For occasional indoor golf, simple artificial turf is often sufficient as a standing surface, but repeated full shots require a hitting mat designed for this purpose with a defined hitting zone, sufficient cushioning and a clarified Tee solution. According to the product information, the Tee Turf XL is a 30 mm high, latex-coated turf carpet without sand or rubber infill; it is suitable as a continuous hitting surface, but does not replace an explicitly described insert or replaceable insert mat.
Why the hitting mat is more than a floor covering
On a hitting mat, clubhead, ball and ground meet in a very short time. If the surface is too hard, too thin or not sufficiently secured, the club can decelerate abruptly on ground contact. This not only changes the feel of the shot, but can be strenuous with many iron and Wedge shots. A mat should therefore suit the training goal: Driver shots have different requirements than frequent divots with irons, and an occasional putting Setup does not require a full-fledged Fairway hitting surface.
Always plan the mat together with the launch monitor, screen and ball flight path. The actually available hitting position also determines whether your system's measurement range is reached properly. You can find a general classification of components and room planning on the sister site under golf simulator components; the article on the space requirements of a golf simulator is also helpful there for specific dimensions of the room, swing area and safety clearances.
Three types of mats in practical comparison
1. Simple artificial turf: standing surface instead of a permanent hitting area
Simple artificial turf is usually a large-area, relatively simple flooring solution. It can enhance a raw floor visually and tactually, conceal minor unevenness and serve as a standing surface. It is suitable for putting, chipping without hard ground contact or as surrounding flooring around a hitting mat.
Simple artificial turf has limitations as a permanent hitting zone. Its thickness, backing and behaviour on iron contact are decisive. If there is no information on cushioning, load-bearing or intermediate layer and suitability for repeated full shots, you should not automatically assess it as a Fairway mat. The ability to accommodate a normal wooden Tee is also not a given with artificial turf alone.
- Suitable for: standing surface, putting area and visual floor design.
- Advantage: can be cut flexibly and installed over large areas.
- Check before buying: total height, backing material, slip resistance and approval for iron shots.
2. Insert mats: replacing the wear zone specifically
Insert mats consist of a carrier or frame surface with a replaceable hitting surface insert. The practical benefit is mainly for regular training: The area where the ball lies and the club contacts the ground is often subject to greater wear than the rest of the floor. A separate insert can then be more economical than replacing an entire large mat.
With this system, frame dimensions, insert dimensions and construction height must match exactly. A protruding or recessed insert surface changes ball position and stance. Also ask about how the insert is secured: It must not move during the follow-through or lift at an edge. For long-term operation, it is crucial whether replacement inserts are available individually, what dimensions they have and how replacement is carried out.
- Suitable for: regular iron shots and areas with a clearly defined ball position.
- Advantage: the wear part can be replaced separately.
- Check before buying: replaceability, delivery time for spare parts, flush installation height and substructure.
3. Multi-layer Fairway hitting mats: construction for full shots
Multi-layer Fairway hitting mats usually combine a robust hitting surface with an underlay intended to cushion ground contact. However, the specific construction varies depending on the model. Terms such as “Fairway”, “Elite” or “Hitting Mat” do not replace technical information on layers, materials and cushioning.
For a home studio or commercially used simulator, this category is suitable when many full shots with irons are played. Required are a sufficiently large hitting surface for right- and left-handed players, durable edges, stable positioning on the floor and a comprehensible concept for wear. Installation effort ranges from simply laying it down to flush installation in a surrounding turf surface.
Assessment of the Tee Turf XL based on the published information
The Indoor Hitting Matte Tee Turf XL in 100 x 150 cm offered in the shop is described in the product description as 30 mm high turf with a latex backing. According to the information, the fibre remains stable without sand or rubber infill; use is intended year-round indoors and outdoors. The product description also states that the material is sold in the USA under the name “Country Club Elite”.
The designation GSK ELITE Fairway-Hitting-Matte is not mentioned in the available product information as an independent product name or technical specification. A reliable assessment should therefore be limited to the documented properties of the Tee Turf XL and clarify before ordering whether this exact product is meant.
At 100 x 150 cm, this version offers a compact, rectangular area. Whether the longer side should be positioned in the direction of play or across it depends on the planned player position and on right-/left-handed use. The mat is described as a roll with a width of 2 m; if necessary, it should be confirmed in advance how it is cut or delivered for the specified final dimensions.
