Let me get this out of the way: I’m completely obsessed with my golf game. I chart my rounds, track strokes-gained putting in a Google Sheet, and yes — I’ve tried every putting aid from the Pelz Tutor to chalk lines on the carpet. Most of them ended up in the garage. But then… The Putting Thing arrived.
And unlike the gimmicky gadgets I’ve cycled through, this one’s different.
WHAT IT DOES: Three Core Skills, One Tool
The Putting Thing is deceptively simple. It looks like a small black plate with a guide rail and a few adjustable knobs — but under the hood, it hits every pillar of elite-level putting:
1. Start Line Mastery
The number one skill — and the hardest to groove without feedback — is starting your putts on line. The Putting Thing nails this:
- The guide rail helps you square up consistently.
- Visual alignment aids check eye position and putter face angle.
- Adjustable gates give immediate feedback if you’re pushing or pulling putts.
For beginners, this will teach you what a square face looks and feels like. For advanced players, it’s a perfect feedback loop to tighten dispersion.
2. Center Face Contact
This is where the Tiger gate drill comes in — but leveled up.
The Putting Thing includes a customizable gate system with dialable width settings (0–6). Set it wide if you’re just learning; narrow it down to Tour tight if you want to make sure you’re consistently striking the sweet spot.
Golf Guide Alert: I tested my stroke at gate setting “4” (which leaves just millimeters of clearance) and couldn’t believe how exposed my miss pattern was. It’s humbling — and exactly what I needed.
3. Speed & Green Reading Calibration
Using the guide rail as a pseudo-stim meter? Genius. I used to bring alignment rods and a Sharpie to measure rollout. Now, it’s built into the system.
- Roll the ball down the rail to check green speed indoors.
- Align it toward specific targets to train your read + speed instincts together.
Even for a scratch player, combining read and speed in practice is where the rubber meets the road.
HOW I TESTED IT
I did head-to-head tests with:
- Pelz Tutor
- Chalk Line Drills
- Visio Putting Gates
The Putting Thing held its own — and in some ways, replaced multiple tools with a single, packable system. I could throw it in my Sunday bag and practice on the putting green after work or inside on a putting mat with zero setup fuss.
WHO IT’S FOR
Beginner (10+ handicap):
- Learn what “online” really means.
- Build a repeatable pre-shot routine.
- Instantly see setup errors (eyes too far inside, misaligned face).
Intermediate (5–10 handicap):
- Sharpen face control with gate drills.
- Start working on speed & read calibration.
- Create competitive putting games using gate levels.
Advanced / Pro Level (Scratch or better):
- Fine-tune your gate to <1º error margin.
- Use the stim function to prep for tournament greens.
- Stress-test your stroke under simulated pressure.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the most complete putting tools I’ve used — and I’ve tried all of them. It solves real problems, simplifies setup, and gives immediate, useful feedback without turning practice into a chore.
As someone who lives and breathes golf mechanics, I can’t recommend it enough — especially in the offseason when gains are made away from the course.
If you’re serious about lowering your scores, get The Putting Thing.
Because let’s be honest: if you’re still just tossing balls on the carpet and hoping to “groove your stroke,” you’re leaving strokes on the table.
More Info – Where To By:
WhyGolf.com
