SIG Preferred Hitting Strip vs SIG Pro 3D – Which Hitting Mat is Right for Your Golf Simulator?

When it comes to building a home golf simulator, your hitting mat can make or break the experience. While newer options continue to hit the market, there are a few under-the-radar hitting strips from The Indoor Golf Shop that often get overlooked—specifically, the SIG Preferred Hitting Strip and the SIG Pro 3D Hitting Strip.

These models aren’t the flashiest or the most well-known (like the SIG Pro Softy), but they offer some unique characteristics that may suit certain golfers’ preferences—especially if you’re looking for a firmer feel or more durability without spending top dollar.

In this in-depth review, I tested both the SIG Preferred and the SIG Pro 3D and compared them to the SIG Pro Softy, which has been my personal go-to for years. Whether you’re chasing realism, comfort, or longevity, this guide will help you decide which hitting strip best fits your simulator setup.

What is the SIG Preferred Hitting Strip?

The SIG Preferred Hitting Strip is one that I had never used until recently, even though I’ve reviewed several hitting mats from The Indoor Golf Shop on my channel. After getting a number of requests from viewers, I decided to finally pick one up and test it out for myself.

I’ve now been using the SIG Preferred for a few weeks, and it’s actually surprised me. It’s definitely on the firmer side, but not uncomfortably so. The top layer uses Teeline turf—about 1 inch long—which looks and feels almost identical to what you get on the SIG Pro Softy. If you’ve ever tried the EZ Tee Hybrid turf, it reminds me a lot of that, except this one has a solid foam base underneath instead of being just a standalone turf layer.

That foam base is a dense EVA material, and compared to the super-soft foam in the SIG Pro Softy, this one barely gives. I tested it by stepping on it, and I could tell right away: the whole strip doesn’t sink under pressure like the Softy does. That translates into a firmer strike when you’re hitting golf balls. There’s less cushion, which means more feedback—and more of a “thud” at impact.

I thought that firmness might be a problem, especially in terms of comfort or joint pain. I’m always a little cautious about mats that are too stiff, especially when practicing with irons. But so far, I haven’t had any pain or issues. I’ve hit quite a few shots on it over the past couple of weeks, and while I can feel the firmness compared to the Softy, it hasn’t been uncomfortable. In fact, I actually like how it feels when I really compress the ball. There’s something satisfying about the way the turf grabs the club just enough to let you know you’ve made a solid strike.

Another thing I noticed is how well this mat accepts real tees. That’s always been a big selling point for a lot of people. But personally, I’ve moved away from using regular tees indoors. I used to do it when I first built my simulator, but they’d break, fly everywhere, or end up on top of my enclosure. These days I just use Birtees—those little plastic cone tees that stay put and are way easier to deal with.

Now, durability is a concern I’ve heard from a lot of people with the SIG Pro Softy, and since the turf on the Preferred is basically the same, I expect a similar story here. The long turf fibers do tend to fray pretty quickly—usually within the first month. I noticed that myself. But after that initial wear-in period, it seems to stabilize. My SIG Pro Softy has looked about the same for over a year now. I flip it every few months to extend the life a bit, and I expect to do the same with the Preferred.

Overall, I’ve been impressed with the SIG Preferred. It’s firmer, yes—but not too firm. It feels great on well-struck shots, gives you solid turf interaction, and has enough feedback to let you know when you’ve missed. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to the SIG Pro Softy and don’t mind the firmer feel, this could be a great fit for your simulator.

Key Features:

Uses TeeLine turf (~1 inch long fibers) on top
Dense EVA foam backing underneath
Accepts real golf tees
Compatible with SIG Pro Softy stance mats

Performance & Feel:

Feels firmer than the SIG Pro Softy
Turf provides solid club-turf interaction
Offers better ball compression feedback due to reduced cushioning
Less prone to “bottoming out” during fat shots

Pros:

Affordable compared to premium mats
Great club interaction feel
Can handle real tees (though plastic cones like Birtees are recommended)

Cons:

Less cushion could cause joint stress over time
Turf fraying begins early but stabilizes quickly

SIG Pro 3D Hitting Strip – Most Durable, But Lacking Feel?

The SIG Pro 3D Hitting Strip is the most different of the three options I’ve tested from The Indoor Golf Shop. You can see it right away—the turf is a totally different color and texture. It’s a brighter green and much shorter than the others. Depending on your setup, that might be a visual pro or con. Some people want their hitting strip to blend in; others don’t mind if it stands out.

The turf on top of the 3D is much shorter—somewhere between ¼ and ½ inch depending on where you measure. It’s not quite putting turf short, but it’s close. It also has this internal fiber layer sandwiched between the turf and the base foam. You can see the fibers woven in opposite directions, kind of crisscrossing, which I assume is meant to offer a bit of shock absorption.

Underneath that, you’ve got the same dense EVA foam as the SIG Preferred. So, overall, it’s a very firm mat. And if I’m being honest, it just didn’t do anything for me in terms of feel. It wasn’t bad—it didn’t hurt or feel awkward—but it wasn’t memorable either. Compared to the Preferred and the Softy, it just didn’t stand out and make an impression on me.

