The Best Golf Hitting Mat in Australia? An Honest Look at the RooStrike
If you're searching for the best golf hitting mat in Australia, you'll find plenty of options. We'll be upfront: the RooStrike Hitting Mat is our own design, so we're not neutral. What we can do is explain exactly how it's built, why we made the choices we did, and who we think it suits (and who it doesn't), so you can judge for yourself.
The short version: the RooStrike was designed for golfers who hit a lot of balls into a simulator and are sick of replacing whole mats because one spot wore out.
Quick answer:
- Price: $349 with the Standard hitting insert fitted.
- Complete bundle: the RooStrike plus both the Fairway (3D) and Tee Box inserts for $499, a $48 saving on buying them separately.
- Size: 1.5m x 1.2m, 38mm thick, 21kg.
- Build: 15mm dense curly nylon, 20mm EVA cushioning, 3mm non slip rubber base.
- The key feature: a 75 x 30cm replaceable hitting insert. Replacement and upgrade inserts are $99.
- Best for: frequent simulator users and anyone running a camera based launch monitor.
In this guide: What makes a great mat · Specs · Why each layer · Stability & accuracy · Mat ownership · Three inserts · Custom builds · Who it suits · Verdict · FAQ
What makes a great golf hitting mat?
A good mat is more than something to hit off. For simulator use, the things that matter most are:
- Realistic club to turf interaction
- Comfort through long sessions
- Staying put, so your launch monitor sees the ball in the same place every shot
- Resistance to wear and compression
- The long term cost of keeping it in good condition
Plenty of mats nail one or two of these. The RooStrike was designed around all five for high use home sims. If you want the wider comparison first, our golf simulator hitting mat guide covers every mat we stock.
RooStrike specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.5m x 1.2m x 38mm |
| Weight | 21kg |
| Stance turf | 15mm dense curly nylon |
| Cushioning | 20mm supportive EVA |
| Base | 3mm non slip rubber |
| Hitting zone | 75 x 30cm interchangeable insert |
| Included | RooStrike Standard Hitting Insert, fitted and ready to hit |
| Optional inserts | Fairway Insert (3D) and Tee Box Insert, $99 each |
| Price | $349 |
| Complete bundle | Mat plus Fairway (3D) and Tee Box inserts, $499 |
Why each layer was chosen
15mm dense curly nylon turf. The stance area takes constant twisting and rotation from your feet on every swing. Dense, curled nylon holds up to that far better than loose, straight fibres, which tend to flatten and pull out.
20mm supportive EVA foam. A thick, supportive layer underfoot keeps the mat comfortable over long sessions and helps the turf above hold its structure over time.
3mm non slip rubber base. This reinforces the whole mat and grips the floor, so it doesn't creep during driver sessions.
Put together with the replaceable insert, the idea is simple: build the stance surface to last years, and make the highest wear part cheap and quick to swap.
Why stability matters for launch monitor accuracy
This is the most overlooked feature of any simulator mat. Every swing sends rotational force through your feet into the mat. On lighter mats, that force slowly walks the mat across the floor, especially during driver sessions.
It sounds minor, but it matters. Many launch monitors, particularly camera based units, read the ball inside a defined capture zone. As the mat drifts, the ball's position relative to the launch monitor drifts with it, which can affect:
- Ball capture reliability
- Data consistency from session to session
- Club data accuracy
- Alignment with your simulator calibration
At 21kg with a rubber base, the RooStrike stays where you put it. If you've invested in a quality launch monitor, a stable platform is one of the cheapest ways to protect the consistency of your numbers.
A smarter approach to mat ownership
Most golfers hit from almost the same spot every swing. Eventually that spot is worn while the rest of the mat still looks new, and with a traditional mat you're buying a whole replacement.
The RooStrike's 75 x 30cm insert means you only replace the part that wears. A replacement insert is $99, less than a third of the price of a new mat. The oversized zone also gives you room to move your ball position around and spread the wear, so each insert lasts longer.
