Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an aspiring low-handicapper, there’s one area of the game that’s universally under-practiced: the short game. Stats don’t lie—around 60% of strokes in a typical round come from chipping and putting. Yet most amateur golfers spend only about 15% of their practice time working on their short games.
That’s why, for any golfer looking to improve their score, short game practice often delivers the highest return on time invested. And a high-quality putting mat is one of the most effective and convenient tools to help make that happen. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one? Let’s break it down.
Why a Putting Mat Is a Must-Have
1. Short Game Neglect Is a Common Trap
Let’s face it—booming drivers and flushing irons feel more fun than grinding over 3-footers. Most golfers focus on full swings because:
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Hitting longer clubs is more satisfying and visually rewarding
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Putting practice is often viewed as boring or repetitive
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Many believe swing changes will shave more strokes
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Short game facilities at driving ranges are often limited or poor
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Simulators do a great job mimicking long shots, but poorly simulate realistic chipping and putting
The result? Time-crunched amateurs skip the short game—even though it’s the easiest, fastest, and most efficient way to lower scores.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated after hitting hundreds (even thousands) of range balls and still not seeing improvement on the course, you’re not alone. Ironically, a few minutes a day on short game practice at home could’ve saved you a few strokes—effortlessly, efficiently, and enjoyably.
2. Home Practice Adds Reps Without Adding Time
A great putting mat makes it easy to get in high-quality reps at home or the office—without needing to make a trip to the driving range. You can:
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Roll putts between calls or during commercial breaks
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Build confidence with 3–12 footers through frequent mini-sessions
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Chip or pitch real and foam balls with short game-specific turf
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Create fun family challenges that double as purposeful training
Even just 10 minutes a day can add up to hours of range time over a month. And unlike swing changes that take weeks to settle—or even cause setbacks—improvements in putting and chipping often pay off right away… as soon as your next round!
3. Modern Putting Mats Are More Than Just Putting Surfaces
Top-tier mats—like the Chiputt™ Tour-Grade Premium Putting Mat—go far beyond basic putting. They also support:
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Realistic chipping with real or foam balls
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Launch monitor pairing for chipping and putting stats
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Tee gate drills using real tees (thanks to Chiputt™'s enough turf thickness)
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Distance control with discreet, built-in markers
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Realistic putting cups with true sound and feedback
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A clean aesthetic that enhances living spaces instead of clashing with them
Some golfers even build an entire home training station around their mat. With Chiputt™, you’re not just getting a mat—you’re creating your own personal short game lab.
What We Can Learn from the GOAT
Tiger Woods, arguably the greatest to ever play the game, recently revealed his pre-tournament practice routine: a whopping 1,000 shot contacts a day. His breakdown?
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100 full swings
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300 chip shots
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600 putts
Yes, you read that right—300 chip shots, 600 putts a day, a total of 900 out of 1,000 (90%) from the short game.
That tells you everything you need to know about what Tiger values most. Not power. Not swing speed. But touch, pace, and repetition. Putting is the foundation of his game—and it can be yours, too.
You don’t need to be a pro to learn from his discipline. Practicing just 30 to 60 putts a day at home with a Chiputt™ Mat can absolutely transform your feel, distance control, and scoring ability.
How to Choose the Right Putting Mat
Not all mats are created equal. Here’s what really matters when picking one that fits your goals and space.
1. Material
Look for high-quality synthetic turf—never cheap foam or felt. The Chiputt™ Mat uses ultra-durable, tour-grade turf that’s thick enough to insert tees, realistic enough to simulate real green conditions, and durable enough to last for years.
Compared to felt (Perfect Practice) or foam-based mats (BirdieBall), Chiputt™’s turf looks, feels, and performs like the real thing.
