Setting up a golf simulator mat is not as simple as dropping a hitting mat on a garage floor. A complete simulator setup requires two separate layers: a golf simulator flooring system that covers the entire bay and a dedicated golf simulator hitting mat placed on top as the striking surface. Getting both layers right makes the difference between a setup that feels like a real practice environment and one that feels like a mat on concrete.

This guide covers the All Turf Mats Sim Base System, the hitting mats that pair with it, and every practical question a golfer or facility manager needs answered before buying. The Sim Base is one of the few indoor golf mat systems that ships by standard carrier rather than freight, which changes the cost equation significantly for most buyers.

Base Turf vs Hitting Mat — Understanding the Difference

This is the most important concept in any golf simulator mat setup and the one most buyers get wrong. There are two separate jobs that need two separate products.

Using only a hitting mat without base turf means the area around your hitting position is bare floor. Using only base turf without a hitting mat means you are striking off a surface not designed for repeated ball-strike impact. Both layers working together is what creates a realistic, durable simulator setup.

Why Simulator Flooring Matters

Most golfers building a home simulator focus almost entirely on the launch monitor, screen, and projector. The flooring is often an afterthought. That is a mistake for a few reasons.

First, bare concrete or wood floors are hard underfoot during long sessions. Proper golf simulator flooring adds meaningful anti-fatigue cushioning that makes a real difference over a two-hour practice session. Second, a turf surface that Stimps correctly means casual putting within the bay rolls at a realistic speed rather than at an unrealistic pace. Third, a complete turf floor simply looks and feels like a real practice environment, which affects how seriously you approach each session.

The Sim Base System also protects the floor underneath. For garage setups on concrete, the SureGrip backing sits between the turf and the slab and takes the wear of daily foot traffic rather than the floor itself.

Sim Base System Explained

The Sim Base is a 15x15 foot Nylon turf system with SureGrip backing, designed specifically as golf simulator flooring. It covers a standard simulator bay completely. The face pile is 3/8 inch Nylon, the same material used across all All Turf Mats golf mat product lines. The SureGrip backing keeps the panels planted on flat indoor surfaces without sliding or bunching under normal foot traffic and swing movement.

Key confirmed specs:

• 15 x 15 foot total coverage area
• Nylon turf — UV-resistant, colorfast, residue-free
• SureGrip backing — strongest anti-slip backing in the All Turf Mats lineup
• 10-12 Stimp rating — realistic putting speed for casual in-bay putting
• 3/8 inch face pile, 1/2 inch total height
• Made in Dalton, Georgia
• PFAS-free and lead-free

3-Piece System vs Single Section — Which Is Right for You?

This is the decision that matters most for most buyers and the one that makes All Turf Mats' Sim Base genuinely different from most competitor products in this category.

The Problem With Large Simulator Turf

A 15x15 foot turf roll is a large, heavy item. Most suppliers ship it as freight, which adds significant cost — often $150 to $300 or more on top of the product price. For a home buyer setting up a garage simulator, freight shipping is a frustrating and expensive part of the process.

The 3-Piece Sim Base System

All Turf Mats solved this by cutting the 15x15 system into three 5x15 panels. Each panel ships by standard carrier rather than freight. The three panels assemble on-site to cover the full 15x15 bay area. The result is the same coverage at significantly lower shipping cost. For most home simulator builds, the 3-piece system is the right choice.

The Single Section Sim Base Turf

The single section version is one uncut 15x15 piece. This is the right choice for facility installs or buyers who prefer a seamless one-piece floor and have the means to receive a larger shipment. Both versions use the same Nylon turf and SureGrip backing.

SureGrip Backing for Simulator Floors

SureGrip is the strongest anti-slip backing in the All Turf Mats lineup. It outperforms foam, urethane, and natural rubber options in terms of grip on flat surfaces. For a simulator floor that needs to stay planted under the repeated footwork of a full swing, SureGrip is the right backing.

On smooth concrete garage floors, polished concrete, and wood subfloors — the most common surfaces in home simulator setups — SureGrip creates enough friction to keep the panels in place without taping or adhesive in most situations. For very smooth or polished surfaces, taping the panel edges provides additional security.

Stimp Rating on Simulator Turf

The Sim Base has a confirmed 10-12 Stimp rating. That is the same speed range as the True Roll Putting Green line and puts it well above the 6-7 Stimp of most generic indoor turf products.

