Mat can be used on grass, but for best results, consider the Premium Residential Hitting Mat. This golf mat is lighter and easy to move making it the perfect indoor or outdoor mat.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Carpeting? Practicing indoors on carpet is another popular option, particularly during bad weather or colder months. Whether in your living room, garage, or basement, a hitting mat allows you to practice year-round without leaving the comfort of home. Carpet provides a soft base, but with a hitting mat, the uneven texture of the carpet can affect your stance and swing.
- Features: For indoor use, a thin, lightweight golf mat is typically sufficient, especially if you're using it on carpet. Look for hitting mats with anti-slip backing to prevent movement during swings. Again, Five Star's Perfect Reaction golf mats are ideal for use on a carpet because of their no-slip base pad.
- Why use a Golf Mat on a Deck or Patio? Patios and decks are excellent practice areas, especially for those who want to take advantage of outdoor spaces without moving onto grass or dirt. However, like concrete, these surfaces can be hard and unforgiving on both your clubs and body. A golf mat creates a much-needed buffer and enhances your practice experience.
- Features: Look to Five Star's Perfect Reaction hitting mats for use on patios and decks to protect your wrists, your clubs, and your deck! Our hitting mats have a 5/8" padding are weather-resistant and designed to withstand outdoor conditions. And the grip prevents slipping and even absorbs shock.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Turf? If you have access to turf or artificial grass, a golf mat can still be a helpful tool. Although artificial grass provides a decent surface for practice, it may not always mimic the feel of real fairway grass, particularly when it comes to resistance and ball interaction. A quality golf mat designed to simulate different turf conditions will give you a more realistic experience.
- Features: For artificial grass, a lightweight, portable gold mat, like the Premium Residential hitting mat, works well. Some mats offer different grass textures for simulating the rough, fairway, and fringe shots, making it easier to practice a variety of swings in one session. Five Star Golf Mats are multi-purpose mats that cater to different shot types for added versatility.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Dirt or Gravel? If you're setting up your practice space in an area with dirt or gravel, a golf mat is essential. These surfaces are unstable and can cause erratic bounces, making them far from ideal for proper practice. A sturdy mat creates a level, consistent surface, allowing you to focus on your technique without distractions from the terrain.
- Features: Choose a heavier more stable hitting mat for uneven surfaces like our Commercial or Perfect Reaction mats. You'll want a mat that stays firmly in place, even on loose terrain.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Driveways? Driveways are another common area for golfers to practice at home. Like concrete or asphalt, the hard surface of a driveway can be punishing on your clubs and body. Using a hitting mat prevents club damage and helps simulate a natural turf experience.
- Features: A thicker golf mat that can absorb the impact of your swings is ideal for a driveway surface. Our Commercial Golf Mat features a denser turf than typical hitting mats. It's a more heavy-duty mat with a 5/8" base pad to prevent slippage.
Home > Resources > Buying Guide > What Surface Do I Need To Put My Golf Mat On?
What Surface Do I Need To Put My Golf Mat On?
Editor's Note: This article about What Surface To Put Your Golf Mat On was originally posted in November, 2021. It has been updated in October 2024 with new information, updated links and stats.
Golf mats have become an essential training tool for golfers of all levels, providing the convenience of practicing your swing anytime and anywhere. According to a survey by the National Golf Foundation (NGF), about 68% of golfers use golf mats for off-season practice, especially in colder regions where grass is not available year-round. So whether you're working on your game in the backyard, at the driving range, or indoors, a high-quality golf mat simulates the feel of real grass and can improve your performance on the course. But where exactly can you set up a hitting mat, and what surfaces are best for it?
1. Concrete and Hard Surfaces
Golf mats have become an essential training tool for golfers of all levels, providing the convenience of practicing your swing anytime and anywhere. According to a survey by the National Golf Foundation (NGF), about 68% of golfers use golf mats for off-season practice, especially in colder regions where grass is not available year-round. So whether you're working on your game in the backyard, at the driving range, or indoors, a high-quality golf mat simulates the feel of real grass and can improve your performance on the course. But where exactly can you set up a hitting mat, and what surfaces are best for it?
