Edited by: Jordan Fuller
Reviewed by: John MarshallLast Update:
Putting is arguably the most important part of a golfers game regardless of experience.
Indoor putting mats are great year round trainers for golfers that can’t find the time to get to the course everyday. They replicate green conditions enough to perfect that stroke and get you back in the cart faster with a lower score.
You want to look for an indoor mat with a solid construction, training guides like alignment lines and distance markers, and an overall size and portability to fit your lifestyle.
This guide weeds through the options and picks out high quality golf mats to help you get exceptional training.
Featured Recommendations
Last updated on 2020-04-01. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
- Featured Recommendations
- 6 Best Indoor Putting Greens In 2020 (Buying Guide)
- SKLZ Accelerator Pro Indoor Putting Green with Ball Return, 9 feet x 16.25 inches
- Abco Tech Golf Putting Green Grassroots Mat – 9ft x 3ft
- Abco Tech Golf Putting Green Mat
- Upstreet Putting Green Mat for Indoor Golf Cup
- Putt-A-Bout Grassroots Par Three Putting Green (9-feet x 3-feet)
- Putt-A-Bout Golf Putting Green Mat, 3 x 11-Feet
- SKLZ Accelerator Pro Indoor Putting Green with Ball Return, 9 feet x 16.25 inches
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
- What is an indoor putting green?
- What characteristics should I look at before buying an indoor putting green?
- How will it improve my game?
- What is the bottom material of the green?
- How many balls does a set come with?
- Does the mat return the ball automatically?
- What is the ideal mat size to go for?
- How can I care for the putting carpet?
- What is a Stimp reading and how does it affect my mat?
- What is an indoor putting green?
6 Best Indoor Putting Greens In 2020 (Buying Guide)
SKLZ Accelerator Pro Indoor Putting Green with Ball Return, 9 feet x 16.25 inches
Best Overall: Combines Training, Portability, and Rollback
PROS
- Ball return feature automatically returns ball to golfers feet
- Training guides with alignment and distance markers
- Narrow and portable with easy roll mat
CONS
- Slope at end is very steep altering putt speed
- Plastic on ball return is thin and can be bent easily
The Skillz Accelerator Pro Indoor Putting Green is a great practical indoor golf trainer for almost any home. At just under 18” wide and nine feet long, this indoor practice mat can fit in almost all homes, apartments, or garages. With three different distances from the cup, it can help you gauge your distance with a realistic stimp reading you can hone that distance and alignment from three, five, and seven feet.
The return function works well enough to return the ball on the track but the total set up takes some putting together. If you are looking to learn speed and directional control this is the best indoor putting green for you
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Distance and Direction Control
The distance markings help each golfer appropriately learn distance and directional control. One of the most difficult swings in golf is putting and great golfers hit the ball true every single putt. There are two parts to a good putt, distance control and a pure hit.
The Skillz Accelerator Pro will help you dial in the distance control from different distances. Since the stimp reading matches most greens you will see, you can hone in the perfect putt swing from different distances. As part of the distance markings, the alignment piece helps you gauge whether or not your puts are truly going straight.
Portable but Don’t Roll to Tight
It comes in an easy to store box with plastic rails that click in together to finalize the roll back portion. The putting mat itself rolls up easily without interference from the rails which go out to the side.
This model is constructed with a thinner material making it easy to roll up and put back into the box. Be careful when rolling the mat not to make it to tight or creases will form and can be difficult to remove. The upper part is made of a thin plastic and is susceptible to crushing, avoid putting anything heavy on top of it.
Abco Tech Golf Putting Green Grassroots Mat – 9ft x 3ft
Best For Shot Variety: Simple and Portable
PROS
- Simpler kidney design
- Three hole punch outs for different looks
- Lower profile uphill for more true speed
CONS
- No real back stop
- Lacks training aides and guides
For right handed golfers looking to challenge themselves with different shot variety, this mat will work great.
The Abco Tech golf putting green resembles the Putt About 9×3 model with the exception that the indent is cut out and more shallow. With an indent slightly blocking one of the holes, it creates a challenge for rightys.
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Portable Shot Variety
There are several reasons to like the Abco indoor golf mat. Since the material is thinner, it roles up much easier than other thicker indoor mats. The high quality material used on the bottom of each mat prevents folding or creasing when storing. Multiple cup locations cut into the mat allow for golfers to vary their shots without having to reconfigure the mat it simply requires you to get creative.
The cut out is more shallow than other versions which removes some of shot variety compared to the Putt-About version. Abco has created a great sized indoor putting mat that combines portability and shot variety.
