Country Club Elite vs SigPro Softy: Golf Simulator Mat Comparison

Why Your Mat Choice Matters

Your hitting mat takes every swing. A bad mat hurts your joints, damages your clubs, and teaches you bad habits. A good mat feels like real turf and protects your body through thousands of practice shots.

The Country Club Elite and SigPro Softy are two of the most popular mid-range to premium hitting mats for home golf simulators. Both cost $300-500, both feel realistic, and both last for years.

Quick verdict: Country Club Elite for best feel and joint protection. SigPro Softy for best value and size options.

At a Glance

| Feature | Country Club Elite | SigPro Softy | |---------|-------------------|--------------| | Price | $299-500+ | $399-499 | | Sizes | 3x4, 4x5, 5x5 ft | 4x7 ft (fixed) | | Turf Feel | Excellent | Very Good | | Joint Protection | Excellent | Very Good | | Durability | 5-10 years | 5+ years | | Thickness | 1.5" base + turf | 1" base + turf | | Stance Area | Separate purchase | Integrated | | Tee System | Rubber tees | Rubber tees | | Best For | Feel-focused golfers | Space-conscious setups |

The Products

Country Club Elite Real Feel Golf Mat

The Country Club Elite is what commercial indoor golf facilities use. It's engineered to feel like real fairway turf with exceptional shock absorption.

SigPro Softy 4x7

The SigPro Softy offers a large hitting area with integrated stance mat at a compelling price point.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Turf Feel and Realism

Winner: Country Club Elite

The Country Club Elite earned its reputation for feeling like real grass. The turf fibers are engineered to simulate fairway conditions:

• Club interacts with turf naturally
• Divots feel realistic (but don't tear)
• Ball sits like on well-maintained grass

The SigPro Softy feels very good - better than budget mats - but slightly firmer than the Country Club Elite. Most golfers won't notice the difference on full swings, but it's apparent on wedge shots.

Why it matters: Unrealistic turf teaches bad habits. Mats that "grab" the club affect your swing plane. Both these mats avoid that problem, but the Country Club Elite is slightly more true-to-life.

Joint Protection

Winner: Country Club Elite

This is where the Country Club Elite truly shines. The thick shock-absorbing base protects your:

• Wrists
• Elbows
• Shoulders
• Lower back

You can hit 200+ balls on the Country Club Elite without soreness. The SigPro Softy is also forgiving, but some golfers report mild fatigue during extended sessions.

Real-world impact: If you practice frequently (3+ times per week) or have any history of joint issues, the extra cushioning matters.

Size and Configuration

Winner: SigPro Softy

The SigPro Softy is a 4x7 foot mat with integrated stance area. You get:

• Large hitting area
• Built-in stance mat
• One-piece design
• No separate purchases needed

The Country Club Elite comes in multiple sizes (3x4, 4x5, 5x5), but doesn't include a stance area. You'll often need to buy a separate stance mat, adding to the cost and setup complexity.

For simulator builds: The SigPro's all-in-one design is more convenient for dedicated spaces.

Durability

Winner: Tie

Both mats are built to last:

| Mat | Expected Life | Heavy Use | |-----|---------------|-----------| | Country Club Elite | 5-10 years | 5+ years | | SigPro Softy | 5+ years | 4+ years |

The Country Club Elite has a slight edge with very heavy use (commercial-level), but for home simulators, both will last years longer than budget alternatives.

Maintenance: Both benefit from occasional brushing to keep turf fibers upright. Rotate hitting position periodically to distribute wear.

Price and Value

Winner: SigPro Softy

When you factor in what's included:

| Configuration | Country Club Elite | SigPro Softy | |--------------|-------------------|--------------| | Hitting mat (comparable size) | $400-500 | - | | Stance mat | $100-150 | Included | | Total | $500-650 | $399-499 |

The SigPro delivers a complete hitting solution at a lower total cost.

