🏡 Home Putting Practice That Works: Drills, Tools, and a Dog Who Thinks She’s the Caddie

The mat, the mindset, and the drills that are (mostly) keeping me sane

I bought this putting mat thinking it would just help me avoid three-putts. What I didn’t expect was how much it would reveal about my tempo, my aim, and my ability to focus with a German shepherd dramatically sighing three feet away.

This is one of the few golf purchases that’s truly earned its keep. It’s flat, it rolls true, and it’s just long enough to make you nervous. I’ve added a few drills, a few playlists, and a few Sharpie marks — and now it’s one of the most useful tools I’ve got. Leia thinks so too, though mostly because it doubles as a dog bed, hair trap, and personal canine entertainment system.

🧰 What I Use

The Mat: Perfect Practice Putting Mat – Amazon

• 10 feet long, with a stimp rating close to a medium-fast green
• Two centerline guides (added one myself with dotted Sharpie for symmetry)
• Slight slope at the end to encourage a firmer roll
• Lies flat even on carpet — no curling, warping, or weird grooves
• Bonus features: Traps dog hair for a “realistic rough” effect and conveniently attracts balls for indoor fetch missions
• Note: I snagged mine secondhand on Facebook Marketplace for way less — highly recommend checking there first if you’re not feeling full-price energy

Extras I Added:

• Chalk line tape at 3, 6, and 9 feet
• Small backstop behind the hole
• A plastic gate at 6 feet to force center-face contact
• Putting mirror on certain days to double-check eye alignment, shoulder setup, and whether or not I’m leaning into bad habits

🎯 My Daily Drill Routine

I cycle through 3 main drills depending on time and focus:

1. Gate Drill at 6 feet
Roll through a narrow gate to improve face control. Misses left or right give immediate feedback.

2. Ladder Drill
Putt to 3, 6, and 9 feet — make all 3 in a row, then repeat. Miss? Start over. (I usually do.)

3. Eyes-Up Routine
Focus on tempo and rhythm — take the same stance and routine each time. No raking, no rushing, no thinking about emails.

🧠 What It’s Actually Teaching Me

• Good putts start before the stroke — with setup, alignment, and rhythm
• Short putts feel “automatic” only when I’ve actually practiced them
• Pressure drills at home still create mini nerves — which helps when the putt matters

And maybe most importantly: putting is more about consistency than perfection. I’m not chasing a perfect roll — I’m building trust in my process.

🐾 Side Note: Leia’s Tips for Mat Practice

• Lie directly on the mat, ideally across the putting line
• Let your fur coat create random grain patterns to simulate real green irregularities — always find the bright side
• Watch the ball intently as it rolls… then steal it when no one’s looking
• Hide it behind furniture and act surprised when found

📺 Want to Practice Along?

Here’s a great quick video from a female instructor that covers one of my go-to drills: