Birdie Ball Putting Green?

[BillyZ2]

For those of you who have a Birdie Ball putting greeen, please share your thoughts on how you like it, what size you have, and how much you use it.

thanks (I know there are more threads on this subject in here, but would like the latest update)

[C_rad]

Plus 1.

[Chief Illiniwek]

I've had mine something like 4 years? I built a wood frame for it to keep it flat permanently. I've been thinking about replacing it because our cat tore up the surface a couple years ago. Despite that, it still rolls very well. That's the best part about these greens. They don't look like much but they give you a very realistic roll.

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1445995572' post='12516254']
I've had mine something like 4 years? I built a wood frame for it to keep it flat permanently. I've been thinking about replacing it because our cat tore up the surface a couple years ago. Despite that, it still rolls very well. That's the best part about these greens. They don't look like much but they give you a very realistic roll.
[/quote]I appreciate the post. Would you get the BB again?

[Chief Illiniwek]

Yes no doubt. I'm probably going to ask the wife to replace mine this Christmas. There are negatives though. If you lack the space for it to be out permanently then you need to roll it up after use. The next time you get it out you'll have to wait a while for it to uncurl. You also sink in the foam a bit when standing on it, so it feels nothing like a real green on your feet.

For the money though, it's fantastic in my opinion because my number one requirement was a realistic roll.

[WVP]

I have one, it's 4' x 18'. Dramatically improved my putting with it in the past 2 years.

For the price it really can't be beat. I was a bit skeptical when I pulled it out of the box since it really just feels like cheap pool raft material. However it truly does roll great.

Mine is in our unfinished basement which we don't plan to finish for several years. So I don't have to roll it up, however it has been exposed to my young kids smacking it with hockey sticks and riding over it with their power wheels. I believe it would still be in perfect condition without the kids all over it.

[WVP]

One tip, I removed those clear plastic bumpers behind the holes - realized with the bumpers I was putting too much pace on the ball since there was no repercussions for missing. Without them I've learned to never putt the ball more than 18" past the hole since it would roll off the green, this really helps for making sure you're left with a tap-in.

[mhuelsman131]

I've had one for about 3-4 years now. Started out with the 3'x12' when I had enough room in my old basement. I have since cut it down to be 3'x8' to fit in my new office. I put 2 sheets of plywood under it so it wouldn't move when I stepped on it (since I have carpet in my office) and I leave it out all year so it stays flat. I use it all the time during the winter months to practice 6 footers and some short chips. I think I picked up the 9-10 stimp surface, which I really think is too quick for my course so I may try and brush it back to slow it down some.

I would highly recommend it if you have the space and are looking for some decent practice.

[rockford35]

[quote name='C-rad' timestamp='1446132548' post='12523528']
[quote name='ATXgolfer ' timestamp='1446123336' post='12522760']I bought one earlier this year and its been boxed back after I tried it.. it was too big for my son's room. It is a 12x4 with 3 holes on both ends.. let me know if anyone is interested..[/quote]i would take it but im in canada.
[/quote]

I bought the 4x10 when Golftown was carrying them. I opened the box, pulled out the mat, but it was wrinkled. I set it out flat over night. The next morning, I folded it back up and returned it. The mat was so wrinkled, there was no way that it would have sat flat given any time frame. Plus, who doesn't want a product you can use right out of the box?

When I took it back, the girl at the GT desk said they had many of them returned for the same reason.

From my experiences, I am shocked to hear positive reviews on this mat. I suppose your mileage may vary, but you couldn't give me a Birdie Ball mat for free at this point.

R35

[tuckman]

[quote name='rockford35' timestamp='1446139821' post='12524218']
[quote name='C-rad' timestamp='1446132548' post='12523528']
[quote name='ATXgolfer ' timestamp='1446123336' post='12522760']I bought one earlier this year and its been boxed back after I tried it.. it was too big for my son's room. It is a 12x4 with 3 holes on both ends.. let me know if anyone is interested..[/quote]i would take it but im in canada.
[/quote]

I bought the 4x10 when Golftown was carrying them. I opened the box, pulled out the mat, but it was wrinkled. I set it out flat over night. The next morning, I folded it back up and returned it. The mat was so wrinkled, there was no way that it would have sat flat given any time frame. Plus, who doesn't want a product you can use right out of the box?

