To create a DIY divot action mat, you must first gather materials like artificial turf, foam padding, Lexan polycarbonate sheet, and adhesive. Cut the Lexan polycarbonate sheet to the desired size, attach foam padding, and then cover it with artificial turf. I’ll walk you through the entire process in this article.

If you’re setting out to work through a Simulator installation in your space and have a flair for DIY, making a divot action mat will pique your interest. In my case, I started with a 10′ x 7′ net and needed a mat.

Apart from the cost savings that come with this attempt, I enjoy DIY work and decided to try my hand at a hitting strip. I have created this elaborate article to walk you through the entire process, from collecting supplies to the construction procedures, and then an analysis of my total cost for the project.

At the end of this article, you should be able to make a divot action mat in your home. Before we dive into the steps, let me share all the materials I used for the project.

During my research, I also realized that many golfers find it hard to locate these supplies, so I’ve included links to where you can buy them to save you the hassle of multiple clicks over the internet.

The supplies you need for a DIY Divot Action Mat

Image	Product	Detail	Price
	Lexan polycarbonate sheet with 0.093 thickness	Clear protective film on both sides of the sheet. One side has printing. The other side is clear/frosted and hard to see.	Buy For $17
	Turf (3 ft x 8 ft)	faux grass made of high-quality synthetic material, Constructed of the highest quality polyethylene and polypropylene yarn, to ensure an extremely High-Density artificial grass.	Buy For $58
	1″ low-density foam	Low-density foam tape made of high elasticity and durability is flexible enough to be easily compressed flat to form a seal with any shape and can return to its former shape shortly	Buy For $14
	Gorilla Glue Max Strength Construction Adhesive, Clear	Gorilla Glue Clear Max Strength Construction Adhesive, 9 Ounce Cartridge	Buy For $13
	Gym mat, 1″ thick	Protective, portable flooring – dense, durable tiles protect floors and withstand gym equipment and heavy Use	Buy For $50
	Caulking gun (optional, but I recommend it for easy application of adhesive)	The WORKPRO caulking gun allows for switching between high and low flow rates. Pull the trigger handle downwards; the high-setting thrust ratio is 18:1 for use with adhesive materials.	Buy For $22

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Meanwhile, you need a heavy-duty utility knife to cut the turf into shape. I also recommend you get this LitKiwi acrylic knife. I got it for $9. It would be helpful if your Lexan polycarbonate sheet weren’t precut to your preferred dimension. You can still use a box cutter as an alternative, especially if you’re in a pinch. But the idea is to use something sharp enough.

Total Investment: Based on these necessities, the ballpark amount I spent for this project is $183 (excluding delivery fees). After creating the mat, I had extra materials remaining to accommodate the creation of up to three others. Now, let’s proceed to the construction process.

Construction of a Divot Action Mat: A Step-by-Step Guide

Heads up: I cut the acrylic to the size I wanted (11’ by 32’). This dimension can vary depending on your preference, but during the step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to cut the acrylic board in case you don’t get a pre-ordered size.

Now, the installation procedures:

Step 1

Take your piece of acrylic and peel off the first layer. In this case, we’re using a Lexan polycarbonate sheet with a thickness of 0.093. I chose this acrylic because it seems popular with many golfers and is more rigid than most other versions I’ve tried.

Note: Don’t take off the layer too early so that it stays clean. If it remains clean, the glue can stick better.

Step 2

Apply the Adhesive to the exposed layer of the acrylic. Use the Gorilla Glue Max Strength Construction Adhesive in this case. I chose this model because it comes in a compact size, which offers more accessible applications than the handheld sizes. I recommend you use a caulking gun for easy application.

Note: As you apply the adhesive to the surface, you don’t have to spew it all over. Be generous with the glue. You don’t have to apply too much glue because this will only make it difficult when you want to change the turf after a few months of usage. I recommend using the spiral style as illustrated in the image below.: 

Step 3

Attach the surface of the acrylic with glue to the turf. I like to make a piece of turf exceed the acrylic dimensions so I can easily trim the sides for a perfect fit using a box cutter.

First, lay the turf down, line up the edge with the sheet, and ensure it sits firmly. Use both hands to press the sheet against the turf. Better still, place something weighted and flat on top of the mat overnight to glue it firmly.

Step 4

Once it’s cured, it’s time to glue on the risers. In this case, use a cut-out piece of dense Gym matte foam, which is 1″ thick. Cut out two horizontal cubes of the material, one for each breathing edge of the mat.

When they are in position, before gluing with the adhesives, position the low-density foam on the surface. I recommend creating three strips, one at the center and the other two running along the sides.

When the risers are mocked up, you can lift each gym mat material and apply the glue. Fortunately, the flowing open-cell foam seal tape conveniently has a sticky side. So you can peel the backing off partially as you attach them to the mat.

Another great thing I love about this foam from the Fowong brand is that it also acts as a support. So when you strike each ball, you’ll get that nice give. It doesn’t spring back fast, allowing you to take that divot action.

Step 5

At this point, your custom-made DIY divot action mat is ready. But before usage, allow the glue to cure for a few hours. Flip the board over as you would when on the simulator floor so that the board’s weight can make the glue cure faster.

Practicing A Divot On A Mat

Practicing divots on a mat helps refine your iron shots and ball-striking skills. First, position the golf ball on the mat and set it up as you would for a regular trial, with proper stance and grip. Now follow these steps:

• Take a controlled swing, focusing on hitting down on the ball.
• Aim to contact the mat after striking the ball, simulating the divot action.
• Your hands should lead the clubhead for a downward strike.

Bottom line

A divot action mat simulates the experience of taking a divot while hitting iron shots. A typical already-made model will consist of artificial turf layered over foam padding and sometimes even plywood.

When you hit down on the ball while using this mat, the turf mimics the sensation of taking a divot, helping you practice proper ball-striking technique and accuracy as you would on an actual golf course.

Attempting to create a DIY version of this mat was a fun project. It is worth doing, especially if you want to save money and have a knack for making things.

Of course, spending nearly $200 for all the necessary supplies was significant, but we must agree that it’s still an excellent saving over any manufactured mat worth using.

The best part is that you still have materials to make two to three more after completing the project.

If you are stuck in any of the procedures for making a divot action mat using the guidelines I provided above, feel free to indicate it in the comment section. I’ll be glad to help.