Putting Mats and Putting Training Aids

A good putting mat is one of the most effective training tools you can own. The reason is simple: most putting misses stem from your start line, face angle, and pacing within ten feet or so. These are exactly the skills a mat isolates. PGA coaches often recommend structured mat practice because it helps you build a repeatable stroke without course conditions getting in the way. A mat won’t replace long-range pace work or real-world green-reading, but for sharpening mechanics and honing your short-putt confidence, it’s spot on.

Usually, yes. Premium indoor greens use thicker turf and heavier bases, which stay flatter, roll truer, and hold up better over time. If you’re practising several times a week or setting up a semi-permanent bay, the upgrade is noticeable. If you only roll a few putts now and then, a well-made roll-up mat will still get the job done. It comes down to frequency, realism, and longevity. You might also want to consider something like the PuttOut AirBreak mat, which offers hundreds of slope combinations by using pumps to raise and lower the flexible base. Plus, made putts are returned to your feet by a battery-powered automatic ball returner - Fancy!

Focus on five things:

• Roll quality: Dense, tightly-woven turf gives you a truer roll and won’t develop grooves or tracks.
  
• Speed: Look for mats that replicate medium to fast greens. This will help your stroke practice transfer straight to the course.
  
• Length & space: Around 8-12 feet works for most indoor setups. Long enough to be useful, short enough to fit comfortably.
  
• Backing thickness: A stable backing keeps the mat flat and smooth, especially on carpet or uneven floors.
  
• Printed guides: Lines, checkpoints, and targets turn your practice into meaningful, structured drills.

You can, but the backing matters. Thin mats reveal every dip and wobble in your carpet, which affects your roll and practice.

Match the tool to the fault:

• Start-line issues: Use a gate or narrow target.
• Set-up consistency: A putting mirror keeps your eyes, shoulders, and face alignment in check.
• Stroke path: Arc trainers or simple path guides help you groove a shape you can repeat.

It can replace a huge amount of the technical work. A mat is ideal for face control, start line, and short-putt confidence because it removes wind, grass grain, spike marks, and distractions. What it can’t offer is long-range lag putting or varied green-reading. Think of your putting mat as a home workshop for mechanics - and your real greens as the proving ground.

Keep it simple and focused:

1. Start-line (5–7 minutes): Use a gate and track how many putts pass cleanly.
2. Pace (5–7 minutes): Putt to set distances or marked zones, aiming to finish just past the hole.
3. Pressure (3–5 minutes): Set a challenge - for example, Hole 8 out of 10 from 5 feet. Miss one? Start over.

Both work - it depends on how you learn.

• Tech tools are great if you want data, structure, and gamified practice. They keep you honest and show measurable progress.
  
• Simple trainers (mirrors, gates) are incredibly effective and often all you need. Many coaches still prefer them because they deliver clear, instant feedback.

If you’re unsure, start low-tech and upgrade once you know how you practise best.

Putting mirrors, alignment gates, and practice greens are among the most effective. Mirrors help you check eye position and putter face alignment, while gates improve stroke accuracy. Quality putting mats with realistic speed let you practise distance control and build confidence before your next round.

They work because they standardise eye position, shoulder line and shaft lean, so you start the ball on line and work on that muscle memory. Pair putting mirror with a start-line gate for rapid feedback.