Just about completed my garage sim setup, and of course I’ve been using it a lot since it’s a new toy. Getting some elbow pain now. I had real bad elbow pain due to bursitis caused by bone spur earlier this year, and I don’t want to go down that road again.
I’m assuming the pain is mostly caused by hitting off a thin mat with insufficient padding, and partially just due to overuse.
What are your recommendations for the best mats in terms of cushion/injury prevention and realistic feedback?
I bought this 3 years ago, I don’t use it alot inside on a hard surface, I pull it on the grass outside. Specifically because of the reason you stated. I really messed up my elbow trying to get in golf shape after my accident. I would make sure you have at least an inch of thickness. This is what I bought Decent Mat
I bought a really cheap mat off Amazon which is almost too thin when I hit balls in the garage, but I put some of those interlocking rubber mats under it for cushion.
The really good hitting mats are a bit pricey and I don’t use my garage setup often enough. If I ever set up a sim out there (and some heat) I would buy a better mat.
I did the same with the rubber tiles, but it didn’t help that much (at least my elbow didn’t notice much cushion).
Hitting with concrete underneath can eventually be an issue IMO. I haven’t had any elbow issues in a few years, but I have a bad right wrist and have to be careful.
I think my mat has about 1/2" rubber backing and then the rubber exercise tiles are another 5/8" or so. That seems to work for me, but I don’t beat a lot of balls and I’ve learned to be a sweeper…still I maybe could use another layer of exercise tiles. I pretty much only take divots with my wedges and they are only irons that have graphite shafts for absorbing shock.
Had it a 3-4 years, use it quite a bit, still in good shape.
Hitting off mats is gonna be painful if your AoA is too steep with non teed up balls. Ask me how I know. 
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I use Real Feel mats and have had no issues using them on concrete. These mats are nice because you can’t cheat - if you hit it fat, you’ll know. I bought two of the 20x36 strips, which has worked out pretty well.
Edited to change 10x36 to 20x36.
Thanks for the input.
I ended up ordering the “holy grail” golf mat from gunghogolf. Got lots of good reviews on golfsimulatorforum.
Looks like a nice piece of turf, Good Luck… One quick question do you think the smaller turf strip being 1" above the floor causes a bottom out? My pro convinced me that a full mat where I was basically even with the ball (3’x5’) would be better than a small piece of turf and simulate a better situation…
They are not cheap, but I have had a Fiberbuilt mat for 18 months with no wrist or elbow issues. I had a perfect reaction golf mat for 6 months before that and can definitely feel the difference.
The hitting strip will fit into a cutout of the mat and sit flush with the surface. That way, if it wears out you can just replace the strip, not the whole mat.
Based on all the reviews I read, Fiberbuilt was definitely on my list. Price was the deciding factor.
Ah! it’s a replacement strip! Answers the question! Alot of people just buy the strip and don’t use a whole mat! TY for clarifying…I did that and that’s how I messed up my elbow…