3-putts are the bane of an amateur’s existence. Even with accurate approach shots, the putting green is where it falls apart for casual golfers.

This is due to poor alignment and speed control. This issue prompted me to compile a list of practical lag putting drills to improve your putts per round record.

The drills listed below are ideal for successfully navigating enormous greens. This allows you to confidently get your ball to within a few feet for a 2-putt tap-in. If you hit the green in regulation, that gives you an easy par.

In addition, these exercises improve your alignment to help you judge breaks on longer putts.

1. Measuring Tape (The longer the putt, the longer the backstroke)

When I started playing golf, I was told that the strength of my putt depended on my follow-through and not the backswing. As a result, I took the putter back the same distance for every putt, causing me to leave longer putts short of the cup.

It did not take me long to recognize this flaw, and I adjusted the backstroke accordingly. My coach employed a measuring tape and helped me mark the required backswing length for each distance. Over time, it became like second nature to send the putter head back the desired span for a 5, 10, 20, or even 40-foot putt.

How To Do The Measuring Tape Drill

Pick a target, and set up three balls each 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 feet from the cup. Next, extend the measuring tape to 30-inches, and lock it. This measurement covers the length of your stroke for the different distances.

Roll putts from 5 feet, and get a friend to mark the top of your back putting-stroke on the measuring tape. Record the distance for future reference. Proceed to strike 10-footers and follow the same procedure. Follow this up with 20, 40, and 60-feet putts.

Once your backstroke lengths are determined, return to the 20-foot marker, and take out the measuring tape again. Lock it on the measurement of your backstroke to guide you. This helps you produce the required launch on your takeaway for optimal distance control.

2. Feel The Speed

I saw Phil Mickelson run through this putting drill, which helps you gain a better feel for long putts. This trains you to induce a desirable backstroke length and optimal power on the downstroke for improved speed control:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO2IoMYgcO8

Phil suggests that you produce the same quantity of energy on your follow-through for each shot. This adds an element of consistency to your strokes. The only variable is the length of your backstroke.

How To Do The Feel The Speed Drill

Lefty does this drill from 40, 50, and 60 feet. Now, as a professional, the greens he putts on are substantially longer than the ones you and I are accustomed to. Therefore, I suggest starting at 20 feet before progressing to 40 and 50 feet.

Place 5 balls at each distance mark, and hit putts to your target. I recommend identifying a spot on the green rather than a specific hole for this exercise. Repeat the task from that range if you do not card a 100% success rate. After succeeding from 20 feet, move on to 40 and finally, 50 feet.

3. Manilla Folder

Long straight putts are difficult to judge as is. However, it enhances the challenge of speed control when you add a downhill slope to the equation. Insufficient pace leaves you with a downhill second putt, risking a bogey.

Conversely, the excess pace could send your ball hurtling to the fringe of the green. You want the ball to trickle down to the cup, leaving you with a simple tap-in for par. The manilla folder drill helps you judge speed precisely.

The idea is to stop the ball on the folder as if it were the top of a slope. Gravity takes over from this point and guides the ball towards the flagstick.

How To Do The Manilla Folder Drill

Identify a point on the green to place the folder, and then measure at 20, 40, and 50-feet intervals. Set 5 balls up on each mark and commence from 20 feet away. Produce 5 successful lag putts that stop on the folder before moving onto the 40-foot setup.

4. Gate Putting Drill (Accuracy)

The first 3 drills revolved around vital speed control. But, if your putter face is not square through impact, it sends your ball off line from the beginning. Therefore, you stand no chance of sinking your putt. The gate putting drill encourages you to square the putter face up at contact to send your ball on your intended line.

Tiger Woods applied this drill to his warm-up routine on the practice green. He placed two tees parallel to each other, approximately 2-inches in front, forming a gate marginally wider than his putter head. He aimed to send the ball through the gate to induce a straight roll.

As a right-hand golfer, he would pull the ball left of the cup if his putter face was closed at impact. On the contrary, his ball would miss right if he left the face open at contact.

How To Do The Gate Putting Drill

Insert two tees into the ground 2 inches ahead of your golf ball. The tees should sit parallel to one another, forming a gate structure. Employ this practice routine 20, 40, and 50 feet away from the hole, working on your accuracy from that distance.

