During the winter months here in the UK, many golf courses require golfers to carry and use winter rules golf mats for shots on the fairway to protect the course. Occasionally, some golf clubs will sell or have spare mats that you can borrow, but in my experience, that’s often not the case, so having your own means you will always be allowed to play.
The good news is that winter golf mats are generally inexpensive, but you do get what you pay for, and investing in a premium mat will not only last longer but also drastically improve your enjoyment on the course.
So, before I share my winter golf mat top picks, here are some considerations to make before you place your order.
Important considerations prior to purchase
To help you choose the best winter golf mat for your specific needs, you should give careful consideration to the following before buying:
- Size & Portability: Do you prefer a pocket-sized mat or a larger turf mat that clips to your bag or fits in a trolley?
- Ground Stability: Spiked claw bases prevent slipping on wet slopes, whereas rubber-backed mats rely on pure weight.
- Turf Interaction: AstroTurf mats mimic hitting off real fairways, whilst flexible polymer mats sit higher and behave differently on fat strikes.
- Durability: Heavy rubber bases handle frozen ground better whereas lightweight plastic clips or teeth can wear down over time or struggle to penetrate frozen ground.
Winter golf mats - My top 5 picks
If you’re in a hurry and just want a quick comparison of the golf mats on my list, the table below provides details on price, key features and which golfer each is best suited to. For more details, including pros and cons and imagery, scroll down a little further.
| Model | Price | Primary features | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callaway FT Launch Zone mat | ~£28.98 | Heavy rubber base. Stable with a realistic feel | Golfers seeking the most realistic feel with all clubs |
| Spurk Golf Strike mat | ~£26.99 | Patented ground claw system, lightweight and compact | Golfers looking for a stable and easy-to-carry mat |
| Champkey premium synthetic mat | ~£29.99 | Rubber base with synthetic grass | Golfers looking for a lighter alternative to the Callaway FT Launch Zone |
| Masters Launch Rocket mat | ~£10.79 | Curved polymer and rubber tees | Golfers looking for a lightweight pocket-sized mat |
| Swiftee X-TEE mat | ~£14.99 | Durable plastic and alignment edges | Golfers looking for an alternative to the Masters Launch Rocket if sold out |
1. Callaway FT Launch Zone Golf Winter Golf Mat
I purchased the Callaway FT Launch Zone mat in November 2016, and after years of regular winter use, it still performs exceptionally well. In truth, it’s the best mat I have ever owned. Works well on frozen ground.
- It features a heavy, flexible rubber base paired with high-quality AstroTurf, providing the closest feel to real grass of any mat tested. The 1.36 kg weight keeps it firmly anchored without needing pegs. It is remarkably forgiving on fat strikes and includes a rubber insert for standard tees.
- At roughly 8" x 15", it is heavier and bulkier than most other mats. While it can fit in a carry bag pocket, sit on a golf trolley, or hang from the hanging hole, its size and weight make it less appealing to carry.
2. Spurk Golf Strike Winter Golf Mat
The Spurk Golf mat is massively popular on social media and golf forums, largely because of its purpose-built base design, which penetrates the ground to keep the mat secure, and it’s compact size and weight.
- Measuring 300mm x 110mm, it is compact, lightweight, and features a turf top. Its USP is the claw system on the underside that pierces the turf to prevent slippage during your swing. It also includes a dedicated tee hole and carry case.
- The spikes work brilliantly on standard wet winter turf, but they are not sharp enough to penetrate frozen ground, making them unusable when the ground is frozen solid.
3. Champkey Premium Winter Golf Mat
While I haven’t personally owned this specific Champkey model, it remains one of the most popular turf mats on Amazon. Not too dissimilar to the Callaway FT Launch Zone above, but a little more expensive.
- It uses a heavy-duty rubber base combined with synthetic grass to absorb impact and cushion fat shots. The package includes a rubber tee holder and plastic tees, making it versatile for tee boxes as well as fairways.
- Like the Callaway, it's larger and heavier than most other mats, meaning it's better suited to golfers using a larger carry or cart bag. A small number of long-term user reviews mentioned wear on the turf edges after repeated use.
4. Masters Launch Rocket Winter Golf Mat
The Masters Golf Launch Mat is a popular and affordable winter rules mat, ideal for golfers looking for something lightweight, compact and easy to use.
