PUTTR Review: Is the Smart Putting Green Worth the Price?

Before I dive into my experience in every aspect of the PUTTR, here are the high-level pros and cons that I think evey golfer should consider.

Pros:

• PUTTR achieves its intention to deliver game-improving practice, and entertainment, without sacrificing either one for the other
• Addicting drills and games
• PUTTR handicap gives excellent feedback and motivation
• Enjoyable for golfers and non-golfers
• Green rolls out flat and putts roll true and smooth
• At 11-feet, it’s long enough to practice the putts that impact scoring the most
• Users get valuable feedback, even without the subscription, and have access to more in-depth analysis and improvement tools through the subscription
• Easily rolls up into the case for storage

Cons:

• Price will be prohibitive for some golfers
• The ball dropping into the ball return is quite loud
• The ball return can interfere with the stance for lefties
• No option to toggle users or not attribute someone else’s putts to your stats when multiple people practice at the same time (if you play with multiple users frequently, everyone should get the app, set up their profile and swap their device in when they putt)
• Requiring 12 feet of space total, some people may have limited options of where to use the PUTTR in their home
• My wife didn’t like that in the Beer Pong game, you don’t keep your turn when you make both putts

Yes, there are several pros and cons here, but to be fair, most of these cons are pretty nit-picky, and in my experience, the benefits far outweighed these minor drawbacks.

I’ve touched on a lot of the biggest takeaways from my experience with the PUTTR, but let’s go more in-depth in some of the key areas, like how it performs as a training aid, and how it performs as a golf entertainment product.

Like I said before, PUTTR is addicting, which is one of the best qualities a training aid can have, especially when practicing a traditionally boring facet of the game like putting.

Beyond the PUTTR’s ability to lure you into putting practice, it provides some really quality insights that no other putting green can. 

One game in particular, The Lab, is an excellent example of this. The Lab gives you a score for each putt, not based on makes or misses, but based on the speed and line of each putt. Make a putt in the dead center with perfect speed, and you get 20 points - 10 for the perfect speed, 10 for the perfect line. The farther from the center you make the putt, and the farther you get from the perfect speed, the more you get dinged.

I did this drill from five feet and when I started focusing on making putts dead-center with 100% speed, the thought of actually missing a putt didn’t even cross my mind. It completely took me into the zone. I can attest that when I finished this drill, I was a better and more confident putter than when I stared.

Players who want maximum data on their putting stroke can subscribe to PUTTR CLUB. Joining the club allows you to compete in tournaments, tap into AI-powered instruction, and take a deeper dive into your putting performance.

From my experience, one of the most addicting elements of the PUTTR is the handicap feature. Once you stroke 200 putts, PUTTR gives you a handicap, an index that updates after every putt, factoring in your last 200 strokes. By nature, golfers are always chasing a lower handicap, and it didn’t take long for me to begin obsessing over my PUTTR handicap.

One feature I would have loved to see on the PUTTR is a putter comparison tool. My guess is that the type of golfer willing to spend $599 on an AI-powered smart putting green is also the kind of golfer who keeps a stable of putters on hand. It would be fun to use PUTTR to get a detailed, data-based comparison of how you perform with your various putters, and find out which one is really best for you.

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in the bells and whistles that separate PUTTR from ordinary putting greens and mats, but let’s not forget it still needs to perform well as a putting green.

The PUTTR rolls out from its modern metal enclosure and lays perfectly flat. The putting surface is smooth, no frays or astro-turf texture, giving a true roll. It’s a very satisfying surface to putt on, and like a good referee, you never give the quality of the putting surface a second thought while in action.

Who doesn’t love a good putting contest? This is another area where PUTTR excels. With putting versions of classic games like HORSE, Cricket, Around the World and Beer Pong, PUTTR instantly appeals to non-golfers. My wife, a competitive person by nature, but not a golf nut, was eager to compete in Beer Pong and Cricket. Within a few minutes, she was sharing pictures and setting up future competitions with her friends. It was fun to see her get so excited about something golf-related.

A quick word about connectivity, since the PUTTR does pair with a smartphone app afterall. I downloaded the PUTTR app before it even arrived at my doorstep, and had my profile all set up by the time I unboxed it. When I got the PUTTR and plugged it in, it connected to the app instantly. From there, I mirrored my iPhone to my Roku TV, and let the games begin. This process couldn’t have been easier.

PUTTR’s $599 price point will be a barrier for many golfers, and the golfers who are willing to spend more in order to get more still want to know if PUTTR is worth the investment.

I can’t speak to anybody else’s budget, but I can speak to the quality and value of the PUTTR. To answer the is it worth it question, with PUTTR I’d say it’s pretty straightforward. If you’re have the resources and willingness to spend $599 on a putting green, I think you’ll be elated to have invested it in the PUTTR. If that’s out of your budget for a putting green, then I wouldn’t try to talk you into buying the PUTTR.

In my experience, PUTTR nails the quality, entertainment, training, and connectivity elements. It’s a ton of fun, and the cons are pretty negligible.

If you are disappointed, however, PUTTR offers a 30-day return policy, accepting returns if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.

Whenever I review golf products, I approach it as if a friend asked my advice as to whether they should consider spending their hard-earned money on the product. I dig for warnings, red flags, and cautions while highlighting the areas where I see the biggest benefits.

Even through this lens, I can’t say enough good things about PUTTR. It’s really fun. It’s really easy to set up and use. And, it gets me infinitely more reps in an area of my game that’s otherwise neglected.

If you’re open to the idea of making a larger investment into a putting green, you won’t find a more exciting product than PUTTR.

Now, if we can just get Allard to solve golf’s slow play problem.