Birdieball 2-In-1 Putting/Hitting Mat - 2023 Forum Review

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Congrats testers. So jealous. That is the only thing my golf area is missing. I will be following along to see how this goes. 

[GolfSpy_KFT]

Congrats, testers!

[Vegan_Golfer_PNW]

Congrats testers. Don’t wear it out all at once now

[tdroma98]

Congrats Testers!! Really cool mat! 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I forgot to ask. What sizes did you guys get to order? 

[Bohnson]

Congrats testers! Love this product, looking forward to your reviews. Nice to have a combo hitting and putting mat!!! 

[Nick_D]

8 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I forgot to ask. What sizes did you guys get to order? 

I went with 7.5 x 13!

[MattF]

18 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I forgot to ask. What sizes did you guys get to order? 

Because I didn't want to get crazy, I got the 7.5' x 10'. Should work well in my garage.

[Nick_D]

My intro is up! Where are my fellow GSPro users?

 

[TSauer]

24 minutes ago, Nick_D said:

My intro is up! Where are my fellow GSPro users?

 

I’m digging that sim setup! Can’t wait to hear how the BB mat fares for ya! 

[Clayton]

@Nick_D I am in the process of updating and upgrading my equipment as well. I almost went with the BLP, but with the software offer and impact cameras, I went the Eye Mini route. Should arrive in a week or two. They are both quality units. I’m looking forward to reading your review. For now, I bought 1” thick puzzle mat with artificial turf. They have damaged boxes of it that only cost $130 for 96 sq ft. I’ll use my current pure practice mat to putt while I see how you guys enjoy this product. I could see adding a strip from the hitting mat to the screen for a better putting experience and aim point. I’m having trouble deciding on the hitting mat. Want to go sig pro softy but it’s quite expensive   What are you using?

Here’s the tiles (not for putting, just a nice look and cushion for bounce back)

Edited August 5, 2023 by Clayton

[Nick_D]

On 8/4/2023 at 11:33 PM, Clayton said:

@Nick_D I am in the process of updating and upgrading my equipment as well. I almost went with the BLP, but with the software offer and impact cameras, I went the Eye Mini route. Should arrive in a week or two. They are both quality units. I’m looking forward to reading your review. For now, I bought 1” thick puzzle mat with artificial turf. They have damaged boxes of it that only cost $130 for 96 sq ft. I’ll use my current pure practice mat to putt while I see how you guys enjoy this product. I could see adding a strip from the hitting mat to the screen for a better putting experience and aim point. I’m having trouble deciding on the hitting mat. Want to go sig pro softy but it’s quite expensive   What are you using?

Here’s the tiles (not for putting, just a nice look and cushion for bounce back)

I have an older version of what is now the Fiberbuilt Grass Series mat. I believe you can buy just the grass hitting panel from their website. I played around with a bunch of different inserts and finally bit the bullet on one of the more expensive options out there and am quite happy with it. I had a few cheaper amazon hitting mats and when I would have a longer session I would wake up the next morning with back and elbow pain... (back pain maybe from just hitting a lot of balls, but elbow pain not so much) I am a true believer in spending a good portion of your budget on a quality hitting surface because of durability and comfort, no matter what you choose!

I have looked at the sig pro stuff and have thought if I were to do it all over I would choose to get their whole flooring setup as it looks really solid. Would be curious to know your thoughts if you end up getting an insert from them! I am excited to see how the birdieball solution works out for me for now!

[Clayton]

6 hours ago, Nick_D said:

I have an older version of what is now the Fiberbuilt Grass Series mat. I believe you can buy just the grass hitting panel from their website. I played around with a bunch of different inserts and finally bit the bullet on one of the more expensive options out there and am quite happy with it. I had a few cheaper amazon hitting mats and when I would have a longer session I would wake up the next morning with back and elbow pain... (back pain maybe from just hitting a lot of balls, but elbow pain not so much) I am a true believer in spending a good portion of your budget on a quality hitting surface because of durability and comfort, no matter what you choose!

I have looked at the sig pro stuff and have thought if I were to do it all over I would choose to get their whole flooring setup as it looks really solid. Would be curious to know your thoughts if you end up getting an insert from them! I am excited to see how the birdieball solution works out for me for now!

So so many positive comments and reviews of the Sig Pro Softy… I’m thinking to order the small 4x7. It’s $1000, however. Carls will have more of theirs in September, when my actual build occurs. They are running $670 with the fancy insert, and I can use the regular mat insert to set the LM on. My last option is to buy a sig pro softy insert only to cut into a cheaper stance mat (I do have a stance mat from the optishot I can cut) like a golf guru or rukket mat and wait to see what you guys think of this system. My only hang up with that is how thick the softy is and how to build the stance mat up properly. That’s why the birdie ball option is quite attractive.

