Indoor Putting Greens for All Budgets

Putting practice is a very important factor in improving your golf score. It isn’t easy to get a lot of practice as not everyone can spend hours at the golf course practicing their putting game. The weather, time of the day, and the amount of time you have to spare can affect your ability to practice.

Golf simulators are one option allowing you to analyze aspects of your game while indoors, but for many folks having an indoor putting greens has been a game-changer.

We hear customers say that getting an indoor putting green has been one of the best investments they’ve made.

We love the fact that you can practice any time you want without stepping out of the house- no matter what the weather is.

The best thing is, you do not need to blow thousands of dollars on a decent indoor putting green. As golfing has gained popularity, many budget options have entered the market and made indoor putting greens more accessible.

A Forb indoor putting green shown inside a room

    Indoor Putting Green Buyer’s Guide

    While there are less expensive options available to practice your putting, an indoor putting green is a worthy investment. 

    We have put together a list of some of the things to consider while selecting an indoor putting green:

    Size

    Size is obviously an important consideration for an indoor putting green as it has to be able to fit inside your house. If you disregard quality for a second, the putting greens with bigger footprints are pricier.

    On the other hand, you will have better practice sessions with more room, as you can go through different putting scenarios.

    The problem with smaller putting greens is that players often get bored, as it just feels like you are taking the same shot over and over again.

    A good rule of thumb is to measure the area where you will be installing the indoor green wall to wall and take into account any fixtures or furniture you cannot move.

    Compare these measurements to the measurements of the putting greens you are looking at.

    If the space you have in mind is less than 10 feet long and 6-7 feet wide, you should reconsider getting a putting green. Getting one smaller than these dimensions might not line up with your practice goals.

    Portability

    Portability is also something you should consider, even if you do not plan on traveling with it. If you just want to move it out of the room for a while or move it to a different spot within the house, it shouldn’t require too much effort.

    The base surface material plays a huge role in the portability of the indoor putting green.

    For moving it around the house, you will probably just drag it across the floor. Indoor putting greens with a rubber base prove difficult to move as the rubber tends to grip the floor.

    Rubber bases also prevent the putting green from moving around while you are practicing and prevent damage while in storage.

    If you are looking to buy a large indoor putting green, it will obviously not be a very portable piece of sports equipment. But having edge panels will make dragging it to a different room or rolling it up for storage much easier.

    Material and Endurance

    The best way to get a feel of the material is to check out different indoor putting greens and see how they compare to the green on an actual golf course.

    The closer it is to a golf course, the better it will be for practicing.

    Speed is another important factor. Do not expect to get a green-like speed on an indoor putting green, but having even a little speed in your putting green will improve your practice manifold.

    As for durability, inspect the thickness of the base to see if it will hold up in the long term and if the material of the turf is resistant to wear.

    Customer reviews are the best way to gauge the quality of the material as it comes directly from people who have used the product.

    The price is also a good indicator of the quality and endurance of the material as smaller, more expensive ones generally have a good quality surface.

    Features

    Features are quite a low priority as you don’t really need many fancy features to improve your game. All you need is a good green with as many cups as you need.

    If you are looking for something extra to add to your practice, there are some innovative features you can try out. The ball return is the most interesting add-on as it makes life a lot easier for golfers.

    However, it is only available in less expensive models with narrow putting tracks. Some indoor putting greens also have chipping mats to help you practice chipping.

    If you would like to practice with several different clubs, some putting greens come with a full hitting mat. You can use any club in your bag to hit shots.

    Break pads and break snakes are also useful features as you can add some break to your shots. This makes practice sessions a lot more productive.

    Affordability

    Affordability is important while looking for an indoor putting green. If you have a big budget, you can get some really amazing putting greens.

    Very few people can afford to spend tens of thousands or even thousands of dollars on an indoor putting green.

    While there are low-budget options, we seriously do not recommend getting a putting green that costs less than $100. Made from less sturdy materials, they tend to be small and narrow, restricting your shots.

    You can practice on them, but the quality of the practice will hardly make a difference to your game.

    If the putting green you want is a little out of your price range, a lot of websites offer financing options that might make it easier to afford the indoor putting green of your dreams.

