The Best Putting Aids Reviewed [2023]

As a golf professional I wanted to provide you with a great resource when buying putting training aids. In this review, we’ll cover the best putting aids on the market and I’ll explain how each will help you sink more putts.

Below is a list you can use to jump to a certain review. Or scroll down if you want more detail on how putting aids work – it might be worth a read.

Golf putting aids

• PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer
• Blast Motion Putting Analyzer
• EyeLine Putting Rail
• PuttOut Mirror
• Dave Pelz Putting tutor
• Putting Arc
• EyeLine Putting Mirror
• PuttOut Pro Putting Gates
• Pelz putting O-Balls

PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer

Let’s kick off with one of the hottest putting aid currently on the market. The Puttout Pressure Putt Trainer is a putting aid that provides you with a great way to improve your putting on the putting green and at home.

The design aims to mimic a real golf hole – putts that hit the edge of the parabolic ramp fall off just like a ball would lip out in real life. Only putts that roll up the centre of the ramp will roll back down.

The pressure trainer also has a mini hole on the ramp, allowing you to dial in and increase your practice difficulty. Trust me – getting a ball to stop in the small hole is even harder than you might imagine.

Technically, this training aid doesn’t provide you with direct feedback on your putting stroke. However, it does give you precise feedback on your shot direction and pace. This is a really useful tool if you’re looking to become more accurate but don’t have enough time to get to a putting green.

Buy if

You want a simple and effective tool to practice your putting at home. Also, buy this if you’re looking to become a great putter – the mini target will really help you refine your accuracy and build confidence.

Don’t buy if

You’re looking for a tool to directly improve your putting stroke mechanics, instead, check out the putting arcs and mirrors below.

Blast Motion Golf Putting Analyzer

I’ll be honest, I never planned to add any swing analyzers to this article, but last year we tested and reviewed the Blast Motion analyzer. Its shining feature, from my perspective, was not the long game data but putting analysis.

By attaching the Blast Motion Golf sensor to your putter grip you can track and analyze the following variables:

• Loft change (from setup to impact)
• Lie angle change (from setup to impact)
• Face angle at impact
• Backswing and forward swing rotation
• Backswing length

90-95% of start direction in putting is dependent on face angle at impact. The BMG analyzer calculates the difference between face angle at setup and face angle at impact. Meaning if you were aiming at your target you can get exceptionally clear feedback to help improve your face angle at impact and your putting accuracy.

Furthermore, swing length and putter loft at impact and two variables that will help you analyze and improve your pace putting.

Please note, some variables are calculated as the change from setup to impact, meaning you need to take care placing the sensor on your putter aligned to your putter face. However, once in place this is the most detailed analysis you’ll get without splashing out o a $10k launch monitor.

Buy if

You want detailed data on face rotation, tempo and dynamic loft during your putting stroke. These will give you great insight to improve your putting accuracy and distance control.

Don’t buy if

You don’t like the detailed numbers or are worried you’ll overthink technique. The putting rails featured below are a more implicit way of developing and refining your putting swing path and face angle when putting.

EyeLine Putting Rail

The EyeLine putting rail is a great golf putting aid if you putt with a slight arc. The arc has an incline of 70º, matching the arc for most putters. It is very similar to the putting arc, featured below, but this rail keeps the putter face squarer back and through when running it along the rail.

Set up the putting rail at the left edge of the hole from 4-feet and hit putts using the rail to guide the putter head. This type of practice has the added benefit of keeping your clubface square too – which is even more important for improving your putting accuracy.

As you improve, keep moving the putting rail further back to increase the difficulty of your putting practice. This tool allows you to keep your alignment and swing path in check, meaning if you miss the putt it is your clubface at fault.

I would urge most golfers to have a simple way to check their alignment and swing path when putting. Allowing them to dial in their clubface control and accuracy.

Buy if

You want to work on the key aspects that affect start direction when putting and you want to putt with a small arc and less clubface rotation.

Don’t buy if

You want to do the above but putt on more of a traditional arc with more clubface rotation. Instead, check out the Putting Arc recommendation below.

Putting Arc

If you’ve just read the item above, this is essentially the same concept, but for golfers who putt more on an arc with a face rotation back and through matching that arc.

The three most important variables for accuracy in putting are: aim, swing path and clubface angle at impact. The Putting Arc golf trainer gives you simple, but effective feedback on your aim and swing path. Furthermore, you can run the heel of the putter along the rail to ensure your clubface stays square to the path throughout your putting stroke.

This putting aid is favoured by many pros who use them to keep on top of their putting fundamentals as they tour around different events. The picture above is the one I purchased for the university squad.

One point to note before you grab one – if you are struggling with your swing path, please do check your putting stroke basics (posture & alignment) and your putting grip in a mirror. These are the two biggest culprits for poor putting swing paths.

