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- Tour-level strike feedback: Premium turf and optional hitting inserts replicate real fairway divots, giving you precise feel and launch data indoors.
- Lower lifetime cost: Swap out the 12" × 30" hitting strip (not the whole mat) so heavy practice doesn't drain your budget.
- Swing longer, hurt less: Thick cushioning absorbs impact to protect wrists and elbows.
Carl's Place HotShot Golf Hitting Mat
The Carl's Place HotShot is a modular golf hitting mat with a replaceable hitting strip, so you swap the worn zone instead of replacing the entire mat. Every size is 1 3/4 inches thick, and Carl's Place designs the mat to be anti-fatigue and easy on the joints during long practice sessions.
Available in four sizes (4x5, 5x8, 4x9, 6x10) with three hitting strip options: Standard (real-tee compatible), Foam Divot (joint-friendly cushion), and Gel Divot (tour-level fairway feel). Left- and right-hand compatible with multiple tee positions. Designed and manufactured in Milton, Wisconsin.
Why Golfers Choose the HotShot
Replaceable Hitting Strip
The 30 x 12-inch hitting strip is a separate, replaceable insert. Replace only the wear zone, not the entire mat. Saves hundreds of dollars over the life of the mat.
Joint-Friendly Cushion
The 1 3/4-inch mat is anti-fatigue and easy on the joints, per Carl's Place. Practice for hours without the wrist, elbow, and shoulder pain that cheap mats cause.
Three Insert Options
Standard for real-tee play. Foam Divot for maximum cushion. Gel Divot for tour-level fairway feel. Switch between them to match your training goals.
Simulator-Ready Height
The mat is 1 3/4 inches thick in every size. Carl's Place says its hitting strips also fit other mats or flooring systems that measure around 1 3/4 inches tall.
Four Size Options
4x5 for tight spaces. 5x8 for offset hitting. 4x9 for center-hitting setups. 6x10 for full-size rooms. Every size fits left- and right-handed golfers.
Made in Wisconsin
Designed and manufactured by Carl's Place in Milton, Wisconsin. High-end fiber turf. Optional non-slip EPDM rubber base.
Three Hitting Strip Options
Every strip is 30 x 12 x 1 3/4 inches and drops into any HotShot mat size. Swap between feels by pressing the strip into the hitting area and working the turf edges back into place.
- Standard Strip, Real-Tee All-Rounder: Made from the same turf as the mat itself, and it accepts real tees. Carl's Place says it delivers a consistent, familiar feel. The most versatile option and a reliable, all-around choice that holds up well across different swing types.
- Foam Divot Strip, Joint-Friendly Cushion: Softer and designed to save your joints: Carl's Place calls it the most forgiving option on your joints. It does not punish fat shots the way gel does. A popular pick for longer practice sessions, family play, and entertainment-focused setups.
- Gel Divot Strip, Tour-Level Fairway Feel: A responsive gel core designed to mimic real turf, so the club interacts with the strip whether you take a divot or chunk a shot. The most realistic feel of the three strips. That realism can be more demanding on your joints, and golfers who often hit behind the ball may see faster wear. Best for players who prioritize realism and consistent ball-first contact.
All three strips are available as individual replacements, so you can try different types without buying a new mat.
Who Should Buy the HotShot?
Home Simulator Builders
You want a premium hitting surface that matches your launch monitor investment. The modular design lets you replace the hitting area without replacing the entire mat.
High-Volume Practicers
You hit 100+ balls a session. The Foam Divot strip is designed to save your joints, while the replaceable design keeps your cost-per-swing low over time.
Golfers with Joint Pain
Wrist, elbow, or shoulder issues make cheap mats painful. The HotShot mat plus the Foam Divot strip, which Carl's Place says is softer and designed to save your joints, is our pick for sore joints.
Budget-Conscious Players
Replacement strips start at $79.95 instead of $499.95 or more for a whole new mat. Replace only the strip, not the whole mat.
