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Steve Syder Review

The Putting Thing Review

A thoughtfully designed putting aid that gives immediate feedback on start line, setup, and stroke quality. It has become one of the most effective tools in my practice routine.

The Putting Thing set up on a putting surface with putter and golf ball.
Honest personal review from regular use

Best For

Golfers who want clearer feedback on start line and putting stroke mechanics.

Standout Feature

The front and rear gate system gives instant, usable feedback without overcomplicating practice.

Bonus

The built-in stimp meter adds genuine value for distance control before a round.

My Verdict

One of the best putting aids I’ve used and a product I’d happily keep in the practice bag.

This is an excellent putting aid and one of the most effective training tools I’ve added to my practice routine. I’ve used plenty of practice aids over the years, but this is one of the few that gives immediate feedback in a way that actually helps you improve rather than just making practice more complicated.

What I like most is how cleverly it’s designed. The rear gates are deliberately a little looser, so if your stroke wanders slightly you get feedback without worrying about marking your putter. The front gates are firmer, which gives you very clear information about the quality of your start line.

This is one of the few putting aids I’ve used that gives immediate, meaningful feedback and still feels simple enough to use regularly.

Why I Recommend The Putting Thing

  • Gives instant feedback on both stroke path and start line.
  • The rear gates are forgiving enough to teach without punishing slight misses.
  • The front gates are excellent for checking whether you’re starting the ball on line.
  • The alignment markings are genuinely useful for setup and eye position.
  • The built-in stimp meter adds another practical layer for distance control.
  • It’s compact, well made, and easy to work into a regular practice routine.
The Putting Thing in use with a putter set between the adjustable gates.
Immediate feedback on strike, path, and start line makes practice far more productive.

How I Use It

I use a L.A.B. DF3 putter, and after a bit of experimenting I’ve settled on setting the rear gates to 3 and the front gates to 3.5. It’s a challenging setup, but in exactly the right way. It tightens my start line and helps sharpen my stroke mechanics before I play.

The biggest advantage is that it removes guesswork. Either the putter moves cleanly through the gates and the ball starts online, or you get immediate feedback about what needs improving.

The Putting Thing with the central rail attached.
The central rail adds another useful practice option and shows the thoughtful design.
Top-down view of The Putting Thing showing gate positions and alignment lines.
The adjustable gates and alignment lines help with repeatable setup and cleaner mechanics.

What Makes It So Useful

The alignment lines beside the ball position are a surprisingly helpful feature. They work similarly to a putting mirror for checking eye position, but with the added benefit of teaching start-line accuracy at the same time.

Another real bonus is the built-in stimp meter. Before a round, I can take a quick reading on the practice green and get a better sense of how long my backswing should be for different distances. That has helped make my distance control more consistent.

Feedback Quality Excellent for seeing exactly what the putter and ball are doing.
Ease of Use Straightforward to set up and easy to work into a normal session.
Build & Design Cleverly thought through, portable, and well put together.
Course Transfer Very good because it helps with the fundamentals that matter on the green.

What You Get

  • The main Putting Thing training aid.
  • Adjustable gate system for different difficulty levels.
  • Alignment and setup references built into the design.
  • A portable setup that’s easy to take to the practice green.
  • A carry bag and presentation box that make it easy to store and transport.
The Putting Thing carry bag and product box.
The carry bag and box make storage and transport simple.

Who Is It Best For?

  • Golfers who struggle with starting putts on line.
  • Players who want better feedback during practice.
  • Anyone working on setup and eye position consistency.
  • Golfers trying to improve both mechanics and distance control.
  • People who want a training aid that feels practical rather than gimmicky.

My Verdict

Overall, this trainer provides immediate, meaningful feedback and has genuinely improved my confidence on the greens. It’s one of those products that earns its place in the practice routine very quickly because it helps with what matters most: starting the ball on line and building a repeatable stroke.

For me, it has been one of the best putting aids I’ve used. It’s clever, practical, and challenging in the right way. If you’re serious about becoming a better putter, I think it’s well worth a look.

Worth Checking Out

If you want a putting aid that delivers clear feedback and feels genuinely useful in real practice, this is well worth a look.

View The Putting Thing