7 Best Putting Training Aids To Unlock Your Potential
Did you know that the average golfer has about 35 putts per round?
According to the USGA the average male golfer has a 14 handicap and according to the Grint - they average about 35 putts per round while higher handicaps have close to 40. While scratch golfers average about 31.5 putts per round.
Becoming clutch on the greens is one of the fastest ways to shoot lower scores and play more consistently - regardless of handicap. Today, I’ll review five of the best putting training aids to help you get Tiger-like confidence on the greens.
7 Best Putting Training Aids
Invest in one or several of these putting aids so you can stop 3-putting and start saving shots every round.
1. Pro Path Putting Mirror
First up is the Pro Path Putting Mirror, which is endorsed by one of the best putters in pro golf - Cam Smith.
Mirrors are great because they help get your eyes in the right spot, over or slightly underneath the golf ball. As Sean Foley, Tiger Wood's former golf coach, said in a Golf Digest article,
“Instead of positioning your eyes directly over the ball, do what most pros do and set them several inches to the inside (above, left). This is especially important over those short putts where you can't afford to be off line by more than an inch or so. Try setting up this way, and see if it doesn't get you sinking more must-make putts.”
Experiment with your eyes over the ball or slightly underneath to build a consistent set-up position.
While putting mirrors aren’t anything new, this one is better than most because it’s big enough to not only show eye position but shoulder alignment too. Prior to using this putting training aid, I missed a lot of putts left because my shoulders were open without realizing it.
Plus, it has a putting arc to groove a more consistent stroke. It works for all types of golfers, can use indoors/outdoors, and is extremely easy to use. It comes with a travel case and putting gates as well.
2. Putting Tutor by Dave Pelz
Second is the Putting Tutor by Dave Pelz who created this putting aid with Phil Mickelson.
The device is simple, but not easy. The small board makes you putt between two marbles to work on your start line… which is arguably the most important part of a putt.
If you set the marbles back on the board, it gives you the biggest window. But as you put the marbles up to the second or third slot, it makes it just bigger than a ball and requires a perfect putt to make it through without hitting the marbles.
It’s small, easy to use, and there are levels. Start with the marbles at the back, then work your way forward. I’ve found it works best for short to mid-range putts.
3. The Putting Thing
The third putting aid is the Putting Thing by WhyGolf - one of my favorite training aid companies. It’s a unique aid in that it combines the best of several training aids.
The Putting Thing is part putting mirror, part stroke trainer, and part putting gate (similar to the Putting Tutor). It’s easy to adjust the ball and putter gates to give you an accurate start line. It works indoors or outdoors, comes with an alignment rail, and travel bag to easily store in your golf bag.
4. Breaking Ball Putting Mat
The fourth putting training aid is actually an indoor putting green that can help you with breaking putts. It’s called the Breaking Ball Putting Mat and created by famous YouTube golf instructors Me and My Golf.
While I’m all for indoor putting mats and will do another video about my favorites, most only allow you to practice straight putts. After discovering this product as well at the PGA show, I’m beyond impressed.
The mat comes with three golf balls that simulate small, medium, and large amounts of break. Line the balls up with the markers on the mat to practice left to right and right to left putts.
Plus, they have several sizes and if you’re practicing with normal balls on this mat you can use with the other training aids mentioned above.
5. Devil Ball by PuttOut
Next up is the Devil Ball from PuttOut.
As the name implies, this putting aid is devilishly hard and requires a perfect putt to hit it well. I discovered this at the PGA Show and will let my friends from PuttOut give a quick overview.
This putting aid comes in a pack of two balls, has an alignment market, travel pouch, and online videos to use it. It has three different levels - beginner, intermediate, and pro - similar to the Putting Tutor, making it great for all types of golfers.
According to PuttOut when used on the pro level it’s twice as hard to make a three footer than with a normal golf ball, creating a fun challenge.
6. The Putting Arc
Want a putting aid to help develop a more consistent stroke and improve fundamentals like ball position? The Putting Arc is just what you need.
I learned about this putting device from Scott Fawcett of Decade Golf as a great tool to set up a block practice station. The portable aid makes it easy to improve your stroke and create a perfect putting arc.
Use it indoors at home or outdoors at the putting green to get into a perfect starting position.
7. SmartLine Putting Cup Reducer
The final putting training aid you need is the SmartLine Putting Cup Reducer. This simple putting aid shrinks the hole to make practice 10X harder. You’ll see these mini holes at some golf courses and a great way to focus on smaller targets for extreme precision.
Insert it into a normal cup on the putting green and start putting. This is a great putting aid for short putts and pairs well with all the other aids in this video.
When you putt to a normal hole, it’ll feel like a bucket. Make practice hard so you can have more confidence on the greens.
Closing Thoughts
Use these seven putting aids to transform your short game and make the most of your practice sessions.
If you’re ready to transform your putting, make sure to check out my FREE guide, Clutch Putting. I’ll teach you seven proven putting fundamentals to stop 3-putting and have more confidence on the greens.
