Carl's Place HotShot Golf Mat with NEW Foam and Gel Divot Strips Review

[@jasonk4315]

Timely review. Am debating the softy vs Carl's foam. My issue with Carl's is that their 5x7 mat doesn't actually have room for a LM. The insert is too close to the edge. Apparently they may fix that in the future to make it more like the softy

[@friendly_golfer]

Thank you for adding that. I got that wrong in the video!

[@mustang43058]

Completely agree and in the same position. I wish the had a 4x8 like fiberbuilt player preferred

[@whaleshark2625]

Any updates on how you're getting along with the gel strip?

[@CharlieJ-p3i]

Great video! I am setting up a commercial indoor golf facility and debating between the Sig Pro and Carl's foam. It almost sounds like the difference is very subtle. And that's why I'm having more difficulty choosing. If you were setting this up for a commercial space where many different type of people will be hitting on, do you have a preference of one over the other? Originally, durability was an issue but since you can replace just the insert when it gets bad, I'm not too concerned about that. I'm also not too concerned about the little price difference. So ultimately, I guess I want the best feel (as natural as it gets) for my clients. If you can give me your honest opinion/suggestion between the two, I'd appreciate it.

[@mehlassociatescpas393]

My carls gel hitting strip just arrived, and after 5 shots on it I’m already scared to continue using it. I’ve never had joint pain but it felt way too shocky for me on a fat shot. Felt it in my wrist too. Wasn’t even scared going in cause I’ve never had any issues. But I’ll be returning for the Foam Strip asap.

[@friendly_golfer]

Thanks for sharing. I thought it felt fantastic but was only a little concerned for the long term. I think the foam strip will be much better for you.

[@cskard8289]

Any updates on gel and concern for injury/prior injury aggravation? Read several comments regarding concerns and would appreciate a one month update, if possible. Thank you

[@philipmehl9355]

I tried two out of three Carl’s Place hitting strips and unfortunately, they felt terrible and dangerous. Gave both a fair shake, but almost feels negligent that they even sell them. Went with the Sigg pro softy and I’m very happy with it. Looks like it may wear quickly, but still too early to tell. Either way replacing a mat is way better than any physical issues.

[@rdadams7507]

Sorry if someone already asked this, but I couldn’t find a similar question. For someone with wrist pain from their current mat, would you recommend the Carl’s foam insert or Sig Pro Softy?

[@docraheelc]

Would you recommend the Gel Divot Strip or the SigPro Softy?

[@scubamr2]

How does it compare to the Sig Pro Softy?

[@georgiakayaking5980]

with the foam mat, did you see or notice spin numbers changing versus any other mat? I tried a sigpro softy lite and my spin numbers dropped 2k rpm

[@irvinlee1800]

thank you for the review! i am definitely interested in the gel one if it does give that true divot interaction feeling. how heavy is the strip? i have the fiberbuilt grass hitting strip which i use OUTSIDE my country club elite stance mat. would i be able to use the gel strip outside the stance mat also without shifting too much on shots? the fiberbuilt one does fine.

[@friendly_golfer]

I'm not sure of the weight but it is pretty heavy. If you had anything to secure it in place I'm sure it would be fine. The only thing I'd worry about is the fiberbuilt grass doesn't take much force since the club just interacts with those bristles. The gel strip would probably be pushed forward after some swings I would think.

[@adamlubenow]

Hi, what did you end up going with? I have country club elite and I'm convinced its encouraging poor iron strikes (shallow low point and shallow attack angle). I'm just now starting to explore new solutions/mats. Would love your feedback/input.

[@jakesells2379]

Great video. Did you do any kind of treatment to treat your tennis elbow? I've found that scraping with a cheap physical therapy tool once or twice a week has pretty much fixed mine.

[@friendly_golfer]

I tried a bunch of stuff but ultimately extremely lightweight exercises with 1-3lb dumbells built the strength up and improved it more than anything. Also, nobody believes me but I liked to smoke cigars on the golf course. I quit them for a few months and my arm improved at the same time. Then I had one and it immediately flared up. I stopped completely and everything has been pretty good since. I dealt with it for around 2 years.

