The best golf putting aids highlight the old golfing adage of “Drive for show, putt for dough”. It’s hard to overstate the importance of your short game and it’s impact it can have on your score. Consider this: putting makes up around 45% of your total strokes!
Given the fact that putting is critical to your game, you need to make sure you’re practicing consistently and creating good, repeatable behaviors. There are many putting aids that are designed to address a specific area of your swing. When selecting a putting aid, think about where you may need improvement.
Putting aids typically fall into one of three categories:
- Putting aids that help with alignment
- Putting aids that help with posture
- Putting aids that help with swing speed
- Putting aids that help with grip and release
Be sure to select the right putting aid for your desired area of improvement.
Read on for our top picks of the best golf putting aids of 2021. We’ll break down the different types and what issues each putting aid will help you address.
Our Picks for The Best Golf Putting Aids of 2021
| Best Putting Aid for Addressing Power | PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer |
| Best Putting Aid for Alignment 3rd Runner Up | Dave Pelz DP4007 Putting Tutor |
| Best Putting Aid for Alignment | PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer and Alignment Gate Combo |
| Best Putting Aid for Alignment Runner Up | EyeLine Golf Putting Alignment Mirror |
| Best Putting Aid Mat Under 10′ | PuttOut Pro Golf Putting Mat |
| Best Putting Aid Mat Over 10′ | Wellputt Premium 13′ Putting Mat |
| Best Putter Attachment Putting Aid | Eye Putt Pro Putter Alignment Mirror |
| Best Putting Aid for Stroke Training | EyeLine Golf Edge Putting Rail |
| Best Putting Aid Golf Ball Accessory | Dave Pelz Putting O-Balls |
| Best Putting Aid Accessory Overall | SKLZ Golf Putting Cup Accuracy Trainer |
| Best High-Tech Putting Aid | Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer |
PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer
The PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer has a unique design that allows it to return good putts and reject bad ones, giving you instant feedback on your putt. Each successful putt is returned the same distance it would’ve gone past the hole if it had missed, which is excellent for you to see just how off your shot was.
This putting aid is collapsible and made of high quality, durable materials, making it great to slip into your golf bag and bring with you for easy practice wherever you are.
Why We Like It:
- Trains all areas of your putting game (power, control, and alignment)
- Unique shape offers instant feedback on your stroke
- Collapsible design means ultimate portability
- Well constructed and high-quality materials
Dave Pelz DP4007 Putting Tutor
The Dave Pelz DP4007 Putting Tutor focuses on improving the start line and alignment of your putts. You start by aiming at the white line on the board and then attempt to hit your putts through the small gap at the other end of the putting aid.
This putting aid is great for helping you to improve your green reading skills and learning how your putts break, as well as helping you to fine tune your initial shot alignment.
If you’re looking for a no-fuss putting aid for shorter putts, the DP4007 is an excellent choice.
Why We Like It:
- Simple-to-use design that gives great direction on putter face alignment and shot direction
- Helps build green-reading skills
- Developed by Phil Mickelson’s swing coach and highly reviewed by many golfers
PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer and Alignment Gate
The PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer and Alignment Gate combo is an excellent all-around putting aid for anyone looking to improve their skills. The mirror is great for posture and alignment, and comes with plenty of markings to help you line up your shot. On the mirror itself are two magnetic rails that are adjustable, allowing you multiple options to improve your swing path through impact with the ball.
The adjustable rails really allow this putting aid to grow with you over time, offering more challenge as your skills progress. The fact that the base is non-slip and has a spiked rubber texture is a great touch as well.
That’s not all this combo offers, though- also included is a putting gate, which will help you to further evaluate your alignment once the ball is struck, offering extremely important feedback on your ball path and initial alignment.
The PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer and Alignment Gate combo is an excellent all-around putting aid that will help golfers of any skill level.
Why We Like It:
- Address many areas of putting in one easy-to-use putting aid
- Non-slip base ensures the mirror doesn’t move around during use
- Included gate allows for extra alignment feedback and practice, and can be used in conjunction with or separate from the mirror
EyeLine Golf Putting Alignment Mirror
Think of the EyeLine Golf Putting Alignment Mirror as the budget version of the PuttOut Alignment Mirror and Gate combo reviewed above. This putting aid relies on holes in the mirror for you to place tees rather than magnetic gates which still allows you to focus on getting your alignment and backstroke dialed in properly.
