Carl's HotShot™ 5'x8' Golf Mat
By Carl's Place
Build Your Dream Home Golf Simulator
Pair the Carl's HotShot™ 5'x8' Golf Mat with a launch monitor, projector, and hitting mat in the SimKit Builder.
Start Building in the SimKit Builder →
Carl's HotShot 5x8 Golf Hitting Mat
A step up from the 4x5 without moving to a centered layout. The 5x8 keeps the offset hitting area but adds length and width for a fuller backswing and more comfortable footing, especially for taller golfers or anyone who wants extra buffer around the tee.
Why the 5' x 8' HotShot Mat
Fibers are engineered to strike a balance between softness and realism — forgiving enough to protect joints during long practice sessions, honest enough to still show a bad strike.
Anti-Fatigue Fiber Surface
A comfortable, close-to-fairway feel that holds up to repeated swings without breaking down or hardening over time.
Real Tee Compatible
Three holes for a rubber tee holder accept a real golf tee, so setup at the mat feels closer to standing on the fairway.
Replaceable Hitting Strip
The 30″ x 12″ hitting insert swaps out on its own, so a worn strip gets replaced without buying an entirely new mat.
Consistent 1¾″ Thickness
Matches every other size in the HotShot lineup, so footing and stance feel familiar across the whole product line.
Offset Hitting Area
Positions the hitting zone to one side, maximizing usable stance room within a smaller footprint.
Multi-Insert Ready
Insert cutouts fit more than one hitting strip style, so this mat can carry a softer strip for chipping and a firmer one for full swings.
Three Insert Feels
Each insert is crafted in-house in Milton, Wisconsin and measures 30″ long by 12″ wide by 1.75″ tall, fitting seamlessly into the 5' x 8' mat.
HotShot Standard Hitting Strip
- Same top-quality material as the rest of the mat
- Accepts real golf tees
- Best all-around choice for full swings
HotShot Foam Divot Strip
- Softer feel, designed to save joints
- Still delivers realistic play
- Good fit for high-volume practice sessions
HotShot Gel Hitting Strip
- Fairway-realistic feedback
- Balances cushion with honest ball-strike data
- Good fit for golfers who want fairway feel indoors
Built for This Room
The Taller Golfer
Extra length gives a full backswing more room without crowding the edge of the mat.
The Comfort-First Practicer
More surface area under foot for stance adjustments and warm-up swings before stepping up to the tee.
The Growing Setup
A practical upgrade path from the 4x5 for golfers expanding their sim room without jumping to a centered layout.
Mat Details
Mat
| Manufacturer | Carl’s Place |
| Size | 5' x 8' |
| Thickness | 1¾″ |
| Hitting Area Layout | Offset |
| Tee Holes | Three holes for rubber tee holder |
| Material | High-end anti-fatigue fiber surface |
Hitting Insert
| Insert Size | 30″ long x 12″ wide x 1.75″ tall |
| Insert Options | Standard, Foam Divot, Gel |
| Compatibility | Installs into other mats or flooring around 1¾″ tall |
Not Included
| Enclosure | Sold separately — see enclosure pairing below |
| Launch Monitor | Sold separately — see SimKit pairing below |
| Base, Tees, Ball Tray | Optional add-ons, sold separately |
Select at Checkout
- Hitting Insert — Standard, Foam Divot, or Gel
Round Out the Setup
Carl’s Place offers a handful of accessories that pair with the 5' x 8' HotShot Mat for extra comfort and a more finished hitting station.
Rubber Mat Base
EPDM rubber base that stops the mat from shifting during powerful swings and adds a layer of cushion under every step.
Indoor Golf Tees, 40-Pack
Sit-on-top tees for hitting surfaces that can’t accept a real golf tee. Cut to a preferred height, compatible with every insert option.
Driver and Iron Tees, 50-Pack
Black tees that avoid launch monitor ball-reading interference. Compatible with the Standard insert only.
Ball Tray
Heavy-duty rubber tray holding one layer of 86 balls, with an incline for a smooth transition from tray to swing.