When I took it back, the girl at the GT desk said they had many of them returned for the same reason.

From my experiences, I am shocked to hear positive reviews on this mat. I suppose your mileage may vary, but you couldn't give me a Birdie Ball mat for free at this point.

R35
[/quote]

Are Big Moss greens the same way? I know they are more expensive.

[rockford35]

[quote name='tuckman' timestamp='1446140044' post='12524240']

Are Big Moss greens the same way? I know they are more expensive.
[/quote]

I have no experience with Big Moss. Perhaps someone else can chime in on them.

R35

[BillyZ2]

Big Moss are supposed to be one of the highest rated putting greens. What I don't like, as many others have mentioned, is that you are always putting slightly uphill. In order to get the ball to fall down into a depression (cup) they have to put a slight incline on the hole end of the green.

[kmac49]

I've had 2 of the Birdie Ball greens. The first was a 4 x 10' I think... I used it quite a bit, but my dog kept walking on it and it left claw marks all over the place. That was a bit of a struggle (to keep him off), so I wasn't planning on replacing it... Then I was at Golfsmith one day, and I got to talking a bit with the manager there... as we were talking about a custom order, I noticed that there were 2 birdie ball boxes up by the front counter... she said that she was buying one of the two, and asked if I wanted the other. I asked how much, and she says $20. Sold! Was surprised to see that it was a 4 x 14', with cups/flags/birdieballs/bumpers included.

My biggest issue is that I don't have anywhere to put it where it would be out of the way and my dog wouldn't destroy it again. So, when I want to use it, I have to unroll it, toss a putter or something on each end to get it to lay flat, and then put it all back away in the bag afterwards. It just isn't quite as convenient as having it out all the time. I think I might set up an area in the garage to leave it out, but I'm worried that it will get ruined again if I leave it out.

As far as the actual green itself, it is great once it lays flat. The surface is pretty realistic and I like that you can shim it pretty easily to get it to play a little break.

[golfingjohn]

I have had the big moss for over a year. My kids and I use it regularly, and it has held up extremely well. It rolls true and the slight incline is not an issue for me. I've recommended it to several friends, and they have also been very happy with it.

[ijohnson]

I lucked out at GS at home and found a 4x14 for 20 bucks - didn't realize how big it was til I unrolled it. It definitely rolls true though, but I had it out for days and it didn't fully flatten out. I may take it to our indoor area for the winter at school, but I'm worried about putting after hitting and forgetting that I'm wearing spikes. It definitely feels really delicate compared to the kind of carpeting you find at a golf store.

The only other mat I've used is one of the cheap ones with the incline at the end, which was actually surprisingly smooth - although the foam has been so worn out that there's a little break at the end. I'm not big on the felt style mats that are more common now (just for the dirt I'd expect them to grab) and when I saw the Birdieball was down to 20 bucks I couldn't pass it up.

[Chief Illiniwek]

[quote name='rockford35' timestamp='1446139821' post='12524218']
[quote name='C-rad' timestamp='1446132548' post='12523528']
[quote name='ATXgolfer ' timestamp='1446123336' post='12522760']I bought one earlier this year and its been boxed back after I tried it.. it was too big for my son's room. It is a 12x4 with 3 holes on both ends.. let me know if anyone is interested..[/quote]i would take it but im in canada.
[/quote]

I bought the 4x10 when Golftown was carrying them. I opened the box, pulled out the mat, but it was wrinkled. I set it out flat over night. The next morning, I folded it back up and returned it. The mat was so wrinkled, there was no way that it would have sat flat given any time frame. Plus, who doesn't want a product you can use right out of the box?

When I took it back, the girl at the GT desk said they had many of them returned for the same reason.

From my experiences, I am shocked to hear positive reviews on this mat. I suppose your mileage may vary, but you couldn't give me a Birdie Ball mat for free at this point.

R35
[/quote]

As I stated, I'm extremely happy with mine. I think the difference is I'm able to have mine out permanently. I mean, you gave it one day and you're shocked to hear positive reviews? You didn't give it a chance. Great roll for a great price. That's the positives.