Thick in Every Size
Anti-fatigue and easy on the joints, per Carl's Place. Practice for hours on concrete, hardwood, or tile without the wrist, elbow, and shoulder pain that thin mats cause. Three swappable hitting strips let you dial in the exact feel you want.
Mat Size Guide
Choose based on your room dimensions and hitting preference. The 4x5 is the most compact; the 6x10 gives maximum coverage.
| Size | Hitting Position | Best For | Standard Strip | Foam Strip | Gel Strip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4' x 5' | Offset | Tight spaces, small rooms | $499.95 | $649.95 | $699.95 |
| 5' x 8' | Offset | Standard sim rooms | $765.90 | $915.90 | $965.90 |
| 4' x 9' | Center | Center-hitting setups | $779.95 | $929.95 | $979.95 |
| 6' x 10' | Center | Full-size rooms, commercial | $1,059.95 | $1,209.95 | $1,259.95 |
HotShot vs Other Premium Golf Mats
Here is how the Carl's Place HotShot compares to other popular golf simulator hitting mats.
| Feature | Carl's Place HotShot | FiberBuilt Player Preferred | SIG PRO Softy | TrueStrike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitting Surface | Fiber turf (3 options) | Pure Impact Turf | Nylon turf | Gel-filled divot section |
| Replaceable Zone | Yes: 30x12" strip | Yes: 2' x 4' Pure Impact Turf panel | Yes: hitting strip | Yes: gel insert |
| Mat Thickness | 1 3/4" (all sizes) | Varies by model | 2.5" total height, foam backing | 2" total height |
| Real Tees | Yes (Standard strip) | Yes (Friction-Fit Tee Holder) | Yes (Teeline turf) | Yes (TrueTee holder) |
| Size Range | 4x5 to 6x10 | 7x4 to 12x4 studio mats | 4x7 and 4x10 | Portable, Static, Single, Double, Academy |
| Made In | USA (Wisconsin) | USA | USA | UK |
| Starting Price | $499.95 | $1,499 (8x4) | $999.99 | ~$600 |
| Best For | Modular design, cost savings, joint protection | Durability, low maintenance | Soft feel, real tees | Realistic divot simulation |
Browse our full golf hitting mats collection to find the right mat for your setup.
Getting Started with Your HotShot
1. Choose Your Size
Measure your hitting area. The 4x5 fits tight spaces; the 6x10 covers full rooms. Leave 6 inches clearance on all sides.
2. Pick Your Strip
Standard for everyday use and real tees. Foam for joint protection. Gel for the most realistic fairway feel. You can always add more strips later.
3. Add the Base
The optional non-slip rubber base prevents the mat from shifting during hard swings and adds extra cushioning. Strongly recommended for hard floors.
4. Drop In and Swing
Press the hitting strip into the hitting area, or insert it up from the bottom, so it sits flush, then work the edges to pull the turf back into place. Position the mat in front of your screen, align with your launch monitor, and start hitting.
5. Maintain
Brush the turf occasionally to keep fibers upright. When the hitting strip shows wear, replace just the strip.
6. Upgrade Anytime
Want to try a different feel? Order a Foam or Gel strip and swap it in. The replaceable hitting area helps extend the life of the mat.
Replace the Strip. Not the Mat.
In stock. Ships free. Financing available through Affirm.
Add to CartLearn More About Golf Simulator Mats
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Fiberbuilt vs Carl's Place HotShot
Two of the most popular golf simulator mats compared on feel, durability, divot simulation, and price.
What Size Golf Simulator Mat Do You Need?
A complete room size guide to choosing the right mat dimensions for your simulator space and swing style.
Gel Strip vs Foam Strip: Which Divot System Is Best?
How gel strip, foam strip and no-insert golf mats compare as divot systems.
Best Golf Simulator Mats Under $700
Our golf simulator mat picks under $700.