- Lower long term running costs
- Less waste
- Consistent hitting performance as inserts are refreshed
- A stance surface built to outlast several inserts
Three inserts, one mat
Every RooStrike ships with the Standard insert fitted. From there, you can change the hitting feel without changing the mat:
| Insert | Construction | Why you'd choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (included) | Durable all round hitting surface, sits flush | Everyday simulator practice with a good balance of realism and longevity |
| Fairway Insert (3D) | 15mm curled turf, 10mm shock fibre system, 10mm NBR foam, 3mm rubber base. Sits flush | A more cushioned, fairway like strike. Lets you compress the ball and push through the turf after impact |
| Tee Box Insert | 30mm tee up turf on 10mm shock absorbing EVA foam. Sits about 2mm higher due to the longer pile | Hitting driver and fairway woods off a real tee. Also lets you compress the ball and push through the turf after impact |
Why the Fairway (3D) and Tee Box inserts feel different. On a firm surface, the club has nowhere to go after it meets the ball, so it tends to bounce or skid off the mat, which jars your hands and can hide a heavy strike. The Fairway (3D) and Tee Box inserts have deeper, more forgiving construction that lets the club keep travelling down and through the turf after impact. That means you can hit down on the ball, compress it and follow through the way you would off a real fairway or tee, rather than pulling up to protect your wrists.
Rather than owning separate mats for different types of practice, you swap the insert to suit the session.
Get all three inserts for $499
Want every surface from day one? The RooStrike complete bundle gives you the mat with the Standard insert fitted, plus the Fairway (3D) and Tee Box inserts, for $499. Bought separately, that's $547, so you save $48.
Using RooStrike inserts in a custom build
The inserts aren't limited to the RooStrike mat. If you're laying wall to wall artificial turf in a dedicated sim room, you can cut a recess into the floor so an insert sits flush with the surrounding surface.
You get a clean, professional look, a dedicated hitting zone, and when it wears you replace a strip rather than a section of flooring. Our Tee-Line Hitting Turf Roll pairs well for this kind of floor.
Who the RooStrike suits (and who it doesn't)
It's a strong fit for:
- Dedicated home simulator owners who hit most weeks
- Launch monitor users, especially camera based units
- Coaching studios and commercial bays with heavy daily use
- Golfers who want to switch between iron and tee up surfaces on one mat
It may not be the right fit if:
- You hit a few buckets a year, where a cheaper one piece mat will do the job
- You want a full 1.5m x 1.5m surface to tee up anywhere, where a Premium Tee Turf mat makes more sense
- You specifically want to practise from the rough, where the Greenlush 3D is built for that
So, is it the best golf hitting mat in Australia?
The honest answer is that "best" depends on what you need. If you want a basic practice mat, there are cheaper options that will serve you fine.
But if your priorities are durability, stable launch monitor performance, a replaceable wear area, multiple hitting surfaces and a lower cost of ownership over time, the RooStrike is one of the strongest options available in Australia. At $349 it's priced below many one piece premium mats, and at $499 with all three inserts you get three hitting surfaces for less than the price of some single mats.
Rather than treating the mat as a disposable accessory, the RooStrike treats it as a long term platform. See the RooStrike Hitting Mat, or browse the full hitting mats range to compare.
Frequently asked questions
Does the RooStrike include a hitting insert?
Yes. Every RooStrike comes with the Standard Hitting Insert fitted, ready to hit from day one.
How big is the RooStrike's replaceable hitting area?
The interchangeable hitting zone is 75 x 30cm, large enough to vary your ball position and spread wear.
Do the RooStrike inserts sit flush with the mat?
The Standard and Fairway (3D) inserts sit flush. The Tee Box Insert sits about 2mm higher because of its taller turf.
How much does a replacement RooStrike insert cost?
Inserts are $99 each. See the RooStrike Hitting Inserts page for the current range.
Can I buy the RooStrike with all the inserts?
Yes. The RooStrike complete bundle includes the mat with the Standard insert fitted, plus the Fairway (3D) and Tee Box inserts, for $499. That's a $48 saving on buying them separately.
Why does a heavy mat help launch monitor accuracy?
A light mat can creep across the floor during a session, changing where the ball sits relative to your launch monitor. At 21kg with a non slip rubber base, the RooStrike holds its position.
Can I use RooStrike inserts without the mat?
Yes. They can be recessed into a custom turf floor so they sit flush with the surrounding surface, giving you a replaceable hitting zone in a wall to wall setup.