[@Evan_Rodgers]

@@friendly_golfer holding your elbow pinched for longer periods might be hurting your elbow more than the smoke itself.

[@friendly_golfer]

@ I wondered if it was anything like that too. Whatever it is I’m just glad it seems to have stopped.

[@OMG-2]

Good review but I have one question which you may be one of the few that can answer so I hope you see this I have had the Carl’s pro insert now for about a year. I also have an a mini like you and I have noticed using the view software that on swings where I strike the mat first, the ball can pop up in the air ever so slightly beating to a high center strike. Have you noticed this happening on either of the foam or the gel match they sell now? As an aside, I really wish they would consider putting a smoother surface along one edge for putting as overtime with any mat the hitting surface will get grooved and affect putt results.

[@friendly_golfer]

I have not noticed that but I know what you're talking about. It was very obvious when I tested the holy grail hitting strip. I don't think that would be as much of a problem and highly doubt it with the gel insert. I also noticed putting just outside the edge of the strip would have my ball falling towards the strip. That would be a nice add-on for any hitting mat - a little putting area just outside the hitting strip.

[@James-xg5rh]

Thanks for the info. So if you had to choose between the Softy or this Gel for someone not crazy concerned with injury, which would you choose? I’m stuck between those two.

[@friendly_golfer]

That’s really tough. I’ve had no complaints with the softy. Maybe whichever fits your space better? The gel does have more of a real divot feel that was really enjoyable. I guess I would probably choose the gel if I didn’t have any elbow issues and was building my setup from scratch. It is a bummer that there’s not space on the side for a launch monitor on the smaller sizes though.

[@whaleshark2625]

@@friendly_golfer does the Sig Softy Pro penalize heavy shots? I want to make sure I'm not ingraining "getting away" with heavy contact.

[@friendly_golfer]

In my opinion it is not so soft that you will get away with fat shots. I would consider the fiberbuilt grass or holy grail as ones that don't punish fat shots.

[@williamhumber5890]

I've made a similar gel mat using moneyputt turf and motorcycle seat gel and found it had a similar amazing feel (really feels like hitting off a fairway after it rains), but also a tendency to cause some joint discomfort. Did Carl's give you any information about the warranty on these? I've found the short pile turf wears out relatively fast and I wouldn't want to be replacing a nearly $300 insert every time the turf wears out.

[@friendly_golfer]

That’s pretty creative! I’m not aware of how long you should expect them to last. Probably no different than any other hitting strips of this style.

[@imuhbuckeye4696]

I did the same thing and my turf wore out early also. Stretched above the gel. It did feel great until I eventually tore it after a few thousand swings. I won't go gel again

[@philipmehl9355]

I think some Eva flooring comes in 1.25 inch

[@friendly_golfer]

The kind I got on Amazon had 1" as the biggest but I just noticed that Carl's has their own floor tiles coming soon that are 1.25" friendlygolfer.com/recommends/carls-floor-tiles/

[@whaleshark2625]

Any idea what thickness the rubber base is? I'm wondering if that takes it up to 2 inches

[@friendly_golfer]

Unfortunately I don’t know

[@ShooterMcGavin2424]

So is the Sigprosofty still the best hitting strip? I don’t have injury concerns but if I can get a hitting strip less thick than the Sigprosofty and still just as good I would be happy

[@friendly_golfer]

I would say the Carl's Foam divot strip is extremely similar to the sigpro softy. Also the SIGPro softy lite is an alternative too. Both the carl's and the softy lite have a shorter putting turf on top but they are a very close feel.

[@KevinHatcher-b7e]

I am having issues with my elbow and I am looking at either the Sigpro Softy or the Carl’s Place HotShot Foam hitting strip. If you had to choose between the two, which one would you choose?

[@friendly_golfer]

Replied to your other comment!

[@MrShank12u]

The Gel looks potentially Grabby. ???

[@friendly_golfer]

Maybe, I wouldn't say grabby but that's what gives it the divot feeling. It feels great on a single swing but if you have an existing injury like me I'd be a little concerned about it over time (maybe). The foam strip would be the safer play.