PrimePutt: Is This Life-Like Putting Mat Worth It?
I tested the authentic, and expensive, PrimePutt Putting Mat. Find out if it's worth it for you.
It’s time to forget everything you know about putting mats. The days of practicing your putting on a one-foot-wide strip of carpet that’s lumpy, curled up in the corners, and has a 30-degree incline over the last foot-and-a-half are officially over. You can thank the PrimePutt putting mat, among a couple others, for a much better at-home putting practice experience.
I’ve practiced putting on about a dozen of the latest and greatest putting mats over the last two years, and I put the PrimePutt putting mat through some serious testing to give you my complete, unbiased review.
PrimePutt Putting Mat Review
The first thing you probably notice about the PrimePutt putting mat is the price. If you’re used to putting on the aforementioned narrow pieces of lumpy carpet, you’re also not used to paying more than $100 for a putting mat. So what does a few hundred dollars, depending on the size, get you in a putting mat, and is it worth it?
After spending hours putting on the PrimePutt mat, there are a few things I love about it, and they’re all ingredients that create a finished product that more closely resembles what you actually putt on in real life than most other putting mats.
No Ramp, Real Holes
First, the ball drops into an actual hole, albeit a shallow one. This is huge for me, because there are some putting mats that I really like but don’t have a hole. There are others that I really like that have a hole, but require a steep ramp leading up to the hole, which drastically damages the realness of the putting practice.
The PrimePutt mat is flat, no ramp, and still provides that undeniable make-or-miss feedback that I feel is crucial to putting practice. It’s hard to really improve at putting when you’re adjusting your speed for a steep ramp during the putt’s final, slowest, revolutions.
Life-Like Putting Surface
Adding to the authenticity of the PrimePutt mat is the surface of the turf itself. Some of the newest putting mats offer a very satisfyingly smooth roll. Those are truly a joy to putt on, but I’d be willing to bet they don’t simulate the putting greens on your home course. The PrimePutt mat has more of a turf texture to it. The ball doesn’t roll as smoothly as some of the top-end competition, but it’s a much more authentic roll, like what you’ll get on the golf course.
PrimePutt says it rolls between 9-11 on the Stimpmeter. I didn’t test this, but that feels right to me.
Lays Out Flat
The last major thing that the PrimePutt mat does perfectly that almost every other putting mat can’t seem to get right is its ability to roll out completely flat, and roll up easily for storage. You won’t find any lumps, creases, or rolled corners with the PrimePutt mat. Other mats are getting better at this, but the PrimePutt is best-in-class for rolling out flat.
Finishing Touches
In addition to those holes and the realistic roll, the PrimePutt mat has a couple benefits that give it a nice touch. First, there is a nice wooden bumper that goes behind the holes. This not only prevents misses from rolling all over your living room, but it gives you a nice barometer for practicing your speed, and it’s grooved to store your golf balls when you’re not practicing.
Lastly, while the PrimePutt mat isn’t burdened with markings or logos, there are subtle white distance markers on each side to mark three-foot and six-foot putts.
PrimePutt Putting Mat Pros and Cons
That’s a lot of information, so here are my biggest pros and cons after testing the PrimePutt putting mat.
Pros:
- Flat mat, no ramp
- Putts drop into a hole
- Roll replicates real greens better than most other putting mats
- High-quality bumper
- Distances marked without distracting designs on the green
- Lays completely flat and stores easily
- High quality
Cons:
- Price
- Roll is true, but not as smooth as some other putting mats
Is PrimePutt Putting Mat Worth It?
So, is the PrimePutt putting mat worth it? Predictably, the answer to that question is it depends.
The smallest and least expensive PrimePutt mat checks in at over $300, with larger sizes tipping the scales at over $400 and $500. That’s not traditional putting mat territory, to say the least. But the PrimePutt is also not a traditional putting mat.
If you’re comfortable making a pretty serious investment to practice your putting, if you want a high-quality and realistic mat for a home office, rec room, or just for regular practice, you’ll have a hard time finding a better all-around mat.
On the other hand, if a few hundred dollars sounds like a laughable amount to spend on a putting mat, then there are plenty of other, less expensive options that can get the job done if you’re willing to compromise on authenticity a little bit.
The 7 Best Putting Mats to Help You Sharpen Your Stroke
The New Age of Putting Mats
Putting mats as a whole have come a long way in a few short years. Yes, you can still save some money by sticking with the traditional green carpeted mat with the steep ramp, but there are so many better options out there today.
If you want a mat that offers an authentic roll, and you’re willing to spend a little bit more to avoid compromising on some pretty important qualities, the PrimePutt mat is a great option.