The Putting Carpet

[Diane]

Just this week, I have been told by 2 people whose opinions I value on all matters related to golf that I should be practicing my putting in my living room or office every day. Well, yesterday was the first day I heeded their advice and I have to admit it's a good idea and one that takes very little time. I expect to be an expert putter by opening day or I'm holding them both responsible. One of the people told me I should chip as well, but quite frankly I have too many breakables to even consider doing that. Does anyone else putt or even chip in their homes or office?

[Bigvivec]

Originally Posted by Diane

Just this week, I have been told by 2 people whose opinions I value on all matters related to golf that I should be practicing my putting in my living room or office every day. Well, yesterday was the first day I heeded their advice and I have to admit it's a good idea and one that takes very little time. I expect to be an expert putter by opening day or I'm holding them both responsible. One of the people told me I should chip as well, but quite frankly I have too many breakables to even consider doing that. Does anyone else putt or even chip in their homes or office?

I do both, putt and chip...it has helped my game immensley...

[Shelby]

I chip into the sofa, it drives my wife nuts. If I overcook it a little it smacks the wall. Oh well.

[Texas Wedge]

Putting on my carpet would be like putting in the fairway. I'm not sure if that would help or hurt. Everyone could benefit by practicing their putting, IMO, but does anyone have thoughts on whether putting on a slow surface is detrimental to your overall putting game?

[Darth Fader]

Yes,i do both. Practice putting in the dining room (the carpet has a shorter pile) hot pitch's in the living room into my daughters bean bag. God forbid i hit one heavy,how do you explain a divot out a carpet??

[Bigvivec]

Originally Posted by Texas Wedge

Putting on my carpet would be like putting in the fairway. I'm not sure if that would help or hurt. Everyone could benefit by practicing their putting, IMO, but does anyone have thoughts on whether putting on a slow surface is detrimental to your overall putting game?

If you practice lags on a slow surface, it will put you off your game...short putts...3,4,5 footers will if anything be better than a green as it will teach you to put an authoritative stroke on the ball which is a big reason for missing these little ones...

[Texas Wedge]

Originally Posted by Bigvivec

If you practice lags on a slow surface, it will put you off your game...short putts...3,4,5 footers will if anything be better than a green as it will teach you to put an authoritative stroke on the ball which is a big reason for missing these little ones...

Hmmm...maybe I need to try that then. Thanks for the input.

[GolfSavage]

Our house is all tile - makes putting tough! But I'm ready for those U.S. Open greens that have just been aerated!

I need to go get a strip of carpet or a rug to lay down and use. It's good practice, and it's fun!

[Ty_Webb]

Originally Posted by Diane

Just this week, I have been told by 2 people whose opinions I value on all matters related to golf that I should be practicing my putting in my living room or office every day. Well, yesterday was the first day I heeded their advice and I have to admit it's a good idea and one that takes very little time. I expect to be an expert putter by opening day or I'm holding them both responsible. One of the people told me I should chip as well, but quite frankly I have too many breakables to even consider doing that. Does anyone else putt or even chip in their homes or office?

Hi Diane

You should get yourself some of these: Golf Instruction: Lessons: Golf Training Aids: Short Flyte Balls

Great for practising your chipping indoors. No need to worry about breaking anything either. They spin A LOT. Great fun.

Does anyone have any decent suggestions for a putting mat? Most of the ones I can find online are either very expensive, or cheap and nasty. I have a hardwood floor, but would quite like to get a putting mat so I can practise over the winter.

[Diane]

Originally Posted by Ty_Webb

Hi Diane

You should get yourself some of these: Golf Instruction: Lessons: Golf Training Aids: Short Flyte Balls

Great for practising your chipping indoors. No need to worry about breaking anything either. They spin A LOT. Great fun.

Does anyone have any decent suggestions for a putting mat? Most of the ones I can find online are either very expensive, or cheap and nasty. I have a hardwood floor, but would quite like to get a putting mat so I can practise over the winter.

