If you live in the UK and are still out golfing at this time of year, there’s a high chance that you will be required by your club to carry and use a winter golf fairway mat. This ruling is put in place by many golf clubs up and down the country in order to help protect the golf course, especially parkland courses or those that don’t drain quite as well as others, and is usually a non-negotiable.
The good news, however, is that winter golf mats have improved considerably over the last few years and there are now many mats on the market that are portable, hardwearing, easy to hit off of and reasonably priced.
In this blog post, I’ve pulled together a list of the very best winter golf mats out there, taking into account price, portability and customer reviews, so you can spend less time researching and more time golfing this winter.
Masters Launch Rocket Golf Mat
The Masters Launch Rocket portable golf mat is compact enough to fit in your pocket or golf bag (perfect for those of you who carry), and can be used on the fairway, around the green and even on the tee thanks to the two additional rubber tees – perfect for those frosty mornings when the tee cannot penetrate the ground!
Key Features:
- Small, portable and lightweight
- Very reasonably priced
- Comes with two different height tees
Customers love the convenience of this mat and appreciate how easy it is to carry and use on the course. It’s especially valued for its flexibility and portability.
What the customers say
Powerhouse Golf Winter Fairway Mat
The Powerhouse golf mat is durable, double-sided and specifically designed to withstand tough weather conditions, even when temperatures drop below -20°C. It’s portable, lightweight, and hard-wearing.
Key Features:
- Durable plastic that won’t break even in freezing temperatures
- Grippers on the underside to prevent movement
- Compact and portable design
- Two playing surfaces for versatility
Golfers appreciate the mat’s practicality and portability and like the fact it is double-sided. There are some concerns about its durability from some users but this is only a small sample.
What the customers say
Champkey Premium Synthetic Turf Winter Golf Mat
This Chamkey premium golf mat provides a real turf feel and benefits from a sturdy rubber base with excellent shock absorption. Although larger and heavier than the two mats above, it is still portable and comes with rubber and plastic tees.
Key Features:
- 16mm synthetic turf surface for real fairway simulation
- Rubber backing for shock absorption and non-slip use
- Includes multiple plastic tees for varying heights
Most customers find this mat ideal for practice in the garden or use on the golf course due to its weight and sturdiness, although some have concerns about the grass and glue quality.
What the customers say
GG Innovations Winter Golf Fairway Mat
This GG Innovations compact winter golf mat is affordable, portable, benefits from realistic turf, and comes with a rubber tee. The carrying loop is a nice addition for those of you who carry your clubs during the off-season.
Key Features:
- Realistic turf surface
- Compact and portable design
- Durable enough for rigorous use
Users love its portability and realistic feel of this winter golf mat.
What the customers say
SPURK GOLF Winter Strike Golf Mat
With its innovative claw system, this Spurk winter golf mat locks into the ground to prevent movement and is one of the most popular winter golf mats on the market. It’s designed to protect the course during winter and assist with aeration thanks to its claws, although I have my doubts about how well this mat will work when the fairways are frozen and the spikes can’t penetrate the ground.
Key Features:
- The claw system prevents mat movement
- Protects fairways and supports aeration
- Stable and secure design
Golfers appreciate the stability and build quality of this mat. It’s considered one of the best winter mats, though some customers question its value for money.
What the customers say
Callaway Super-Sized FT Launch Zone Golf Mat
This large, durable mat is perfect for practice in the garden or taking to the golf course – both of which I do regularly as an owner of this Callaway Launch Zone winter golf mat. Its heavy rubber base allows for compression and to helps to keep the mat in position. It also comes with a rubber tee holder – which allows you to insert your own tees. I’ve owned and used this mat for over five years and consider it to be the very best winter golf mat on the market, however, it does have some weight so may be better suited to those of you with space in your carry bag or a golf trolley.
Key Features:
- Durable construction for long-lasting use
- Rubber backing for compression and stability
- Rubber tee holder allows the use of your own tees
While customers appreciate the solid construction and surface quality, some find the mat heavy and less portable than other options.
What the customers say
So there you have it, six excellent options to help keep the green keepers happy and you playing your best golf this winter. If you’ve used any of these golf mats or know of other options I’ve not mentioned, please let me know in the comments area below.
Now, carrying on the winter golf theme, why not check out my ‘How to choose the right golf balls for winter conditions‘ and ‘The benefits of using colourful optic golf balls this winter‘ blog posts if you haven’t already done so?