From College Kid to Golf Innovator: How One Father’s Dream Became Every Golfer’s Game-Changer!

Discover the Inspirational Journey Behind the Creation of Chiputt Putting Mats

It was the summer of 2010 when a soon-to-be sophomore at the University of Nebraska was first introduced to the game of golf. Despite having a background in basketball, tennis, and track & field, he faced challenges hitting a used 7-iron for 30 yards carry, yet he was hooked. He spent that entire summer at the driving range honing his skills with the 7-iron. Finally, the weekend before the 2010 college football season kicked off, his dad took him to the local golf course. There, he played his first 18 holes while learning the etiquette of the game. Though a scorecard wasn’t kept to avoid embarrassment, he did manage a memorable par on a par 5 with only a 7-iron and a putter. In that hot and humid summer, a 37’’ steel stick and a little white ball changed a college kid’s life forever. This is how I began my love story with golf and was led to create Chiputt, a golf brand that provides the ultimate short game practice solution at home. Welcome, my name is Jason.

Fast forward to the summer of 2024, 14 years later, that college kid has turned 34 and has an 18-month-old boy named Bonan. My plan for Bonan’s road to the Masters began forming even during my wife’s pregnancy. I imagined myself as his caddie and managing communications with his agent so the young star could focus on his game. As expected, my wife calls me crazy, and my in-laws prefer a focus on academics and a stable corporate job for Bonan’s future. Only my dad truly understands. His words are few, but his support is massive. Together, we introduce Bonan to golf, step by step, no rush, no push. On Bonan’s first day on Earth, I rubbed his little fingers and hands using not only my fingers but also a golf ball, nurturing his touch — a vital part of the game. Now he can walk, and golf clubs and toy cars are his favorites. He has already had his first driver retired for hitting down on it too much (remember, Bonan, to hit up on the driver for a better launch angle!).

Of course, I’m not delusional enough to believe that he’s destined to become a major champion. But I do believe in dreaming big and trying as hard as one can for it. Impossible is nothing. Someone has to be the World No.1, why not him? More importantly, I believe that golf can enrich our lives. Golf is more than using 14 sticks and swing skills through 18 holes. It builds mental toughness and teaches life lessons through its ups and downs. It helps us become better people.

Even though our family dreams big, I won’t force it. Instead, I focus on showing Bonan what a great game golf is, helping him love it, and supporting him fully. He has the freedom to choose any path he desires. I just hope golf positively impacts him and helps him become a good human being. For now, I want to ensure he has a lot of fun through golf, and I’m confident he’ll find himself in a good place.

As Bonan grows more enthusiastic about golf every day, I’ve been crafting a sound game plan for my young golfer. I’ve researched extensively, and the book Training A Tiger: A Father’s Guide To Raising A Winner In Both Golf And Life by Earl Woods, Tiger Woods’ father, has become my guide. Earl Woods raised the biggest golf superstar with a simple, practical approach that is easy to follow and effective. According to his book, it’s great for youngsters like Bonan to begin as early as possible — not necessarily with serious golfing, but anything golf-related that immerses him in the game. This includes watching me play, reading Golf Digest together, and hitting balls with plastic clubs without worrying about swing mechanics. These activities develop his passion and make golf natural to him. As for training, it begins with putting, working from the green back to the tee.

Starting Bonan’s golf journey with putting games offers several benefits. First, it’s easy and fun, and we can practice together. His longest shot is about 5 yards, while my driver is averaging 250 yards carry, so we’re playing two different games. But not in putting — I practice 3 to 9-foot putts regularly, and so can he. Putting games and challenges build his competitiveness and strengthen family bonds, benefitting him and our family for life. Additionally, putting inside 9 feet is arguably one of the most important areas of the game. Sinking putts within this range shaves strokes off your scorecard, boosts confidence, and strengthens your mental game.

To ensure we can play putting games and have fun daily, rain or shine, I crafted the best putting mat — the Chiputt putting mat — for my son, and also for golf lovers worldwide. This is more than a home putting mat; it is an all-in-one short game practice station at home, whether indoors or outdoors. It is designed to feel like a real green, using tour-grade premium material that looks and feels authentic, rolling the truest with no artificial aiming lines or ramps. The cup holes replicate real holes on the green. The mat is extendable with mats connecting with each other, allowing you to expand the effective putting distance without sacrificing true-roll performance, and markers on the mat provide instant and easy distance read. It is chippable, so you can practice chipping and pitching at home with foam or real golf balls. It’s even better with a launch monitor for more stats. From must-make 3 to 9-foot putts to 30+ feet lag putts, and from greenside chip shots to 50+ yard pitch shots, the Chiputt putting mat covers it all!

We often spend too much time practicing iron shots and drivers while the short game, especially putting, remains under-practiced. It’s human nature, so let’s accept it. But with the Chiputt putting mat, you can practice your short game, including putting and chipping, at home all season long, no matter the weather outside. With the help of the Chiputt putting mat, you can enjoy hitting long shots and bombing drivers at the driving range with peace of mind, knowing your short game has been built strong at home!

As a golf enthusiast and a father dedicated to raising the next-generation golf prodigy, I take my son’s training plan, his equipment, and training aids very seriously. I truly believe the Chiputt putting mat not only helps him start golf training the proper way but also serves as a lifelong training aid throughout his golf career. The Chiputt putting mat is not only for him but also for me, my golf-loving dad, and every golfer worldwide. It’s also an aesthetic, decorative piece that enhances our living room, lounge, office, or man cave, ensuring that non-golfing family members will love it too!

This is the story behind Chiputt, a brand that crafts best-in-class, premium indoor and outdoor putting mats that enable short game practice and drills, including putting and chipping at home, for golf lovers worldwide, regardless of the weather. I look forward to welcoming you to the Chiputt community as we improve our short game together at home!