It's no secret that putting is arguably the most important part of the game and the area where you can save the most amount of shots. How many times have you hit two great shots to find the putting surface, only to three-putt and walk away with an undeserved bogey, when a possible birdie was on the cards.
Obviously, when it comes to putting, there are plenty of ways to improve, such as purchasing one of the best putting aids. Another way, though, is to think about an indoor putting green, which can not only save you shots, but also make use of your time as it can be used in your home set up.
Like the best putting mats, they are designed to help hone your stroke, with an indoor putting green being a great option that won't break the bank. Below, we have listed the best ones currently on the market, with various aspects and details also listed to help find the right one for your game. Along with the best putting greens, why not also check out the best golf training aids, best golf nets and best golf simulators, additions which, again, will help complete your home practice set up.
The Quick List
Endorsed by two-time Major winner, Dustin Johnson, the Perfect Practice Putting Mat has a number of assistance lines to help hone your stroke, whilst the construction of it is really well-put together.
Available in a number of lengths, the PrimePutt Putting Mat provides users with an incredibly realistic performance that rivals that of the professional circuit.
This is an exceptionally clever piece of engineering that provides golfers with the ability to practice all manner of breaking putts in their own homes at an affordable price.
Although on the pricier side, the Zen Green Stage is one of the most impressive technological items money can buy, with its ability to tilt to help with both your short and long game making it a must have for your home set up.
This unique product will help hone in your putting on putts that break severely. Not only is it packaged superbly, but the quality is excellent and will last a lifetime.
Providing excellent functionality and graphics, the RG Putting Simulator is a superb, innovative piece of equipment that provides a fun experience for all ages.
Best Indoor Putting Green
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Best Overall
There are multiple options of the Perfect Practice Perfect Putting Mat available, with this particular model being the 9' 6" version. Endorsed by Dustin Johnson, it is made up of three main parts, which is the mat itself, a raised, wooden end part with two holes of different sizes in it, as well as a wooden backstop and four wooden slats that fit together to create a channel for the ball to roll back towards you.
You get a lot for your money and, not only is it one of the best putting mats money can buy, but also the one of the best golf training aids. You may ask, how? Well, it's down to the fact that it can be used on both a tiled (kitchen) floor and carpeted floor. However, I must add that you must be careful with the way you store this item and take care when unrolling it.
Finally, what I really liked about the Perfect Practice Perfect Putting Mat are the various different lines that help with both the path of the stroke and the start line of your putts. This is important as it helps the consistency on the greens and even help find the best putter for your stroke.
- Read our full Perfect Practice Perfect Putting Mat Review
Best for any surface
If you live somewhere prone to wet weather, you'll understand the importance of a quality putting mat and taking the PrimePutt out of the box, I knew I was about to test a quality product.
The premium, nylon synthetic turf felt heavy and robust. It uses tour-grade nylon turf that it claims mimics the feel and roll of PGA Tour greens at tournament speed, running between 10-11 on the Stimpmeter. In testing, I found it to feel very realistic and therefore ideal for using some of the best putting aids on to help develop your stroke.
There are several mat sizes to choose from, ranging from a 1.5ft x 9ft single hole mat, all the way up to a 3ft x 15ft 3-hole mat. I tested the 3ft x 9ft length and found it to be a fair size to fit in most rooms. Our only criticism: it could be wider. Three holes feels a bit overkill as even when I was putting to the middle hole I found our heels hovering over the edge of the mat.
On the whole, it's a fantastic mat and undoubtedly one of the best putting mats I've tested. The sleek, wooden engraved back-stop collects balls without them bouncing back and really adds to that premium look.
- Read our full PrimePutt Golf Putting Mat Review
Best clever design
For a number of years, PuttOUT has been making some of the best putting mats that allow you to hit straight putts and work on technique and start line, which is a crucial element of putting practice. But they have also released a clever mat which helps players work on breaking putts as well.
Featuring a light, flexible, and extremely strong EPP base, with 8 points of adjustment, AirBreak allows you to quickly create an almost limitless amount of breaking putts across its 8ft putting area. This is cleverly achieved by having 8 air pockets built into the frame, with players using the pumps and release valves to raise and lower the base which PuttOUT says allows users to create break in seconds. I thoroughly enjoyed testing the AirBreak out and found both the setup and usage really simple and intuitive. The flexibility of the base means that, unlike some other solutions, AirBreak doesn’t just pivot on a single plane, which allows you to create double-breakers
I also enjoyed was the automatic ball return. It is battery-powered, and holed putts are returned to your feet instantly, which is a great reward for a successful putt. Overall this is a clever design which all levels of player will enjoy using and practicing on.
- Read our full PuttOUT AirBreak Putting Mat Review
Best premium model
Straight off the bat, the Zen Green Stage is a seriously impressive bit of kit that works via hydraulics that are controlled by a simple touch screen panel paired via Bluetooth. Not only does it help the short game aspect, but the long game also, something which other models on this list can't do.
However, it's the short game I am interested in, with this unique item able to be altered from a completely flat lie, to having the ball play up to 9 percent either above or below your feet and 12 percent uphill or downhill. This means that you are able to practice all manner of putts that you could be faced with out on the golf course.