Your mission is to get the ball to within a radius of 3 feet of the hole, ensuring a tap-in 2-putt.

5. Judge The Speed Of The Greens

The challenge amateurs have with lag putting is determining the quantity of force to strike the golf ball with. I recommend employing this putting practice drill in your pre-round preparation. It gives you a feel for the layout of the greens and what you can expect for that day.

Instead of picking a specific hole on the green, putt from one end to the other, watching the break and speed of your roll. If your ball flies off the other side of the green, you need to dial the pace down. Contrarily, short putts require extra oomph to get the ball across the dancefloor.

How To Do The Judge The Speed Drill

Place 5 golf balls on one end of the green, and putt the ball to a designated target on the other side. Stroke the 5 balls and pay attention to the consistency of the roll and the break. The aim is to stop the ball within a 3-feet radius of your target for optimal distance control.

6. In The Zone

In the Zone is one of my best putting drills that adds purpose to your training routine. It gets you into the mindset of stopping your first putts within a 3-feet radius around the cup. However, it also encourages a confident stroke to reduce your risk of leaving a putt short.

I like this drill because it helps you determine your progress by scoring each putt. Your overall mission is to score as many strokes under par as possible, putting from different distances.

Ultimately, this exercise is built to promote confident putts that roll past the hole rather than being left short.

How To Do In The Zone

Grab an alignment stick and position it 3 feet past the hole, then measure intervals of 20, 40, and 50 feet from the flag. Next, place 5 balls at each interval, and prepare to putt.

Start with the closest 5-balls. Every time you sink a putt, it counts as a birdie. But, if you leave it short or blast it further than 3-feet past the cup, it results in a bogey. Tally up your score from the first distance and proceed to the 40-foot mark, and finally, try your luck from 50 feet out.

Once you have putt all your balls, count your overall score. Then repeat the drill to try to improve your personal best score.

7. Leave It Below The Hole

As an amateur, you never want to leave yourself a downhill tester for par. There are too many factors to consider that can cause you to miss the putt and card a bogey. That is why you want your second putt uphill whenever possible.

It is easier to hit a firm, uphill putt than judge the distance of a rapid downhill roll. The leave it below the hole drill helps you judge your strikes to perfection to trickle the ball down to the hole for an easy tap-in.

How To Do Leave It Below The Hole

Hire the services of your trusted alignment stick and place it 3-feet past the cup. Sit 5 balls down on the green at the 20, 40, and 50-foot mark, and stroke the ball. The idea is to stop your golf ball between the cup and the alignment stick, encouraging an easy 2-putt from far out.

You must not progress to the 40-foot mark until all 5-balls are 3-feet below the cup. You must possess a perfect record before continuing.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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When looking for a new putter, many golfers tend to focus, like Fully Equipped co-host Johnny Wunder, on strike and alignment.

“I look at putters like if I can aim it and I can hit it out of the middle,” Wunder said on this week’s episode.

But is that enough?

On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped, Wunder posed that question to PGA Tour putting coach and GOLF contributor Stephen Sweeney. Sweeney responded that there’s a bit more to it for most accomplished golfers.

“I think once you get below, certainly in a single figure handicaps, you’re definitely leaving some meat on the bone there,” he said.

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Sweeney explained that he often tells people who ask him about getting a new putter that the real keys are making putts inside of eight feet and speed control from 30 to 70 feet.

“If a PGA Tour pro makes 25-footers at a 12 percent clip rate, if a consumer only makes, or a regular golfer only makes 2 percent of their 25-footers, they’re only 10% worse than a tour pro,” Sweeney said. “I mean, there’s no other area of the game that you’d say, ‘Hey, I’m only 10 percent worse than a tour pro, right?’ But you could be legitimately — from 4 to 8 feet, — you could be 40-50 percent worse than a tour pro.”

His point is that pros make so few of their 25-footers; looking at how many 25-footers you can make with a new putter is irrelevant.

What really matters is making short putts and not three-putting long ones.

