Editor's note: This partner content is brought to you by Andy Sullivan, golfer and content creator on his popular YouTube channel, TheAverageGolfer, where he describes himself as “just an Average Golfer giving unbiased opinions and reviews, product testing, golf travel vlogs and golf news!”
The winter months are a grim time for golfers; horrible weather, short days, and courses closed mean we struggle to maintain our hobby–and in my case, my job–and I need a solution to this problem quick. Golf Practice Hitting Mat
That’s why I'm making a commitment this winter to find some indoor practice solutions, and putting is a great place to start. For that, I need an indoor facility that won't break the budget. I've gotten myself four different putting mats to test to see if I can find a solution to practice putting indoors with realistic similarities to that of a real putting green. I also want to be able to use the mat in future months to test and review putters on a pure surface.
My top pick, and the last mat I tried, is probably the most simplistic in its design. It comes from a company called PrimePutt. Now, the big deal for me was there were no creases straight out of the box. It’s a different level of putting surface altogether and really did seem next level.
This was a realistic proposition to create an indoor putting facility at a realistic price point. While I was a massive fan, if there’s anything I'd like to see change, it would be some minimal markings on the mat to assist as a visual aid when practicing. Other than that, though, it really was difficult to pick fault with this one.
When I tested it, the first thing that struck me about this one is it's by far the best quality, and it's the one that rolls out of the box and is kind of flat straight away. The ball rolls really true as well, probably not the fastest. I think they say it rolls about an 8. (Upon checking, PrimePutt.com lists the speed at a 9-11 stimp). By far the best rolling. It's good, you know, because it says it replicates a real cup, and that just grabbed the ball enough to fall in. It's very life-like.
Next is Big Moss. This is a decent piece of kit; it's a heavyweight surface, and it's got a foam-backed underlay that allows you to create the cup holes. It has a foam backstop, which is a nice touch.
I'm a bit surprised that there are these humps and bumps from when you've rolled the mat out. They're not having a massive impact or it doesn't look to have an impact on the roll. But, if you've got this in the house and you want to roll it back up each time and then get it back out, then these creases are going to be ever-present. I'm not too sure if I like that idea or not.
All the same, they still seem to roll pretty true. That's a real good roll, and what's interesting is they're quick. I mean, it seems like sort of a 10 on the stimpmeter. The ball rolls super quick but not altogether a true roll. To be honest with you, at times, those undulations on the putting surface reminded me of the fairways in Forfar.
There was an interesting concept to create a break in the putt with this product, but while it worked to a degree, I wasn't overly convinced. Once again, this putting mat would have to be a permanent fixture. It's not something you could take in and out of the box because those folds would just simply not disappear.
True Birdie I would describe as a decent piece of carpet. As you can see, it doesn't roll out truly flat and, therefore, needs to be unrolled permanently to become anything flat enough to take seriously. I’m just not overly keen about being off the mat on a different level. This isn't how you would putt, is it?
Visually, I like the look of it, and it seems to roll fairly true. For the price, it was good fun but not a serious piece of equipment.
Now the first thing I want to say, if this is endorsed by Dustin Johnson, then I'm Tiger Woods. My favorite bit about this mat is the fact that the ball comes back to me down a little wooden trough.
But this is terrible. I can't even get the ball in place properly. I don't think you're learning anything on this. The material used for the surface is pretty terrible, if I'm honest, and have zero positives apart from the mini roller coaster ride the ball takes when it's on its way back to you.
So, we started this test with what was a very selfish motive. I wanted to find a putting mat that I could use indoors during the winter and improve my putting stroke.
After testing these four, my conclusion is, quite simply, that PrimePutt was the most simplistic of the mats that I tried in the sense that it's very stripped down, no markings, and all the things I've already said in its individual review. For me, it was by far the highest quality and the best representation of what I would find out on the fares, at least on the greens, and if I wanted to practice my putting stroke seriously, then it was the quality of the material used in the mat itself, which is the real standout feature.