From a feedback standpoint, there wasn’t much to note. The turf is so short that you don’t really get the club-turf interaction that I personally like in a hitting mat. When I make a good strike, I want to feel it. And when I miss, I want the mat to let me know. The 3D was kind of neutral in that regard—just a hit, and that’s it. If you’re coming from something ultra-soft or springy, you’ll definitely notice the firmness, but you might not notice much else.

Now, the main selling point The Indoor Golf Shop emphasizes is durability. They market the SIG Pro 3D as their most durable hitting strip. And that probably makes sense. The shorter turf likely holds up better over time, and there’s less material to fray or wear down. But here’s the thing—I didn’t use it long enough to confirm that. And honestly, I don’t plan to. It’s just not a mat I enjoyed hitting off of enough to keep in the rotation.

Also worth noting: because of the shorter turf, this one can’t accept real tees. That’s not a dealbreaker for me—I’ve already mentioned that I prefer Birtees anyway—but for those who want to use a traditional tee, this might be a downside.

So, who is the SIG Pro 3D for? I think it could be a solid choice for someone who wants the longest-lasting hitting strip possible and isn’t as concerned about feedback or realism. Maybe it’s for a commercial simulator space where durability is the top priority. But for my personal home sim, the feel just didn’t stack up to the other options.

Key Features:

Shorter turf (~¼ to ½ inch)
Internal fiber layer that compresses slightly
Same dense EVA foam base as the SIG Preferred
Not compatible with real tees

Performance & Feel:

Feels extremely firm; minimal forgiveness
Lacks turf interaction due to short fibers
Best suited for high-volume users or commercial setups

Pros:

Claimed as most durable SIG mat
Short turf likely lasts longer than Softy or Preferred

Cons:

Minimal feedback or “real turf” sensation
Not tee-compatible
Not ideal for players sensitive to hard surfaces

❌ Editor’s Take: This was my least favorite of the three. While durability may be strong, it didn’t offer enough feel or realism to justify regular use.

SIG Pro Softy – Still the Best All-Around Hitting Mat?

The SIG Pro Softy has been my go-to hitting strip for a couple of years now, and for good reason. I’ve talked about it plenty on the channel, but for anyone unfamiliar, it’s one of the few mats that really manages to strike the right balance between feel, forgiveness, and realism.

What makes the Softy stand out is the soft foam core underneath the turf. Unlike the dense EVA foam in the SIG Preferred and 3D, the Softy uses a much more compressible foam that’s visible through the air holes in its hard plastic base. You can actually press into it with just a finger—it’s that soft. This gives it a level of shock absorption that’s really noticeable when you’re hitting a lot of balls in one session.

It’s also the most comfortable to hit off when you’re working on your swing indoors for extended periods. I’ve never had any wrist or elbow discomfort using the Softy, and I think it’s a great fit for golfers who have a history of joint pain or are just being cautious. That extra cushion goes a long way.

From a turf perspective, it’s nearly identical to the SIG Preferred—same long Teeline turf fibers on top—which means it offers good club-turf interaction. I can feel when I strike the ball well, and I can definitely tell when I catch it a little heavy. It still punishes fat shots, which is important to me for realistic practice.

The downside? The turf does fray pretty quickly. Just like with the Preferred, those long fibers start to wear down at the tips within the first month or so. But after that initial wear-in, it holds up surprisingly well. I’ve gotten a full year of use out of each one by flipping it occasionally.

If I had to recommend one hitting strip to most golfers—especially those looking for a more forgiving and joint-friendly option—the Softy would still be it. It’s not the cheapest option, but for long-term comfort and playability, I think it delivers excellent value.

Key Features:

Same Teeline turf as the Preferred
Super-soft internal foam with air channels
Excellent shock absorption
Compatible with real tees

Performance:

Soft, forgiving on joints
Still delivers realistic feel and punishes fat shots
Great for extended practice sessions

Pros:

Top-tier feel and feedback
Minimizes injury risk
Long-term comfort for high-volume users

Cons:

Most expensive of the bunch
Turf wears down over time, especially in high-use areas

Realistic & Soft

SIGPRO Softy Mat & Hitting Strip

4’x10′, 4’x7′, or Hitting Strip Only
Feels like soft fairway
Chipping feels great

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Tee Options – Real Tees vs. Plastic Cones

While both the SIG Preferred and SIG Pro Softy allow the use of real golf tees, I recommend Birtees or other plastic cone tees.

Why?

Real tees fly around the room or break
Cones like Birtees stay in place and are easy to retrieve
No damage to turf fibers from repeated teeing

Durability Comparison

Turf Fraying:

Preferred & Softy: Both use long fiber turf prone to fraying within a month, but performance remains stable afterward.
3D: Shorter turf should be more durable but lacks proven long-term feedback.

Foam Breakdown:

Softy: Softer foam may wear faster
Preferred & 3D: Dense EVA foam is more rigid and holds shape longer

Tip:

Rotate or flip the hitting strip every few months to extend life.

Fat Shot Punishment – Which Mat Keeps You Honest?

Golfers often ask: “Will these mats punish a fat shot?”

The answer:

Yes, all three will penalize poor strikes.

SIG Pro Softy: Best mix of forgiveness and punishment
SIG Preferred: Slightly firmer, still punishes fat shots
SIG Pro 3D: Firm and unforgiving, but feedback may feel too harsh

Unlike some mats like Fiberbuilt Grass or Gung-Ho Holy Grail, which let you get away with poor contact, these SIG options promote more realistic ball-strike results.