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1446310791' post='12533116']
[quote name='rockford35' timestamp='1446139821' post='12524218']
[quote name='C-rad' timestamp='1446132548' post='12523528']
[quote name='ATXgolfer ' timestamp='1446123336' post='12522760']I bought one earlier this year and its been boxed back after I tried it.. it was too big for my son's room. It is a 12x4 with 3 holes on both ends.. let me know if anyone is interested..[/quote]i would take it but im in canada.
[/quote]

I bought the 4x10 when Golftown was carrying them. I opened the box, pulled out the mat, but it was wrinkled. I set it out flat over night. The next morning, I folded it back up and returned it. The mat was so wrinkled, there was no way that it would have sat flat given any time frame. Plus, who doesn't want a product you can use right out of the box?

When I took it back, the girl at the GT desk said they had many of them returned for the same reason.

From my experiences, I am shocked to hear positive reviews on this mat. I suppose your mileage may vary, but you couldn't give me a Birdie Ball mat for free at this point.

R35
[/quote]

As I stated, I'm extremely happy with mine. I think the difference is I'm able to have mine out permanently. I mean, you gave it one day and you're shocked to hear positive reviews? You didn't give it a chance. Great roll for a great price. That's the positives.
[/quote]well I just took the plunge, I bought a 4 by 16 birdie ball putting green single layer. I got a 20% discount from them, and also got the 11-13 stimp speed. Right now I have a StarPro putting green that I hope to replace with the BirdieBall. Now the star Pro is very good quality, but the speed is too slow for my liking. I will probably be selling the star pro putting green which is 4 by 15 feet in area. I realize the birdie ball appears to be just a foam pad, I have seen it in Golf shows, but what's most important is how the ball rolls, and the speed of the roll, which I think BirdieBall has a good reputation for. Anybody looking for a star pro green PM me.

[kpottermn]

Got my 3'x10' late last week and I love it. Only a few complaints: wish the cups were deeper and even on hardwood the roll isn't quite true. But the feel is great, roll is realistic and I can't imagine there's anything out there that can beat it for the money.
[attachment=3016094:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1446411432.213299.jpg]

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='kpottermn' timestamp='1446411436' post='12537462']
Got my 3'x10' late last week and I love it. Only a few complaints: wish the cups were deeper and even on hardwood the roll isn't quite true. But the feel is great, roll is realistic and I can't imagine there's anything out there that can beat it for the money.
[attachment=3016094:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1446411432.213299.jpg]
[/quote]when you say the roll is not true, do you mean the ball should be rolling straight and all of a sudden takes a minor left or right? I wonder if any green rolls true, even on the golf course. there is always these subtle movements left and right based on imperfections in the green, where ball marks haven't been repaired properly, etc. maybe the green hasn't fully settled yet?although maybe it's something you are going to have to just accept, and so will I.

[rockford35]

[quote name='Chief Illiniwek' timestamp='1446310791' post='12533116']


As I stated, I'm extremely happy with mine. I think the difference is I'm able to have mine out permanently. I mean, you gave it one day and you're shocked to hear positive reviews? You didn't give it a chance. Great roll for a great price. That's the positives.
[/quote]

Fair enough. I was just reporting my experiences and that it didn't meet my expectations. Perhaps we both have different views on what should be delivered from a putting green that seems to have varying levels of quality and expectation, as noted in this thread.

I will also add, as mentioned by a couple others here, the flags and cups are pretty weak as well. But, I suppose what are you looking to get for $100?

I still wouldn't buy another one. I would look to another manufacturer and likely throw a touch more money at the green I would purchase next. Plenty of other options out there.

R35

[BillyZ2]

I appreciate all the reviews, one has to expect good reviews and also some reviews that aren't so good because everybody's got their own personal preference and taste. I realized the BirdieBall putting green appears to be just a foam pad, but I think there's more engineered into it then that as far as the speed of the green the grain of the green this stimp meter reading difference one way over the other, and the preferred roll people talk about from this green. I'm going to give it a try and see how it works, and if I don't like it I can always sell it.

[prelives]

These reviews are awesome. Makes me rethink if I want one. Any other recommendations for the price of a BB?

