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If you’re serious about improving your golf game, being able to practice without getting out to the range or course is a huge asset.
This is where putting mats come in. While golf simulators allow you to analyze your shot data and hit your irons and woods indoors, putting mats allow you to practice your putting and chipping wherever and whenever you want.
Of course, not everyone can afford large high-quality mats that cost four figures. Fortunately, many very affordable solutions have appeared on the market, so there are options that can accommodate a range of budgets.
There are many things that make a great putting mat: quality and feel of the turf, wrinkle resistance, size and ability to play break are among them.
In this article, we’ll review and compare our picks for the best golf mats for putting and chipping across a range of different budgets. Each of these mats can be used both as a putting green and to practice short game at a minimum.
Note: Golfstead has tested and/or conducted in-depth research into all of the products featured in this guide. Our editorial process for these rankings takes into account a mix of many factors which may include performance, reliability, usability, value for money, cost, and the general consensus from other users of the product. The list that follows may be reassessed or updated over time.
Our Top Picks For Golf Mats For Putting & Chipping
Based on our own testing, research, and experience, the following are our top selections:
- Big Moss Admiral V2 Putting Mat & Green
- Fiberbuilt 10’x10′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat
- Big Moss Natural V2 Putting Mat & Green
- The Net Return Pro Turf Mat
- Big Moss Augusta V2 Putting Mat & Green
- Fiberbuilt 10′x16′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat
1. Big Moss Admiral V2 Putting Mat & Green
This PGA-endorsed putting mat by Big Moss has amazing reviews, and we think it offers one of the best balances between features and cost.
The Admiral is one of Big Moss’ traditional models, ideal for year-round practice and teaching. It’s perfect for the home or office.
Not only can you practice your putting with it, but it also comes with a chipping mat and limited-flight chipping balls that you can use to practice your short game.
Features
Let’s go into more detail about the features. To start, the Admiral is multi-layered, triple-stitched, and made of durable material; little to no maintenance is required.
Big Moss uses what they call True Roll technology in their greens. This ensures realistic putting and chipping situations that allow you to take your practice to the golf course in the most effective way.
This new V2 model offers a number of improvements over the previous version, including:
- a wrinkle-free rubber-backed surface (no bunching or bubbling) that lays flat, even over carpet.
- a high-density removable foundation that allows you to practice completely flat putts.
- new break pads that allow you to experience hundreds of terrain variations.
- a stadium-like backstop that wraps around and can be secured.
What Is Included
The Big Moss Admiral V2 package consists of the putting green itself, a chipping mat, and two limited-flight chipping balls.
Also included are hole reducers, cup sleeves and flag bases for all Regulation cups, a stadium backstop, and a brake snake that allows you to create unlimited contours.
The Admiral is portable and sets up quickly and easily. It has three cups and is 6′ x 15′, so make sure you have the space to accommodate it.
For more details about what comes with the Admiral and the V2 improvements, check out this page.
We love this putting mat because it’s very durable, rolls fast, holds up very well to foot traffic, and enables you to improve in the critical 5-15 foot range.
2. Fiberbuilt 10’x10′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat
What do you think of a world-class studio mat and putting green in a combo pack, so that you can practice with every club in the bag at your convenience?
This is what you get with the Fiberbuilt 10’x10′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat. It requires a pretty big budget, but it’s totally worth it. Drivers, woods, irons, wedges, putters — you can practice everything.
This all-in-one combo mat gives you 100 square feet of flexible practice space. It’s also perfect to pair up with an indoor golf simulator system.
Features
The system consists of a high-performance, durable fairway turf (10’x4′) along with a 10’x6′ true-roll putting green with a realistic chipping and putting feel.
Hitting surfaces are made of genuine Fiberbuilt grass that accurately simulates real launch conditions. There are four tee holes on the hitting section.
One of the great things about this Fiberbuilt mat is that it easily sets up with radar launch monitors like SkyTrak, Swing Caddie and TrackMan. So if you have simulator software, a net, screen or enclosure, you can create the ultimate simulator setup.
What Is Included
The Fiberbuilt 10’x10′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat accommodates both left and right-handed golfers. It comes with a 300,000 swing guarantee and assembles in a few easy steps. Included are (not limited to):
- one Fiberbuilt grass (nylon) section
- a modular rubber foundation with lock fasteners that don’t require any tools
- two stance mats
- two hole cutouts
- two metal cups
The unit has dimensions of 10 feet x 10 feet. Make sure that your space will be able to accommodate it.
