The 5 Best Golf Practice Mats

Golf practice mats are available in many different shapes and sizes. Practice mats range in terms of purpose, some practice mats are designed for full swings and others are made for putting and chipping.

Golf practice mats have gained in popularity over the last 8 – 12 months with many golfers stuck at home for extended periods as a result of various Covid – 19 enforced lockdowns. Backyard practice setups have become the norm for many and even the world’s best golfers have been forced to hone their skills whilst hitting off a mat into a net. 

The 5 Best Golf Practice Mats:

With so many factors to consider and options to choose from buying a practice mat can be a pretty daunting task. Below we will take a look at important factors to consider in our buyer’s guide and we will also review 5 of the best practice mats currently available on the market. 

1. Dura-Pro Perfect Reaction Golf Mat

Dura-Pro Perfect Reaction Golf Mat
Turf Material Nylon
FunctionalityHitting mat
Indoor or Outdoor UseIndoor & outdoor
Travel FriendlyNo

The Dura-Pro Perfect Reaction Golf Mat is one of the best golf hitting mats currently available on the market. This durable hitting mat with its sturdy design is manufactured in the USA and it is one of the most realistic golf mats that money can buy. 

The Dura-Pro is the perfect backyard or simulator hitting mat. Thanks to its 100% nylon 3D turf fibers and dense rubber base this mat doesn’t just offer a realistic feel, it is also extremely durable and the shock-absorbing 8 inch base of this mat protects your wrists against injury. It is very common for players that hit a lot of golf balls off a mat to struggle with wrist injuries, but that isn’t the case at all with the Dura-Pro. 

Wedges, irons & woods can be used when hitting golf balls off of the Dura-Pro. The realistic nylon turf of this mat makes it easy to tee your golf ball up as you normally would on grass using a regular tee. The Dura-Pro is weather and sun resistant and it comes with a lengthy warranty. 

This versatile, realistic hitting practice mat is fairly expensive but it will save you money in the long run if you were to buy this high-quality durable mat. 

2. GoSports Golf Hitting Mat

GoSports Golf Hitting Mat
Turf Material Synthetic grass
FunctionalityHitting mat
Indoor or Outdoor UseIndoor & outdoor
Travel FriendlyNo

The GoSport golf hitting mat is a high-quality affordable golf mat, this 5 x 3 feet durable golf mat will be a welcome addition to any golfer’s practice or simulator setup. 

The GoSports golf mat features a robust 5 mm base layer made out of durable non-slip rubber, this base layer ensures exceptional feel at impact and it also delivers maximum stability when placed on a hard surface either indoors or outdoors. The base layer is topped with commercial-grade synthetic grass turf which provides that realistic feel that every golfer wants when hitting off a golf mat. 

The GoSports hitting mat is suitable for both left and right-handers with holes for rubber tees on both sides of the mat. The Mat comes standard with 3 rubber tees that vary in height between 1.5 inches and 3.5 inches. 

If your backyard driving range system needs a new mat look no further than the value for money GoSports golf hitting mat. 

3. Rukket Tri-Turf Golf Mat

Rukket Tri-Turf Golf Mat
Turf Material Synthetic grass
FunctionalityHitting & chipping mat
Indoor or Outdoor UseIndoor & outdoor
Travel FriendlyYes

If you enjoy practicing your golf game at home in your garage or backyard then the Rukket Tri-Turf golf mat is a must-have item. This multi-functional golf mat can be used for both chipping and putting practice. 

The Rukket features a thick strong durable base that can withstand thousands and thousands of shots. The Rukket practice mat also has a weather-resistant design which makes it ideal for both indoor or outdoor use regardless of the weather conditions. 

The Rukket is unique due to the fact that it features 3 turf options that mimic various lies that one can expect when playing both from the fairway and the rough. This versatile practice mat has a compact, lightweight design which makes it very easy to move around. When hitting a driver or a fairway wood tees can be inserted into the turf as one would normally do on a regular tee box.

