How to Build a DIY Golf Sim Subfloor
Raise your landing turf to the exact height of your hitting mat. The result is a flush, trip-free bay where every ball rolls straight back to the hitting surface after it drops off the impact screen.
Cross-section, not to scale. Your layer count depends on your mat and turf.
The Problem With a Raised Mat
Most hitting mats stand 1″ or more above the floor. With flat turf around them, every ball gets stopped by that edge, and you end up walking over to rake it back. A leveled subfloor raises the turf to meet the mat, so the whole bay plays as one surface.
Ball Return
Shots drop off the impact screen and roll right back toward your hitting area instead of stopping at the mat edge.
Safer Footing
No step-up lip at the mat perimeter, so you are less likely to catch a heel mid-swing or trip while you move around the bay.
Finished Look
Edge-to-edge turf over a firm, cushioned base looks like a custom install, and you can still take it apart and move it.
Measure Twice, Order Once
Get your numbers first. Mat and turf thickness differ by product, so measure what you own (or check the spec sheet) instead of guessing.
What to Measure
- Mat height: floor to top of the turf fibers, measured at the mat edge
- Turf thickness: backing plus pile of your landing turf
- Tile thickness: measure an actual tile, since nominal 1″ can vary slightly
- Floor footprint: width × depth of the area to cover, inside the enclosure
- Mat size and position: where the mat sits relative to the screen and walls
Tiles per Layer
EVA tiles are 2′ × 2′ (4 sq ft each).
Tiles per layer ≈ (floor sq ft − mat sq ft) ÷ 4, plus about 10% for cuts around the mat.
Total tiles = tiles per layer × number of layers.
Our EVA Foam Flooring comes in 1″, ¾″ and ½″ thicknesses and ships 18 tiles per box, so divide the total by 18 and round up. For reference, 2 boxes (36 tiles) cover a 12′ × 12′ area in a single layer.
Stack Builds for Popular Mats
Our standard Elite ProPutt Turf comes in ⅜″ and ⅝″ thicknesses. Here's how each one stacks up against the most popular hitting mats, using 1″ and ¾″ EVA tile and ¼″ shim.
| Hitting Mat | Mat Height | ProPutt Turf | Stack Needed | Build | Turf vs. Mat Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Moss PureFlight | 1½″ | ⅜″ | 1⅛″ | 1 layer of 1″ EVA tile | ⅛″ under · Recommended |
| Big Moss PureFlight | 1½″ | ⅝″ | ⅞″ | 3 layers of ¼″ shim (no EVA tile) | ⅛″ under |
| SIGPRO Soft | 2⅜″ | ⅜″ | 2″ | 1″ EVA tile + 1″ EVA tile | Flush · Recommended |
| SIGPRO Soft | 2⅜″ | ⅝″ | 1¾″ | 1″ EVA tile + ¾″ EVA tile | Flush · Recommended |
| TrueBirdie Beaver Tail | 2⅜″ | ⅜″ | 2″ | 1″ EVA tile + 1″ EVA tile | Flush · Recommended |
| TrueBirdie Beaver Tail | 2⅜″ | ⅝″ | 1¾″ | 1″ EVA tile + ¾″ EVA tile | Flush · Recommended |
| Elite Sim Golf ProTee Mats | 1¾″ | ⅜″ | 1⅜″ | 1 layer of EVA + 1 layer of ¼″ shim | ⅛″ under |
| Elite Sim Golf ProTee Mats | 1¾″ | ⅝″ | 1⅛″ | 1 layer of 1″ EVA tile | ⅛″ under · Recommended |
| Carl's HotShot | 1¾″ | ⅜″ | 1⅜″ | 1 layer of EVA + 1 layer of ¼″ shim | ⅛″ under |
| Carl's HotShot | 1¾″ | ⅝″ | 1⅛″ | 1 layer of 1″ EVA tile | ⅛″ under · Recommended |
What You'll Need
Everything here is basic hand-tool work. Nothing is glued to your floor.
- Interlocking EVA foam tiles (2′ × 2′ × 1″, plus ¾″ tiles for some builds)
- 1/4″ rubber shim material (for fine-tuning height)
- Landing turf sized to your floor footprint
- Your hitting mat
- Heavy-duty double-sided carpet tape
- Utility knife with fresh blades
- Metal straightedge or 4′ level
- Tape measure and marker or chalk
- Broom or shop vac
- Knee pads (optional, but your knees will thank you)
Build Your Subfloor
Plan on two to three hours for a typical single-bay enclosure. Larger rooms and extra layers take longer.
