Your Hitting Mat Guide—And a Giveaway! 🏌️

‼️ The Indoor Golf Shop Giveaway

There’s still time for a chance to win 1of 3 must-have indoor golf prizes!

We’re giving away 3 fantastic prizes from The Indoor Golf Shop:
🏌️ SIG Lite Putting Green (4x10) - Master your short game at home.
🏌️ SIGPRO Golf Net - Train your swing, rain or shine, with this versatile net.
🏌️ SIGPRO Softy Golf Mat (4x10) - Experience top-tier comfort and performance with this best-selling mat.

Winners will be selected to receive one of these prizes! Enter before November 21 for your chance to win.

⛳ Your Hitting Mat Questions, Answered

My hitting mat’s wearing out—what are my options?

If you’re a practice machine, your mat’s going to wear down eventually. Instead of buying a whole new one each time, try hitting strips to replace just the worn-out areas. Want a realistic turf feel without the hefty price tag? Here’s your guide to DIY-ing a divot-action hitting strip.

Materials Needed:

• Polycarbonate Sheet: Cut to 18” x 36” and 0.25” thick.

• Artificial Turf: Good quality turf that lets the ball sit like it’s on grass.

• Foam Padding: Use EVA foam (old interlocking pads work well). Cut 2-3” strips for the ends and along some of the length.

• Double-Sided Carpet Tape: To stick turf to polycarbonate. Easy to replace but may need occasional adjustments.

Steps to Build:

1. Trim to Size: Cut the polycarbonate with a fine-toothed saw to avoid cracking, and trim the turf with heavy-duty scissors or a carpet knife. Tip: cut the turf roll face down for smoother edges.

2. Lay Down the Tape: Place the polycarbonate flat on the floor. Start at one long edge, sticking a strip of double-sided tape along the length, keeping a small gap between each strip for secure adhesion. Repeat along the poly’s other edge.

3. Attach the Turf: Remove the tape backing, align the turf carefully with the polycarbonate, and press lightly along the edges to secure. Adjust any gaps if needed to ensure no edges are exposed.

4. Add the Foam Padding: Flip the strip so the turf faces down. Attach foam strips to each of the 18” ends, leaving about a 1/8” gap from the edge to prevent catching. You can use adhesive backing or construction adhesive for extra security.

5. Fine-Tune Foam Placement: Lay foam strips along the length, avoiding a fully rigid feel. For a softer divot effect, run foam along the edges and add shorter pieces at each end, leaving a middle gap. This setup keeps it flexible but cushioned.

With this setup, you’ve got a hitting strip that gives a real-turf feel without the real-turf price. Enjoy!

Read the Full Guide Here.

How can I keep my golf mat from sliding during practice?

Nothing kills a session like a mat that won't stay put. Whether your setup is on carpet, concrete, or hardwood, these tips will help secure your mat so you can focus on your swing.

1. Double-Sided Tape: Apply strips under your mat for a fast, reliable grip.

2. Non-Slip Rubber: Attach rubber strips to the underside for a moveable but secure mat.

3. Velcro Strips: Stick Velcro to the mat and floor corners for a semi-permanent hold.

4. Plywood Base: Elevate your mat on plywood for stability and optional putting cups.

5. Gripcote Coating: Brush on Gripcote for a non-slip base that works on most surfaces.

6. Adhesive: For a permanent hold, apply rubber cement or strong adhesive to the mat.

Find more ideas here.

What should I know before upgrading my hitting mat?

Each year, we survey over 30,000 Reddit forum members to get real data on which mats perform best. Here are the top 3, rated across realistic feel, shock absorption, durability, ease of storage, stability, and suitability for concrete use.

See all the results here. 

Carl’s Place

For golfers seeking unbeatable value and lifelike feel, Carls delivers a reliable experience.

Pros

• Best combination of real feel, shock absorption, and durability

• Moderately priced, but a great price for the value

• 100% of buyers surveyed likely to buy again

• Takes a real wooden tee

Cons

• Stock runs out fast, get it quickly

Fiberbuilt 

Known for its lasting quality and stability, Fiberbuilt is a premium choice trusted by golfers for serious practice.

Pros 

• Very good balance of real feel, durability, and shock absorption

• Highly popular brand with many reviews

• 93% of buyers surveyed would purchase it again

• 300,000 shot guarantee

• Stable base that won’t move when you hit shots

Cons

• Price is on the higher side

Sigpro Softy 

Designed for top-level shock absorption and realism, Sigpro Softy combines innovation with a soft, satisfying hit. Plus, we’re giving away one! Enter the giveaway for a chance to win this bestselling mat. 

Pros

• Tied for the top on shock absorption

• Very high marks on realistic feel by buyers

• Innovative technology

• Takes a real tee

• Replaceable hitting strip

Cons

• Some buyer concerns about durability 

😎 Sim Steals & Deals

Deals

Check out our Amazon golf deals tracker for the latest this week. 

Gift Guides - Cool Golf Gifts You Can’t Miss This Year

As the weather cools down and indoor golf season approaches, it's time to start thinking about holiday gifts! We’ve put together golf gift guides packed with ideas for your golf buddies—or to send to family to take your man cave or golf gear to the next level this season.

Each week, we’ll spotlight a few must-see picks, featuring some of the coolest golf gifts you won’t want to miss. Here’s our favorites this week:

Bag Boy Nitron Customizer: With 85,000 customization options, the Bag Boy Nitron Push Cart lets golfers roll in unique, personalized style.

Push Pin Golf Map: Track golf journeys with this map, marking every course played for a personalized golf memento.

Bottle Opener Repurposed Golf Clubs: Crafted from real clubs, these openers combine vintage charm with functional flair.

Low Tide Golf Set: Bring golf to the beach with flags, cups, and a rake, creating an instant sand-based putting green.

🔦 Simulator Spotlight

Don’t have space for a sim? u/abject_commission539 set up a portable garage to house theirs. Check it out!

Got a killer setup or a sim-centered biz? Email [email protected] for a feature!!

Send to your golf buddy that is an ANIMAL. 

And follow us on instagram, @sim.weekly, please and thank you! 

Recommended Read

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Explore your relationship with golf, mindfulness, and music with award-winning writer and Ontario Golf Hall of Fame Inductee, Tim O’Connor. Through his weekly essays, Tim shares insights that will elevate your game and mindset. Join 1K+ subscribers for empowering  3-5 minute reads and game-changing wisdom.

And don’t miss Tim’s podcast, Swing Thoughts.