Minimal Training Tools
Without alignment lines or distance markings, this indoor putting mat falls short in the training category. Since the mat is flat, it would be easy to mark of distances and set up alignment sticks but this adds to the cost and of the purchase. The different hole locations helps golfers make minor adjustments to their stroke without having to move from their location.
The thinner mat material near the cup locations helps with the true roll but without a calculated stimp reading, it is hard to accurately judge the distance based on realistic green conditions. Ideally, this mat should be used as an alignment guide to straighten out the putting stroke.
Abco Tech Golf Putting Green Mat
Dual Cup Positions for Extra Training
PROS
- Long alignment line, multiple cup positions with smaller than standard sizes
- Includes three free training golf balls and mini cup flag.
- Portable and durable for easy rolling and longevity
CONS
- Removable mat creates a slope near the end
- Pricier than other similar versions
This match is perfect for anyone looking for a long straightaway and has a narrow hallway. The Abco tech synthetic turf map comes with two different sized holes each with a smaller then standard cup size.
The alignment line on the far left hand side helps you line up putts perfectly and shows you how strait you’re hitting shots. The end of the mat with the holes is elevated within a traffic. foam padding.
There isn’t a ball return system and the longer grass around the edges makes it look like an actual green while also acting as a backstop for errant putts. It also is portable and rolls up fairly easily with a removable heavy foam pad.
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Narrow and Portable
Most golf mats are roughly 3 feet wide whereas this model can be purchased in a 1.6 ft and 2.5ft width making it ideal to fit in any narrow hallway. Since it is more narrow than most other models reviewed it makes it more ideal for tight spaces for a quick and easy storage.
The large foam insert at the end of the putting green is removable and can be stored easier. Another unique feature is a place to store your putter handle side in if you’re leaving this out long term. The artificial turf and Matt combination Rolls well without creasing or leaving folds.
Alignment Training in Tight Spaces
Because of the narrow design and alignment line on one side of the mat, this is a perfect model for those with not a lot of within their house apartment or garage to train their alignment putting. The lack of distance markers means you will half to go back and mark out distances to truly understand your putting stroke.
Additionally, the removable insert near the cup surface can’t make it for true or more realistic roles instead of hitting on a minor uphill slope. The drawback is when they insert is removed the hold depth is only the thickness of the rest of the mat.
Upstreet Putting Green Mat for Indoor Golf Cup
Maximum Portability for Travel Golfers
PROS
- Ultra-portable for the golfer on the move
- Easy to use simply pull out and play
- Small slope to avoid deviating from true ball roll
CONS
- No training aids
- Requires a carpet or another surface to put
If you have little to no room and are trying to practice putting on a budget the Upstreet is perfect for you.
The two pack comes with a 10.25” square sloped artificial turf with a cut out hole. Because of it’s size, this is easily the most portable indoor putting green, you can stuff it in your backpack and take anywhere on your travels.
The major drawback is you will need a carpet to put on making it more ideal for the office or hotel putting. Upstreet designed this with a front end slope that is very thin to avoid bumping and throwing off the ball movement.
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Portable for Travel Golfers
The small size and thickness means you might be able to fit this into a large compartment of a golf bag. When playing on the road and wanting to get the most of out of your hotel stay before your round, you can pull these out, drop them on the carpet, and drain a few putts to nail down the motion to get your confidence high. The design of having thinner material on the front end helps avoid the bumping and unrealistic uphill roll.
In addition to thin front part, the slope to the hole is low so as not to disrupt the flow of the ball. A perfect companion for traveling and turning hotels or offices into makeshift putting greens.
Hard for Training
Since this is a small square with an insert cut out mimicking a standard size golf hole, there isn’t a lot you can with this mat to train with. Without alignment or distance markers, you will have to both buy alignment sticks and also mark off the distances yourself. In addition, there isn’t a mat with consistent stimp reading to hone in your distance control.
If you want a real training indoor putting mat this is not really an option. The big benefit, is if you have a training regiment in place and all the all tools needed, this is incredibly easy to move around and change your shots.
Putt-A-Bout Grassroots Par Three Putting Green (9-feet x 3-feet)
Works for Entertaining and Aligning Putts
PROS
- Simple and easy to use with Portability
- Multiple holes to change angles
- Angle Helps develop alignment
CONS
- Uphill piece skews true roll
- No alignment or distance markers
For golfer looking for an easy way to roll out a map and start putting me to leave this is your best bet. The kidney bean shape forces right-handed golfers who tend to push putts to better align themselves when hitting across or away from their body.
The three hole design gives golfers additional looks ad from different sides of the green without an extra effort.