“And on distance putting, you could be 70-80 percent worse than a tour pro on your proximity,” he continued. “So that mid-range level of putting is not that important to the average golfer, but… 3 to 8 feet and then outside 30, you need something sure, you can aim, you can start online, you can hit out of the center, but there’s definitely a weight component there for the speed putting, that I think the average consumer with a 7-handicap, they don’t match that up fully to take full advantage of what they’re investing in.”

So the next time you’re looking for a new putter, don’t go trying to make 10-20 footers. Make sure you can make the shorter ones and your speed control is good on the long ones.

For more from Wunder, Sweeney and co-host Jake Morrow, listen to the full episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped here, or watch it below.

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For many golfers, putting can be an afterthought. A part of their game that’s rarely given enough attention, compared to the likes of driving and teeing off. Yet putting is just as technical – described as a ‘game within the game’ – that you’ll need to master in order to be a well-rounded golfer.

If you want to be ruthless on the green and capitalise on your successful approaches, you’ll need to devote time to putting. And that includes experimenting with which putting style works best for you. Here, we’ll explain what the difference is between straight-through putting and arc putting, and we’ll give you tips on how you can try each to see which style gives you the best results.

What is a straight-through putting stroke?

With a straight-through stroke – also often called straight back, straight through (SBST) – you’re attempting to keep the putter moving straight along the target line throughout the putting stroke.

If you’re standing over your ball with your putter in hand, imagine a straight line running through the ball. Your backswing will travel along that line, as will your follow-through. Your club should strike the ball at a 90-degree angle (right angle) with the face flat. Imagine a pendulum-like motion, swinging smoothly back and forth along a straight line.

The theory with straight-through putting is that, as the putter travels straight and the face stays square, the ball should start on line, allowing you to more easily line up your putts. It’s a very controlled style of putting that should ideally give consistent results.

However, executing straight-through strokes perfectly is more complex than it sounds, as most golfers have some degree of arc (deviation from a straight line) in their putts. This is caused by their body mechanics, swing motion, and even the geometry of the putter.

What is an arc putting stroke?

Rather than a straight line, an arc putting stroke follows a gentle curve during the motion of the putter head.

If you’re standing over your ball, imagine a straight line running through it again. However, on your backswing, your putter will move in an arc that travels slightly inside this target line. Your swing returns to the line at impact, and then moves back inside the line on your follow-through. Your club face should open slightly on the backswing, strike the ball flat, then close slightly on the follow-through.

This curving movement isn’t arbitrary. It’s a result of natural biomechanics. Because the putter shaft is angled and your shoulders rotate around your spine, the club naturally swings on a tilted plane, creating an arc.

Although it may seem more complicated than straight-through putting, the idea with arc putting is that it follows a more natural motion and is more achievable than following a straight line, especially on longer putts. 

How to perform a straight-through putting stroke

To practice straight-through putting, you should:
 
1. Form a square setup, with:

• Your eyes directly over the ball
• Your shoulders parallel to the target line
• The ball positioned centrally

2. Keep the putter on line:

• Visualise a straight target line running through the ball
• Picture the putter moving straight back along this target line
• Use alignment aids or a putting mirror if you need to

3. Minimise face rotation:

• Keep the putter face square throughout your swing
• Focus on a smooth “pendulum” motion

4. Control the movement with your shoulders:

• As you swing, rock with your shoulders evenly
• Keep your wrists stable

5. Maintain a straight follow-through:

• Extend the putter down the target line after impact
• Avoid pulling across the ball

How to perform an arc putting stroke

To practice arc putting, you should:

1. Set up carefully:

• Position your ball slightly forward of centre
• Stand with your eyes slightly inside the ball
• Let your arms hang naturally

2. Focus on your shoulder rotation:

• Think of your shoulders rocking, not your hands
• Avoid any extraneous wrist movement

3. Allow yourself to follow the natural arc of your swing:

• Let the putter move slightly inside on the takeaway
• Don’t try to ‘keep it straight’. Trust the motion

4. Square the face at impact

• The goal of your swing is to make sure the putter’s face is squared at the point of impact
• Let the putter release naturally

5. Match your backswing and your follow-through

• Your backswing and follow-through should be symmetrical on either side of your ball
• Maintain a consistent rhythm and avoid deceleration through the ball

Which putting style is right for you: arc vs straight-through?

