Sinking breaking putts is about visualizing the right line. The SKLZ Putt Pocket’s unique horseshoe shape forces players to hit to the high side of the hole and can be used as an extra practice cup.
The SKLZ Putt Pocket – putting accuracy trainer works great inside or outside. It has a two piece design. Use it on a flat surface or use just the top half which will fit perfectly into a golf hole.
The opening is 2.75 inches wide. You turn the opening so that you are forced to play the break on the high side of the hole and aim at a target less than the 4.25 inch normal golf hole.
This will make the actual golf hole appear much bigger during normal play.
I would recommend it. ★★★★
Unique two piece design
Entry Point Options
Why the clock face?
Think of it as an entry point pie chart with the center being the hole.
This may be more meaningful for those who are non-linear putters. They would see the putt breaking into the hole at a certain entry point.
It really applies to all reads regardless of being a linear or non-linear putter.
I’m a linear putter, but I still see this even though my focus is on an aim point.
Drill #1
Elevated Aim Line
You may want to try this from 6 feet or less to start.
I put down a ball marker of some kind at my starting point so I can repeat the putt.
Use an elevated aim line stretched from your starting point to an aim point.
I would make sure you have the line before you insert the SKLZ Putt Pocket into the cup.
Take several practice putts before you place it in the hole.
Using the SKLZ Putt Pocket, pick out an entry point visualizing the clock face above.
Turn the opening in the Putt Pocket to that entry point.
Make the putt.
If you choose the correct speed and aim line, the ball should go in the entry point you visualized.
This is a tough drill. The opening is narrow.
Start point is under the aim line
This image shows that line has
been adjusted to make the putt
Drill #2
Tour Read App
Optional – The Tour Read App – The app accurately measures the slope of the green. Then it translates this into a precise “Tour Read” of the amount of break to play and the pace you need for any putt.
In addition to individual reads, that app comes with break charts.
The break charts are available for a 7 stimp to a 14 stimp green. The putt lengths available are from 2 feet to 60 feet.
***Why optional? They only have this in the Apple Store. No Android version.
You can do this same drill with a elevated aim line.
A hand held green laser – The one I bought on Amazon is really a bright green aim point laser. It was $14.99.
Did I need another laser? I have a couple. For the price and ease of use it’s a reasonable addition.
I use it as a laser pointer. That is from the ball to the aim point based on the read I get from the Tour Read app.
There are several different brands available at different prices. I would recommend a USB rechargeable version.
Setting up the Putting Drill
I use this from 3, 5 or 10 feet.
Place the SKLZ Putt Pocket in the hole.
Read the putt with the Tour Read app.
Then laser point to the suggested aim point. You could put a tee or ball marker at that location.
I run the laser from the ball to the aim point a couple times to visualize the aim line.
Turn the SKLZ Putt Pocket to face the entry point as you see it.
Make the putt.
This example is of the putt on my front porch. It’s 2 degrees or 3.5% break from left to right. The putt is a six foot putt and the mat has a stimp reading of 10.
The app is suggesting that I play the putt outside the left edge at 9.5 inches.