    Indoor Putting Greens

    Here is a rundown of some indoor putting greens across different price points that you can put in your home or office to improve your putting game:

    Tour Links is an industry giant and one of the most trusted brands for golfers. It has a great feel and is made of quality material that lasts for a long time.

    This particular model is quite popular as it is just the right size.

    It has 2 cups with ponds, and the rolling speed is 11.5, which almost brings it to tournament speed. Many golfers prefer it because you can focus on the subtle differences in touch to really bring your putting up a notch.

    You also get contour pads which will let your practice have variations in a break. You can even lay the putting green over different kinds of surfaces to help get a feel of slopes.

    It is quite simple to assemble because it has interlocking pads. It weighs 122 pounds and has edge panels that make it easy to move around the house.

    Big Moss Augusta V2

    The Big Moss Augusta V2 is one of the less expensive options out there. The quality is not as good as the higher-priced models, but this is as good as it gets at this price range. If you have budget constraints, this is one of the better options for you.

    The Big Moss Augusta V2 gives a decent performance, and the green is highly durable. The rubber-backed surface keeps wrinkles away, and it will retain its quality even if you frequently roll it up for storage.

    You get a break snake and chipping mat with the putting green so that you can practice putting over different kinds of surfaces and pitching and chipping. The setup is simple, and the portability is quite good despite the lack of edge panels.

    You can use a vacuum to clean it, and it costs a little less than many of the other models available, which is great value for money.

    Forb Indoor Putting Greens

    Forb has a good range of indoor putting greens. They are a little expensive, especially if you want one of their larger sizes. Forb indoor putting greens come in three sizes—standard, XL, and XXL.

    Forb putting greens have a good roll and do a good job simulating the feel of an actual fast or medium green. The best part is that there is a margin of rough all around the putting green so that you can practice chipping as well.

    The standard size has two holes with flags, whereas the XXL has four holes with flags. All three greens are made of polyethylene.

    Forb indoor putting greens are a great mid-range alternative for golfers who want a premium experience without shelling out too much money.

    For golfers who want a huge surface area and a premium putting experience, the Tour Links 14′ x 14′ is the absolute best choice. It has a 14 feet wide and 14 feet long green with an asymmetrical design to help you practice various shots.

    It has an amazing roll with no disturbance or oscillation and comes with contour pads to help you practice with a break. The edge panels make transportation easy and improve the overall aesthetic of the putting green.

    It has 4 cups with filler plates so that you can execute many different putting scenarios from varying distances. Practicing with this kind of indoor putting green can make a real difference in your game on the golf course.

    Remember, when you store this mat, you need to roll it with the base on the inside and the green on the outside. For cleaning, you can vacuum it or sweep it. You can wipe the hard edges with a damp cloth.

    This kind of size and quality doesn’t come cheap. It will cost you a decent buck, but the investment is totally worth it for serious golfers.

    Big Moss Country Club V2 Putting Green

    Big Moss Country Club V2 is another big-sized putting green. It is 12 feet long and 6 feet wide, with three regulation cups and one smaller cup. It comes with a chipping mat, hole reducers, and break pads.

    You can practice pitching, chipping, and putting over different kinds of surfaces thanks to all the accessories it comes with. The surface is multi-layered and tripled stitched to make it last a really long time. It has ‘true roll’ technology that gives you a great roll on all your hits.

    The smaller hole is great for golfers trying to improve their accuracy. The size is very comfortable, and you can practice different kinds of putting scenarios with this mat. It makes for a very dynamic experience.

    If you have your heart set on this one but can’t quite accommodate the size, it also comes in a 6′ x 10′ size.

    Big Moss Michael Breed’s “Birdie Path” Training Green

    The ‘Birdie Path’ training green golf putting mat was designed by Michael Breed in collaboration with Big Moss. This indoor green has received a ton of positive reviews and seems to be one of the most durable putting mats on the market.

    You do not have much freedom in your shots as this indoor putting green is fairly narrow (2 feet wide and 8 feet long). But it does have backstops so that you can do string drills. It has 3 putting lines of varying directions to help you practice different levels of accuracy.

