The Airbreak uses a vacuum seal system that locks your mat to the floor—think of it like a giant suction cup, but way more sophisticated. When you press down on the Airbreak, it pushes out all the air underneath and creates a seal strong enough to hold up to 110 pounds of pulling force!
You get two main components with this system. First, there's the base unit that measures about 24 inches long and 12 inches wide. Second, you have the attachment mechanism that connects to your putting mat. The whole setup takes maybe 3 minutes, which beats wrestling with furniture to hold down your mat corners.
The best part? You don't need any tools, adhesives, or complicated instructions. If you can operate a vacuum cleaner, you can handle the Airbreak. The device works with mats up to 12 feet long and 3 feet wide, which covers about 95% of home putting mats on the market.
Master your putting at home with PuttOut AirBreak's adjustable slopes, automatic ball return, foldable design, and advanced Green Reading app.
The initial thing that struck me about the Airbreak wasn't what I could see—it was what I couldn't. Unlike every other adjustable putting mat I've tested (and trust me, I've tried the Perfect Practice mat, the Wellputt, and that $2,000 monstrosity from SkyTrak), this one doesn't use metal rods or rigid plastic frames to create slopes. Instead, Puttout built the entire base from EPP foam—the same stuff they use in Formula 1 crash structures.
When you flip the mat over, you'll find eight air chambers, each with its own pump and release valve. Think of it like having eight invisible hands underneath your putting surface, each one capable of lifting or lowering its section independently. The pumps themselves are simple squeeze bulbs, similar to what you'd find on a blood pressure cuff. Each pump takes about 10-15 squeezes to fully inflate its chamber, and the release valves let you fine-tune the height with surgical precision.
What this means in practice is mind-blowing. I can create a left-to-right break at the beginning of the putt that shifts to a right-to-left break at the hole—a true double-breaker that would make Augusta's greens jealous. The system can generate up to 7.5% side slopes (that's steeper than most greens at your local country club) and 3% uphill or downhill grades. I spent an entire afternoon just experimenting with different combinations, and the included app tells you exactly what percentage slope you've created at any point.
The flexible EPP base is the real genius here. Rigid mats can only pivot on a single plane—they go up, down, left, or right. But the Airbreak's foam base actually curves and undulates like a real green. When I pump up chambers 2, 4, and 6 while leaving the others deflated, I get these beautiful, gradual shifts between slopes that mirror what you'd actually encounter on the course.
Let me tell you about the mat itself, because this is where most training aids fall apart. The putting surface runs at 10 on the Stimpmeter, which puts it right in line with most well-maintained country club greens (tour greens typically run 11-13, your local muni probably runs 8-9). But numbers don't tell the whole story.
I invited three guys from my regular Saturday foursome over to test this thing. These are guys who've played for 20+ years, single-digit handicappers who know their way around a green. I set up a subtle 2% right-to-left break and didn't tell them. All three of them missed their initial putt on the low side—exactly like they would on a real green they hadn't read properly. One of them, a former club champion, actually asked if I'd had my basement floor leveled recently because "something feels different down here."
The rubber backing grips my basement carpet perfectly (I've also tested it on hardwood and tile with zero slippage), and the surface itself has this subtle texture that grabs the ball just enough to create realistic roll characteristics. When you hit a putt with topspin, it checks slightly before rolling out—exactly like a real green. Hit it with backspin (you shouldn't, but we all do sometimes), and it skids before grabbing. These are details you don't appreciate until you've practiced on flat, synthetic surfaces that make every putt roll the same regardless of stroke quality.
The 4.25-inch hole deserves special mention. Puttout sunk it into the base rather than cutting through it, which means putts can actually lip out. I cannot overstate how significant this is for realistic practice. On my old BirdieBall mat, everything that touched the hole dropped. On the Airbreak, I've had putts catch the right edge, do a full 180 around the cup, and spit out the other side. It's infuriating and perfect.
The automatic ball return was the feature I cared least about when ordering. I mean, how lazy are we getting that we can't walk 8 feet to retrieve a ball? But after using it for three weeks, I can't imagine practicing without it. The PuttOut's automatic ball return is a feature that distinguishes it from many competitor mats in this price range.
The battery-powered mechanism (uses 4 AA batteries, not included) shoots the ball back with surprising velocity—seriously, keep your shins protected the first few times. But here's why it matters: rhythm. When I'm working on my stroke, I can hit putt after putt after putt without breaking my stance or losing my focus. In a 20-minute practice session, I'm getting 3-4 times more repetitions than I would with a standard mat.
