Introduction
This Forum Member Review of the BirdieBall 2-in-1 Golf Mat cuts to the chase, because let’s face it amid a plethora of options, choosing the right mat can be challenging. Factors like space and budget come into play but what if there’s a dual-purpose mat that’s highly durable and claims to be an all-in-one solution?
Enter the BirdieBall 2-in-1 Putting Green/Hitting Turf, aiming to be the ultimate home golf setup solution. With 11 size options and a range of features including drop-in cups, flags, U-bumpers, hole plugs and slope inserts, this all-in-one mat provides everything a golfer needs for an ideal home setup.
The Testing Opportunity
For this testing opportunity, BirdieBall provided three testers with a 2-in-1 putting/hitting mat in the size of their choosing. Applicants submitted a photo of their current setup and shared their experiences over an eight-week period with the BirdieBall setup. When the testing concluded, the testers got to keep the mat and the accessories.
What Testers Said: Setup and First Impressions
The testers were selected, orders were placed and anticipation for the putting/hitting mats started to grow. Universally, when the testers received the packages from BirdieBall, their reactions were similar: “Wow, this thing is big! And heavy!”
The BirdieBall 2-in-1 putting/hitting mat came in two packages—one with the mat and bumpers and another with the remaining accessories. Here is what the testers said upon receiving the packages.
From tester MattF: “I thought my son was joking when he said he had trouble getting it in the garage, but it weighed about 69 pounds. There were two packages: the mat and the accessories, which included 4 Standard Drop-in Cups + Extraction Flags, 1 High-Back Cup to practice extra-firm putts, U-bumpers (6 heavy rubber bumpers to create a “U” shape on each end of the putting green), Hole Plugs, Hole Deepening Shim to deepen the hole to a full 1″ deep, or use it to create a break anywhere on the putting surface and a Hole Reduction Insert to reduce the size of the hole for an added challenge.”
Tester Nick_D had similar comments: “When the two boxes showed up on my doorstep, I’m sure my FedEx delivery driver was not quite as pleased as I was. The larger of the two boxes included the mat itself, along with rubber bumpers and a small accessories box. Everything was well-packaged and in great shape! They even included large bubble wrap-type packaging on the inside of the putting mat so it wouldn’t fold or crease.”
Installation
All the testers noted that BirdieBall says this unit can be packed up and moved for non-permanent use. Due to the weight and heft of the mat itself, they disagreed, noting that while it rolled out easily and flat with no creases, they would not be moving it around on a regular basis due to its size and weight.
For those considering this particular mat, it’s best placed in a permanent spot rather than moved around unnecessarily.
Putting Performance
With the accessories and overall speed of the mat, all testers wanted to practice more and improved their putting throughout the testing period.
Tester Dooby: “Having four different holes and the ability to set them up all differently with the shims and accessories makes this a really fun but also useful tool. I leave a handful of balls out on the green with my putter, so anytime I walk by, I can pick a target and go and then go on with my day. The only downside is the length since you can’t really practice long lag putts, and then there isn’t much distance past the cup to judge speeds.”
“I can say with confidence that this putting mat has improved my putting.” – Nick_D
Hitting Performance
Even though all the testers provided positive feedback on the build and quality of the BirdieBall mat, they were hesitant when it came to using it as a hitting mat. The biggest concern was the thickness and potential wear.
Tester MattF raved about the putting functions of the mat but will not be using it for hitting purposes due to the thickness. The others claimed it worked but were happy when BirdieBall offered a free hitting mat section for providing a simple Google review.
Price
The price of the putting/hitting mat was a topic of discussion. The BirdieBall mat is not cheap, ranging from $1,335 to $1,929 depending on size. While all testers saw its value, they wondered if it offered that much additional value over what they had previously used.
Tester Dooby: “The other hesitation I would have on this is the price. It is roughly $1,500 depending on the size of mat you purchase and that is quite the investment depending on your own personal situation and desire. However, when taking a look at similar products in the marketplace, I think it is pretty fairly priced given the amazing quality and durability that it has. Not to mention the customization that you can do.“
"This is a great piece that acts both as a putting green and as a simulator hitting surface.” – Dooby
The Final Verdict
After several weeks of testing, trials and varied setups, the testers provided their final scores. A single lower score of 75/100 was provided, citing price, size, hitting mat functions and portability as the main reasons for deductions. That being said, this tester still intends to keep this as his primary putting mat.
Two reviewers provided exceptional grades of 97/100. The only criticisms they had were about installation and the size/weight of the putting mat. However, both intend to keep the BirdieBall 2-in-1 mat in one location.
All the testers will be continuing to use this mat and enjoyed their time testing it with the various accessories and multiple functions it offered.
To read their full Forum Member Review of the BirdieBall 2-in-1 Golf Mat go HERE!
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