So, how did it perform? Well, in testing, I loved the Green Stage, as it did everything and more. The only slight negative is that, with all of this tech, it comes in at a slightly hefty price tag! However, if you can afford it, there's truly nothing like it on the market.
- Read our full Zen Green Stage Review
Best value
Piers Ward and Andy Proudman, from Me and My Golf, are very well known PGA professionals famous for their online coaching and tips to help you play better. Here they have teamed up to create a cool mat with three breaking balls to help your putting.
Before explaining how it works, I will note what you get for your money and, firstly, is a putting mat that is available in three different sizes - 7.5ft (2.3m), 11ft (3.4m) and 14ft (4.3m). Along with the detailed mat, there are three golf balls, which have differently weighted breaks built into them.
In testing, it was quite clear that the green ball has a slight break, the red ball has a medium break and the blue ball has a heavy break. The amount of break is influenced by a screw inside of the ball, but this does not mean these golf balls feel awful to putt with, especially as the roll on them was still pure and like you'd find with a normal golf ball.
- Read our full Me And My Golf Breaking Ball Putting Mat Review
Best putting simulator
There's a lot to love about the Exputt RG Putting Simulator, with the first thing being the ease of use and the extremely simple set-up process. After unpacking it from the box, all you do is roll out the mat, attach it to the HDMI port and then position the camera in the right place to ensure synchronization.
You have to create an account but, once you do, it opens up a world of options that include both Classic or Practice categories. Not only was I able to hit putts over various lengths on the green, but it also allows for uphill and sidehill breaks and even different green speeds!
The only slight downside is the price tag, but I thought you do get an awful lot for your money as, not only are the graphics clear, but you get a lot of data and functionality! Certainly, if you want to take a deeper dive into your putting, then this is a brilliant way to get some hard facts together.
- Read our full Exputt RG Putting Simulator Review
Specifications table
| Model | Length (ft) | Stimpmeter |
| Perfect Practice Perfect Putting Mat | 9.6' | 10-14 |
| PrimePutt Tour-Quality Indoor Putting Mat | 1.5' x 9', 3' x 9', 3' x 12' & 3' x 15' | 9-11 |
| PuttOUT AirBreak Putting Mat | 3.3' x 8' | N/A |
| Zen Green Stage | Green Stage 12' x 8' feet | N/A |
| Breaking Ball Putting Mat | 7', 11' & 14' | Approx. 11 |
| Exputt RG Putting Simulator | 1' x 3.4' | N/A |
How we test
Our testing methodology for all golf equipment revolves around just that, testing. That means we use golf products to refute or back up manufacturers claims whilst also trying to see if the product is any good. This will take the form of using the product over a period of time, on and off the golf course where applicable.
When it comes to indoor putting greens, we will use them off the course to gauge, amongst other things, what they are actually like to use, how much space is needed, how easy they are to set up, the overall quality of them, and how well they store away.
We believe that it is by using the equipment in the real world that shows just how good a product is. Finally, we should also note that no manufacturer can buy a good review because our testing team tells it how it is.
How to choose an indoor putting green
Here are some factors you need to consider when looking at purchasing an indoor putting green. (Also if you want a new flatstick as well, check out our guide on the best putters too)
Size
As you have seen, the best indoor putting greens come in a variety of sizes. If you want a long or short models, manufacturers have got you covered. The thing to be aware of on your end is how much space do you have, because this will then dictate which model to go for. Also, we recommend thinking about what kind of floor you will put the green on because some types of flooring, like wooden floors, perform better than others.
Convenience
Linking with the above point, how convenient do you want the indoor green to be, primarily in terms of how easy is it to store and fold away. Some of the models above are convenient and easily in a bag, whilst others have the hole attachment which takes up a bit more room.
What do you want to practice
If you’re looking to focus on a specific part of your putting, there will be a green for that. A long putting green will obviously help you with pace and distance control whilst models with holes on will help you gain more confidence just by seeing the ball go in the hole more often. Alternatively, if you just want to use the green for fun, rather than intense practice, then go for a model with holes and fun little accessories too.
Durability
The good thing about indoor putting greens is that they should last a long time because all you are doing on them is putting. That being said there are still models out there which wear down too quickly which is why we have collated the models above because none of them should do that. Just be aware of cheap materials used on putting greens because they won't perform well in the long term.
Price
No buying guide would be complete without at least mentioning the price factor. Some of the larger models can be quite expensive, but there is good value for money to be had here as they last a long time.
FAQs
What makes a good indoor putting green?
First things first, it must be durable. You don't want to keep rolling and unrolling the putting green to find out that it's starting to tear or change the way the ball rolls on the surface. It's also imperative that the ball stays level as it rolls, otherwise you won't be getting the full experience when it comes to putting.
How do you keep an indoor putting green clean?
Keeping your indoor green clean is just one of the ways to extend its shelf life. Usually, you will be able to use a brush or vacuum on the greens, but it's worth reading the manual before you do so.
Are indoor putting greens worth it?
Yes, definitely! Putting is arguably the most important part of the game and the easiest ways to save shots. If you are unable to get up to the putting green to practice, an indoor putting green is a great solution, especially as it's convenient and right on your door step.
For more buying advice on putters, check out our guides on the best putter grips, best blade putters and best mallet putters.
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