The 200 x 100 cm version has the same documented fibre height of 30 mm and the latex backing, but is oriented differently. It offers more length with less width. This can make sense for a single, clearly defined shot line; for frequently changing ball positions or use from both sides, the usable width should be marked on the floor plan before purchase.
For permanently installed training areas, the Tee Turf XL per square metre is an option. According to the product page, the minimum order quantity is 6 m² and the roll width is 2 m. This allows for a continuous surface, but requires careful planning of cutting, seams and the subfloor. A 30 mm high turf layer must also be integrated into the height of putting turf, walkways or inlay inserts so that no edges are created in the stance area.
Purchase checklist: You should have these points confirmed in writing
- Tee compatibility: The description states that the 30 mm high fibres are suitable for regular tees. Nevertheless, clarify which tee types and tee lengths work in practice and whether wooden tees hold securely. If you prefer variable, reusable heights, the BirTee Indoor Golf Tees are a separate solution: according to the product page, the 8-pack covers heights from 0,25 to 2 inches and is black, which can be helpful with camera-based systems such as SkyTrak.
- Cushioning: The latex backing is documented, but a specific multi-layer cushioning structure or a statement regarding joint relief is not. Ask about the total thickness, layer structure, underlay and behaviour during repeated iron divots.
- Hitting surface: Clarify the actual usable area, not just the external dimensions. Ask about a recommended ball position and suitability for Driver, irons and Wedges.
- Wear and spare parts: No replaceable hitting surface insert is stated for the Tee Turf XL in the available information. Therefore, confirm whether replacement material, cut pieces or individual replacement components are available and what delivery time applies in each case.
- Subfloor and installation: Confirm whether the mat can be placed loose, whether it must be secured against slipping and which level underlay is required. For flush installation, the 30-mm build-up height must be taken into account.
For year-round training, it is also worth taking a look at the guide Winter training, indoor equipment and ball supply from golfballs.at. Anyone selecting balls for simulator training will also find information on choosing the right balls in the golf ball buying guide.
Decision table by usage profile
Beginners: occasional training at home
- Suitable solution: simple artificial turf as a surrounding area plus a compact hitting mat.
- Priority: non-slip stance, easy storage and a functional Tee solution.
- Check: Is the format sufficient for your hitting position? Is the mat secured against slipping on your floor?
Regular home training: several full shots per week
- Suitable solution: Fairway hitting mat or an inlay system with a replaceable hitting zone.
- Priority: cushioning on iron shots, durable hitting surface and spare parts concept.
- Check: Build-up height, wear behaviour and usable width for right- and left-handed players.
Commercial use: many different players
- Suitable solution: professionally plannable inlay or multi-layer system with documented spare parts.
- Priority: quick replacement of the wear zone, flush installation and clear service channels.
- Check: Availability of spare parts, delivery times, maintenance process and suitability for the expected frequency of use.
A mat does not solve all planning questions for an indoor studio. If you coordinate the screen, enclosure and floor structure together, our article Planning a golf simulator room: Which enclosure is right for you? helps you classify the components.
Frequently asked questions
Is simple artificial turf sufficient as a hitting mat?
It may be sufficient for a standing area, putting and occasional practice. For regular full iron and Wedge shots, suitability for ground contact and cushioning should be explicitly confirmed.
What dimensions do the Tee Turf XL mats have?
The individual variants offered measure 100 x 150 cm and 200 x 100 cm respectively. In addition, Tee Turf XL is available per square metre with a minimum order quantity of 6 m².
Can Tee Turf XL hold standard golf tees?
According to the product description, the 30 mm high fibres are suitable for regular Tees. Which Tee lengths and Tee types hold optimally should be confirmed for your Setup before purchase.
Does Tee Turf XL have a replaceable hitting surface insert?
A replaceable insert is not mentioned in the available product information. Ask about replacement material, cuts and spare parts availability before purchase.
Are BirTee Indoor Tees suitable for camera systems?
According to the product description, the black BirTee Indoor Golf Tees are recommended, among other things, for camera tracking systems such as SkyTrak. The pack contains eight heights from 0,25 to 2 inches.