2. Size
Match the mat size to your available space and practice goals:
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Wider mats let you stand, putt and chip comfortably on the same turf as your ball
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Longer mats allow you to work on lag putts or simulate 10-foot+ pressure putts
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Standing on the same surface improves putting consistency
Chiputt™ offers two width options (1.5 ft and 3 ft) and three lengths (8 ft, 11 ft, 14 ft), plus a complimentary Step-On Mat and add-on Extender that expands your practice distance.
3. Roll Quality & Green Speed
Your putting mat must:
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Lay flat and stay flat—no creases, curls, or bumps
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Roll true—no wobbles or breaks
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Match the green speeds you play on (8–10 Stimp for most golfers)
The Chiputt™ Mat rolls at about 10 Stimp from the rear end to the holes and 8.5 from the other direction—perfect for most muni and club greens. Unlike many putting mats that roll at lightning-fast 11+ tournament speed (which will throw off your feeling and tempo), Chiputt™ gives you realistic feedback that actually transfers to the real course.
4. Functionality & Features
Ask yourself: how do you want to train?
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Want pace feedback? Add our upcoming Distance Control Ramp (launching in June, free of charge for new and existing customers)
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Want to practice chipping? Every Chiputt™ Mat comes with a complimentary Step-On chipping mat
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Want to do gate drills? The Chiputt™ Mat is the only mat in the market with enough thickness (0.6”) to hold tees naturally
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Want clean visuals? Chiputt™ has no visual lines, no ball-return ramps, no gimmicks—just pure green
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Want more stats? It’s fully compatible with any launch monitor: Trackman, GCQuad, Full Swing, etc.
While many putting mats have flashy lines and gimmicks, the Chiputt™ Mat is for golfers who value realism, versatility, and elegance in their home.
5. Backing & Versatility
Mats with flimsy backing will shift, slide, or bunch up—especially on carpet. Chiputt™ features a stiff, non-slippery backing that stays put on most floor types and handles chipping impact without moving, folding or tearing.
This means it performs just as well on hardwood, tile, or low pile carpet. If you have slight floor imperfections, a stiffer mat like Chiputt™ will roll truer than soft mats that conform to surface inconsistencies.
6. Indoor/Outdoor Ready
Not all putting mats are built to handle moisture, temperature swings, or UV exposure. If you want the flexibility to bring your training outside to a patio, deck, or driveway, look for a mat that’s outdoor-capable.
Chiputt™’s materials are weather-tolerant and designed for outdoor use—without risk of damage or wear over time.
7. Price vs. Value
Putting mats range from $40 to $600+. While budget options exist, they often:
- Wrinkle or crease easily
- Are too fast or too slow Lack versatility
- Wear out after a few months
In short, it is hard to have meaningful practice on cheap mats. Chiputt™ offers tour-grade quality, real-green aesthetics, and multifunctionality—making it a long-term investment for serious golfers. It’s not just another mat; it’s a core piece of your golf journey for life.
Bonus: What the Pros Say
Many golf instructors recommend that their students spend at least 50% of their practice time on short game. And with access to a putting mat at home, it becomes easier to follow through on that advice.
Some teaching pros even use the Chiputt™ Mat in their home sim room or teaching facilities. See review from Greg Wells, a certified golf teaching professional with the Canadian Golf Teachers Federation and recognized as one of Canada's Top 50 Golf Instructors (2025)
Whether you’re practicing putting or chipping techniques from distance control, alignment, face angle, a premium putting mat like the Chiputt™ Mat supports all the needs.
Final Thoughts
Every golfer wants to hit bombs. But if you want lower scores, the fastest path is mastering your short game.
A premium putting mat removes all the barriers—time, travel, weather, range fees—and gives you a quiet, focused space to improve.
The Chiputt™ Tour-Grade Premium Putting Mat delivers everything you need and more: true roll, real feel, training versatility, and the craftsmanship of a putting mat that belongs in your home.
✅ Ready to eliminate 3-putts?
✅ Ready to practice like the pros?
✅ Ready to turn your home into a short game sanctuary?
Visit thechiputt.com and start improving your short game today!