The simple answer is the one that works best for you.

Arc putting tends to be a more natural approach for many golfers, which results in a more fluid swing. However, some golfers will get better results by perfecting a straight-through putting style, benefitting from the control it offers.

Some golfers even find they can vary their putting approach, using an arc stroke for longer shots and straight-through putting for shorter shots (as it can be harder to achieve a straight line on longer swings). However, varying like this can be difficult, and isn’t usually recommended for beginner players.

The reality is that most golfers have some degree of arc during their swing, even if they consider themselves straight-through putters. Often, the real difference between the two styles is a subtle one in how much arc is present.

It’s a good idea to film your stroke from above, if you can, or to use putting aids such as alignment sticks around your putter to find out whether you naturally tend more towards arc or straight-through putting. Once you know which, you can focus on perfecting your putting with the style that suits you best.

Matching putters to your putting style

Once you have an idea of which putting style you prefer, you can also find the right putter to suit it, further helping to improve your game:

• Straight-through stroke: Typically suits face-balanced putters, as these are designed to stay square during the stroke.
• Arc stroke: Typically suits toe-hang putters, as these are designed to rotate naturally, which suits the arc motion.

However, as with your stroke style, choosing the right putter for you is also a question of experimentation to find what works best for your game.

Finding your putting style

No single putting style is arbitrarily better than the other. One of either arc or straight-through putting may suit your game better, or you may find you can use either style for different putts.   

The key is to stop forcing a technique that fights your natural motion. Instead, understand your stroke, match your equipment, and build a repeatable process so you can approach your putts with the confidence that comes from knowing you can control the line of your ball.

Arc vs straight-through putting FAQs

Which putting stroke is more common?

Whilst many golfers begin with straight-through putting, arc putting is usually more common as it aligns with how the body naturally moves during the stroke and typically leads to more fluid swings.

Which is easier, arc or straight-through putting?

As arc strokes follow a more natural movement of the body, many golfers find arc putting easier. However, this is a personal preference, and plenty of golfers prefer straight-through putting. Which style is easier will depend on you.

Is straight back and straight through (SBST) putting a myth?

Not entirely, but a perfectly straight stroke is extremely difficult to achieve. Most golfers will always have some degree of arc due to the angle of the putter and shoulder rotation. In reality, the difference between SBST and arc putting is more of a spectrum than two polar opposite approaches. 

Do professionals use arc or straight strokes?

Most professional golfers use a slight arc, although the amount varies. Very few players use a completely straight stroke, amateur or professional.

Why was anchored putting banned?

Anchored putting, where the putter is fixed against the body (such as the chest or chin), was banned by the R&A and USGA in 2016.

The governing bodies determined that anchoring reduced the challenge of the stroke by removing the need to control the club freely, which they felt was a fundamental skill in golf. The ban specifically targets the act of anchoring, not the use of long putters themselves.

Does AimPoint putting actually work?

Yes, AimPoint can be highly effective when used correctly.

AimPoint is a green-reading system that uses feel and slope percentages to determine break. Many tour professionals rely on it because it provides a structured, repeatable way to read greens.

However, its effectiveness depends on your ability to use it effectively.  For amateur golfers, AimPoint can be extremely helpful, but only if you commit to learning the system properly.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Before you head out onto the course to practice your putting strokes, you may want to consider protecting yourself and your golf equipment with specialist golf insurance. Get a quote online today.

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Updated on January 4, 2026

As any golfer knows, improving your putting stroke is the quickest way to lower your handicap.

But practicing putting can be difficult, especially if you don’t always have time to drive to a golf course or green. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 putting mats with ball returns, so you can practice your putting skills from the comfort of your own home or office.

These putting mats come with automatic ball returns, so you won’t waste time chasing after golf balls. At the end of this article, we also offer up our favorite alternative to ball return putting mats.