There are two models available. The large black putting arc pictured above (MS 3D) and a smaller yellow putting arc. The yellow version is smaller, cheaper and easier to travel with. The black version is longer, heavier but doesn’t move so easier when you run your putter along it.

Both are great. If you are a serious golfer, think this will be a long term putting tool and you don’t travel around competing I’d invest in the larger black version. If you want to put this in your bag and don’t mind the smaller length to practice on, opt for the yellow putting arc T-3.

Buy if

You want simple feedback on your aim, swing path or clubface and putt with a slight arc. And/or you want a non-technical way to keep your putting mechanics in check.

Don’t buy if

You want to putt on a smaller arc, with less face rotation, check out the EyeLine Putting rail above instead.

PuttOut Putting Mirror Trainer

The PuttOut putting mirror is yet another brilliant putting aid from the PuttOut family. Great putters aim well and start their putts on line. The Putting mirror will quickly help you with both these skills.

The PuttOut putting mirror has simple alignment guides to help you check your eye, shoulder and clubface alignment when setup. The putting mirror also comes complete with two magnetic rails that allow you to work on your swing path through impact.

https://youtu.be/fl-7irt7sAE

The rails are adjustable – you can remove them, have them wide, or narrow them down to the width of your putter head. Personally, I feel this is a great touch and can add great feedback to your putting practice.

Are there any negatives? If I’m being very picky, the magnetic rails can be a bit fiddly to adjust, but it is a geat tool and one I have for the university squads to keep their alignment and start direction in check.

The PuttOut mirror comes complete with a putting gate. This can be used as a great tool to practice your start line for breaking putts and can be used as a target to practice your putting accuracy at home.

All in all the PuttOut putting mirror is a great tool that will certainly help you become a better putter whatever your current standard.

Buy if

If you want a sturdy, portable tool to work on your face aim and alignment. Or you have no other putting training aids and the choice is confusing – this will serve you very well.

Don’t buy if

You want detailed feedback on your swing path and face angle throughout your putting stroke. Instead, opt for a putting arc or putting rail.

Dave Pelz Putting Tutor

The Dave Pelz Putting Tutor is a favourite tool of a pro I work with. It focuses on improving your alignment and the start line of your putts. Begin by aiming the white line on the board with your target, then attempt to hit putts through the marble-lined gap at the front of the putting aid.

If you can get the ball through this gap, you can be sure you are ingraining a clubface and swing path combination that works. Over time, you will build confidence and hole more putts.

Unlike the Putting Arc and Eyeline Trainer, the Dave Pelz Putting Tutor doesn’t directly tell you about your clubface or swing path during your stroke. Instead, it focuses on the start direction of your putts, which is a result of swing path and clubface angle.

If you’re a feel player, or someone who doesn’t like to think technically about their putting stroke, this is a great option for you.

Buy if

You want a simple device to give you feedback on putter face alignment and ball start direction. 

Don’t buy if

You want help and feedback on your swing mechanics, or if you want to practice your putting from over 6 feet. This device is best from shorter ranges.

Eyeline Golf Putting Mirror

This putting training aid is an old favourite of mine – I’ve used this training aid since I was 16 years old. The putting alignment mirror has changed over time. It used to have two big yellow rails on it, but these have been removed to make it more flexible for different players’ strokes. You can see above, there are now tee holes for you to create your own swing path guides.

The Eyeline Putting Mirror has many uses. It is great for refining your clubface and body alignment. Having the two tees positioned on either side of the putter head allows you to work on your centeredness of strike. 

My favourite use requires all the other holes you see. If you are trying to putt square-to-square you can place two tees to create a gate in your backswing and follow-through. This setup gives you great feedback on your swing path. If you make a clean stroke through your alley of tees, and the ball starts off-line, you can be sure it was due to your clubface angle at impact, as your swing path must have been square.

This drill allows you to dial in your clubface angle at impact, while you control your swing path with the alley of tees.

For me, this is a great putting training aid that covers many bases. If you are on the lookout for a putting alignment mirror that can also give you feedback on your swing path and your strike then the Eyeline putting mirror is a great pick.

In recent years the PuttOut mirror has come along as a newer alternative. I personally feel the PuttOut wins for build quality but doesn’t allow you the same feedback on swing path for players who want to putt more square-to-square.

Buy if

You want to build a square-to-square putting stroke, or you want a portable putting tool to check your clubface and body alignment.

Don’t buy if

You want to work on your swing path and clubface but putt with more of an arced stroke. Instead, check out the putting arc.

PuttOut Pro Putting Gates

These putting gates are superb – well made, come in a sleek carry pouch and I love the range of sizes (large, medium and small). If you are dying to buy some putting gates these are my top pick. We have some for the university squads I coach and they offer great insight when used correctly.