Extra Hitting Insert
A spare insert in the material of choice, ready to swap in when the current hitting strip wears down.
Divot Hitting Strip Upgrade
Available in Beginner (softest, most forgiving) and Advanced (soft on joints, less forgiving on fat shots) softness levels.
Compare All Four Mat Sizes
All four HotShot mats share the same 1.75″ anti-fatigue construction and replaceable hitting insert. They differ in footprint, hitting area layout, and price.
Pair This Mat with an Enclosure
The 5' x 8' HotShot Mat is the hitting surface. These enclosures give it a screen to hit into and a bay to contain shots.
Eagle 12 Enclosure
- 1-1/4″ powder-coated steel frame
- 4K Ultra triple-layer impact screen
- Tool-free, snap-together assembly
Carl’s Place DIY Enclosure Kit
- Custom width, height, and depth
- Four impact screen tiers to choose from
- Optional Pipe Framing Kit for a no-cutting build
Want a launch monitor and projector included too?
Build Your Own Bundle →What Golfers Are Saying
"This is by far above the rest when it comes to hitting mats…my previous mat took its toll on my back! Two weeks later with this Carl’s mat, problem solved. Highly recommended."
"Ordered a Carl’s 5x7 HotShot Hitting Mat and it seems very high-quality and durable so far. Its forgiving surface is very nice to hit off of, and leaves no residue on your clubs."
"Wow, I just received my ball tray and 5’x7’ Carl’s HotShot mat. I must say, the tray is heavy duty and will outlast me. The mat was as soft, comfortable, and supportive as any I’ve hit off of."
Choose a Mat That Fits the Swing
The 5' x 8' HotShot Mat is sized, cushioned, and outfitted to match a specific practice routine. Reach out with questions on sizing or insert choice before ordering.
Contact UsCommon Questions
What size mat do I need?
The 5' x 8' is a offset-hitting-area mat. Offset layouts suit a single golfer or a tighter footprint. See the size comparison above for the other three sizes in the HotShot lineup.
What is the difference between the hitting inserts?
The Standard insert uses the same material as the rest of the mat and accepts real tees. The Foam Divot Strip is softer and designed to save joints. The Gel Hitting Strip offers a fairway-realistic feel while still giving honest feedback on mis-hits.
Can I replace just the hitting insert instead of the whole mat?
Yes. The 30 inch by 12 inch hitting insert is designed to be replaced on its own, so a worn strip can be swapped out without buying a new mat.
Is the mat compatible with real golf tees?
Yes, when using the Standard insert. This mat includes three holes for a rubber tee holder. Foam and Gel inserts are not compatible with real tees or with the Driver and Iron Tees accessory.
Do I need the optional base?
The rubber base is not required, but it prevents the mat from shifting during powerful swings and adds an extra layer of cushioning underfoot.
Can this mat be used with any launch monitor?
Yes. The mat is launch-monitor agnostic and works with both ceiling-mounted overhead units and floor-based camera or radar units.
How thick is the mat?
1.75 inches, matching the height of the hitting insert for a flush, consistent surface.
Can I pair this mat with an enclosure I already own?
Yes. This mat is sold independently of any enclosure and works with any golf simulator enclosure, including the Eagle 12 and the Carl's Place DIY Enclosure Kit.
Does it work for both right- and left-handed golfers?
This mat uses an offset hitting area suited to a single golfer. For a mat built to handle both right- and left-handed golfers without repositioning, see the 4x9 or 6x10 centered sizes in the comparison above.
Can I upgrade to a complete simulator package?
Yes. Pair this mat with a launch monitor, projector, and enclosure through the Custom Bundle Builder, or choose a pre-configured SimKit and select this mat at checkout.
How is this size different from the other HotShot mats?
The 5' x 8' is the extra stance room option in the HotShot lineup. All four sizes share the same 1.75 inch anti-fatigue fiber construction and replaceable hitting insert; they differ in footprint, hitting area layout, and price. See the full size comparison above.
