putting on carpet?

[Dr. Slice]

hey guys i live in iowa and i wanted to get some practice putting somehow...

i was wondering would it help my putting game at all to just lay a cup down and putt on the carpet?

if not, is there anything the would help me?

[squaddie]

I think putting on carpet can help, but best to use carpet that is rather thin so it's similar to a real green. With thick carpet the ball will slow down too quickly so your sense of timing and speed of the swing could go off.

You can purchase artificial putting surfaces that are thin layers of material that can lay on top of thick carpet or hardwood floors. I have one putting surfcae that has a raised hole at the end that returns the ball back to me (if I sink it or miss it). The device cost me about $40.

Indoor putting can help you work on your swing mechanics, but you should still make time for practicing on a real putting green, as the only way to practice reading greens and judging the breaks is to putt on a sloped surface.

[nickswan]

I think practising shorter putts of 3ft and in is a great thing to do on the carpet while the weather is horrible. Stan Utely mentioned about practising lots of short putts on his site recently:

http://stanutley.com/2009/12/14/my-18-putting-drill/

Hope this helps
Nick

[DaSportsGuy]

In the Winter I do alot of putting on carpet. It gets pretty boring without any break but it does help with your accuracy.

[GaijinGolfer]

I find that it does help. Granted, its not exactly like putting on a real green but its better than not practicing at all. Any putting practice is better than none.

[bennyville]

Any kind of practice helps. Probably best to do on tight carpet to get a faster roll.

[Doctorfro]

Putting on carpet? Absolutely. Has got to be a carpet that is smooth. Can't practice on shag. Speed is not the issue. You have to be able to adjust to speed at every course you play. Focus on making as perfect a strike as possible. Use a ball with a putting line and aim it straight at your target. Try to make the ball roll perfectly end over end. No sliding or skidding. You will be able to tell if the line doesn't go end over end. It should look like a straight line. When I practice this I find I am much more accurate when I get back on the course.

[walk18]

Instead of a cup just put a few balls on the floor and putt to those. If you can hit those the cup will seem huge.

[doof_dizzler]

I live in a big house so I have a few places I putt. I set up a few holes where there is the most "break", due to the grain in the carpet as it changes rooms. Putting from the living room into the den near the wall in the house has a good 18" of break, and there are a few areas I can roll 40 footers. It's not the best but it's all I can do except for driving up to the city for indoor range time. 2 hour drive so I only go if I have other business. I've made up a few 'games' that I play while putting, instead of just trying to hit the plastic holes! Anything to fight the boredom til spring or global warming gets here!

[2920]

I also putt on carpet in my basement. The surface is not even close to a real green, then it still gives me good feel for ball "strike" and control - but of course it depends on what kind of carpet we are talking about

[pandp]

Putting on carpet? Absolutely. Has got to be a carpet that is smooth. Can't practice on shag. Speed is not the issue. You have to be able to adjust to speed at every course you play. Focus on making as perfect a strike as possible. Use a ball with a putting line and aim it straight at your target. Try to make the ball roll perfectly end over end. No sliding or skidding. You will be able to tell if the line doesn't go end over end. It should look like a straight line. When I practice this I find I am much more accurate when I get back on the course.

Excellent advice. I do something similar and also putt at dimes from 5-8 feet. You can definitely see a difference when you get back on the course.

[Gordon McTavish]

It seemed to work for Ben Hogan

[nike_golf]

I always putt indoors. I also chip indoors as well.

I will hit up the simulator at least a couple of times a month.

Judging by how this winter is going so far for me in Minnesota, it's gonna be a long one.