Putting accounts for a large share of your strokes, and it's the easiest part of the game to practise at home. Putting training aids give you feedback on aim, face angle, path, tempo and distance control. Many are inexpensive, and some can be made at home. Here's what's available.
Types of putting aids
| Aid | What it trains |
|---|---|
| Putting mirror | Eye position, shoulder alignment, putter aim |
| Gates (tees or clips) | Square face and start line |
| Arc board | Consistent arcing stroke |
| Rails or two clubs | Straight-back-straight-through stroke |
| Putting mat | Home practice of stroke and short putts |
| Ball-roll aids | Clean strike and roll |
| Metronome | Tempo |
| Stroke analysers and sensors | Face angle, path and tempo data |
How to use them
- Mirror: check that your eyes are over or just inside the ball and your shoulders square. Read how to putt: the fundamentals.
- Gates: set tees just wider than the ball a few inches ahead and roll through. Read how to hole more short putts.
- Arc or rails: match your natural stroke. Read putting stroke: arc vs straight back.
- Metronome: match backstroke and through-stroke to the beat. Read golf tempo and rhythm.
Home putting
- Mats of different lengths and speeds.
- Carpet with a cup or coin target.
- Short practice sessions of 10 to 15 minutes.
Read golf practice at home.
DIY aids
- Two tees as a gate.
- Two clubs as rails.
- A coin as a target.
- A strip of tape as a line.
The rules
Training aids may not be used during a round to help you make a stroke. Read conforming golf equipment.
Matching the aid to your problem
| Problem | Useful aids |
|---|---|
| Aim is off | Alignment mirrors, laser aids, lines on the ball |
| Face not square at impact | Gates, putting arcs, face-angle trainers |
| Stroke path wanders | Rails, arcs, guide rods |
| Poor distance control | Ladders, distance mats, "stop zones" |
| Head and eyes move | Mirrors with eye-line markers |
| Nerves on short putts | Small cups, pressure games |
Read how to hole more short putts.
Putting mats for home practice
Putting mats let you practise anywhere. When choosing:
- Length: longer mats allow distance practice; 9–12 feet is a common size.
- Speed: look for a realistic speed similar to your course.
- Surface: check that the mat is smooth and the ball rolls true.
- Features: alignment lines, multiple holes or a slope adjustment.
- Storage: roll-up mats are easier to store.
Electronic and smart aids
Technology has entered putting practice:
- Stroke sensors clip onto the putter and measure tempo, face angle and path.
- Apps analyse video of your stroke.
- Smart mats measure speed and direction of your putts.
These provide useful data but work best when you know what you're trying to improve. Read golf training aids and simulators and putting analysis technology.
A weekly routine using aids
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Monday | Mirror: setup and eye position (10 minutes) |
| Wednesday | Gate drill: start line (15 minutes) |
| Friday | Ladder drill: distance control (15 minutes) |
| Weekend | On the course: play without aids, trust the stroke |
Common mistakes with training aids
- Using too many aids at once.
- Practising technique only, without pressure or variety.
- Never practising without aids, which makes the course feel different.
- Ignoring green reading: a perfect stroke still needs the right line. Read how to read greens.
Frequently asked questions
Do putting training aids work?
Yes, when used to address a specific fault with regular practice.
What is the best putting aid for beginners?
A mirror and a simple gate cover the basics.
Can I practise putting at home on carpet?
Yes, though speed differs from greens; focus on stroke and start line.
Can I use a putting aid on the course?
Not during a round.
Are putting mats realistic?
Good mats can roll true, but they're usually flat and may differ in speed from your course. Combine them with practice on real greens.
How long should I practise with an aid each week?
Short, frequent sessions of 10–15 minutes are often more effective than long ones.
The bottom line
Choose putting aids that target your weaknesses: a mirror for set-up, gates for start line, rails or arcs for path and a metronome for tempo. For more, read putting drills to stop three-putting.