- It's lightweight and compact, and you can keep it in your pocket, pencil bag, or attach it to your golf bag with a carabiner clip. Unlike rigid options, its curved polymer design is flexible, allowing for clean contact even when the ground is frozen. It comes with two different-height rubber driving range tees, which are helpful for those frozen tee boxes. Easy to clean and maintain.
- The arced shape means that fat strikes cause the ball to pop up in the air and lose distance, and hitting off the mat can be very difficult. The polymer material doesn't feel as nice or realistic as hitting off the astroturf.
5. Swiftee X-TEE Winter Golf Mat
Similar to the Masters Launch Rocket above, the Swiftee X-Tee is a lightweight, compact and cheap mat, perfect for golfers who prefer to carry their golf clubs during the winter months.
- Lightweight and compact, it's also made from durable, weather-resistant plastic, which is easy to wipe clean. It comes supplied with two rubber tees (35mm and 45mm) for tee shots - perfect if the teeing area is frozen. Its bright colour makes it easy to spot if dropped on the golf course.
- Like most flexible plastic and polymer arc mats, this mat catches the ball before it leaves the mat, causing it to pop up and lose distance, and it isn't great for hitting woods. The polymer material doesn't feel as nice or realistic as hitting off the astroturf.
Model local rule E-12: Winter mat rules explained
When winter golf mats are mandated, this is normally done by the club under a local rule. Understanding this local rule will help ensure you stay compliant during general and competitive play.
The main points to note are:
- Model Local Rule E-12 applies strictly to fairways or closely mown areas. You are not required to use a mat when playing from the rough or hazards unless local rules state otherwise. At my home club, play is allowed from the 1st cut of rough without a mat, but I have played courses where mats were required in the rough, so always check with the club pro before teeing off if unsure.
- The mat must be placed as close as possible to where the original ball lay. The ball is then placed directly onto the mat, but it must not be teed up, except when playing a tee shot from a designated teeing area.
- If the ball rolls off the mat while positioning it, you are generally allowed to reposition it or the mat until the ball comes to rest, so long as you don’t position it closer to the hole.
For more detailed rule information, check out my winter golf mat rules and benefits article.
Winter golf mats - frequently asked questions
Are winter golf mats compulsory?
Winter golf mats are not mandatory for general rounds of golf. However, some golf clubs require their use during the winter months to protect the course. For example, in the UK, many parkland golf clubs enforce their use under a local rule (E-12) for all play during specific months. Winter golf mats are normally required for shots from the fairway, though some clubs occasionally mandate them in the first cut as well.
Can you tee off using a fairway mat?
Yes. Players may tee up their ball on a winter golf mat when playing their tee shot from a designated teeing area. Most winter golf mats now include rubber tees for this purpose. While you may use a tee for tee shots, any shots played from the fairway or a non-teeing area must be played off the surface of the mat.
How do I clean and maintain my winter mat?
Depending on the type of mat you choose, cleaning may be quick and easy or a bit more time-consuming. Mats such as the Swiftee X-Tee or the Masters Launch Rocket only require a quick wipe-down with a cloth, thanks to their rubber/plastic construction.
Some of the most expensive or premium mats, such as the Callaway FT Launch Zone mat, normally require their rubber base to be cleaned, as they gather a lot of dirt. They also benefit from having the artificial turf brushed or sprayed with an air compressor after each round to clear out any mud that gets trapped between the fibres. I’ve been doing this with my Launch Zone mat, and it’s still going strong after nearly 10 years!
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it useful. If you have any questions about the winter golf mats featured in this post, would like to suggest alternatives not mentioned (based on your experience), or simply want to share your thoughts on using winter golf mats, please let me know in the comments section below.
Enjoy your golf this winter and play well!
Related winter golf articles
If you enjoyed this article and are looking for more winter golf-related articles, be sure to check out these:
- Best waterproof winter golf boots: stay dry & warm this winter
- 15 winter golf essentials to play better golf this off-season
- Winter golf mats: what are the rules and benefits?
- How to choose the right golf balls for winter conditions
- 5 ways to help look after your golf course this winter
- The benefits of using colourful optic golf balls this winter
One Response
Used the powerhouse mat this year, it’s flimsy construction allows it to move on your take away letting your ball move resulting in unwanted shots, mainly the dreaded s word (shank)