For a simulator setup, this means two things. First, casual putting within the bay during warmups or between sessions rolls at a realistic pace rather than an artificially slow one. Second, the surface speed is consistent with what you would experience on a well-maintained course putting green, so any feel you develop on the Sim Base floor translates to real putting situations.

If serious putting practice within your simulator setup is a priority, All Turf Mats also makes the True Roll Putting Green line specifically for that purpose. The Sim Base handles casual putting well, but a dedicated putting green with cup holes and flag sets is the right choice for structured putting practice.

Best Hitting Mats to Pair With the Sim Base

The Sim Base is the floor. The hitting mat is the striking surface. All Turf Mats recommends two 5x5 options for pairing with the Sim Base depending on how you want to hit.

5x5 Super Tee Golf Mat with Shock-Absorbent Foam — For Wooden Tee Use

The Super Tee is the right choice when you want to use real wooden tees in your simulator setup. The 1 inch Nylon face pile holds wooden tees securely, giving you a tee-box style hitting experience. The 5/8 foam backing provides shock absorption and anti-fatigue cushioning during long sessions. With 8 rubber tee holes included, you also have rubber tee options for different shot types. At 40 lbs it stays planted on the Sim Base without shifting during your swing.

5x5 Fairway Golf Mat with Shock-Absorbent Foam — For Direct Hit and Rubber Tee Use

The Fairway mat is the right choice when you want to hit directly off the mat surface, practice chipping, or use rubber tees. The 3/8 inch Nylon face pile gives a tighter fairway-style lie and cleaner club contact than the Super Tee's longer pile. The same 5/8 foam backing provides shock absorption and anti-fatigue support. Eight rubber tee holes included.

Space and Ceiling Requirements

The Sim Base covers a 15x15 foot area. Before purchasing, confirm your simulator bay dimensions match or exceed that footprint. Most standard garage simulator bays run between 12 and 16 feet wide and 12 and 20 feet deep, so the 15x15 Sim Base fits comfortably in most standard two-car garage setups.

Ceiling Height

Ceiling height is the most commonly underestimated dimension in a home simulator build. For a full driver swing, most golfers need a minimum of 9 feet of clearance directly above the hitting position. Taller players or those with an upright swing plane may need 10 feet or more. Measure your ceiling at the exact hitting position before committing to a setup.

Side Clearance

Allow at least 3 to 4 feet of clearance on each side of the hitting position for a full swing without risk of club contact with walls or shelving. In a garage setup this usually means clearing the area of storage items within the swing arc.

Indoor Surface Compatibility

The Sim Base System is designed for indoor use on flat surfaces. Here is how it performs on the most common simulator floor surfaces.

Concrete Garage Floors

This is the most common home simulator surface and where the SureGrip backing performs extremely well. Concrete provides enough texture for the SureGrip to grip without taping in most cases. Standard garage concrete is the ideal surface for the Sim Base System.

Polished Concrete and Epoxy-Coated Floors

Very smooth or epoxy-coated concrete is more slippery than raw concrete. SureGrip still performs well on these surfaces, but taping the panel edges is recommended for maximum stability under swing movement.

Wood Subfloors and Hardwood

Wood floors are common in basement simulator setups. SureGrip performs well on wood. Taping is recommended on very smooth hardwood finishes. Avoid recommending adhesive on wood floors unless the customer wants a more permanent install.

Care, Cleaning and Storage

Cleaning

The Sim Base System can be cleaned with a hose or pressure washer to remove dirt, dust, and debris from the turf fibers. For indoor simulator use where the turf does not get muddy or dirty, regular vacuuming or brushing is typically sufficient for routine maintenance between deeper cleans.

Panel Storage

If you need to move or store the Sim Base panels, each 5x15 panel can be rolled for transport. The SureGrip backing and Nylon turf roll without cracking or damage. Allow 24 to 48 hours for panels to fully flatten after unrolling. A warm room speeds the flattening process.

Full Product Comparison

All four products in a complete All Turf Mats golf simulator mat setup. The Sim Base covers the floor. The hitting mat goes on top.

All products: Nylon turf, Made in Dalton, Georgia, PFAS-free and lead-free.

Shop the Full Simulator Setup

Frequently Asked Questions