So that's my conclusion: four mats tested, three going on eBay, and one has found its way into my spare room.
-Andy Sullivan, The Average Golfer
Before choosing an indoor putting green, think about how you plan on using it and what qualities it must have. You want to make a well-informed decision that aligns with your needs and preferences, which starts with considering the following factors:
While more expensive indoor putting greens won't always equate to better performance, it's generally true that you get what you pay for. Still, the ideal price range varies for everyone and depends on what you hope to gain
For instance, if you only plan on holding an occasional putting game with friends in the backyard, you might not need a premium product made for authentic short-game practice. Conversely, if you want it to lay flat and have a realistic roll for legitimate training, it's worth spending the extra money to get the best experience.
The turf material of a putting green significantly influences its usability. Some indoor putting greens feel more like carpets, whereas others have tour-quality turf that mimics the feel of a real golf course. Moreover, different materials offer varied responses, stimp ratings, and longevity, so you want to choose a product with a turf material that meets your expectations.
Indoor putting greens are designed with different purposes in mind. Depending on the type of practice experience you want to emulate, note any features you must have and what products offer them. You can find products with adjustable holes or cup sizes, contour pads, alignment aids, or varying surface textures to simulate different putting scenarios. On the other hand, you might want the most authentic experience and prefer a minimalist design with no markings or special features.
Regardless of how you intend on using your indoor putting green, you want to ensure it's durable and stands up to consistent use. Evaluate the build quality, types of materials used, manufacturing practices, and user feedback to gauge whether it's a quality product that will withstand regular wear and tear. You should also review the indoor putting green's warranty to see what the brand will cover in the event of premature failure or if you receive a product with manufacturing defects.
Portability and easy assembly/disassembly are vital considerations for golfers who need a flexible practice setup. Unless you plan on rarely moving or stowing your putting green, you should assess its mobility and storage capabilities, including foldability, weight, and number of parts. In addition, research if the putting green will consistently stay flat despite frequent rolling or folding.
Nothing will ever match the feel of sinking a putt on a perfectly manicured green, but you can get pretty close with mats that have an authentic surface. The ball should roll naturally and have a consistent feel, closely resembling what you'd experience on an actual green.
Test a few indoor putting greens if you can; if not, check user reviews and product specifications to get an idea of how well it performs. Ideally, you want to practice on an indoor putting green that will improve your skills and translate to results on the course.
Before purchasing an indoor putting green, measure the area where you plan on using it. In addition to checking if it will fit, determine if the putting green is designed for your floor type, whether that’s carpet, hardwood, tile, and so on. If you think you'll use the putting green in multiple places, select a size that will accommodate various spaces, such as a hallway or an office.
Still have questions about indoor putting greens? We've got answers below.
You can technically use any level surface and regular golf balls to practice putting at home, but an indoor putting mat is the best tool to mimic the same surface as a golf course. The market has several options for different skill levels and purposes, such as the PrimePutt Mat or Tour Speed Putting Mat.
Investing in a quality indoor putting green is absolutely worth it! If you want to improve your putt and shave strokes off your game, indoor putting mats are the way to go. There are several excellent mats on the market, and you can find options with tour-quality turf that don't take up too much space, can still be stored easily, and won't sacrifice a true roll.
Most putting mats should work on all surfaces, but some are better used on smooth flooring, like wood, vinyl, or tile. If the floor is even and your mat rolls cleanly and lays flat out of the box every time, then the type of floor material shouldn’t matter too much. However, you may notice a slightly slower roll on carpet.
While the ideal home putting green size depends on your space, you should aim for at least 9' in length to practice from further distances. You should also consider whether you plan on keeping your putting green in one place or need to store it when not in use.
The best base material for a putting green is usually a tour-quality synthetic turf designed to mimic the feel and roll of natural grass. The putting green should also have a durable, non-slip rubber bottom to keep it secure.
Follow Kyle Whitfield on Twitter, @kyle_whitfield.
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