It is nearly impossible to fault the Rukket but the only con to purchasing this practice mat is the fact that it doesn’t allow the player to stand on the mat which means that the golf ball will be slightly below the players’ feet when they are hitting. This isn’t a massive deterrent but it is something to keep in mind if you were to purchase this practice mat. 

4. Sharper Golf Indoor Putting Mat

Sharper Golf Indoor Putting Mat
Turf Material Synthetic
FunctionalityPutting/training aid
Indoor or Outdoor UseIndoor
Travel FriendlyYes

The Sharper Golf indoor putting mat is more than just a putting mat. This putting mat is an all in one putting practice system. The Sharper mat features multiple lines that can be used for alignment as well as various other graphics that allow for easy training of speed putting. The graphics on the Sharper mat can also be used to play various games with friends or family members.

The Sharper golf training mat measures 10 feet in length and 20 inches in width. This mat also has a sturdy design which ensures that it lays flat instantly when rolled out of it’s easy to use carry bag. 

Unfortunately, this putting mat isn’t suitable for outdoor usage for extended periods, make sure to secure your mat inside if you were to set it up outdoors immediately after use. 

The Sharper includes a free putting mirror and golf ball alignment system. These additional add-ons are must items by themselves for any golfer that’s serious about improving their putting. There is no doubt that the Sharper indoor putting mat is more than just a mat, it is an investment in your golf game. 

To learn more about different drills that can be done using the putting mirror click here.

5. Callaway Golf FT Launch Zone Hitting Mat

Callaway Golf FT Launch Zone Hitting Mat
Turf Material Synthetic
FunctionalityHitting & chipping
Indoor or Outdoor UseIndoor & outdoor
Travel FriendlyYes

Callaway is better known for the design of golf clubs and golf balls but their offering also includes various hitting mats. The Callaway Golf FT Launch Zone Hitting mat is a high-quality, functional, lightweight hitting mat that’s perfect for use in your backyard or garage. The FT Launch Zone has a solid, durable rubber base which ensures that the mat stays in place at impact. This solid base also ensures maximum shock absorption which in return produces a realistic feel. 

The FT Launch Zone features a patented universal tee holder that allows you to tee your golf ball up with a tee of your choice when practicing. Thanks to its compact size this hitting mat can be stored with ease and it will also use minimal storage space. If you are in the market for a simple yet effective hitting mat then look no further than the FT Launch Zone from Callaway. 

Important Factors to Consider When Buying a Practice Mat

Buying a golf practice mat can be a pretty daunting task given that the market is flooded with a wide variety of options to choose from. Below we are going to take a closer look at some of the most important factors to consider when buying a new practice mat for your home or office golf practice setup. 

Durability

Durability is arguably the most important factor to consider when buying a golf practice mat. If you plan on using your practice mat to hit golf balls off of it is fairly certain that this practice mat will be exposed to a fair amount of abuse. Golfers with above-average swing speeds that normally hit pretty big divots out on the golf course, in particular, will require an extremely durable practice. 

During the purchase process make sure to look for a mat that doesn’t have any obvious seams that are glued together. Mats with glued seams are bound to come loose sooner rather than later if used regularly. Another important factor to look at in terms of durability is the density of the mat. Long game practice mats with a strong/thick base and a dense turf design will last longer than most. Additionally, mats with a dense turf design will also offer realistic feel and feedback at impact. 

Feel

Don’t be fooled by manufacturers, all manufacturers will claim that their practice mats offer a realistic feel and feedback at impact. I’ve hit off many different golf practice mats throughout my career and some are simply light years better than others when it comes to feel.

Feel does depend on personal preference but most golfers will agree that mats with thicker/denser bases and turf tend to offer the best feel and feedback at impact. Most bases with a dense design are made out of silicone, rubber bases tend to lack when it comes to feel in comparison to silicone bases. 

When we look at putting practice mats base thickness/density doesn’t matter. To ensure a great feel, a putting mat needs to be smooth and it needs to be flat when placed on the ground. Putting mats that are rolled up when stored or transported tend to have creases and kinks in them when placed on the ground which in return will dampen the feel and roll of your putts when practicing. 

