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With two kids and a full-time job, I don’t get to the course as much as I’d like. What I can do is roll out a putting mat for ten minutes after the kids go to bed. Putting is often said to be about 40% of your strokes in a round, and it’s the one part of the game you can practice well in a living room.
The Perfect Practice putting mat is the one I use.
The short version
If you want to putt better without leaving the house, the Perfect Practice mat is worth it. It rolls smoothly, the two hole sizes make practice harder in a useful way, and the ball return means you spend your time putting instead of chasing balls. It’s not a perfect replica of a real green, but nothing indoors is.
What you get
- A smooth putting surface. Perfect Practice says it rolls at 10 to 14 on the Stimpmeter, which is in the range of a fast course green. The actual speed depends on the floor underneath.
- Two holes. One regulation size and one smaller. The small hole is the training tool: if you can make putts there, the real cup looks huge.
- Alignment lines printed down the mat to show whether your putter is moving straight back and through.
- An automatic ball return. Made balls roll back down a track toward you. On the current version, the track pieces snap together with magnets.
- A wooden backstop that stops balls that miss long, which teaches you to control your speed.
Standard vs. XL
| Standard | XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About 9½ feet | About 15½ feet |
| Best for | Short putts, most living rooms and hallways | Lag putting and speed control, basements and garages |
| Fits | Most homes | Rooms with a long, clear stretch of floor |
Most players should start with the Standard. It covers the 3- to 8-foot putts that decide most scores, and it fits in most homes. Get the XL if you have the space and want to work on long putts.
What I like
Short sessions actually work. Ten minutes of focused putting a few times a week builds more consistency than an occasional long session at the course.
The small hole raises the bar. Practicing to a smaller target makes the regulation cup feel easy on the course.
The ball return keeps you moving. You can hit 50 putts in a few minutes without bending over once.
It looks good enough to leave out. The wood finish doesn’t look like gym equipment, which helps when the mat lives in a family room.
What could be better
It follows your floor. The mat is thin, so any bump or slope in the floor shows up in the roll. Put it on the flattest surface you have.
It’s straight, not sloped. You’re practicing straight putts. Reading breaks still has to happen on a real green.
The ball return isn’t perfect. Occasionally a ball doesn’t come all the way back. It’s a minor annoyance.
It costs more than basic mats. You’re paying for the surface quality, the two holes, and the return.
My 10-minute putting routine
This is the routine I use on weeknights:
- Gate drill, 2 minutes. Set two tees just wider than your putter head about a foot in front of the ball. Roll putts through the gate to the small hole.
- 3-footers, 3 minutes. Make 10 in a row to the small hole. If you miss, start over.
- Ladder, 3 minutes. Putt from 3, 5, 7, and 9 feet to the regulation hole, two balls each.
- Pressure finish, 2 minutes. End with five 6-footers. Count how many you make and track it each week.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Perfect Practice putting mat worth it?
If you’ll use it a few times a week, yes. The surface rolls well, the two hole sizes add a real training challenge, and the ball return makes practice efficient.
Should I get the Standard or the XL?
Start with the Standard unless you have a long stretch of open floor and want to practice lag putts. Most strokes are lost from inside 10 feet, which the Standard covers.
Does a putting mat actually help on the course?
It helps with what it trains: your stroke, alignment, and confidence on short putts. You’ll still need time on real greens to practice reading break and adjusting to different speeds.
What floor is best for a putting mat?
The flattest one you have. Low carpet and hardwood both work. Avoid thick, plush carpet and uneven floors.
The bottom line
The Perfect Practice mat is the easiest way I’ve found to keep improving when I can’t get to the course. Ten minutes a few nights a week adds up, and it shows on the greens.