[Chief Illiniwek]

I think with all putting greens in this price point it comes down to one thing. If you want a good quality roll that doesn't just follow the contour of whatever surface you put the green on (carpet, hardwood, etc) and all their associated imperfections, then you want a thicker putting green. The downside of that thickness is if you want to roll it up after use, you're going to have to wait longer for it to lose the curl the next time you bust it out.

[Noles]

I am considering getting a 4x18 birdieball putting green but I am wondering which thickness I should get? Is the extra $100 or more worth spending for the 1 inch thick mat? Also, has anyone used the shim package that they offer? Do they actually work?

[kpottermn]

[quote name='BillyZ2' timestamp='1446417770' post='12537816']
[quote name='kpottermn' timestamp='1446411436' post='12537462']
Got my 3'x10' late last week and I love it. Only a few complaints: wish the cups were deeper and even on hardwood the roll isn't quite true. But the feel is great, roll is realistic and I can't imagine there's anything out there that can beat it for the money.
[attachment=3016094:ImageUploadedByGolfWRX Mobile1446411432.213299.jpg]
[/quote]when you say the roll is not true, do you mean the ball should be rolling straight and all of a sudden takes a minor left or right? I wonder if any green rolls true, even on the golf course. there is always these subtle movements left and right based on imperfections in the green, where ball marks haven't been repaired properly, etc. maybe the green hasn't fully settled yet?although maybe it's something you are going to have to just accept, and so will I.
[/quote]

Yes but it's consistently moving left-right one direction, and right-left in the other. But really, it's not a major complaint. Easy enough to adjust and just treat it like a natural break.

[trying2scratch]

Came down to dollars spent and features I was after. Nothing was really close in terms of features. Yes, there is way better quailty out there for 2 to 3 times the money. But for their price and size they can't be beat.

The features on the top of my list:

- ball falls into hole
- at least 4 x 10. Mine is 4 x 12. Two holes one end, one on the other.
- portable. Can roll and store out of the way.
- two way stimp. Really great feature often overlooked. Can customize break and cup height very easily with provided accessories.

I really wanted to be able to practice rolling putts with different break and speed. I wasn't interested in hitting 5 foot straight putts endlessly. Regardless of whether it was the same qaulity as real turf or not.

Very happy with my money spent and handicap has improved this year, so it must be at least helping. Makes the winters slightly more bearable as well.

One word of caution though, as stated above these things will not stand up to kids and pets. But if you treat it with care there are no issues.

[PZero]

[quote name='Noles' timestamp='1446499193' post='12542198']
I am considering getting a 4x18 birdieball putting green but I am wondering which thickness I should get? Is the extra $100 or more worth spending for the 1 inch thick mat?
[/quote]

Probably not. What kind of surface are you planning on setting it on?

[Noles]

[quote name='PZero' timestamp='1446511595' post='12543204']
[quote name='Noles' timestamp='1446499193' post='12542198']
I am considering getting a 4x18 birdieball putting green but I am wondering which thickness I should get? Is the extra $100 or more worth spending for the 1 inch thick mat?
[/quote]

Probably not. What kind of surface are you planning on setting it on?
[/quote]laminate floor.

[BillyZ2]

while I was playing golf today and while I was putting I noticed several breaks in the green I didn't see before I put it. every Green has subtle breaks in it back and forth it's just the way the physics lie so to speak. just like with a real putting green you learn the breaks, and the same applies to a indoor putting green. after all, I don't think a perfectly straight part is what you want anyway. also, I don't think a two-layer BirdieBall green will be any different then a single layer BirdieBall green in terms of roll. I have a Pro turf putting green right now and I notice subtle breaks in it that I don't expect either and it's quite a quality putting green, nothing's perfect.

[PZero]

[quote name='Noles' timestamp='1446513665' post='12543382']
[quote name='PZero' timestamp='1446511595' post='12543204']
[quote name='Noles' timestamp='1446499193' post='12542198']
I am considering getting a 4x18 birdieball putting green but I am wondering which thickness I should get? Is the extra $100 or more worth spending for the 1 inch thick mat?
[/quote]

Probably not. What kind of surface are you planning on setting it on?
[/quote]laminate floor.
[/quote]

I never stand on the putting mat, since the foam sinks in when you stand on it. A 1 inch mat would be even worse for standing on and it would too awkward standing on the side putting on to it at that height.