I have been looking to upgrade my current putting practice setup and have narrowed it down to two options. Thoughts on these? Does anyone have experience with these and care to share?
Option #1 - BirdieBall Putting Green
Pros:
You can pick the speed.
More realistic putting surface.
You putt to an actual cup.
No lines or markings on the surface.
Cons:
It’s larger and requires more room.
If I get the stance mat to be at the same level as the green, I’ll need to move it for shorter putts.
My wife might get mad if I take over the dining room.
I’m worried about long-term durability with me and possibly the dog walking on it.
Option #2 - Perfect Practice Mat
Pros:
Cheaper.
Has a ball return.
Smaller footprint, so I can keep it near the door like my current setup, ensuring daily use and avoiding the dining room turf war.
Rich mahogany and probably better durability.
Cons:
Have to putt uphill to the holes.
Has markings and alignment lines (my current mat has lines and I don’t like them).
I have had a great experience with the Perfect Practice mat. I actually disagree with some of the cons mentioned. The uphill section at the end is useful as it helps improve your stroke speed. I’d rather have a bit too much distance than too little. The lines on the mat are great for spotting any inconsistencies in your aim and stroke, and it pairs well with an alignment mirror. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. I’ve had no issues with the fabric; it stretches out flat easily and recovers well after folding. As for the box, it went straight to the trash. Just a heads-up, my anxious Border Collie isn’t a fan of it.
I have tried both, and honestly, neither is my top choice. The birdie ball is still stuck in my storage unit, which is huge but not great for pets, and I wasn’t a fan of the Perfect Practice mat in the office. For me, an entirely flat puttout or wellputt mat with a puttout trainer is the way to go if you want a challenging practice. Putting relies on straight lines and speed control, so keeping it simple and flat works best.
I have a Birdie Ball and I absolutely love it. It’s fantastic because you can choose the speed you want, and you can even brush it to create different textures and practice at two speeds. You can also choose the size you need, so it doesn’t have to take up much room. And don’t worry about the stance mat—it’s not necessary.