Setup and Space Requirements

Winner: Country Club Elite (flexibility)

The Country Club Elite's modular sizing means you can:

• Start with 3x4 and upgrade later
• Fit awkward spaces
• Configure for your specific setup

The SigPro Softy is 4x7 feet - take it or leave it. This works great for dedicated simulator rooms but limits options for tight spaces.

Fat Shots and Club Interaction

Winner: Country Club Elite (slightly)

Both mats handle fat shots well, but the Country Club Elite's softer surface is more forgiving:

Country Club Elite: Club glides through on fat shots, minimal resistance SigPro Softy: Slight "grab" on very fat shots, but still reasonable

For golfers working on ball-first contact, the Country Club Elite provides better feedback.

Portability

Winner: Country Club Elite

Smaller sizes are easier to move and store. The 3x4 Country Club Elite weighs around 20 lbs; the 4x7 SigPro weighs 40+ lbs.

If you need to roll up and store your mat, the Country Club Elite is more manageable.

Who Should Buy the Country Club Elite

Choose the Country Club Elite if:

• Turf feel and realism are top priorities
• You have any joint issues or plan frequent practice
• You want sizing flexibility
• You prioritize quality over total cost
• You already have a stance mat

Best pairing: Pair with a separate stance mat for a complete hitting station. Popular in premium simulator builds.

Country Club Elite Pros

• Best-in-class turf feel
• Superior joint protection
• Multiple size options
• Exceptional durability
• Commercial-grade quality

Country Club Elite Cons

• Stance mat sold separately
• Higher total cost for complete setup
• Limited to rectangular sizes

Who Should Buy the SigPro Softy

Choose the SigPro Softy if:

• You want an all-in-one solution
• Value matters (best total price)
• You have a dedicated space for 4x7 feet
• You prefer integrated stance area
• You want simple, one-purchase setup

Best pairing: Perfect for garage simulator builds where the 4x7 footprint fits naturally.

SigPro Softy Pros

• Integrated stance area included
• Better total value
• Large hitting surface
• Quality commercial-grade turf
• Simple one-piece setup

SigPro Softy Cons

• Fixed 4x7 size (less flexible)
• Slightly firmer than Country Club Elite
• Heavier and harder to move
• Less forgiving on very fat shots

Common Concerns Addressed

"Is the Country Club Elite worth the premium?"

If joint protection and turf feel are priorities, yes. The difference is subtle but real. For occasional practice, the SigPro is probably "good enough."

"Will the SigPro Softy work on concrete?"

Yes, but consider adding foam tiles underneath for extra cushion. Both mats benefit from underlayment on hard surfaces.

"How do these compare to Fiberbuilt?"

Fiberbuilt is the commercial standard and costs more ($500+). For home use, both Country Club Elite and SigPro Softy deliver 90% of the performance at better prices.

"Can I use real tees?"

Both mats work with rubber tees. Real wooden tees will wear out the turf faster and aren't recommended.

"What about winter storage?"

Both mats should be stored flat - don't roll them for extended periods. Temperature changes don't affect either mat.

The Verdict

For Best Feel and Joint Protection: Country Club Elite

The Country Club Elite delivers the most realistic feel and best shock absorption in the mid-range market. It's what commercial facilities use, and you'll feel the difference in extended practice sessions.

For Best Value and Convenience: SigPro Softy

The SigPro Softy's integrated stance area and large hitting surface provide complete value in one purchase. For dedicated simulator spaces, it's hard to beat.

Our Recommendation

For most home simulators: The SigPro Softy is the practical choice. It includes everything you need at a fair price.

For serious practice and joint concerns: Invest in the Country Club Elite. The better feel and protection justify the premium if you'll use it frequently.

Budget option: If both are out of reach, the Callaway Supersoft Mat at $100-150 is a reasonable starting point, with plans to upgrade later.

Related Resources

• Best Golf Simulator Hitting Mats - Full rankings
• Mid-Range Build Under $3,000 - Complete setup guide
• Premium Build $5,000-$10,000 - Premium setup guide
• Full Build Guide - All budget levels