Polypropylene vs. Nylon putting green is a large debate among installers and contractors in the turf industry. Which putting green material is best for realistic golf...
Best 10 putting green mats and indoor putting green sets for a home to compliment your backyard golf. Compare perfect practice putting mats to a permanent backyard artificial putting green installed. Learn the pros and cons to weigh out your options for improving your golf skill.
- Outdoor Putting Green Mat Basics
- Top 10 Best Putting Green Mats
- Custom Backyard Putting Green Installation
- Golf Practice Mat vs. Outdoor Putting Green Comparison
outdoor putting green mat Basics
What is an Outdoor Putting Green Mat or Golf Mat?
A putting green mat for golf is a strip of artificial material with one to three-hole cut-outs that allows you to practice your swing and short-distance putting. This portable golf mat is typically no longer than 10 ft. and can be used for indoor and outdoor use.
What are the Benefits of a Practice Backyard Golf Mat?
There are a few benefits of purchasing a putting green mat, one being that the initial cost is quite a bit less than the investment required to install an artificial putting green. Because golf mats don't require permanent installation, you also have the freedom to transfer this type of practice green between indoor and outdoor spaces if needed. Because golf practice mats are typically smaller than an installed putting green, this can also be ideal if you don't have much space to work with.
What are the Disadvantages of a Putting Green Mat?
Practice putting green mats do not offer any customization to cater to your skill level. Golf mats provide limited gameplay with a small surface and really only allow you to practice close-range putting. Because of this, putting green practice mats aren't ideal for multiple players. Another disadvantage of golf mats is that they are typically made with cheap materials that don't replicate a natural putting green, affecting gameplay and requiring replacement often, especially in outdoor settings.
Also, keep in mind putting green practice mats must be on a perfectly flat surface to not affect ball roll.
Top 10 Best Putting Green Mats
While putting green mats can't offer the same skill-building and exciting gameplay that you receive from a custom backyard putting green, they are a low-cost alternative that provide entertainment and allow golfers of all ages to practice their putt.
Product Description:
5x12 Precision putt portable golf putting green made of Nylon fibers. This premium golf mat offers a true ball roll, realistic training environment, and easy setup that can be used both indoor and outdoor. Includes portable putting green, putting green cups, and flags.
Professional Review:
This portable putting practice mat will offer a closer to realistic experience than others on this list. Due to it's size and shape, you're provided a larger surface area and cant shoot from different vantage points to practice your skill. This golf mat also appears to use high-quality putt materials that are durable and long-lasting, offering a ball roll that mimics a golf course.
Product Description:
5x10 Putting green practice mat. This golf mat features a true roll surface, rubber base, and fringe grass. This entertaining putting green mat can be rolled up for easy storage and is suited for any hard surface, meaning you can use it indoor and out. Includes putting mat, 3 stainless steel cups, and a slope pad as an added bonus.
Professional Review:
This putting green mat offers a realistic look at a low price. The addition of the slope pad is a great way to add a bit of challenge as well. Being able to easily roll it is ideal for quick storage, but this can create creases, which seems to be the biggest downfall to this product according to customer reviews.
Product Description:
10.5x3 XL Indoor golf putting green with 2 holes. Designed to perfect speed and aim, while practicing putts from different distances and angles. Includes putting green, 2 removable flagsticks, backstop, and removable slope wedge.
Professional Review:
This practice golf mat is perfect for offices, dens, and other indoor spaces. The backstop offers convenient gameplay and the slope wedge helps create more of a challenge to make up for the lack of surface area. This indoor put mat appears to be very thin, therefore lacking longterm durability and will be prone to wrinkles and creases. May be a bit overpriced for the quality and not providing outdoor use.
Product Description:
An exciting new hybrid between golf and pong for the ultimate 2-on-2 party game; Easy to learn and fun for all ages and skill levels - includes 11 ft. putting green, 2 putters, 2 golf balls and 12 cup caps for scoring. The premium putting mat rolls like a true putting green and features and compact and foldable design, making it easy to take on the go and ideal for neat storage.
Professional Review:
This is a really fun idea for group settings. One of the biggest disadvantages of putting green mats are they're typically not for multi-player use, and this solves that problem. Clients are raving that while it's great for golfers to practice putting, it's also just a fun party game for friends and family. Great value for the price.
Product Description:
Indoor golf putting green mat. At 8' long, these golf putting greens for indoor use feature 1-hole training to help improve your putting accuracy and reinforce the precision of each stroke. This portable and compact practice putt mat offers a quality surface, ball return, and printed markings to help hone in your game.
Professional Review:
Good gift for a golfer due to the reduced hole size and guided markings on the side. This indoor golf mat can actually build skill in putting and form. Ball return and compact size are a nice touch, makes this putting green mat very convenient to use and store. While there seems to be small issues with bumps upon unrolling, taking an iron to the surface is said to completely fix the issue and offer a natural ball roll.
Product Description:
PutterBall golf pong game set. This golf mat is built to last and can be set up in minutes. Fun for the whole family! Designed for 2-4 players. Includes portable turf board, two putters, two golf balls, and 12 turf hole covers.
Professional Review:
This Is a great game set for people of all ages. Because the board is made out of foam, it may not replicate the ball roll of a natural green however it will help you practice ball control. Very giftable for those who love golf and those just looking for a fun tailgate game. A bit pricey especially if you include the carry bag, but seems to be high quality and long lasting.
Product Description:
10 x 1.8 Play off putting mat. Packing with drills and games, this golf mat is a perfect practice and training aid. Designed by golfers for both indoor and outdoor use. Made of Nylon. This portable putt practice mat can be taken anywhere to battle friends. Includes putting green mat, drawstring carry bag, and scoring booklet.
