Putting Green Turf vs Hitting Mat: Which Do You Need?
Golf putting green turf vs hitting mat compared: what each surface is for, stimp speed, durability under iron strikes and how to combine them.
The short version
These are not alternatives. A hitting mat is built to survive iron strikes and protect your joints; putting turf is a smooth low-pile surface for roll, and hitting off it would destroy it. Buy the hitting mat first, because striking is what a simulator is for; add putting turf alongside if you want to practise the shortest game.
At a glance
| Country Club Elite 5x5 Hitting Mat | 6 x 10 ft Putting Green Turf | |
|---|---|---|
| Takes iron strikes | Yes | No, it will be damaged |
| Roll quality | Poor | Good |
| Pile | Dense, deep | Short, smooth |
| Joint protection | Yes | None needed |
| Typical size | Hitting area | Longer run for roll |
| Best for | Full swings | Putting and chipping practice |
Choose the Country Club Elite 5x5 Hitting Mat if…
You are building a simulator. The mat is the piece that takes every shot, protects your wrists and determines whether the setup is pleasant to use. It is the wrong place to save money.
Check Country Club Elite 5x5 Hitting Mat on Amazon
Choose the 6 x 10 ft Putting Green Turf if…
You want to practise the part of the game that decides most scores. Putting turf is inexpensive, rolls consistently, and gives you something useful to do in a space too small for full swings.
Check 6 x 10 ft Putting Green Turf on Amazon
Related
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these products side by side. Confirm current specifications and prices before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I putt on a hitting mat?
Badly. The dense pile of a hitting mat is designed to hold a tee and absorb a strike, which makes it far too slow and inconsistent to read a putt on.
What speed should putting turf be?
Faster surfaces are more demanding and better practice, but a very fast home green can be unrealistic against the courses you actually play. Match it roughly to your home course if you can.
Do I need both from the start?
No. Start with the hitting mat, since that is what a simulator needs to function, and add putting turf when you have space and want a different kind of practice.
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