Golf

How to Choose a Golf Putting Mat for Home in India: Length, Return and Setup

A putting mat is the cheapest way to lower your score at home. Here is how to choose length, ball return and surface, plus a simple practice plan.

Instasport

— 3 min read
Tabata 2-hole putting mat with auto ball return for golf practice at home

How to choose a golf putting mat for home practice in India

Putting makes up a large share of the strokes in a typical round, yet most amateurs practise it least. A golf putting mat lets you roll putts in your living room, office or balcony without booking a course. This guide explains how to choose a putting mat in India by length, ball return and surface, and gives you a simple weekly routine to get the most from it.

Putting mat vs hitting mat

These are different tools. A hitting mat is a thick, dual-turf surface for full swings, covered in our hitting mat guide. A putting mat is thin and flat so the ball rolls the way it would on a green. Do not try to putt on a hitting mat; the grass is too thick for true roll.

What to look for

  • Length: two to three metres is enough for most homes and lets you practise 6 to 10 foot putts, which are the ones that matter. Longer mats allow lag putting but need more floor space.
  • Ball return: mats with an auto-return ramp or hole save you from walking after every putt, which makes practice faster and more consistent.
  • Holes and targets: two or more holes let you vary distance without moving the mat.
  • Slope and break: sloped or "breaking" mats train you to read line, but they are better after you have mastered straight putts.
  • Surface and edges: a flat, unwrinkled surface rolls truer. Mats that curl at the edges can ruin practice, so unroll and weigh them down on arrival.

Putting mats available in India

An alignment aid such as the GolfBasic Golf Putting Alignment Mirror (₹4,490) helps you check eye line and shoulders. Our guide to golf training aids covers more.

A simple 15-minute putting routine

  1. Gate drill (5 minutes): place two tees just wider than your ball and roll putts through them to groove a square face.
  2. Distance ladder (5 minutes): putt from three, six and nine feet, five balls each, counting makes.
  3. Pressure finish (5 minutes): you must make three in a row from six feet; if you miss, start over.

Setup tips

Lay the mat on a hard, flat floor, not directly on thick carpet. Check your putter fits the mat height and that ball return ramps are not blocked by furniture. If your putter is not suited to you, see our guide to blade vs mallet putters.

Shop the gear

Frequently asked questions

What length putting mat should I buy?

Two to three metres suits most homes and lets you practise the 6 to 10 foot putts that matter most. Choose a longer mat only if you have the floor space.

Can I use a hitting mat for putting?

No. Hitting mats are thick and meant for full swings; the grass is too long for a true putting roll. Use a thin, flat putting mat.

How much does a golf putting mat cost in India?

On InstaSport, putting mats start around ₹4,500 and go up to about ₹15,300 for longer or specialised mats.

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