By employing lines for both your eyes as well as the putter, this will also help with your posture. The putting aid is 12 x 6 inches, is very lightweight, and comes with a carry bag so you’ll have it at the ready when needed.
Why We Like It:
- Very affordable alignment putting aid
- Highly portable and adjustable with tee slots
- Helps improve alignment and posture in one tool
PuttOut Pro Golf Putting Mat
The PuttOut Pro Golf Putting Mat combines a heavy rubber-backed mat with several markings to help you check your alignment and ball direction when practicing your putts. At 7.87’ x 1.64’, this mat is sizable and will help you hone your skills on both short and long putts, and is best suited for golfers who want a putting aid that will allow them to practice at home.
The surface plays like a medium to fast green, and the mat rolls up and can be stored in the included canister when not in use, making it easily portable.
Why We Like It:
- Line markings help with putter face and stroke alignment
- Nearly 8’ surface allows for longer putt practice and allows you to better understand your shot direction after impact
- High-quality materials and easy to store when not in use
- Great for home use (more practice = better performance)
Wellputt Premium 13’ Putting Mat
If you’re looking for a premium putting mat, you can’t do better than the Wellputt 13 foot mat. The white line down the center allows you to check your alignment on long putts, and multiple lines allow you to approach your putts (and keep alignment in sight) for multiple angles.
To keep things interesting, this putting mat has different “feel” zones throughout the practice area and includes the WellPutt App with over 50 training exercises and games to make sure you get the most out of your purchase.
The long 13’ size makes this a great training solution for someone looking to get more putting practice in at home.
Why We Like It:
- Long 13’ size makes this putting aid great for practicing alignment on longer puts
- Plenty of markings allows for wide variety of practice drills and shot types
- Back and forth directional play
- Different “feel” zones included on the mat
- Included WellPutt App provides extra value
Eye Putt Pro Putter Alignment Mirror
The Eye Putt Pro Putter Alignment Mirror is a small mirror and bubble level combination that magnetically attaches to nearly any putter to help you with posture, eye alignment, and putter leveling. This is a different design than many other putting aids we’ve reviewed here and deserves a mention for it’s unique approach.
Although it’s focus is very limited, this tool is affordable, extremely easy to use, and very portable, making it great for use at home or away.
Why We Like It:
- Instant visual feedback on every putt
- Leads to developing muscle memory of posture and keeping the club face level
- Easy setup and removal from nearly any putter
- Affordably priced & highly portable
EyeLine Golf Edge Putting Rail
The EyeLine Golf Edge Putting Rail is a great choice if you’re working on your overall putting stroke and alignment, but want to work from a basic mechanics standpoint. This rail has a 70 degree incline, matching the arc for most square-to-square putting.
Your putter head glides smoothly along the rail, building muscle memory and repetition while keeping your club face square to allow for stroke consistency. You can pair this rail with the EyeLine Golf Putting Alignment Mirror for extra feedback during your practice sessions at home or on the course.
For a cheaper but similar option, try the Putting Arc T3 Golf Rail.
Why We Like It:
- Simple to set up and use
- Allows you you to move the rail further back to practice longer putts over time
- Good for use both at home and away
- Develops consistent habits on square putter alignment and stroke mechanics
Dave Pelz Putting O-Balls
The Dave Pelz Putting O-Balls are an extremely simple-to-use putting aid, as it offers a 3-pack of lined and marked balls that give you ball direction and alignment feedback anywhere you putt, and on any surface.
Get instant feedback after impact by observing the balls and how the lines move. Use these by themselves during your practice rounds or in conjunction with the DP4007 putting aid or any putting mirror or mat for extra feedback.
Why We Like It:
- Extremely affordable
- Makes a great standalone option or addition to another putting aid such as a mirror or mat
- Lined balls allow you to instantly see your alignment throughout the entire putt
SKLZ Golf Putting Cup Accuracy Trainer
Much like the Dave Pelz Putting O-Balls, the SKLZ Golf Putting Cup Accuracy Trainer is a putting aid that can be used nearly anywhere, and can be combined with other putting aids to offer a thorough putt training experience.