1. Concrete and Hard Surfaces
- Why use a Golf Mat on Concrete and Hard Surfaces? Practicing on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt is one of the most common applications for golf mats. These surfaces provide a stable, flat base, but can be damaging to both your clubs and your body without a proper mat. A well-cushioned golf mat acts as a protective layer, absorbing impact and simulating the turf experience.
- Features: For hard surfaces, choose a hitting mat with a thick foam backing or shock-absorbing padding. This will not only protect your club from damage when you hit down, but also provide a more comfortable experience for your joints. Mats with heavier weights or non-slip backings will stay securely in place on hard surfaces. The Perfect Reaction golf mats have a non-slip base pad that makes it a great option for hard surfaces.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Grass? Even if you have access to natural grass, a golf mat can be an excellent addition to your practice routine, most importantly because a golf mat provides a consistent surface for practice.
- Features: On grass, you don't need as much padding, but you still want a sturdy, turf-like surface to mimic the feel of a fairway. Any Five Star Golf Mat can be used on grass, but for best results, consider the Premium Residential Hitting Mat. This golf mat is lighter and easy to move making it the perfect indoor or outdoor mat.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Carpeting? Practicing indoors on carpet is another popular option, particularly during bad weather or colder months. Whether in your living room, garage, or basement, a hitting mat allows you to practice year-round without leaving the comfort of home. Carpet provides a soft base, but with a hitting mat, the uneven texture of the carpet can affect your stance and swing.
- Features: For indoor use, a thin, lightweight golf mat is typically sufficient, especially if you're using it on carpet. Look for hitting mats with anti-slip backing to prevent movement during swings. Again, Five Star's Perfect Reaction golf mats are ideal for use on a carpet because of their no-slip base pad.
- Why use a Golf Mat on a Deck or Patio? Patios and decks are excellent practice areas, especially for those who want to take advantage of outdoor spaces without moving onto grass or dirt. However, like concrete, these surfaces can be hard and unforgiving on both your clubs and body. A golf mat creates a much-needed buffer and enhances your practice experience.
- Features: Look to Five Star's Perfect Reaction hitting mats for use on patios and decks to protect your wrists, your clubs, and your deck! Our hitting mats have a 5/8" padding are weather-resistant and designed to withstand outdoor conditions. And the grip prevents slipping and even absorbs shock.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Turf? If you have access to turf or artificial grass, a golf mat can still be a helpful tool. Although artificial grass provides a decent surface for practice, it may not always mimic the feel of real fairway grass, particularly when it comes to resistance and ball interaction. A quality golf mat designed to simulate different turf conditions will give you a more realistic experience.
- Features: For artificial grass, a lightweight, portable gold mat, like the Premium Residential hitting mat, works well. Some mats offer different grass textures for simulating the rough, fairway, and fringe shots, making it easier to practice a variety of swings in one session. Five Star Golf Mats are multi-purpose mats that cater to different shot types for added versatility.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Dirt or Gravel? If you're setting up your practice space in an area with dirt or gravel, a golf mat is essential. These surfaces are unstable and can cause erratic bounces, making them far from ideal for proper practice. A sturdy mat creates a level, consistent surface, allowing you to focus on your technique without distractions from the terrain.
- Features: Choose a heavier more stable hitting mat for uneven surfaces like our Commercial or Perfect Reaction mats. You'll want a mat that stays firmly in place, even on loose terrain.
- Why use a Golf Mat on Driveways? Driveways are another common area for golfers to practice at home. Like concrete or asphalt, the hard surface of a driveway can be punishing on your clubs and body. Using a hitting mat prevents club damage and helps simulate a natural turf experience.
- Features: A thicker golf mat that can absorb the impact of your swings is ideal for a driveway surface. Our Commercial Golf Mat features a denser turf than typical hitting mats. It's a more heavy-duty mat with a 5/8" base pad to prevent slippage.