[ Home ]

Many attempts have been made to provide the practicing golfer with a golf mat system that has a more natural feel/impact response. This is a testament to the golf industry's dissatisfaction with current golf mat technology. FMP International is the exclusive world manufacturer of Virtual TurfTM Dynamic Golf Mat Practice Systems. We have had the opportunity to compare Virtual TurfTM golf mat systems to other golf mat products, with assistance from some of the world’s most respected master PGA teaching professionals. The overwhelming response regarding their dissatisfaction with other golf mat products is, traditional golf mats do not provide the practicing golfer with accurate shot execution feedback. While some golf mats are better than others, with regard to hazardous physical stress and equipment damage, no golf mat comes close to providing the quality of golf practice that is experienced using Virtual TurfTM. That alone makes the Virtual TurfTM golf mat systems, the best golf practice aid in the industry. And when you consider that Virtual TurfTM golf mats also eliminates physical stress and equipment damage, while providing perfect feedback, you have an extraordinary golf mat product. These conclusions are repeated time and time again from teaching professionals. Just take a look at our testimonials page HERE.  The ability of Virtual TurfTM golf mats to transmit useful, accurate shot execution feedback to the practicing golfer, without shock or vibration on miss-hits, is the basis for our trademark, Virtual Turf,TM.

Following, is a review of golf mat product options, and a brief explanation of why Virtual TurfTM golf mat technology is superior, and the most advanced golf mat surface in the world.

		The Virtual TurfTM "Spring" actually deflects or "Flexes" under impact to simulate a divot.  The composite spring is "tuned" to exactly duplicate the feel of taking a divot, without shock or stress to the body.

All Virtual TurfTM golf mat systems provide realistic ball flight and perfect impact feedback, while virtually eliminating physical stress and shock. Virtual TurfTM golf mat technology was developed with assistance from the Mechanical Engineering Department at Michigan State University, and the engineering departments of the top US suppliers of engineered resin systems and thermoplastics. The proprietary Virtual TurfTM golf mat practice surface is constructed using an aerospace industry born, high performance composite system, combined with state-of-the-art filament wound compounding and molding processes. The result is a spring material that is guaranteed to never wear out, and when used as a golf mat practice surface, has a feel so superior to all other golf mats, it belongs in its own product category "Dynamic Practice Systems."

Before Virtual TurfTM golf mat technology, no one had ever taken structural and material analysis and applied it to the feel and response of golf club impact. Thanks to the engineers and scientists, we were able to bring both of these criteria together to create a golf mat product that will never lose its feel/response. We've incorporated that technology into a  golf mat platform that is totally UV stable, is unaffected by heat or cold, will not warp or crack and has a complete modular component replacement design. One final attraction is an industry first, fully adjustable height, golf mat rubber tee.

[ Home ]

A material fill golf mat system. This golf mat surface is constructed of a long fiber synthetic turf which, when continually top dressed with synthetic beads of rubber and sand, provides a somewhat natural tee-line look. When compared to current "static" golf mats, the club head does not bounce as much, but shock associated with a fat shot is more extreme even then traditional golf mats. As the product ages and the fill continues to compact with rain and use, impact shock and physical stress continue to increase. The overriding concern with this golf mat product, from a facility owner’s standpoint, is maintenance. The surface when struck sends fill material flying. Unless the surface is continuously maintained, it quickly becomes extremely uneven, unsightly, and unused. The daily maintenance required in upkeep is very expensive and rarely done correctly, or in sufficient regularity. When the surface is not prepared correctly, the exposed fibers are torn away when struck. The construction of the product is very difficult, and requires a concrete pad.

This golf mat uses extra tall, stiff bristles for the golf mat striking surface, molded into panels of hard plastic, a bit like a commercial broom. The panels are mounted in a platform constructed of low end plastic (polypropylene) with an aluminum skeleton framework, or most recently a rubber frame. While the tall bristles do tend to allow the golfer to swing down and through the ball, there is no impact sensation, or feedback regarding swing or impact performance, and as such, ball flight is exaggerated. The bristles are so stiff that club head drag is experienced and causes additional "de-acceleration" and stress to the arms, shoulders, and wrists. The panels have a tendency to loosen in their aluminum holders, causing movement and noise.  The tall bristle design and corresponding minimal restriction to the descending blow, result in frequent bottoming out, causing heavy impact shock. Most experienced golfers still prefer a standard golf mat to the fluffy, unrealistic feel of the tall bristle systems.

The "standard golf mat," which is simply synthetic turf, laminated to foam polyethylene or PVC. These golf mats have been the standard artificial practice surface in the US driving range markets, since 1987. These golf mats are manufactured using nylon or polypropylene fibers, knitted or tufted into a "scrim," then attached by way of glue, either (urethane or epoxy) to a foam pad. The commercial grade premium golf mats cost approximately $250 - $325, and last for an average 150,000 - 180,000 shots, usually less than a year at a typical driving range. Cheaper versions of this type of golf mat are available, but generally not worth the savings. Some of the drawbacks of golf mats are extreme shock and vibration; causing equipment damage; short and long term physical injuries; the club head, on impact, tends to skip, or bounce into the ball, providing unrealistic performance feedback and ball flight; and the layered construction will quickly de-laminate or tear as a result of friction. A flat surface must be constructed (typically concrete) as an underlayment. The golfer is limited to a single height tee as his only option, and these golf mats tend to look worn very quickly.

[ Home ]

This site maintained by FMP International

webmaster@virtualturf.com

Copyright Fore-Mat Products Inc. / dba. FMP International / aka Virtual Turf 1994 - 2001. All rights reserved