Similar models come with practice golf balls in this model does not. It also lacks a return function and has a higher uphill slope near the end where the holes are positioned changing the ultimate role of the putt.
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Simple Design and Portable
One of the best benefits of this putting surface is the fact that it easy to roll out and store in just a few minutes. When you want to start putting the material is strong enough to avoid creasing or folding and it has a long-term product use. The Sand trap shaped holes near the back help keep balls from rolling too far away. Even though the material near the whole side is thicker it still rolls up easily to maximize portability.
Minimal Training Aides
The major drawback is the lack of training aids or markers on the indoor putting surface. It is however flat for easy marking of distance and alignment as needed but will come an additional cost. The kidney being shape is cut further into the mat than other similar models to create a different view and look for a certain putt from a different angle. The uphill slope created by thicker material by the cup cut outs, give this mat a less true roll compared to other versions with a lower material profile. Overall this is probably better used when friends are over than a true training aide.
Putt-A-Bout Golf Putting Green Mat, 3 x 11-Feet
Simple Easy to Use Large Flat Mat
PROS
- Longer than standard indoor golf mats, very portable
- Easy to move adjustable ball stoppers
- Very simple version, mat and ball stoppers included
CONS
- No back stop to slow down wild putts
- No training guides or fixed cup positions
If you’re looking for a simple mat that lays out on the floor with little or no other features this mat is perfect for you. The thin design of the material allows for you to roll this very tightly in-store as if it were a larger even thicker better.
Although the material is relatively thin it is not susceptible to creasing or folding and won’t leave impressions or folds on your putting surface.
There are two movable golf stops that act as targets and holes on the longer surface. There is no ball return feature alignment lines or distance measuring markers making this model need some additional add-ons to make it a true and effective putting companion.
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Simple and Straightforward
Since the mat is a single piece of pet resin with a high quality artificial turf there are a lot of bells and whistles to worry about for this putting mat. Because it is so simple golfers may be able to use this to customize their own training regiment and markings to help best improve their game. There is no edge protection so balls bull roll off the mat if they are hit too fast or off-line. This mat is probably better for golfers who already have an established training regiment and are looking to remain consistent in poor weather.
Easy to Move Easy to Use
The thin design helps golfers stomach the large and longer than average length because it rolls up very tightly without damaging or compromising the construction. The width and length don’t make it ideal for golfers with tight spaces or a putting green used in the office. If you already have a putting regiment the removal golf stops are you easy to pick up and even store inside the circular Roll of the mat.
The stops act as hey model golf cup but don’t offer the same feedback as more advanced indoor golf mat systems. The lack of a ball return feature also means offers will need several balls or be willing to walk back-and-forth to hit putts.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria 1 – Training Aids
Golfers looking for a great indoor putting mat to perfect their stroke and lower their score need to appropriate training aides. Indoor putting mats can come with a variety of different training mechanisms but the minimum for a top scoring mat are alignment lines, distance markers, and realistic roll. In this review, indoor putting mats with a large slope near the cup surface take a hit because it alters the realistic roll and speed of the ball.
If the indoor mat surface comes with a measured stimp reading, it will help you gauge the pressure you need to hit puts with from different distances. Ideally, we want you to be able to maximize your training and dial in your putting stroke to perfection without breaking the bank on professional golf lessons.
Criteria 2 – Material Quality
This is important for the roll of the ball. Lower quality mats will be less like greens and more like carpets. Synthetic greens can be as close to the real thing as possible. Higher quality mats will feature thicker constructed mats making it feel like you are standing and putting on the 18th hole.
Another key point is the turf won’t damage the most important club in your bag. The bottom of the material is important for preventing creases and folds when storing the mat. Since most indoor putting mats are able to be rolled up and put away, thicker mats and thick PET will keep mats from slipping and available for long term use.
Criteria 3 – Portability
Since these are indoor golf mats they need to be moved around easily without too much effort. The range of portability can go from picking up and putting in a golf bag to almost permanent in place. Size is the biggest factor in determining portability. Longer and wider mats will be harder to properly roll and store while avoid folds and creases on the putting surface. Indoor putting mats that feature a ball return typically come with an elevated surface at the end that is not able to be rolled or reduced in size.
These will take a ding on portability because they can create and awkward storage shape and size as well making it difficult to fully store. Depending on your situation, portability is more important to others if it needs to be moved more frequently.
Criteria 4 – Ease of Use
Easy to use and understand mats are important to long and successful use. For indoor mats with overly complicated distance or alignment markings don’t make most golfers excited to hit putts. Another dimension of ease of use is how quickly it can go from stored to putting. Some mats have a lot of parts that need to be connected or put on the mat before is ready to be used.