    You tie a string to the two backstops, which gives you a line of reference for the trajectory of the ball to the hole. Practicing this drill is great for improving accuracy and improving your sense of alignment.

    It comes with an extensive manual full of training drills and tips and tricks from Michael Breed to help you improve your game.

    VariSpeed Putting System

    The VariSpeed putting system is a cheaper alternative to Michael Green’s Big Moss golf putting mat. It is a lot narrower at 20 inches wide and 10 feet long. This is a viable option for golfers who know exactly what they need to practice.

    You can practice mid-range putting, accuracy, and alignment on this putting mat. It has a slow and fast speed, which is handy for getting used to variable speeds as natural conditions on golf courses can change at any time.

    The most interesting feature is the visible ball trace. Basically, the ball leaves an imprint on the green on every shot you take, letting you examine the trajectory of the ball.

    It also comes with a wedge to change the terrain of the mat, which will help you figure out how to navigate slopes on the golf course.

    It is one of the less expensive golf putting mats available.  It is conveniently compact, so transportation and storage are very easy.

    Fiberbuilt 4′ x 10′ Putting Green

    Fiberbuilt 4′ x 10′ is a square golf putting mat of a decent size, which opens up many possibilities for putting practice. The price range is a little on the higher side. The total surface area is 40 square feet, and it is made of good quality material.

    This indoor green was designed to be as realistic as possible and has true roll technology. The surface is pretty soft and mimics the feel of the grass on the golf course, so it comes close to the real thing.

    The roll is slightly slower than True Links or Big Moss but definitely not too slow to practice with. It is also good for chipping practice.

    It is water-resistant and has three hole cutouts—2 on the corners and 1 in the middle of the opposite edge. The setup is easy; the easy-lock fasteners just snap into place, so you don’t have to make too much of an effort.

    Putt-A-Bout Grassroots Par Three Putting Green

    While we do not recommend that you get an indoor putting mat that costs less than $100, if you absolutely need one and can’t afford to spend much money on it, this is the one we recommend.

    If you are just looking for something to kill time with while you’re at home, this is the perfect golf putting mat for you. It has a slightly unconventional kidney shape and three cutout holes at one end.

    It has a fairly fast roll, and considering the price, it performs pretty well. People who just want to entertain themselves can have a ton of fun with this putting green, and it will also help you develop a very solid stroke.

    Perfect Practice Putting Green

    Perfect Practice Putting Green is another narrow putting mat for practicing in compact spaces. Many professional golfers have been known to use it for putting practice indoors, and it was a bestselling product in 2020.

    It has two holes—1 of regulation size and one reduced hole so that you can practice accuracy. It also has different alignment tracks to help you get a better sense of alignment and trajectory on your shots.

    The wooden finish gives it a really classy look. It also has a ball return feature, making your life a lot easier. It comes in 3 sizes—compact (8 feet x 9 inches), standard (9.5 feet x 15 inches), and XL (15.5 feet x 15 inches). The standard size costs around $170.

    FAQs

    Are Indoor Putting Greens Worth It?

    If you want to improve your putting game or enjoy golfing but don’t have the time to make frequent visits to your local golf course, an indoor putting green is definitely worth it.

    You can practice at home whenever you want. The price range varies, so you will probably find something that fits your budget. There are many different sizes, so you can get one that will fit in your home or office.

    How Long Should a Practice Putting Green Be?

    Ten feet is a good length for indoor putting greens. You can practice accuracy and alignment while keeping an eye on the trajectory.

    Shorter putting mats can work, but you need to be clear of the aspects of the game you want to improve first.

    Is a Backyard Putting Green Worth It?

    A backyard putting green is a great way to golf outdoors without actually having to go to the golf course. It is accessible, convenient, and as close as possible to the real thing.

    You do need to keep the weather in mind, though. If it is raining or too cold, you would not want to be practicing out in your backyard.

    If you have a putting green in your backyard, make sure it is portable and easy to move so that you can shift it indoors whenever you want.

    The folks at Golf Circuit agree that getting an indoor putting green is a pretty nifty way to practice your putting game. After all they come in all shapes and sizes and can be rolled up and put away whenever you need space so that they will suit all kinds of homes and offices.

    Happy putting!