If you want to practice putting at home, it usually comes down to one question: should you buy a putting mat or a putting green? Both help you roll more putts and lower your scores without leaving the house — but they suit different spaces, budgets, and goals. Here's how to choose.
What's the difference?
A putting mat is a narrow, roll-out strip designed to groove a straight, repeatable stroke. It's compact, affordable, and easy to store — ideal for a hallway, office, or the space beside your desk. A putting green is a wider artificial-turf surface, usually with multiple holes and break, that lets you practice different lines, distances, and lag putts — closer to what you'd face on the course.
Choose a putting mat if…
- You have limited space and want something you can roll up in seconds.
- You're working on stroke mechanics, tempo, and start line.
- You want the most practice for the least money.
Two easy places to start: the Pace Training Putting Mat for alignment and tempo work, or the Portable Putting Mat (8 ft / 10 ft) when you want a longer roll.
Choose a putting green if…
- You have a spare room, garage, or backyard to dedicate to practice.
- You want to practice multiple break lines, distances, and lag putts.
- You want a more realistic, on-course feel.
Good options include the compact Indoor/Outdoor Putting Green Set, or a true-roll artificial-turf green in small (10 × 3.3 ft) or large (10 × 5 ft) sizes for working longer putts and break.
Quick recommendation
If you're just getting started or short on space, a mat gives you the fastest reps for the money. If you have room and want to simulate real greens — including break and distance control — a putting green is the better long-term investment. Many golfers end up with both: a mat by the desk for daily reps and a green for weekend sessions.
Browse all of our practice surfaces in the Home Putting Studio collection and build a setup that fits your space.