The final criteria for this category is the roll back function. Golfers living in apartments or tight spaces may not want to pull out two dozen golf balls or walk back and forth to hit putts. A rollback mechanism that works like a bowling alley gutter, brings the ball directly back so you only need 1 or 2 golf balls to consistently practice your stroke.
Questions & Answers
What is an indoor putting green?
Indoor putting green is the PT resin mat covered with a grasslike or artificial turf surface that mimics greens. They come in a variety of different styles including all flat mats, mats with raised and to simulate slope as well as variety of other training features.
Some mats are more advanced than others and include training guide such as alignment lines feet markers and multiple holes for golfers to taking and practice putting. These can be used to help golfers adjust their alignment learn different speeds and fine-tune they’re putting stroke.
What characteristics should I look at before buying an indoor putting green?
Depending on what you will be using the metaphor there’re a few characteristics you want when buying the best indoor putting green. First if you’re looking to train and get better at putting you will want find a indoor putting mat that includes alignment lines and shows the distance of each putt. An indicator of a good indoor training mat is whether or not the stimp reading number is indicated in the description. Another good feature to be aware of is the thickness of the putting surface.
The thicker the surface the more durable and longer lasting it will be regardless of the area in your home or office that you put it. For those who are more interested in hitting shots and not having to have several walls out of the same time look for a functional ball return mechanism that brings the ball right back your feet.
How will it improve my game?
Putting is one of the most important aspects of a golf game and many tournaments have been won and lost on the putting green. By reducing the number of putts on the green you will ultimately lower your score dramatically. The alignment and feet markers help you really hone in your putting stroke to to best train your muscle memory for more consistent ball striking.
Once you are able to refine hey putting stroke from different distances at different speeds you will become a more consistent golfer around the greens. Being able to hit putts year-round regardless of the weather assures golfers that your muscles and body won’t forget a well practice stroke.The more advanced the training capabilities of the indoor putting mat model, the more consistent putts will be leading to lower scoring.
What is the bottom material of the green?
The bottom material of a putting surface is normally pet or some type of fabric material like a carpet. The pet resin is best for keeping the mats from sliding when putting and keeping them in place as well as adding an additional layer of structural integrity to the mat surface. For models that come with PT they’re less likely to crease and fold when being rolled and stored keeping the putting surface flat and consistent throughout the life of the product. For models with the carpet or fabric like material they’re more susceptible to sliding curling it near the ends creasing and folding after long periods of storage try to avoid these models if possible.
How many balls does a set come with?
Depending on the set some will come with no balls others will come with three practice training balls.
Does the mat return the ball automatically?
Depending on the version or model you will have a ball return shoot on the side that uses gravity to return the ball automatically. The ball will drop into the hole and make its way out the side of the indoor golf mat and down along shoot to return back to you. Some mattes do not have a return function and you will either have to bring enough balls to hit repeated shots or walk back and forth on the mats consistently moving to your next shot.
What is the ideal mat size to go for?
The ideal mat size to go for depends on your skill level. if you are an excellent golfer, a smaller mat may be more practical because the parts you will be hitting will not be as far from the hole. For newer unexperienced golfers a longer mat will help you see how far the ball will roll at variable distances.
For instance on the 10 foot mat you’re able to hit shots anywhere between 1 and 10 feet giving you a better and more realistic feel for how each distance affects the stroke you have to take one putting. Additionally you should consider the space you have in your home office or apartment. Indoor putting mats come in different and varying wits end links to accommodate your personal needs.
How can I care for the putting carpet?
Synthetic grass like real grass needs to be maintained in a particular way. For you if this is out in the garage you may want to consider keeping leaves dirt and other debris off them as much as possible. This this includes your dog your kids and any other debris that could damage something similar to a carpet. To keep the the synthetic grass looking fresh and new consider buying a turf rake designed specifically for synthetic or artificial turf.
This will keep your turf looking brand-new and in the best possible condition. Keep it as dry as possible and avoid getting liquids especially because it can invite mold and deteriorate the mat much faster. If you do happen to get liquids, be sure to cleaning the mat as soon as possible and avoid water staying on the mat for too long.
What is a Stimp reading and how does it affect my mat?
A Stimp reading in the simplest of terms is the speed of a green. Many professional golf tournaments have stimp readings between 11 and 13. This is incredibly fast and why it can seem like the ball goes thirty or so feet when barely tapping the ball. Stimp readings are done using a stimp meter, you can read more about stimp meters here. This is a good addition to your golf bag if you are serious about truly understand what putting surfaces you are playing on.