Weight

Weight and stability go hand in hand. If you are in the market for a putting practice mat the weight of the mat does not carry too much significance, but it is a different story when buying a hitting mat. 

Lighter hitting mats tend to shift around when you hit them due to the force of a golf shot. Continuous movement and shifting of your practice mat are simply annoying and it can be prevented by purchasing a heavier sturdy mat with a thicker stable base. 

Functionality

Functionality is very important when it comes to buying a golf practice mat. The first question you have to ask yourself is what type of mat do you want? Are you looking for a putting mat or a hitting mat, or are you looking for a mat that you can both putt on and hit from? 

Once you have decided on the type of mat that you want the next important question pertains to where you will be using the mat. Will the mat be indoors or outdoors? This is a very important factor to consider, if you plan on keeping the mat outdoors it is very important to buy a mat that offers exceptional durability when exposed to different weather conditions. 

The last factor to consider in terms of functionality is storage. Will your practice mat be a permanent fixture or will you store it and only take it out when you use it? If your practice mat isn’t a permanent fixture make sure to go for an option that can be stored and moved around with ease. 

FAQs

What are the different types of golf practice mats?

Golf practice mats can be divided into 4 different categories namely full swing/hitting mats, chipping mats, putting mats, and training aid mats. 

Hitting mats are bigger/bulky square mats that are mostly found at golf driving ranges. Hitting mats are designed to withstand thousands and thousands of golf shots and players can hit off of them their wedges, irons, and woods.

The majority of hitting mats either feature built-in tees or they feature a spot where a normal tee can be inserted into. If you are in the market for an at-home hitting mat make sure to purchase a good quality hitting net as well if you don’t own one already. Hitting mats tend to be pricey but a high-quality hitting mat will last for a very long time. 

Chipping mats are small square mats that can be carried around with ease. Chipping mats are normally very affordable and they are great if you want to practice your chipping in your backyard without ripping up your lawn. 

Putting mats are available in many different shapes and sizes. Some putting mats are solid putting mats that resemble the look of a hitting mat. These bigger bulky putting mats normally have a variety of different holes that you can put to and they are great if you are looking for a mat that will be a permanent feature in either your office or basement. 

Practice putting mats are also available in long mobile versions that can be rolled up and stored with ease if necessary.

Training aid mats are available both as full swing and putting mats. Training aid mats can be used to train ball position, alignment, club path, and a host of other technicalities about the golf swing and putting stroke. Advanced training mats can even assist with weight transfer through your golf swing when powered by a system such as BodiTrak. 

What materials are best to look out for when buying a practice mat? 

Nylon is known for its durability, golf practice mats with nylon turf tend to be the best both in terms of quality and feel. Nylon has a similar feel to normal grass which is what you want when practicing either your full shots or putts on a practice mat.  

The base material of a golf practice mat is also very important. For hitting mats make sure to buy a mat with a durable rubber or silicone base. In addition to durability, a good base is also very important for a hitting mat to prevent wrist injuries when hitting from a practice mat. 

On what surfaces can I place my golf practice mat? 

Golf practice mats can be placed on a variety of different surfaces. Practice mats work best when placed on a firm even surface. For hitting mats concrete is the best surface to place them on and putting mats work great on concrete, floors, or carpets. 

If you do place your mat outdoors make sure to move it around occasionally to ensure that moisture doesn’t get trapped underneath your mat. Hitting mats that are left in the rain without getting moved around will rot from underneath without you even realizing it until it’s too late. 

Final Thoughts

Golf training mats are a great addition to any passionate golfer’s garage, backyard, or basement. Practice mats can be used to perfect your swing or putting stroke, or it can be used to fill the void when you can’t make it out to the golf course. 

To learn more about other golf gadgets read our The 15 Best Golf Gadgets article.

If you are interested in buying a golf practice mat make sure to purchase one that fits your needs, with so many different types and options to choose from finding the correct one for you can be tricky. 

This article was last updated on January 18, 2023 .

Bertine Strauss
Written by
Bertine Strauss
The Golf Blog