1. Crestgolf Putting Mat Indoor / Outdoor (Best Overall)

Surface material: Premium Quality Velvet

Dimensions: 9.84” Wide x 109” Long (Ball Return is 10.62”)

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Wood

Pros

• The velvet material of the putting surface leads to a putting experience that’s very similar to an actual green
• It can be used indoors or outdoors, which makes this practice mat highly versatile
• It can be folded up and stored without any fear of wrinkles, which is something not many brands can claim
• The wooden ball return system has lots of durability and will save you a ton of time
• Works well in a yard, office, garage, or bonus room
• Golfers can practice on 2 different holes. One is smaller to increase putting accuracy.

Cons

• The price is a little steep, but that’s understandable because of the quality materials
• It could be a bit longer and wider

For a putting surface that’s nearly identical to a green on the golf course, consider choosing the Crestgolf putting mat. It’s 8 feet long, which makes it ideal for practicing short or medium-length putts. Crestgolf also went to great lengths to make sure that your putts would roll well on this surface.

With the wooden ball return feature, the high slope rolls each putt back to you. This means you can spend less time gathering your golf balls and more time practicing your putting stroke.

2. I&K Pro Indoor Golf Putting Green (Best Value)

Surface material: High-Quality Crystal Velvet

Dimensions: 1.28 Feet Wide x 8 Feet Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Plastic

Pros

• One of the cheapest practice putting greens on the market
• Automatic Ball Return System works beautifully
• Works well for both beginner and seasoned golfers to hone their putting skills
• Easy to set up in any home or office
• The backing is designed to limit slippage, which reduces the chances of injury and overall aggravation

Cons

• The plastic ball return won’t hold up as long as other materials
• Some have had issues with the material getting creases in it
• A few folks have had problems with the ball return

If you need to improve your putting game but are short on cash, the I&K Pro putting mat is just what you need. This is arguably the most cost-effective option out there. Golfers will love how this practice mat easily stores 3 golf balls and provides 2 different holes to practice on.

3. Club Champ Super Sized Putting Mat (Best Option with Hazards)

Surface material: Non-Directional Turf

Dimensions: 1.8 Feet Wide x 9 Feet Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline with Electronic Return

Pros

• Very affordable practice mat with a nice ball return
• The electronic ball return system doesn’t require any batteries
• It shoots the ball back to you, whether you hit it in the hole or one of the hazards
• The water hazard and sand trap will help you practice hitting straighter putts
• It comes with a 2-year warranty, which is the longest one we’ve seen in the industry
• It can be used on almost any surface, including carpets or wood floors
• Easy to keep clean, which isn’t the case for all practice mats on the market

Cons

• Some golfers think the ball returns too fast, which may make it unsuitable for small kids
• The hazards are made of thin plastic, which means that they may not hold up well over time

Burned out on standard practice mats with incline ball returns? Check out the Club Champ Super Sized putting mat if you want to try something new. The ball return is electric, and it works even if you putt into the bunker or water hazard. That’s a neat feature that makes this practice mat worth trying.

4. Loowoko Indoor Putting Green (Best Alignment Lines)

Surface material: Crystal Velvet

Dimensions: 9.8” Wide x 122” Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Wood

Pros

• Easy to assemble right out of the box, which is a nice plus
• It folds up easily to make transportation or storage a breeze
• A great putting training aid for any level of golfer
• The turf is meant to simulate real grass for a more realistic roll
• It comes with a 1-year warranty, which gives buyers peace of mind
• It comes with 2 alignment aids and some distance markers
• The automatic return portion is sturdy and made of wood

Cons

• It can be hard to work kinks out of the material, which can cost you some practice time
• The automatic ball return system sometimes gets hung up

Struggle to line up a putt correctly? If so, this golf mat will take your putting game to the next level.

It has 2 alignment aids to ensure your feet are in the right place while practicing. You’ll be shocked to learn how much proper alignment has to do with making good putts.