Prep the Floor
Clear the bay, then sweep or vacuum the floor completely. Any grit left under the tiles turns into a bump in the turf later.
- Check the floor with a level. Note any low spots so you can shim them later.
- On concrete prone to moisture, lay a plastic vapor barrier down first.
Mark the Mat Location
Set the hitting mat in its final position, measured from the screen, then outline its footprint on the floor with chalk or tape. The foam goes everywhere except inside this outline.
Tip: lock in mat position for your launch monitor first. Overhead units have a specific hitting zone.Lay the First Layer of Tiles
Start in a back corner and interlock tiles across the floor, working toward the mat outline. Where tiles overlap the outline, score them with a utility knife along a straightedge and snap them off for a tight pocket.
- Cut the pocket snug. A small gap is fine, since the turf will bridge it.
- Use the tile border pieces on any open edge that will show.
Stack & Tape Additional Layers
If your stack calls for more than one layer, run double-sided tape across the layer below, then lay the next layer on top. Taping keeps the layers aligned while you work and stops them from shifting later.
- Stagger seams by about 12″ (half a tile) so joints don't line up from layer to layer.
- Keep the mat pocket edges stacked straight and vertical.
Fine-Tune With Shim
Set the mat in its pocket, lay a scrap of turf on the foam beside it, and put a straightedge across both. Up to ⅛″ low is ideal, since the seaming tape raises the turf edges slightly. If the turf sits more than ⅛″ low, add a layer of 1/4″ shim under the turf area. You can also shim under the mat if it sits low.
Goal: the straightedge sits flat across mat and turf with no rocking.Tape the Top Layer
Apply double-sided tape across the top layer, focusing on seams, the perimeter, and the mat pocket edge. This keeps the turf from creeping when you swing, walk, or retrieve balls.
Roll Out the Turf
Let the turf relax flat for a few hours if it shipped rolled. Then lay it over the foam, line it up edge to edge with the enclosure, and press it into the tape from the center outward.
- Cut the turf around the mat pocket from the back side with a fresh blade.
- Brush the fibers up along any seam so the joint disappears.
Drop In the Mat & Test
Slide the hitting mat into its pocket, butting it tight against the turf on all sides. Check the transition one last time with a straightedge, then roll a few balls from the screen toward the mat. They should roll across the joint without bumping.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overbuilding the Stack
A turf edge sitting above the mat is worse than one sitting slightly low. Build up to ⅛″ under your target and let the seaming tape take up the difference.
Stacked Seams
Seams that line up through every layer create soft spots and lines in the turf. Stagger them.
Skipping the Tape
Untaped tiles and turf slowly walk out of place under foot traffic. Tape between layers and under the turf.
Ignoring Ceiling Height
Every inch of subfloor is an inch less swing clearance. Re-check overhead space with your longest club.
Guessing Thickness
Measure the actual mat, turf, and tile. Small differences add up across two or three layers.
Dirty Floor
A pebble under the foam shows up as a bump in the turf. Vacuum before every layer.
Subfloor Materials
Everything you need for a DIY leveled floor, or skip the cutting with a complete flooring system.
EVA Foam Flooring 24″ × 24″ (18 Pieces)
Interlocking tiles in 1″, ¾″ and ½″ thicknesses, with border pieces. From $149 per pack. These build your stack height.
Shop Tiles →
1/4″ Shim Material for SIM Floor Leveling
1/4″ rubber underlay for dialing in a perfectly flush mat-to-turf transition.
Shop Shim →
Elite ProPutt Turf
Our standard landing turf. Padded nylon in ⅜″ and ⅝″ thicknesses to match the stack builds above, cut to length off a 15′ wide roll.
Shop ProPutt →
Big Moss Commander 245G Bulk Turf
The premium upgrade, in 6′ and 8′ widths. At 9/16″ thick, re-run the stack math before you order tile.
Shop Premium Turf →
Carl's Place Golf Room Flooring Kit
A complete tile-and-turf system with Big Moss Commander turf, for when you'd rather skip the cutting.
Shop Kit →Need a mat or strip to match? Compare Hitting Mats & Strips →
Subfloor Questions
How many layers of foam tile do I need?
Does the mat go on top of the foam or on the floor?
Do I have to glue anything down?
How many boxes of EVA tile should I order?
Will a subfloor affect my ceiling height or launch monitor?
Can I build this inside an enclosure I already own?
Need Help Planning Your Floor?
Send us your enclosure size and hitting mat, and our team will help you work out layers, tile count, and turf size before you order.
Contact Our TeamVisit the Install Hub