Putting aids- need a perfectly level putting mat for fine tuning

[verdoux]

I would like to work on my putting in the off season, but my house is not completely level and my carpet and padding has too much grain and influences the roll.  I'd really like to remove those variables so I can study my stroke more effectively.

Anyone seen any products out there that can provide a level surface with a true roll?  Or is there any other way I can fine tune my stroke?  I haven't seen much out there short of the $3-500 range that can provide this for me, which is a ridiculous amount to spend for this IMO.  I suppose the best way would be to make something myself, but I don't have much in the toolbox.

[iacas]

If your house is not level, you'll have to get a perfectly level board or something and then add little shims to make it level, no?

[verdoux]

Yes, I've considered that.  The problem with this is finding a board that is perfectly level and sturdy enough to stand on, that doesn't require a power saw in order to get it to fit in my house.  Even if I did find something, I'd need to put some sort of covering on it also so its not a 25-35 on the stimp or something crazy like that.  I'd rather not attempt to do this with my limited tools (and limited skill with tools for that matter)

So I was just wondering if anyone knows of a better way, or better yet, some indoor putting green that is can be level that does not cost $500.

[iacas]

So I was just wondering if anyone knows of a better way, or better yet, some indoor putting green that is can be level that does not cost $500.

I don't mean anything bad by this, but it almost sounds like you're expecting the impossible. Especially since you want to be able to stand on it, too…

You don't need a perfectly level putting surface to practice your stroke.

[verdoux]

I don't mean anything bad by this, but it almost sounds like you're expecting the impossible. Especially since you want to be able to stand on it, too…

You don't need a perfectly level putting surface to practice your stroke.

I sure doesn't sound impossible to me. I wouldn't necessarily need to stand on it, just at the same level.  I wouldn't want to practice hitting putts an inch or two above my feet.

It just think it would be better to practice on a perfectly level surface so I don't get into any bad habits making compensations for the slope of my house.  I suppose I could use a pool cue or something to find the break of the putt if I used one of those cheap putting mats... I don't know, just thought I'd get some feedback.

[iacas]

I sure doesn't sound impossible to me. I wouldn't necessarily need to stand on it, just at the same level.  I wouldn't want to practice hitting putts an inch or two above my feet.

You could stand on a book or buy some sheets of particle board or something to stand on.

It just think it would be better to practice on a perfectly level surface so I don't get into any bad habits making compensations for the slope of my house.  I suppose I could use a pool cue or something to find the break of the putt if I used one of those cheap putting mats... I don't know, just thought I'd get some feedback.

I think you're over-thinking this. There's "straight enough." Elevated aim lines can tell you whether you pushed or pulled a putt for the first three feet and I doubt many floors have so much break you can't find a 3' flat section somewhere.

[Ernest Jones]

How many perfectly flat greens to you plan on playing on?

[verdoux]

You could stand on a book or buy some sheets of particle board or something to stand on.

I think you're over-thinking this. There's "straight enough." Elevated aim lines can tell you whether you pushed or pulled a putt for the first three feet and I doubt many floors have so much break you can't find a 3' flat section somewhere.

Ha, you're right about that, I am definitely over thinking this, but that's what I do. I may be able to find a flat section, but it's more my whole house.  If you just let go of a marble on hard floor, it starts acclerating pretty quickly.  Remember, I'm talking about fine tuning here, so 3' isn't going to cut it anyway.

There's probably no solution for my particular situation. I'm just going to have to live with it or build something.

Let me ask you this though, if you wanted to practice just the line of your stroke (not so much speed) and you had the choice between a perfectly level 10 foot putt or one with an unknown slope, wouldn't you choose the level one?  I would.

[Patch]

Well, I am of the opinion there has to be a piece of level floor in your home, some where. Maybe not. However, if you don't, you could look for an area with a consistent slope. If you can find that, you could practice straight putts up, and/or down hill. You could go to carpet store and ask for a remnant  piece that has a good putting surface.

Perhaps you have a level spot some where in your yard, that you could throw a piece of carpet on it to practice on. Perhaps some concrete some where?

I have been in hotel rooms with non level floors. Just like on the real greens, I would practice hitting the ball to correctly play the break(s)  involved. Usually my eventual target was a chair, or table leg.

As posted above, I can't remember the last time, if ever, that I played on an entirely level green.

[verdoux]

How many perfectly flat greens to you plan on playing on?

They don't exist, of course.  I believe it would be easier to tell what is happening with the face at impact if practicing on a perfect surface rather than on a green though.

Anyone else share this thought with me? Or am I alone in this?

[iacas]

Ha, you're right about that, I am definitely over thinking this, but that's what I do. I may be able to find a flat section, but it's more my whole house.  If you just let go of a marble on hard floor, it starts acclerating pretty quickly.  Remember, I'm talking about fine tuning here, so 3' isn't going to cut it anyway.

My point in posting the link to the "3 Keys to Putting" thread is that "Bead" is easily something you can tell in the first three feet of a putt: did you start the ball on-line.

Distance control is easy to work on as well even though I doubt you have a 40' section of carpet in your house (maybe you do) that stimps out at 10. Right?

So you can work on "Bead" separately, and work on "Speed" separately (putt into pillows or something).

Just practicing "putting" is a bad way to go about practicing putting. Work on the skills that make UP putting.

Let me ask you this though, if you wanted to practice just the line of your stroke (not so much speed) and you had the choice between a perfectly level 10 foot putt or one with an unknown slope, wouldn't you choose the level one?  I would.

The whole point of this is that you don't seem to HAVE that choice, is it not?

[saevel25]

Ha, you're right about that, I am definitely over thinking this, but that's what I do. I may be able to find a flat section, but it's more my whole house.  If you just let go of a marble on hard floor, it starts acclerating pretty quickly.  Remember, I'm talking about fine tuning here, so 3' isn't going to cut it anyway.

There's probably no solution for my particular situation. I'm just going to have to live with it or build something.

Let me ask you this though, if you wanted to practice just the line of your stroke (not so much speed) and you had the choice between a perfectly level 10 foot putt or one with an unknown slope, wouldn't you choose the level one?  I would.

Doesn't matter. All you want to do is the ball to roll over a spot about 1-3 inches in front of the ball every time.  You can do that on a straight putt or a slope putt. The ball isn't going to move much in the first 12 inches off the putt. So if you keep hitting the spot in the first 12 inches, doesn't matter if you hit the ball 5 feet or 25 feet, you hit your line if you read that mark on your read.

you can set up a gate as well. Place two objects just outside a ball's width apart and try to aim and hit a ball through that gate.

[verdoux]

Doesn't matter. All you want to do is the ball to roll over a spot about 1-3 inches in front of the ball every time.  You can do that on a straight putt or a slope putt. The ball isn't going to move much in the first 12 inches off the putt. So if you keep hitting the spot in the first 12 inches, doesn't matter if you hit the ball 5 feet or 25 feet, you hit your line if you read that mark on your read.

you can set up a gate as well. Place two objects just outside a ball's width apart and try to aim and hit a ball through that gate.

That gate idea is the best I've heard yet.  Thank you.