January 2012 – unbiased reviews, ratings and rankings of golf putting training aids, which often times are one of the best golf gifts. Our editors test and compare the newest golf putting training aids for 2012 head-to-head to help you determine which golf putting training aid is best.
The iPING is a fun and relatively inexpensive (at least for products in the pricey golf universe) way of analyzing the consistency of your putting stroke. The caveat is that it’s currently only compatible with the iPhone 4/4S and iPod Touch (4th gen).
Retail price (cradle): $29.99
Amazon.com price (cradle): Check price now
Score
94
Grade
A
Simple in its design and how it teaches the stroke (place the heel of the putter against the arc and just practice swinging back and forth). Extended practice with the Putting Arc MSIII should teach a proper “swinging gate” stroke – unfortunately, it can get repetitive. Note that this device is not designed to help those who use a “straight back/straight through” stroke.
Retail price: $69.95
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Score
92
Grade
A-
Teaches the critical concept of accelerating the putter head through impact. Excellent putting mat provides a true roll. Unfortunately, severe incline near the hole may be teaching you to smack the ball too far.
Retail price: $49.99
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Score
89
Grade
B+
Excellent putting surface combined with useful training tools make this a quality product. At this price point, it would be nice if a ball return mechanism were provided.
Retail price: $69.99
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Score
89
Grade
B+
Helps pinpoint whether the face of your putter is square, open or closed at impact. Using the device can get monotonous, and while the Greens Professor may actually help someone’s game, it doesn’t look or feel like a polished product, so it may not provide the “wow” factor you’re looking for if you’re giving this as a gift.
Retail price: $49.99
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Score
83
Grade
B-
We loved the ball return system, since it appeals to our lazy instincts – why reach a few inches to get the ball back when you can buy something that deposits it right back in the middle of your stance? But the wrinkly putting mat left us questioning the value of the device as a training aid.
Retail price: $69.99
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Score
81
Grade
B-
Don’t let the name fool you – the “Ultimate Putting System” is just a basic putting mat with an electric ball return. The ball return is a nice touch, but the inferior quality of the putting mat makes this an also-ran within the product category.
Retail price: $49.99
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Score
79
Grade
C+
Our review of the Eyeline Golf Putting Laser+ will be available shortly – stay tuned!
Retail price: $59.95
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Our review of the Medicus Golf Dual-Handle Putter Trainer will be available shortly – stay tuned!
Retail price: $39.95
Amazon.com: Check price now
Our review of the Greens Professor will be available shortly – stay tuned!… Full Review
Our review of the TOMI Personal Putting System will be available shortly – stay tuned!… Full Review
Our review of the Z Factor Perfect Putting Machine will be available shortly – stay tuned!… Full Review
