“There’s always stuff to work on. You’re never really there.” — Tiger Woods
The beauty of golf is that you can always improve your game, provided that you are willing to put in the time and effort to practice.
One part of our game that can demand plenty of practice is putting. Besides, almost half our shots in a round of golf are taken with the putter in hand.
During the summer months, it’s easier to spend time on the practice greens. But on those dark, dreary winter days — can you practice putting on carpet?
In this article, you’ll learn how to dial in your putting at home. It will improve your stroke, keep the putter face square, and help you roll more putts on your target line.
Ready to learn? Let’s go!
Can You Practice Putting on Carpet?
Yes, you can practice putting on carpet. Shaggy carpets will likely roll slower than most putting greens, while low-pile carpets can closely simulate on-course putting conditions. However, the main benefit of practicing on the carpet is that it provides a flat and reliable surface for working on your putting stroke.
Carpet vs Turf
So, how does carpet stack up against a turf putting green?
The answer mainly depends on the type of carpet. Shaggy carpets roll much slower than most greens, and won’t accurately simulate on-course putting conditions.
On the other hand, low-pile carpets roll similarly to real putting greens. They can provide a useful firm surface with minimal friction against the rolling ball.
Interestingly, Ben Crane — a five-time winner on the PGA Tour — found that “carpet from the trunk of a Toyota Camry rolls the best.” Take from that what you will!
However, the main benefit of practicing your putting on the carpet is to work on your putting stroke — rather than your distance control.
A flat, carpeted floor gives you a reliable surface to repeatedly hit putts to help ensure the putter face remains consistently square at impact. This is a vital skill to master in order for your putts to start on your target line out on the golf course.
Read on to learn how to practice putting on carpet, in the comfort of your home.
How to Practice Putting at Home
Most of us have pretty flat floors in our homes. Sadly, that means we can’t work on breaking putts — no AimPoint practice in the living room!
However, we can practice forming a really strong putting stroke that will start the ball on your line, as consistently as possible. To do this, here’s a simple 3-step drill:
- Set a target to aim towards — a cup on its side (or one of these)
- Place two alignment sticks — forming a channel for the putter
- Put a marker on the putting line — roll the ball over the marker
Let’s take a look at each step in some more detail.
1. Set a Target to Aim Towards
Firstly, we need a target to aim towards when putting.
Sadly, cutting a hole in the carpet isn’t an option for many of us! Alternatively, you can lie a cup or mug on its side. This simulates a hole, giving you a satisfying target.
2. Place Two Alignment Sticks
Next, place a couple of alignment sticks to form a channel pointed at the target.
This isn’t to assist with the putting swing path. Rather, it’s to help you get used to aligning your setup position when standing over the ball, with the target line.
PRO TIP: Alignment is vital to ensure the putter face remains as square as possible to the target at impact.
3. Put a Marker on the Putting Line
The following step is to place a marker between the ball and the target.
Ideally, the marker should be something flat — like a piece of tape — that will allow the ball to travel directly over it on its way to the main target.
Put simply, the marker is a closer version of the target. Visualizing the target closer to the ball allows you to keep your head down and focus on your putting stroke.
4. Roll the Ball Over the Marker
Finally, it’s time to make the putting stroke.
Simply practice keeping the putter face perpendicular to the alignment sticks, and roll the ball over the marker. If aligned correctly, the ball should find its target.
When playing out on the course, you can try this process by focusing on a blade of grass on your target line, a couple of feet in front of the ball. Rolling the ball over that closer target will give you a great chance of keeping your putts on your line.
In the video below, Martin Hall from Golf Channel demonstrates some handy tips for practicing your putting stroke on your carpet at home:
Best Home Putting Mat
If you want to upgrade your home practice, it’s worth investing in a putting mat.
Putting mats tend to feature velvet surfaces that closely simulate the turf on a real putting green. Essentially, the ball will roll more accurately than on the carpet.
Perfect Practice Putting Mat
While there are cheaper options out there, this one is the best of the bunch.
The Perfect Practice Putting Mat is made from high-quality velvet, which allows the ball to glide effortlessly as though it were rolling on a real putting green.
There are printed guidelines to help you dial in your speed control from a variety of distances while helping you visualize the line to the hole.
Also, it has a handy wooden ball-return system that feeds the ball back to you after every putt. This helps you focus on your practice — without interruption.
However, make sure you have a flat floor with enough space to accommodate it. They do offer a compact version, which is great for smaller footprints.
Ultimately, it’s well worth the investment in your putting game!
Conclusion
In summary, you can practice putting on carpet at home. Low-pile carpets closely simulate actual putting surfaces. However, shaggy carpets will roll far slower.
While you are better suited to a low-pile carpet, any firm surface can be very useful for practicing your putting stroke when you can’t access the practice greens.
Here’s a simple 3-step home-putting practice routine:
- Set a target to aim towards
- Place two alignment sticks
- Put a marker on the putting line
Alternatively, you could consider one of these Perfect Practice Putting Mats. I’ve used one personally, and have found that it rolls incredibly true to a normal putting green.