Your Purchase is in Good Hands
1-888-871-6110
From the moment you first contact us, we offer the very best advice and service to find the right product at the right price. We do not just sell boxes: we help you build the sim room you have been planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the Standard Strip if you want real-tee compatibility and the lowest cost: Carl's Place calls it the most versatile option. Choose the Foam Divot Strip for longer practice sessions or if you have wrist, elbow, or shoulder pain: Carl's Place calls it the most forgiving option on your joints. Choose the Gel Divot Strip if you want the most realistic fairway feel: Carl's Place rates it the most realistic of its three strips, and that realism can be more demanding on your joints. You can always buy additional strips later and swap them in.
Strip life depends on how often and how you hit. Carl's Place says normal wear should be expected, golfers who often hit behind the ball may see faster wear on the Gel Divot strip, and rotating your position on the mat spreads wear more evenly. When the strip wears, you replace just the 30 x 12-inch strip for $79.95 to $279.95 instead of buying an entire new mat starting at $499.95.
Yes. The HotShot is a 1 3/4-inch hitting mat, and Carl's Place pairs it with launch monitors such as the Uneekor EYE XO, EYE XO2, SkyTrak ST MAX, Garmin Approach R50, FlightScope Mevo Gen2 in its own simulator packages. Carl's Driver and Iron Tees are black to avoid launch monitor ball reading interference and fit the Standard insert only.
The HotShot has three swappable hitting strips at $79.95 to $279.95 each. FiberBuilt Player Preferred uses a Pure Impact Turf panel with a vibration absorption layer that FiberBuilt says absorbs 94.7% of clubhead vibration at impact, and its friction-fit tee holders take real tees. Price: HotShot starts at $499.95, and the FiberBuilt Player Preferred 8x4 is $1,499. If cost-per-year matters most, go HotShot. If you want the Pure Impact Turf panel, go FiberBuilt. We wrote a full FiberBuilt vs HotShot comparison if you want the full breakdown.
Yes. The 30 x 12 x 1 3/4-inch HotShot strips can be installed into any mat or flooring system that is approximately 1 3/4 inches thick. Cut out a section of your existing mat to 30 x 12 inches, drop in the HotShot strip, and you have an instant upgrade with a replaceable hitting zone. Many golfers retrofit HotShot strips into DIY turf flooring and third-party mats.
4x5: Best for tight spaces and small sim bays. Compact stance area. 5x8: Offset hitting area on a larger mat than the 4x5. 4x9: Best for center-hitting setups where you stand in the middle. 6x10: Maximum coverage for large rooms, commercial facilities, or teaching studios. Measure your room width and leave at least 6 inches of clearance on each side.
Yes. Carl's Place says to place the mat on a firm, level surface, and a concrete garage or basement floor qualifies. For more cushioning, add the optional non-slip rubber base, which Carl's Place says adds an extra layer of cushion to protect your joints.
Yes. Carl's Place designs HotShot mats to be lightweight and portable. If you need a setup that shares space with other activities (home gym, parking), the 4x5 is the smallest size Carl's Place offers.
The Standard hitting strip accepts real tees, and each HotShot mat has three holes in its hitting area for a rubber tee holder. The Foam Divot and Gel Divot strips cannot take a real tee: use Carl's Indoor Golf Tees, plastic tees that sit on top of the mat and work with every hitting insert.
Replacement HotShot Hitting Strips are available right here at Top Shelf Golf in Standard ($79.95), Foam Divot ($229.95), and Gel Divot ($279.95). Hitting strips ship ground at a flat $14 per strip within the contiguous 48 states.
Yes. We offer Affirm financing on all orders. Split your purchase into monthly payments and pre-qualify without affecting your credit score. Select Affirm at checkout. 0% APR may be available depending on eligibility.
Carl's Place hitting mats are wearable goods, so they do not carry a warranty. The hitting strip takes the wear by design, which is why it is sold separately and replaceable. If something looks wrong when it arrives, send us photos and your order number and we will take it up with Carl's Place. Top Shelf Golf offers 30-day returns on new, unused mats (15% restocking fee may apply). For details, see our Return Policy or call 1-888-871-6110.
Explore our full lineup of golf hitting mats and golf simulator packages, or call us at 1-888-871-6110 for expert help choosing the right setup.
