Hitting mat anatomy.
Synthetic grass layer, rubber underlayer, backing. What each layer does.
Top: synthetic grass
Nylon or polypropylene fibers tufted into a backing. Fiber length ranges from 5mm (firm, simulator-style) to 30mm (lush, range-style). Density and pile direction affect strike feel.
Middle: rubber underlayer
Crumb rubber or solid molded rubber, 10 to 25mm thick. This is the layer that absorbs the strike energy. Without it the club bounces; the player feels every shot in their wrists.
Bottom: backing
Latex, polyurethane, or thermoplastic backing locks everything together. Quality mats have a non-slip rubber backing that grips the floor.
Why this matters for tee choice
Any tee that tries to penetrate needs to get through the grass and grip in the rubber. Most fail. Surface-sitting tees (Better Golf Tee, BirTee, Tomahawk) bypass the problem entirely.