For a full description of everything that comes with the Fiberbuilt 10’x10′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat and the options available to you, visit this page.
3. Big Moss Natural V2 Putting Mat & Green
This putting mat by Big Moss is a little bit smaller and less expensive than the Admiral model reviewed above, but it too has exceptional review ratings.
At 6′ x 10′, the Natural V2 has grain and offset putting positions that allow you to practice natural (subtle) breaking putts. There are a total of five cups — plenty of different scenarios to get the most out of your short game practice.
Features
Like the Admiral, the Natural utilizes True Roll technology and plays at an equivalent of 11 on the stimpmeter.
It comes with all of the improvements that the V2 brings to Big Moss putting mats: wrinkle-free, rubber-backed, a wraparound backstop, a chipping mat, break pads, and more.
A nice bonus with the Natural putting mat is a reduced cup workstation, which enables you to putt to smaller targets if you so choose.
This video briefly reviews a few Big Moss models:
What Is Included
In addition to flag bases, cup sleeves, and other upgrades that come with the new V2 version, the Big Moss Natural includes (not limited to):
- a backstop with velcro attachment
- a chipping mat
- a break snake
- two limited-flight chipping balls
- a safety flagstick
The break snake can be used as a backstop or to change the break. When changing the break, you just need to slip the snake under the mat.
The Natural is portable and sets up easily without tools. For more details about the Natural and what comes with it, go to this page.
Among other things, customers love how nicely it sets up out of the box and the trueness of the roll.
4. The Net Return Pro Turf Mat
This is one of the best and most budget-friendly multi-purpose golf mats available on the market right now.
The Net Return Pro Turf is primarily a hitting mat that you can use for golf simulators and indoor practice ranges. It can also serve as a landing pad that protects your floors.
Most importantly (since this is an article about putting mats), you can use the Pro Turf as a putting green with the available putting cup and flag accessories. Create an awesome training setup that allows you to run through your entire golf bag, from the putter to the driver.
Features
The Pro Turf Mat has dimensions of 6′ x 10′, which is longer and larger than many other mats that are 5 feet long or shorter. You have plenty of room to let loose.
It can be used indoors or outdoors. It’s very portable and can be rolled up and stored like a carpet.
Here’s a tip: rotate the Pro Turf mat every once in a while to balance out the wear. You may also use inserts to modify the surface without sacrificing automatic ball return.
For more details on The Net Return Pro Turf Mat including specifications like weight and thickness, go to this page.
5. Big Moss Augusta V2 Putting Mat & Green
Don’t mind a smaller surface area for your putting? Have a fairly small budget? If so, the Augusta V2 by Big Moss is an excellent option that has very positive reviews.
At 4′ x 10′ to 4′ x 15′ (different length options are available), the Augusta Putting Mat & Green is a traditional model that is similar to the Admiral but more compact.
The Augusta is versatile and ideal for year-round practice and teaching. It comes with a chipping mat so you can practice your short game as a whole.
Features
The Augusta has the quality construction (multi-layered, triple-stitched, etc.) that you can come to expect from Big Moss.
Integrated with the turf, which rolls at 11 on the stimpmeter, is built-in down-grain True Roll technology.
The new wrinkle-free surface that comes with V2 is 28% heavier than the original version and lays completely flat, even over carpeting.
What Is Included
As with other Big Moss putting mats, the Augusta comes with (not limited to):
- break pads
- a break snake (slide underneath to introduce an infinite number of break variations)
- a wrap-around backstop
- new cup sleeves and flag bases
- a chipping mat to practice your short game
The Augusta V2 is portable, and setup is quick and easy. For more information about it and what is included in the package, check out this page.
Customers are impressed with the quality of the turf. It feels like you’re putting on a real green at your local golf club.
6. Fiberbuilt 10′x16′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat
Remember the Fiberbuilt 10’x10′ mat we reviewed above? It’s actually their cheapest combo mat.
The 10’x16′ version is their largest. It’s over 50% more expensive, but it’s an absolute monster, providing over 160 square feet of space to practice with every club in the bag.
If you pair this combo mat with a full golf simulator system like the Uneekor EYE XO, you really have it made. It would be like your very own golf course indoors.
Features
The Fiberbuilt 10′x16′ Double-Hitting Combo Mat has basically the same features as the Fiberbuilt 10’x10′ Combo Mat, but with a 10’x12′ putting green that gives you much more room to hone your putting skills.