5. Britenway Golf Green Mat (Easiest to Assemble)

Surface material: Crystal Velvet

Dimensions: 15” Wide x 123” Long

Ball return system: Raised Incline Made of Wood

Pros

• Engineered to give golfers an experience that’s similar to a real green
• It makes a fantastic gift on any occasion for golf lovers
• One of the best auto ball returns in the industry that’s made of solid wood
• It can easily be moved from your home to your office and vice versa
• Built to last for several seasons of putting practice
• It comes with 2 different size holes to increase your putting accuracy
• The crystal velvet material gives you a very realistic roll
• There is no battery to have to worry about recharging

Cons

• The marketing materials show someone putting with a wedge, which is kind of annoying
• Some have had issues with getting the mat to lay flat
• There is no mention of any kind of warranty, which is a little bit disappointing

This high-quality putting practice mat is super easy to put together. The solid wood ball return frame snaps together in a flash thanks to the magnetic suction of the material. This mat is a little pricier than others on our list, but the quality is top-notch.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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AimPoint golf is a system devised to help you out with the final flourish at the end of a hole – the putt. While many amateur golfers focus on getting maximum distance when teeing off or using their irons, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of assuming that, just because you’ve made the distance with your earlier strokes, an accurate putt will automatically follow. This isn’t always the case.

AimPoint golf exists to help you fix this problem. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what it is, how it works, and whether it could change your game if putting the icing on the cake is your biggest weakness.

What is AimPoint putting?

The brainchild of software developer Mark Sweeney, AimPoint is a system for putting the ball that focuses not on what your eyes can see, but on what your feet can feel.

It all comes down to reading the green. Understanding how your ball is going to break based on the unique landscape of the green is crucial in determining where exactly your ball is going to end up.

The idea of the AimPoint method is to work this out as accurately as possible.

Sweeney used his background in software development to put data into the putting game, and the results were stark. As far as he’s concerned, it’s the most reliable method when it comes to putting, and that’s an opinion shared by some of the very best golfers around. Former world number one Adam Scott uses the system, and Sweeney has taught fellow stars such as Nick Faldo, Tommy Fleetwood and Lydia Ko.

In other words, he knows his stuff.

How to putt using AimPoint

This is what you need to know when putting using AimPoint.

Assigning a percentage 

The first step in using the AimPoint method is assessing the terrain, which involves a percentage system.

Stand roughly halfway between your ball and the hole with your feet shoulder-width apart. What you’ll likely notice is that there is more weight on one foot than the other, as it’s being pulled further down by gravity. In other words, you’ll be able to work out which direction the green slopes.

So, if you feel more weight on your left foot than your right, you know you’ll have to aim your putt to the right, because gravity will pull it down to the left.

This is where the percentage system comes in. Once you’ve identified how the green slopes in terms of direction, you now need to establish how steep the slope is.

Here, you’ll assign a percentage value between one and five, one being a shallow slope, and five being a noticeably steep slope. The steeper the slope and the bigger the difference between the high point and the low point of the relevant section of the green, the bigger the impact gravity will have on the trajectory of your putt.

The difficult thing about this is that discerning what a shallow slope feels like compared to a steep one takes effort, practice, and, most importantly, time. At first, assigning these percentages may feel fairly arbitrary. It will be difficult at first to instinctively know just how much steeper a three is compared to a four, for example. That’s why AimPoint golf is a system that requires patience.

Tackling your slope and taking your shot

Once you’ve assigned a percentage value to the slope, the real magic happens.

Say you’ve assigned a percentage of three to your slope, with the high point coming on the right:

• Stand behind your ball, close one eye, and hold your right hand up so the middle of your index finger appears as if it’s immediately to the right of the hole.
• Your slope is three per cent, so you’ll hold three fingers up – your index finger, which is aligned with the hole, your middle finger and your ring finger.
• The edge of your ring finger – in line with the hole – is where you’re going to aim your putt.

The same would be true if you assigned a value of one, two, four or five. The percentage of the slope directly corresponds with the number of fingers you use to aim your shot. The steeper the slope, the further away from your hole you have to aim.

Giving it time

This technique takes a lot of practice, time, and patience, but it is worth it, as countless professionals who use the system prove. 
These are the basics of the AimPoint putting method, but there’s only so much that can be achieved without a session with an expert. There are over 300 certified AimPoint coaches, and a session with one of them will offer more insight and personal advice than is possible here.

Is AimPoint foolproof?

AimPoint may be a method trusted by various PGA Tour pros and extremely high-level players, but that doesn’t mean it’s foolproof.