This lightweight simulated cup has a tight 2.75 inch opening, forcing you to improve on alignment and stroke speed. It’s lightweight and compact design makes it great for use at home, the office, and on the go, and fits easily into your golf bag.
Why We Like It:
- Extremely affordable
- Portable and lightweight
- Tight opening makes you a better putter
- Great for improving reads, putt speeds, and accuracy
Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer
The Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer does double duty, giving you swing analytics on both your long and short game swings. The Blast swing analyzer attaches to the end of any club and works simply, capturing motion and important data about your strokes.
This package also includes video capture and overlays metrics during the playback, giving you extremely valuable breakdowns of your swing mechanics and allows you to pinpoint what went great and what didn’t.
Blast is trusted by over 200 pro-level golfers and for good reason: it provides quality data and analysis in an easy-to-use and affordable solution.
Why We Like It:
- Extremely affordable swing analysis
- Works for long and short game
- Motion capture is an excellent added feature
- Attaches to any club easily
Best Golf Putting Aids of 2021 Buying Guide
Keeping in mind that putting is one of the most important aspects of your game, it’s extremely important to continually improve your short game skills. Let’s take a look at how to select the best putting aid for your situation.
How To Figure Out What Putting Problem You’re Trying To Solve
With so many putting aids on the market, many manufacturers have tried to distinguish their product by solving a specific area of putting. Some are helpful for alignment, while others can help with your posture, and others might even focus solely on power. Read on to make sure you select the bes putting aid for your situation.
Putts too Long or Short
The power and weight you bring into your putt matters. Even if your alignment is spot on, having a shot that is too weak or powerful will throw your putts off, adding costly strokes to your game.
If this sounds like you, you’ll benefit most from a putting aid that helps train your muscle memory to develop correct putting speed.
Good putting aids for this issue would be the PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer, EyeLine Golf Edge Putting Rail, and Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer.
Alignment Issues
Putting alignment is a challenging thing to address without an external reference like markings, a putting mirror, or even some basic golf tees. As your alignment improves, you’ll gain confidence and will be able to focus more on your posture and shot power, further lowering your scores.
We highly recommend putting aids that address alignment, as it’s the most common issue among golfers of every skill level.
A great combo for alignment issues would be the PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer and Alignment Gate Combo along with the Dave Pels Putting O-Balls and a SKLZ Golf Putting Cup to round it all off.
Slope Challenges
Slopes can be tricky, and if you’re getting frustrated, you may need more help on reading greens and anticipating breaks, along with controlling your power during the putt.
For at-home practice working with slopes, use the PuttOut Pro Mat or Wellputt Premium Mat and use an object beneath it such as a canister or soda can to create slope. Use the Dave Pels Putting O-Balls in conjunction with this to really get the big picture on how your angle and alignment affect your slope putts.
Putting Aid Practicality
Think about your personality and the intended use of the putting aid. If you’re an impatient person with very little time to practice, it won’t make very much sense to select a putting aid that takes a lot of fussing with to set up. You’ll want to make sure your putting aid is as conducive as possible to you actually practicing consistently – this is what produces long-term results.
Putting Aid Size
Make sure the size of your chosen putting aid fits your space. Particularly with mats, choosing the proper length is key. Choose a mat if you have a large space to work with, such as a long hallway or finished basement. If you’ll be working within a small space such as a living room or office, a putting mirror may be best. Additionally, if you plan on purchasing a putting mirror, make sure you select a size that fits in your bag in the event you want to practice with it on the green.
Putting Aid Design
Simpler is better here. Make sure whatever you are able to understand and most effectively use the putting aid you choose.
Putting Aid Quality & Durability
Nearly all of our top picks for best putting aids of 2021 have high marks for quality and durability. If you choose something beyond this list, just be sure to read up on the materials from the manufacturer’s website (if available) and reviews from users of the product.
Putting Aid Warranty
You shouldn’t necessarily need a warranty, but it’s nice to know that the maker backs their product. Most companies will at the very least offer a 30-day money back guarantee or some sort of satisfaction policy.
Putting Aid Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Improve My Putting And Short Game?
In short, you can improve your putting through practice, practice, and even more practice! If you only rely on your course time for practice and don’t do it at home, you’re selling yourself short on valuable repetition that will help you once you’re on the green.
- Be aware of your alignment and setup positioning.
- Keep line of sight in mind – a lined putter can help with this.
