When playing a round of golf, your putter is easily one of the most reached for clubs inside of your bag, so it’s no surprise that perfecting your short game should be one of your main goals when practicing your skills. But hitting up the driving range isn’t going to suffice when it comes to mastering the delicate art of putting, and unless you want to be paying a lot of money to play a course every day, then you’re going to need another practice alternative that can really help you develop your talents. This is where an at-home putting mat becomes a worthwhile investment, as these portable, miniature greens offer an ideal solution that allows you to get in hours of practice, anywhere, anytime. Convenient, affordable, and immensely effective, an at-home putting mat can be your ultimate secret weapon, and when used correctly, it can have you putting like Tiger Woods every time you step onto the green. 

Thankfully, this guide was created to assist you with navigating the ever-growing world of at-home putting mats, and whether you’re shopping for yourself, or for a gift, it will provide all of the information you need to make a smart purchasing decision. Covering the various styles, materials, and features, you’ll walk away from this guide feeling like an expert, and it can ensure you’re able to select that ideal putting mat that will take your short game to the next level. 

Types of Putting Mats

Not all putting mats are created equally, and while they may look similar as you browse available options, it’s essential that you understand the various differences you might encounter so that you are able to select the perfect mat for your needs. If you’re hoping to achieve a realistic practice session that properly replicates the greens you generally play on, then the style and materials are both going to be of the utmost importance, as these determine how the ball will roll every time you putt it. Factors like speed, slope, and contour, which are crucial for honing your putting skills, will all vary from mat to mat, so the very first thing you will want to learn about are each of the styles, which include the:

A straightforward and budget-friendly option, the Basic Flat Mat is a single piece of material that has the same terrain and height from end-to-end. With very little variation built into the design, this style of mat is ideal for beginners who are hoping to focus on the mechanics of putting, without having to worry about the common challenges that a real green offers. Since there is no slope, incline, or traps, this type of mat will only be beneficial up to a certain point, and while it is great for developing a consistent and reliable stroke, it won’t be able to help you prepare for the undulations or complexities that you’ll face during an actual game. 

Designed to better replicate the natural slopes and contours that are found on real greens, a Contoured Mat provides a much more realistic putting experience for those who have already mastered the basic stroke. If you’re looking to improve your ability to read and adjust to breaks and gradients, this can be a worthwhile solution, however, it is important to note that it can also be more expensive, bulkier, and challenging. Taking up a lot more space than a Basic Flat Mat, a Contoured Mat will not be quite as portable or convenient to store, but the added challenge of the slopes can be highly rewarding for golfers seeking to elevate their putting game to a more professional level.

Each golf course you play at will have different types of greens that can impact your performance, and being able to adapt to these ever-changing surfaces is essential if you want a chance at scoring par 72 the next time you play. To help you adapt to this challenge, a Dual-Speed Mat is a must-have training tool, as the two sided design allows you to practice on both slower and faster greens whenever you’d like. This versatility does increase how challenging the putting mat can be, however, so if you are a complete beginner, it may be more advanced than what you’re initially going to require. 

Similar to the Contoured Mat, an Adjustable Slope Mat is intended to help you practice against the common challenges you would face on a real green, but the main difference here is that you can alter those slopes each time you putt. A popular choice, this type of mat can adapt alongside you as you increase your skill level, and it can also help you to become more proficient at reading greens as it will be constantly changing. The downside to an adjustable slope mat, however, is that they do tend to be much more expensive, and they usually include a lot more parts and pieces that you’ll need to avoid losing. 