Professional Review:
This mat is a fun way to incorporate golf into a family friendly game. While it's made of nylon, it appears more like a carpet so it more than likely doesn't replicate the gameplay of a real golf course. However, this golf mat is high quality with multiple games available so it's the perfect entertainment.
Product Description:
10 ft. putting mat for indoors. Putt from a variety of distances, so you can sink ‘em from all over the green. The Pro Putt offers a genuine putting green feel and challenge distances to hone your skills while having fun. Dial in your pace by landing your putts in the target zone beyond the Sure-Shot hole. Guided tee zones help you align your strokes, and create muscle memory to tackle the unguided tees.
Professional Review:
This putt mat is great for those looking to practice their putt. With multiple targets and starting points you're able to build skill with ball control. Does not appear to use putting green turf that will directly mimic the feel of a natural green, which may be a deal breaker for some. While there is mention of it being bumpy after unfolding, this is typical with mats of this kind and will go down within a day or two. The only negative review relates to an issue with shipping, so this appears to be a great contender for indoor use!
Product Description:
3x9 Par three golf putting green with built in sand trap cutouts and non-skid backing. Multiple cup targets allow you to vary your angles and practice different putt lengths. A slight incline at the cups helps to develop firmness of stroke, and the built-in hazards help catch missed shots. Made for indoor use.
Professional Review:
This indoor golf mat is a good deal for the price. While it's more simple than some of the other mats on this list, it's a low cost alternative that will still offer entertainment when stuck indoors. Mat appears to be prone to creasing and wrinkles if not stored properly. According to customer reviews, ball roll is a bit fast.
Product Description:
8 ft. indoor putting mat. Unlike other golf putting matt for indoors, this is a complete practice station that combines swing training and start line feedback to dial in your putt game. This means you get higher quality reps with every session. A pinstripe down the center allows you to track where your putts are going off line. Start dialing in your aim and swing and watch your accuracy improve. Swing path trainer built in.
Professional Review:
This indoor putting green practice mat is one of our favorites when it comes to correcting and mastering your form and alignment. Great training aid for those looking to improve their putt skill from the comfort of their home.
Custom Backyard Putting Green Installation
What are the Benefits of Building an Outdoor Putting Green?
Designing your very own backyard golf green has many advantages! You have the freedom to determine size, shape, and customization level, which allows you to install it virtually anywhere. You also get to pick from various materials, such as poly or nylon turf, to fine-tune a backyard putting green to meet your specific playing style. By working with turf professionals, you receive a smooth and level golf surface that allows you to improve your game on a realistic green that mimics the gameplay of a natural golf course.
Another benefit of designing a custom backyard putting green is that it's perfect for entertaining and multi-player use. This unique backyard feature not only raises property value, but will earn you bragging rights among all your friends.
What are the Disadvantages of Installing an Artificial Putting Green?
While building a custom backyard golf green has many advantages, there are a couple of cons as well. The first and most evident is that artificial putting greens can be costly depending on location and complexity. Installing a permanent putting green can also be off-putting to potential buyers who aren't interested in golf if you ever decide to sell the home.
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Backyard Putting Green?
Installing artificial putting greens can be more expensive than regular artificial grass, depending on the complexity of the project. In addition to leveling and grading, creating curves and undulations must be taken into account to create a custom green that meets each client's individual playing needs. On average, the cost of putting green installation ranges from $14-26 per square foot.
Golf Practice Mat vs. Outdoor Putting Green Comparison
Cost-Effectiveness
The initial cost of an outdoor golf mat will be lower than that of a custom artificial grass putting green, but you may find yourself spending more in the long run. Putting green mats wear down easily and have a shorter lifespan, which can quickly rack up quite the bill on maintenance and replacement. When you build high-quality backyard golf green with premium turf materials, you can trust that your one-time investment into the outdoor putting green will be functional and in good condition year after year.
Customization Level
A standard putting green mat can be found at virtually any retailer in-store or online. You can choose from one or two designs, but these outdoor practice greens are typically flat and small with one hole. This type of golf practice mat doesn't offer much of a challenge to avid players.
When installing a permanent backyard putting green with InstallArtificial, you work with our design team to build a custom outdoor golf green of any size and shape for a unique experience and design that caters to your gameplay and experience level. Whether you want to keep it simple or add multiple cups, undulations, and even a sand bunker, this is all possible when installing an artificial putting green.
Ability to Improve Your Skill
Although an outdoor putting mat can be useful for practicing your swing, it has many limitations. The hole is always in the same spot and the same distance from one end of the mat to the other, which can make it difficult to replicate the experience of playing on a natural putting green. In addition, most mats are made with turf that is not designed to simulate the conditions of a real golf course.
When you build a custom artificial grass putting green, you can create a larger surface with more strategically placed holes. Paired with high-quality putting green turf, you can get closer to replicating real-life conditions and improve your putting skills.
Multi-Player Use
Putting golf mats are designed for single-player use and are typically disappointing and difficult if you want to play with friends. A custom putting green installation is better equipped for use by groups, for friendly competition. It is even great for small events due to the increased surface area and higher-quality materials. Permanent artificial grass putting greens, unlike golf mats, are built to withstand heavy foot traffic and resist wear and tear.
In conclusion, outdoor putting green mats are good for temporary use to practice putting but don't offer the same gameplay and challenges that you receive when playing on a custom green. To really improve your golf skill and make it a worthwhile investment, designing your own backyard putting green is the way to go. Take a few minutes and request a detailed quote below. You'll be ready to roll in no time!