On to a but…I feel many golfers jump to putting gates when they are not the best solution for better putting.

Putting gates have three brilliant uses. First, they can be used on breaking putts to tell you the true start line and break of a putt. When set up midway between your ball and the hole you can get some great practice refining your pace and line.

Secondly, these putting gates can be used next to the hole to narrow the entrance, or to focus you on which side the ball should drop into the hole. Finally, they are a great target when travelling in a hotel room and you have no putting mat. In the latter, I love practicing to the smallest of the three gates.

However, all of the above really require you to start your golf ball on line. Practicing pace and line is useful, but it is really powerful when combined with an effective putting action. So before buying these, please have something to ensure your aim and ball start direction is on point. Once that is in check these putting gates are a great addition.

Buy if

You want to work on your pace and line for breaking putts. Or you want a great target for home and travel on a carpeted floor.

Don’t buy if

You have inconsistent mechanics and struggle to hole short putts. Grab a putting lesson and opt for one of the other putting training aids in its review.

Pelz Putting O-Balls

Dave Pelz is back again in this list – boy he loves a training aid. I know these golf balls are a popular item so I thought I best give you a quick rundown.

As the above image suggests, you line these balls up along your intended start direction. If the ball rolls end over end, you’ve made a square impact and the ball should start on your intended line.

If however, you make a non-square impact, the golf ball will leave the putter face with some torque (spin). This spin will result in the lines rolling in any direction but straight.

In theory, the Pelz Putting O-Balls will give you feedback on your swing path and clubface angle at impact. Both your clubface and swing path at impact have to be square-ish to get the ball rolling end over end.

This holds true for short putts on a putting mat and short putts on a good putting green. But if you’re faced with a bumpy green, best of luck…the imperfections will take over the true roll.

As you move further away you will also need the correct loft and launch angle at impact to ensure the lines stay straight. This can be challenging from 15 – 20 feet, but if you are serious about improving your distance control you may find this putting aid of use.

Buy if

You want a non-technical solution to work on the quality of your impact position, or you are keen to work on your roll and distance control.

Don’t buy if

You only have poor quality greens to putt on, or you want feedback on why your swing path, face angle and strike aren’t launching the ball correctly.

That rounds up our review of golf putting training aids. If there are any you would like included leave a comment at the end and we’ll test it out and add it to the list. Below are some frequently asked questions when buying putting aids.

Are putting aids worth it?

Putting aids are very valuable for giving feedback on specific variables within your putting stroke. When you know the precise variables you need to track (alignment, face angle, swing path) and you find a putting aid that targets that area you’ll be delighted with your purchase.

Is a putting mat classed as a putting training aid?

I had a debate if I should include putting mats in here. A putting mat can be a great putting aid, as many give you feedback on your alignment, like the PuttOut putting mat and others even provide skills tasks, such as the Perfect Practice Putting putting mat.

However, I decided to keep them separate for the purposes of this article. To learn more about the best putting mats check out this article.

Which putting mirror is best?

The Eyeline putting alignment mirror and PuttOut mirror are both great options. Buy the Eyeline mirror if you would like to add tees and work in your swing path back and through. Opt for the PuttOutt putting mirror for a smarter design and/or you are happy with swing path feedback just through impact.

What is the best golf putting aid to improve my swing path?

The best putting aid to improve your swing path will depend on your putting style. If you prefer to move the putter straighter back and through then check out the Eyeline putting rail – this is great for this style of putting.

If you have a more arced (rounded) putting stroke then check out the putting arc. This putting aid is best for golfers who prefer an in-square-in putting style.

Can use these putting training aids at home and on the putting green?

Yes, all of the putting training aids can be used at home and at your local golf course.

If you putt from the same location over and over again on your local putting green with a putting aid you can leave some wear and tear on the green.

A handy tip is to place your golf towel under your feet on the green where you plan to stand. This spreads the pressure and prevents you from leaving deep footprints on the green. Trust me, the greenkeepers will be very thankful.

What putting aids do the pros use?

Pros use a range of training aids depending on their needs. Below is a list of the most common training aids seen on tour. Pros also frequently use tee and alignment sticks to gain feedback on their putting stroke.

• T3 Putting Arc
• PuttOut putting mirror & gates

Can launch monitors be used to analyse my putting?

The top of the range golf launch monitors, such as the FlightScope X3 and TrackMan has specific functions for analysing putting. However, these options are not present on the more affordable version, such as the FlightScope Mevo.

Best putting aids review – Summary

That concludes our best putting aids review. I hope it has been of use. If you would like any other putting aids reviewed please comment below and I will get my hands on them. For the best full swing training aids check out this article.

Happy golfing – Will @ Golf Insider