Putting Mat Materials

As for the various materials that a putting mat may be made from, there tends to be three main options that you are most likely to encounter while shopping. Which material is right for you will depend mainly on your preferences as well as your budget, and each one does have its own pros and cons that you’ll need to consider. Just like with the different styles, the materials can have a major impact on how happy you are with your new mat, so once you’ve settled on the type of mat you prefer, the next thing will be to decide whether you want:

If you want a putting mat that most closely replicates a real green then artificial turf is likely going to be your preferred choice. Designed to mimic the feel and roll of natural grass, artificial turf is by far one of the most popular materials, and it’s ideal for when you want to practice speed and accuracy, on a predictable, consistent surface. Where artificial turf falls short, however, is that it is almost always going to be the more expensive option, and it can be noticeably bulkier when you are trying to roll it up for storage. 

Lightweight, easy-to-store, and incredibly budget-friendly, felt mats are a preferred option for beginners who aren’t looking to spend a lot of money upfront but still want to develop their putting skills at home. The smooth surface of a felt mat is more than sufficient for practicing basic strokes, and they come in a wide range of sizes and styles so you can find one that meets your needs. With that said, felt mats do not provide the same level of realism that artificial turf will, and when playing on real greens you may find that your ball behaves differently than it did on your mat.  

Another budget-friendly option, carpet is a top material choice if you want something a bit heavier and more robust than a felt mat, but aren’t looking to spend as much as most artificial turf mats cost. Carpet is great because it doesn’t tend to wrinkle the way thinner materials like felt does, and it is still very easy to roll up and transport or store when necessary. However, carpet won’t fully replicate a real green the way artificial turf will, so as you progress with your putting skills, you’ll still likely want to upgrade later down the road. 

Do You Need a Ball Return System?

As you shop around for a new putting mat, one of the big features you will likely see again and again is the inclusion of a built-in ball return system. This can be an incredibly beneficial addition, especially if you want something as convenient as possible, and it will save you from having to walk over and retrieve your ball after every single putt you make. Streamlining your practice sessions and making them more efficient, a ball return system allows you maintain a consistent rhythm while you putt, and for most golfers it is a preferred feature that is worth considering. But just because it increases convenience doesn’t mean it’s for everyone, and if you are someone with very limited space, or a limited budget, then skipping the ball return system could save you room and money. What’s right for you really comes down to how much you are looking to spend and how convenient you want your practice sessions to be, so be sure to assess your space, preferences, and budget before you make a final purchasing decision. 

Final Considerations

Since putting mats can have a direct impact on your actual performance on the golf course, you will want to take your time when choosing a model, as you don’t want to simply rush out and purchase the first option you find. Beyond the various styles and materials, as well as the optional ball return systems, there are also a number of other features you’ll want to explore to ensure you end up with a mat that meets your needs as well as your skill level. From what accessories it includes to whether or not it has built-in storage, some of the final considerations worth taking into account include:

All putting mats come with premade holes for you to putt your ball into, but how many, and how adjustable they are, will vary. For a more basic mat, you may only have a single hole that you can aim for each time you practice, as this can be quite limiting, especially if you already have the basics down and are looking for more of a challenge. More advanced mats, on the other hand, wil not only feature multiple holes but you may also be able to move or cover them, giving you more flexibility and versatility during your practice sessions.

If you’re looking to increase the difficulty level then a mat that includes built-in traps and hazards is an easy way to accomplish this. Perfect for simulating the real challenges that you’re likely to encounter on a course, these advanced elements can replicate rough terrain, sand bunkers, or even water. In some mats, these traps and hazards may also be customizable, so you can set-up a new practice green each time, which will keep it fresh, fun, and consistently challenging. 

Depending on your home and living situation, you may not want to keep your practice mat laid out on the floor at all times, and if you want to be able to store it away, then you need to be purchasing an option that is compact and portable. On top of making sure your new mat can easily be rolled up or folded, you’ll also want to check that when unrolled it won’t be left creased, wrinkled, or damaged, as that will make it unusable in the future.  

In addition to the mat itself, many options do include extra accessories with your purchase that can not only enhance your practice experience, but allow you to make the mat more customizable as well. From a free putter or balls, to alignment aids or training guides, these potential accessories can provide added value and convenience and will help you as you select that perfect putting mat for your needs.