Thanks Ty. If anyone can break something - that would be me.

[J.D.]

I have wood floors in my house. My wife would scream bloody murder if I practiced chipping off those...

JD

[Samsquanch]

I tried hitting flop shots in the house off a pillow... Whoopsie Dasie.

[gocubs]

I just started this off season. I've heard others here say it has helped their game so I figured I'd give it a try. I don't think it will hurt, I mean my game stinks now and besides, I've had cabin fever since before Christmas. I can putt anywhere in the house, it's all carpeted. Chipping I do off a square of scrap carpet. I figure if I can control my distance with my putts and chips it will certainly help my scores.

[DIETER]

I putt on my downstairs carpet all the time (and chip sometimes too). It doesn't really matter what kind of carpet I'm on b/c I'm practicing my stroke, not my speed. I have a good putting stroke but in order to maintain it, I need to keep doing it. Is the carpet short like a green? no, but as I said, I'm just try to practice my stroke.

[Shelby]

Originally Posted by DIETER

I putt on my downstairs carpet all the time (and chip sometimes too). It doesn't really matter what kind of carpet I'm on b/c I'm practicing my stroke, not my speed. I have a good putting stroke but in order to maintain it, I need to keep doing it. Is the carpet short like a green? no, but as I said, I'm just try to practice my stroke.

Exactly. That's what I'm working on too, a smooth stroke and putting to a target. The speed is not that important.

[OnePutt]

Diane: I got a 8 foot putting mat with an electric ball return years ago. It's 2 feet wide so I just lay in down against a wall of my living room, where it's basiclly out of the way. Works great for practice, as the felt surface is about the same speed as a fast rolling green. If you want, you can buy a piece of felt at a fabric store and make your own putting green. Want to get fancy? Get a 4' by 8' sheet of 1/2" plywood, cover it with felt, and use that. If you add a small block of wood under one corner of the sheet, it will twist a bit, and let you practice breaking putts as much as you like. Up-hill, down hill. side hill lies, breakers left to right, right to left, you name it. Want more distance, lay 2 sheets of plywood end to end and practice 15 foot breakers ? The felt can get purchased in 3 or 6 foot wide pieces. Lay it on your tile or hardwood floor, and it's just like putting on a green. Speen as little or as much money as you like, what ever you spend it will help your putting game come spring. I used to practice 25 seven foot putts every day before I started work, and it made those 5 foot putts look easy out out the course.

[Fourputt]

I've never been able to get much help from chipping indoors. My decisions and technique rely too much and lie and situation, things that really can't be duplicated from the carpet. Then too, I kinda like being married, and chipping in the house might be a bit hard on our relationship.

I do have an electric auto return putting aid though. No mat attached, but the tight weave Burbur carpet in the basement makes a good fast green to practice on, without the pronounced grain that you get from any kind of pile carpet.

[Leaguegolf]

Why go to all that trouble with felt and plywood? If the carpet in your home or office isn't suitable for short putts (8 feet or shorter) just stop by any carpet store and ask for a 2' x 8' remnant. They've always for plenty and for a couple of bucks you've got yourself all the "green" you need for indoor putting practice.

[indacup]

I putt at home extensively with a Boomerang and Arc combo....my short game is the best part of my game...if I thre putt on a familiar course, I get bummed.

As far as chipping indoors, I recomment one of these:

1' x 2' Chipping and Driving Golf Practice Mat

I have a blanket (actually) a shipping blanket (that's padded) and chip into it....

[OnePutt]

Leaque; I've never seen a carpet remnant that comes close to being as close to matching a green as a piece of felt. And you can get a piece of felt pretty cheap at a store near you. And you don't need the plywood at all. I just mentioned using plywood as a way of adding some contour to your putting green. If someone was to try either felf to a carpet remnant over a tile floor, then a thin sheet of plywood would be needed to remove all the little dips you'd get with the tiles.