Choosing the right hitting mat
A proper golf-practice mat lets you swing with confidence and protects both your joints and your golf clubs. Mats come in different sizes and thicknesses, and the right choice depends on how much space you have and what feel you want the hitting feel to be. Below are guidelines to help you pick the right mat.
Standard mat sizes
Most golfers need enough space to stand on the same surface as the ball. Kaizen Golf's buying guide notes that a **minimum width of 4 feet (about 1.2 m)** is recommended so you can stand on the mat and keep it stable. A larger mat (for example **1.5 m × 1.5 m**) is ideal because it stays put after impact and allows you to hit from different spots. If you have limited space or a tight budget, smaller, portable mats are perfectly usable – you can stand on a sturdy door mat or puzzle tiles and place your hitting mat in front.
Backing and thickness
Good mats are built from two parts: a backing to provide stability and shock absorption and a synthetic turf surface. Kaizen Golf recommends looking for **EVA foam or rubber backing of at least 10 mm** to help absorb impact and keep the mat from sliding. A thin, unpadded mat transmits shock to your wrists and elbows and can lead to injury. The turf (the green fibres on top) should be at least 10 mm thick and ideally around **35 mm** if you want to practice hitting down and through the ball like you would on real grass.
Forgiveness vs realism
Most golfers have to balance forgiveness (how gentle a mat is on your joints and clubs) with realism (how similar it feels to grass). **Portable mats** are cheaper and lighter and often use dense, short fibres. They are perfect if you only practice occasionally or travel a lot. Range-style mats, like the 1.5 m × 1.5 m mats sold by Backyard Golf, provide more space and typically include a 10–20 mm foam pad to protect your joints. They also allow you to rotate the mat or use replaceable inserts so you avoid wearing out the hitting area.
Custom hitting strips are very narrow (around 1 ft wide) but extremely durable. They are often built into simulator setups and provide the most realistic strike because the turf fibres are long and dense. Many players pair a hitting strip with a standing mat or platform for the best mix of feel and forgiveness.
Summary
- Size: At least 4 ft wide; bigger (1.5 m × 1.5 m) mats give more stability and variety.
- Thickness: Backing ≥ 10 mm; turf ≥ 10 mm (ideally 35 mm) for down-and-through swings.
- Materials: EVA foam/rubber backing and durable synthetic turf.
- Portability vs realism: Portable mats are light and affordable; range mats and hitting strips provide more realistic ball flight and joint protection.
A well‑chosen mat protects your body, lasts longer and makes practice more enjoyable. If you want a durable, forgiving mat with realistic turf, check out Backyard Golf’s Classic Range Mat and Fairway Pro Range Mat. Our mats combine heavy‑duty synthetic fibres, thick backing and shock‑absorption technology.