As mentioned before, with proper training and plenty of practice, it seems that AimPoint can have a hugely positive effect on your putting game. But it’s not guaranteed, and it does have its critics.

This method involves spending quite a lot of time discerning the slope. Assigning that percentage can involve movement throughout the green, and the reliance on how the slope feels rather than how it looks means it’s not a quick process. In fact, that’s pretty much the whole point. As a result, the pace of play can be slowed down by AimPoint, and so it’s not universally popular among all golfers.

However, if you really struggle with putting, AimPoint is definitely worth trying.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Now that you’ve learnt how to use a new skill out on the course, you may want to consider getting specialist golf insurance. Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care can help financially protect you and your clubs in the event of an accident.

Find out more or get a quick online quote today.

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(BUFFALO, N.Y.) – GENIUS – a new, first-of-its-kind golf ball featuring embedded electronics that capture crucial putting data – will debut at the 2026 PGA Merchandise Show in Booth 1715.

Benefitting golfers of all abilities and PGA coaches, GENIUS is the only regulation-size, regulation-weight smart golf ball that looks, feels and rolls like a premium, Tour-quality ball.  Its core contains a sophisticated sensor array that identifies the moment of impact, plus skid and roll of the ball, resulting in precise data that external devices cannot reliably detect. 

Crucial performance metrics like velocity, launch angle, side spin, skid distance, roll characteristics, deceleration pattern, consistency across strokes and green speed are captured and, using proprietary algorithms, processed and delivered via Bluetooth to the GENIUS app on a user’s smartphone.

The GENIUS app then instantaneously shares actionable feedback specific to each user’s unique putting stroke.  The guided sessions improve alignment, direction and distance control, skid and roll quality, lag putting and other core disciplines.

Developed over five years of intense R&D by leading golf ball engineers formerly with Titleist, TaylorMade and Srixon, GENIUS delivers pinpoint-accurate insights at a fraction of the cost of high-end indoor putting studio systems. Two-time PGA Championship winner Dave Stockton, Sr., along with his fellow acclaimed putting coaches and sons Dave, Jr. and Ron Stockton, heavily contributed to GENIUS’s groundbreaking technology.

“Putting is where pros make money and amateurs make memories, and in my 35 years of teaching, I’ve never worked with a product as consequential as GENIUS,” said Ron Stockton.  “It will change how I teach and stay connected to my players 24/7.”

“Data has historically been focused on the full swing despite putting accounting for 40 to 45% of the average golfer’s strokes,” said Mike Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of GENIUS and a 25-year veteran of golf ball innovation.  “This imbalance is where the breakthrough GENIUS fits – electronics inside a golf ball identify exact problems and associated fixes, keeping the complicated super simple.”

To prevent potential information overload, captured putting data is distilled down to a GENIUS Stroke Score, a simple benchmark that tracks elite-level patterns and improvement and, through the GENIUS app, compares performance against the broader GENIUS community.

GENIUS is effective outdoors on practice greens – for everything from tap-ins to long lag putts – and indoors on mats, floors and carpets.  There is no need for setup, face stickers or alignment rods – just drop a ball and start rolling putts.

The GENIUS ball boasts a battery life of around 10,000 putts.  When a ball nears its end-of-life, the GENIUS system will automatically detect it as long as a user’s subscription is active and ship a free replacement.

Three GENIUS balls, a carrying case and annual app subscription is $240.  Initial product shipments are planned for Q2 2026 with pre-orders taken at the PGA Show. 

About GENIUS

GENIUS is a sports tech company with putting as the first application of its patented smart golf ball and future uses planned for all clubs in the bag.  Meticulously engineered to significantly improve putting, it is the first, new and only ball of its kind with electronics inside.  Data is transmitted from the ball to a user’s phone, measuring skid, stimp, side spin, launch angle, face angle, distance, roll stability and more.  Playing like a Tour-level ball, GENIUS shows golfers how to intuitively use the data to putt more on-line and in the hole.

More information: www.geniusball.golf, info@geniusball.golf, @thegeniusball (Instagram)

Stephen Reynolds
Reynolds Media Group
stephen@reynoldsmediagrp.com
703-344-6031

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