- Try counting to three before looking up from the ball once you strike it.
- Make sure you have a strong center of balance and focus on stability.
- Make sure to look at the terrain and notice any variations in it when making your putt.
- Align your body to the right, but do not move your body when making the putt. This will help with your rhythm.
How Do I Control My Putting Distance?
Be careful that you’re not making the common mistake of taking the putter back too short and accelerate too quickly through the shot, leaving you open to passing your target and making problems worse. Focus on creating a repeatable rhythm, predictable with your putter.
A good drill for this is using two golf tees or golf balls – place one 8 inches in front of your putter head and the other 8 inches behind, then practice swinging the putter back and forth, being careful not to hit either object. Eventually, you’ll develop a tempo and consistent approach that will help you improve your distance control.
How Do The Pros Practice Putting?
There are many drills and challenges you can set up to practice putting, many using the top putting aids we’ve reviewed here today. Ultimately, the pros keep three things in mind when setting up their putts: reading the green, measuring the distance, and lining up the shot.
These all sound deceptively simple, but can be quite difficult. As a practical drill, next time you are practicing putting, first try walking to the hole from your ball position. Take notice on your feet and if you are able to feel a left-leaning or right-leaning slope. Next, count your steps between the ball and hole – this will give you a good judgement on the distance you’ll need to make the putt. Lastly, pay attention to the line you just walked – think about the path the ball will need to follow to make your shot, and adjust your alignment accordingly.
Does At-Home Putting Training Help Improve Your Game?
Absolutely! At-home putting training can help improve muscle memory, accuracy, technique, and stroke mechanics – all without greens fees or leaving the house. Did we mention it’s also a great way to unwind after a long day?
Follow these simple steps to create an effective at-home putting training regimen:
- Create a routine – humans like patterns, and after a while your brain and body will come to expect it. Use this to your advantage!
- Alternate between specific putting drills that help you improve the areas of your game that need it
- Pay close attention to every aspect of your putt: the setup, the stroke, the alignment, and the ball distance. Alter things one at a time to see what parts need adjustment, and improve continually over time.
What’s The Best Putting Alignment Mirror?
There are two great putting alignment mirrors we recommend, and it really comes down to budget. If you can afford it, spring for the PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer and Alignment Gate Combo, as it offers some really cool flexibility. Alternatively, the Eyeline Putting Mirror offers many of the same features for less money.
What’s The Best Putting Mat?
This one’s a little subjective, and really depends on how much space you have to devote in-home to practicing your putting. If you’re short on space, the PuttOut Pro Golf Putting Mat is a great choice at just under 8’.
If you want to go long, the WellPutt 13’ putting mat is an excellent option, and has many additional alignment and tracking markings for a variety of practice styles.
Pair either on of these mats with the SKLZ Golf Putting Cup and Dave Pelz Putting O-Balls for a truly immersive training experience.
If you’re looking for more suggestions, check out our guide to the Best Indoor Putting Greens.
What’s The Best Putting Aid To Improve My Swing Path?
If you’re looking to improve your swing path and consistency, we’d recommend the Eyeline Golf Edge Putting Rail. If you’re on a budget, the Putting Arc T3 Golf Rail is a cheaper option that works great as well.
What’s The Best Putting Aid Accessory?
This is a really tough question, as different setups and play issues require different putting aids to get the job done. If you’re on a tight budget and have limited space, the PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer and Alignment Gate combo is a great base to build off. If you can afford it, pairing that with a training mat like the PuttOut Pro will make it even better.
If you want to take it to the next level, pair both of those with a SKLZ Golf Putting Cup Accuracy Trainer and round it out with Dave Pelz Putting O-Balls for the ultimate setup.
Bottom line, no matter what your budget and play issues, there are plenty of excellent puting aids in this guide to help you get the job done.
What’s The Best Swing Analyzer For Putting?
We recommend the Blast Motion Golf Swing Analyzer due to its ease of setup, ability to connect to any golf club, measurement of all swing types, and ability to do motion capture as well (did we mention it does all this at a rock bottom price?). Unbelievable!
Wrapping Up The Best Putting Aids of 2021
We hope this guide helped you to better choose the next putting aid to make part of your practice routine. There’s so many great choices that we had to get several! Please leave your questions and comments below.