Edited August 7, 2023 by Clayton

[MattF]

3 hours ago, Clayton said:

So so many positive comments and reviews of the Sig Pro Softy… I’m thinking to order the small 4x7. It’s $1000, however. Carls will have more of theirs in September, when my actual build occurs. They are running $670 with the fancy insert, and I can use the regular mat insert to set the LM on. My last option is to buy a sig pro softy insert only to cut into a cheaper stance mat (I do have a stance mat from the optishot I can cut) like a golf guru or rukket mat and wait to see what you guys think of this system. My only hang up with that is how thick the softy is and how to build the stance mat up properly. That’s why the birdie ball option is quite attractive.

If I had the money I would have gotten the Softy as well.

To build the mat up you can just do what I did and use foam puzzle piece floor mats from Harbor Freight. They''re 1/2" though. If you need something thicker, Amazon has a ton of them up to 1" thick.

[Clayton]

2 hours ago, MattF said:

If I had the money I would have gotten the Softy as well.

To build the mat up you can just do what I did and use foam puzzle piece floor mats from Harbor Freight. They''re 1/2" though. If you need something thicker, Amazon has a ton of them up to 1" thick.

What are you currently using? Yes, totally forgot about Harbor Freight!

[Girldad18]

I have a birdieball putting mat. One speed going one way and another speed going the other way. Has all kinds of set ups you can for undulations and breaks. I laid down a chalk line on it for 5 footers. Can work on putting drills with it. Had it in my office and brought it home. Rolls up into a bag for storage. Great tool. Love it. Always good for a rainy day or when prepping for a tournament to tune in your stroke. And with the beat we’re having a good way to get in some drills and stay in the A/C. Highly recommend one. 
 

I wish I had a hitting one but the putting one works well for me!

[MattF]

20 hours ago, Clayton said:

What are you currently using? Yes, totally forgot about Harbor Freight!

It's in my intro post. A cheap GoSports Pro mat off Amazon.

[Clayton]

19 minutes ago, MattF said:

It's in my intro post. A cheap GoSports Pro mat off Amazon.

Ahhh, last time I looked it was blank. 

[Clayton]

5 hours ago, MattF said:

It's in my intro post. A cheap GoSports Pro mat off Amazon.

Now that I’ve read it, I’ll encourage you and say that you most definitely can get to a single digit if you are a 14 now. It’s likely chips and putts (mostly) and keeping your ball in play more often. I went from a longtime high of 14 into the 9s this season. But due to my MIL being sick, we spent the last month with her and I’ve played exactly zero rounds in 5 weeks now . Anyway, I think having a giant putting green as part of your practice sim is gonna make a huge difference over the season, and winter.

[Nick_D]

Even though my garage has been consistently in the high 80s and VERY humid, I keep hoping to see my shipping confirmation come through my inbox! 

[Clayton]

5 hours ago, Nick_D said:

Even though my garage has been consistently in the high 80s and VERY humid, I keep hoping to see my shipping confirmation come through my inbox! 

Was just checking in on this. So still waiting for product. Darn!

[Nick_D]

Just got an email with my order confirmation! It says shipping is normally 1-3 business days after order confirmation. Looks like no hitting turf is included, just the putting turf and the optional corner shims? We'll see whats all included when it gets here!

[MattF]

Got mine too. It'll be interesting to see how thick it is without the hitting turf. That may be an issue on concrete.

[MattF]

Jeebus this thing is bigger than I expected.

[Dooby]

2 hours ago, MattF said:

Jeebus this thing is bigger than I expected.

Oh wow...I am supposed to be getting mine in any day now. Did not expect that haha.

[Shrek74]

On 8/1/2023 at 3:23 AM, MattF said:

 

How well does that net work for you and for catching/stopping balls? What type of net is it? I want to put something "retractable" in my garage and am curious to your experience. Thanks.

[Shrek74]

On 8/1/2023 at 9:27 AM, dback said:

Awesome test, congrats to the testers! Someday if I get a sim room set-up (currently just a retractable net and Garmin r10 in my garage) birdie ball will be at the top of my considerations list. Looking forward to seeing how the testing goes!

What's your net setup? How does it work? I'm looking to do something in my garage that's retractable verses having to build, tear down, build, tear down a normal hitting net.

[MattF]

1 hour ago, Shrek74 said:

How well does that net work for you and for catching/stopping balls? What type of net is it? I want to put something "retractable" in my garage and am curious to your experience. Thanks.

The net works very well but I'd like to eventually get a retractable screen. The net I got from Amazon 10 x 15 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLQ4GC9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

[Nick_D]

My 85 lb shipment showed up!

[Dooby]

Received my shipment this morning. Unfortunately, I have to run to work but I will be rushing home this evening to set this up and unbox it. Will post more then. 
Based on the shipment info it looks like it’s the turf (and included items like the corner shims, flags, etc.) plus the small box of accessories that allow contouring of the putting surface which I’m excited about. I was also hoping for the hitting mat but it doesn’t seem like it’s included. One of my concerns was using this for more than just putting.