Choosing the Right Hitting Strip

One of the most common questions I get from customers at SimCaddy, especially those investing in a new hitting mat or upgrading their indoor setup, is:
“Which Carl’s Place hitting strip is right for me?”

It’s a great question, and like most things in golf simulation, the answer depends on how you swing, what you want to feel, and how much time you plan to spend on the mat. As someone who plays a lot of indoor golf, both testing gear and playing competitively during our long Canadian winters, I’ve logged a ton of hours on each of Carl’s three hitting strip options: the Standard Divot Strip, the Foam Divot Strip, and the Gel Divot Strip.

Each has its merits. Each suits a different type of golfer. And not all of them will feel right if your goal is to replicate outdoor turf interaction as closely as possible. Here’s what I’ve found, and what you should consider before you decide.

The Standard Divot Strip Insert

The Standard Divot Strip is the most accessible and balanced choice for everyday indoor golfers. It’s firm enough to give you feedback when you strike the turf improperly but forgiving enough not to punish you with sore joints after a long session. If you're new to golf simulators or want a strip that holds up over time without breaking the bank, this is the smart pick.

Carl’s Place offers three hitting mat inserts: Standard, Foam Flex, and Gel Touch.

That said, if you’re a steeper swinger (someone who naturally takes a divot), the Standard insert can feel a little restrictive through the turf. That might subtly encourage you to pick the ball instead of compressing it. Still, if you’re looking for long-term durability and all-around performance at the best value, this remains a strong choice. For all-purpose reliability and simplicity, the Standard is where most golfers should start.

The Standard is also the least expensive option of the three, which is part of what makes it such a go-to for residential and commercial builds alike. You get reliable feedback, long-lasting durability, and a solid overall feel.

Bottom Line: Reliable, Durable, and a Smart Starting Point

The Foam Divot Strip Insert

The Foam Divot Strip is ideal for golfers who value comfort and joint relief over turf realism. It’s the most forgiving option of the three, offering exceptional shock absorption that makes it perfect for high-volume practice sessions, especially for players with elbow, shoulder, or wrist sensitivity. You can hit balls for hours without feeling it the next day.

But that comfort comes with a compromise. The soft foam absorbs mishits rather than revealing them, which means players working on compressing the ball or refining their strike may not get the honest feedback they need. It’s incredibly easy on the body, but it also tends to mask poor contact.

Durability is moderate; it holds up well for regular home use, but it will wear faster than the more robust Gel insert. Priced between the Standard and Gel options, the Foam insert strikes a practical balance for casual golfers, beginners, or anyone recovering from injury. It’s the most approachable hitting surface of the three: friendly, forgiving, and built for longevity in comfort, not realism.

Bottom Line: Maximum Comfort, Minimum Resistance

The Gel Divot Strip INSERT

Of the three, the Gel Divot Strip comes closest to recreating the feel of real grass. It’s designed with a proprietary gel layer that compresses at impact, giving you a realistic sense of resistance and follow-through, as if you were taking a shallow divot outdoors.

The transition from Standard to Gel was meaningful for me. The Gel insert doesn’t grab the club, which frees up the swing and makes the experience feel much more like hitting off natural turf. It offers excellent feedback, especially on fat shots. You’ll know instantly when you’ve hit one heavy, and the strike will feel appropriately punished (which is a good thing when you're working on ball-first contact).

In terms of durability, it’s the best of the bunch. The materials hold up incredibly well even under daily use. It’s slightly more expensive than the Foam version, but with that comes superior realism and a longer lifespan, making it a worthy investment for golfers who want a truly immersive simulator experience.

That said, even with today’s most advanced mats, it’s important to acknowledge that nothing fully replicates hitting off real turf. Just look at TGL, the new tech-forward professional golf league. Their players hit off actual turf platforms, not synthetic mats. That choice alone underscores the limitations of even the best indoor hitting surfaces. When precision and feel matter at the highest level, real turf still wins and that’s worth keeping in mind as we evaluate what indoor mats can and can’t do.

Bottom Line: The Closest Thing to Outdoor Turf (Without the Grass)

Transitioning Back to Outdoor Golf

If you're anything like me, the first few outdoor rounds in spring come with a bit of a reality check. Indoor hitting strips, no matter how advanced, don’t let you take a true divot, and that can lead to some swing habits that don’t fully translate outdoors.

Over time, indoor golfers (myself included) tend to develop a cleaner “picking” motion to avoid the jarring resistance from traditional mats. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can mean your first few rounds outside are full of thin shots or awkward turf interaction.

This is where the Gel insert earns its keep. Because it allows for a more natural club path and turf-like feedback, it helps you maintain a more authentic swing plane, one that doesn’t shy away from compressing the ball and hitting down through it. That means less rust to shake off when the season starts, and a smoother transition from sim to course.

Quick Comparison Chart

Final Thoughts

There’s no wrong answer when choosing a hitting strip, just a question of what matters most to you. If your priority is comfort and ease, go with the Foam Divot Strip. If you want a versatile mat that works for anyone, the Standard insert is still a strong choice. But if you’re chasing the most authentic turf feel and a swing that holds up outdoors, the Gel strip is absolutely worth the upgrade.

As always, if you're not sure which strip to go with, feel free to reach out directly. I’ve personally tested all three and helped dozens of customers make the right call based on their swing style, simulator setup, and golf goals.

– Tom Murray, Founder & President of SimCaddy