Golf Simulator Hitting Mat: Size, Thickness & Tees

A hitting mat sets your stance, your tee options, and even how high your ball sits for the launch monitor. Here's what to check, with maker-stated specs for three mats side by side.

Size and handedness

Mat size decides two things: where you stand and where the ball sits. A small mat can work for one golfer. A wider mat gives room for players of both hands.

Look at how the maker describes the layout:

Fiberbuilt Player Preferred Studio Mat 7'x4' is 85" wide x 49" deep. It has a 1'x4' hitting panel, a 4'x4' stance mat, and a 2'x4' spacer mat for ball trays or face-on launch monitors. Fiberbuilt says it "allows for either right- or left-handed players."
SIGPRO Softy 4'x10' is 4' x 10' with a hitting strip that measures 28" x 12".
SIGPRO Softy LITE 4'x5' is 4' x 5' and is described as a single stance area.

One note on the Fiberbuilt 7'x4': its hitting panel is narrower than the 2' panel on the 8'x4' version. Fiberbuilt recommends it "only for home use," since the narrow panel gives less room to vary ball placement. Fiberbuilt also lists it as a limited-time offering.

If you plan for two-handed play, check your launch monitor too. Uneekor's EYE XO2 guide asks you to "consider if you expect both left-handed and right-handed players," and Foresight's GC3S has a left/right-handed mode setting.

Hitting surface: what the makers say

Here is what each maker says about its hitting surface:

Fiberbuilt uses Pure Impact Turf, which it calls "launch monitor tested." It sits on a Vibration Absorption Layer that Fiberbuilt says "absorbs 94.7% of the clubhead vibration," over a modular rubber base.
SIGPRO Softy uses Teeline turf on a replaceable hitting strip, with a soft foam backing. The Indoor Golf Shop describes a 1-inch layer of Teeline turf.
SIGPRO Softy LITE uses putting turf on its replaceable hitting strip, over a thin foam base.

A replaceable strip or panel matters because the spot where you hit wears first. Being able to swap just that part is worth checking.

Tee options

Can you hit driver off a real tee? This varies a lot:

Fiberbuilt 7'x4': Yes. A Friction-Fit Tee Holder fits in the hitting panel holes so you can use real tees.
SIGPRO Softy 4'x10': Yes. The maker says you can "use a real tee and adjust tee height" on the hitting strip.
SIGPRO Softy LITE 4'x5': No. The maker says its strip "CANNOT take a real tee."

If driver practice matters to you, this is a deal-breaker check.

Thickness and ceiling height

Mat thickness is easy to overlook. Every inch of mat raises both the ball and the golfer. In a room with a low ceiling, that inch comes out of your swing room (see our ceiling height guide).

Stated heights:

Fiberbuilt 7'x4': 1.75" tall
SIGPRO Softy 4'x10': 2.5" tall
SIGPRO Softy LITE 4'x5': 1-1/4" thick

Thickness also matters for overhead units. Uneekor's EYE XO2 guide gives a 9 to 10 foot mounting height, measured "from ground to sensor," not from the mat. The same guide recommends a mat "at least 1.5" deep/thick" if you use your own.

Weight is another practical point. Fiberbuilt lists its 7'x4' at 122 lbs. The SIGPRO Softy 4'x10' is listed at 31 lbs. The Softy LITE rolls up and is meant for indoor use and storage.

What your launch monitor needs from the mat

Floor-level launch monitors need to sit at the right height next to your mat. A thick mat can leave them too low.

Foresight GC3S: The manual says, "If you are using a hitting mat, make sure the GC3S is raised to the same level as the hitting surface." Foresight's help center adds that ground-placed units next to thicker mats may need to be raised about 1" to 1.5".
Foresight (all units): The mat should be "firmly secured" and not move during the swing. The surface should be level and free from flexing or lifting.
Uneekor EYE MINI: "Ensure that your EYE MINI is level with the hitting surface."
Garmin Approach R10: It sits 6 to 8 feet behind the ball. If you use a golf mat, "make sure the bottom edge of the launch monitor sits above the mat."
Rapsodo MLM2PRO: Rapsodo warns that "a tilted mat or uneven net" can affect your data, and the unit must be level.
SkyTrak: SkyTrak has separate ball placement guidance for hitting off a tee and directly off the mat.

The Fiberbuilt spacer mat is designed to hold a face-on launch monitor or ball tray. That can help keep a side-mounted unit close to the hitting surface.

Side-by-side: maker-stated specs

Mat	Size	Height	Real tee?	Handedness (as stated)	Surface	Source
Fiberbuilt Player Preferred Studio 7'x4'	85" W x 49" D	1.75"	Yes (Friction-Fit Tee Holder)	Right- or left-handed	Pure Impact Turf, vibration layer, rubber base	Fiberbuilt product page
SIGPRO Softy 4'x10'	4' x 10'	2.5"	Yes (on hitting strip)	Not stated	Teeline turf strip, foam backing	Indoor Golf Shop product page
SIGPRO Softy LITE 4'x5'	4' x 5'	1-1/4"	No	Single stance area	Putting turf strip, thin foam base	Indoor Golf Shop product page

Who each suits, based on stated specs:

Fiberbuilt 7'x4': home setups that want real tees, both-handed play, and a spot for a side-mounted launch monitor.
SIGPRO Softy 4'x10': wider bays where you want real tees and a long, light mat.
SIGPRO Softy LITE 4'x5': small spaces, renters, or anyone who needs to roll the mat up, and who is fine without a real tee.

What's under the mat

Fiberbuilt says to install on a "firm and level surface like concrete, packed gravel, asphalt or a solid deck," and not on bare ground or grass. The SIGPRO pages we checked don't mention floor type or underlay. If you're unsure, ask the maker before you buy.

Mat checklist

Mat fits your room width and depth, with space to stand
Works for every golfer's hand (left, right, or both)
Takes a real tee, if you'll hit driver
Hitting strip or panel is replaceable
Mat height checked against your ceiling
Launch monitor can be raised to the hitting surface level
Floor is firm and level, and the mat won't shift
Weight works for your floor and whether you need to move it

FAQ

What size hitting mat do I need for a golf simulator?

It depends on your room and who plays. A 4' x 5' mat covers a single stance area. Wider mats, like 4' x 10', or layouts that state both-handed use, give room for left- and right-handed golfers.

How thick should a golf simulator mat be?

There's no single answer. The three mats here range from 1-1/4" to 2.5". Uneekor recommends at least 1.5" for its EYE XO2. Remember that a thicker mat raises you and the ball, which matters under a low ceiling.

Can you use a real tee on a golf simulator mat?

On some. The Fiberbuilt 7'x4' and the SIGPRO Softy 4'x10' take real tees, per their makers. The SIGPRO Softy LITE does not.

Does my launch monitor need to be level with the mat?

For many, yes. Foresight and Uneekor both say to set the unit level with the hitting surface. Garmin says the R10's bottom edge should sit above the mat.

Can I put a hitting mat on concrete?

Fiberbuilt lists concrete as a suitable firm, level surface for its mat. Check with your mat's maker if it isn't stated.

Plan the rest of your room

A mat is one piece of the puzzle. Check your space with our golf simulator room dimensions guide, then try the free room-fit builder to see what fits.

Choosing a Golf Simulator Hitting Mat: What Actually Matters