The turf provides realistic check and roll and mimics the feel and performance of real turf on a golf course. The green rolls at around a 9 on the stimpmeter. Other features include:
- a 300,000-swing guarantee on the mat
- dual hitting strips for left and right-handed golfers
- two hole cutouts with metal cups
- a modular rubber foundation
Assembly is easy and takes just a few steps. Full assembly instructions are provided.
Golfers with big budgets should definitely consider a Fiberbuilt 10’x16′ mat for their dream setup.
Buying Guide
A putting mat can be a major investment. Because of this, it’s important to consider all the factors that will affect your experience and match it with what your goals are.
Here are the most important factors you need to consider when figuring out what golf putting mat will best meet your needs:
1. Size
Size can be critical in putting mats, particularly if you have limited space.
Keeping quality constant, putting mats with larger footprints tend to be more expensive. At the same time, the more surface area you have, the more productive your sessions will likely be because you’ll be able to practice more putting scenarios.
You need to measure the width and length of your space and compare it to the dimensions of every putting mat you look at. If the mat allows you to hit iron shots (chipping, etc.) or even woods, ensure that you’ll be able to make a swing unimpeded.
In general, you should be able to accommodate at least 10 feet of length and 6-8 feet of width for a mat.
2. Features
Golf mats are hitting surfaces, so when the term “putting mat” is used, it is usually implied that you’ll be able to practice other aspects of your game aside from just putting.
Most quality putting mats allow you to practice chipping in addition to putting. For example, Big Moss putting greens come with special chipping mats.
Other mats, like the Fiberbuilt Combo package reviewed above, feature a full hitting mat that allows you to hit any club in the bag, in addition to a putting green.
Be aware of what aspects of your game you can practice with any given chipping mat.
In addition to this, consider other features & accessories like the number of cups, hole reducers, covers, backstops, and devices that introduce break. These can enhance your experience and make your practice sessions more dynamic.
3. Feel
First, consider the turf that putting mat consists of. When you putt, will it roll relatively true like a real green does, or will it be bumpy and/or unrealistic?
If you want your putting green to provide a quality roll, avoid cheap models that cost less than $50. If the surfaces of these mats aren’t tiny, then the turf is likely low-quality and does a poor job of emulating a green on a real golf course.
Similarly, when you chip, you want the turf to have a realistic course-like feel, but you also don’t want it to be too hard and unforgiving on your joints.
4. Durability
Tying into feel is durability. Consider things like whether or not the putting mat has a solid base that is thick enough to stay in good condition long-term, as well as how well the turf material resists wear.
A good way to gauge the quality & durability of a putting mat, aside from reading customer reviews, is to simply look at the price. More expensive mats will generally be made of higher-quality materials that last longer. Beyond a certain point, surface area starts to become the main determiner of the price.
5. Budget
Of course, your budget is very important when shopping for a golf putting mat.
Not everyone can afford putting mats that cost four figures, much less five. Fortunately, there are options that cost well below this amount. Golfers with large budgets have some excellent options as well.
However, we are of the opinion that if you’re serious about practicing your putting at home, you shouldn’t get a cheap putting mat under $100. These mats are typically of low quality, have minimal features, and won’t serve you nearly as well over the long term in terms of improving your game.
In this guide, we’ve tried to include quality putting mats over a range of budgets that golfers might have. But the great thing is that you don’t have to drop the full cost of it at once.
Our recommended putting mat source here provides easy financing options that allow you to pay for something more pricey like the Fiberbuilt Combo over the course of a year or longer. Don’t forget about this option.
Conclusion
There are many reasons you might want to get a putting mat.
Maybe you want to take improving your putting seriously so you can lower your scores. Maybe you want something to keep you and your friends entertained at home. Maybe you want a realistic surface to practice your chipping.
Whatever the reason, there are many great options available. Finding a putting mat that meets your needs is certainly possible with some research.
Each of the putting mats reviewed above offer excellent value for the cost. We’ve given you the information you need to make a decision; now it’s up to you to go the rest of the way.
If you want to hit irons or woods off your mat, we recommend pairing it with a quality golf simulator system. For that, we have many buying guides you can take a look at.
We also highly recommend reading customer reviews of putting mats, or getting the opinion of experts, to obtain useful insights as to how they actually perform. This can help you a great deal in the decision-making process.
Thanks for reading this guide. What kind of putting mat are you interested in? Do you have any questions? Feel free to drop a comment below.