The retractable foam bumper at the end is another thoughtful touch. When it's up, it keeps missed putts from rolling into my basement wall. When it's down, I can practice lag putting without the artificial backstop. Small detail, huge difference in practice quality.
One quirk: the ball return is LOUD. Not chainsaw loud, but definitely "everyone upstairs knows you're practicing" loud. My wife has started calling it "the cannon" because of the distinctive thwack-whoosh sound it makes. If you're in an apartment with thin floors, your downstairs neighbors will hate you.
Here's something none of the other reviews mention: the adjustable standing podium. When you create slopes on the mat, your feet need to be at different heights to maintain your natural putting stance. Puttout includes this platform with two sets of risers that let you match any slope configuration.
I'm 6'2" with chronic lower back issues from too many years of bad golf posture. On my previous adjustable mat (a cheaper model from Amazon), I'd have to contort my body to putt uphill or downhill, which made practice sessions painful and taught me bad habits. The Airbreak's podium system keeps my stance consistent regardless of slope. You stand on it, adjust the height with the risers until you're comfortable, and suddenly that 3% uphill putt feels exactly like it would on the course.
The podium is also built from the same EPP foam as the base, so it's incredibly light but surprisingly stable. I've had my 14-year-old son (150 pounds) and my brother-in-law (280 pounds) both use it without any flexing or instability.
Every putting mat claims to be "portable" and "easy to store." Usually, that means you can technically fold it, but it fights you the entire time and never lies flat again. The Airbreak is different.
The entire base folds into thirds along pre-designed creases. When folded, it measures 82cm long, 30cm deep, and 67cm high, about the size of a large suitcase. The mat itself rolls up and fits in the included drawstring bag. The hard-sided sleeve that comes with the mat protects it during storage and transport. I can pack the whole system into my SUV in under two minutes and set it up at my buddy's house just as quickly.
I've actually started bringing it to our weekend golf trips. While the other guys are at the hotel bar, I'm in my room dialing in my stroke on whatever slope gave me trouble that day. The printed user guide (refreshingly not just a QR code to a website) fits in the bag and actually contains useful information about creating specific breaks.
Master your putting at home with PuttOut AirBreak's adjustable slopes, automatic ball return, foldable design, and advanced Green Reading app.
You shouldn't use the Puttout AirBreak on outdoor putting greens. It's designed specifically for indoor use on flat, stable surfaces. The rubber-backed mat isn't weatherproof and could degrade from sun, moisture, and temperature changes. You'll also struggle with stability on uneven outdoor terrain, and the air wedges won't function properly on natural grass slopes. Outdoor debris could damage the automatic ball return mechanism. Keep it indoors where it'll perform best.
You won't find explicit warranty details for the PuttOut AirBreak on official product pages or major retailers. While some suppliers offer a minimum 6-month warranty on screens, it's not confirmed for the AirBreak specifically. You'll need to contact PuttOut's customer service directly to confirm warranty terms before purchasing. They do offer replacement parts and a 30-day return window, but don't rely on these as warranty substitutes. Keep your receipts for any future claims.
Yes, you can use the PuttOut AirBreak with any putter type. It's designed as a putting surface, not a putter attachment, so it works with mallets, blades, long putters, short putters, and specialty designs. You'll practice on adjustable slopes that simulate real green conditions regardless of your putter choice. The adjustable platform height accommodates different stroke styles, and there aren't any mechanical connections that would exclude certain putter types.
Your shipping cost for the PuttOut AirBreak depends on your location and where you're buying from - there's no fixed universal fee. You'll see the exact cost calculated at checkout. Some retailers like Worldwide Golf Shops offer free shipping on orders over $99. Due to the product's 8ft length, you might face oversized shipping charges on certain platforms. Direct purchases from PuttOut Golf will show estimated fees during checkout.
Yes, you can return the Puttout Airbreak if you're not satisfied, but you'll need to follow specific conditions. You must notify the retailer within 30 days of delivery and guarantee the item is unused, in its original condition, with all packaging and parts included. You'll be responsible for return shipping costs. Once the retailer receives and inspects your return, they'll process your refund according to their specific terms and conditions.
The Puttout Airbreak isn't for the casual golfer who putts twice a year in their office. At R 9,999.99, it's positioned firmly in the premium training aid category where results need to justify the investment. This is for the player who's serious about dropping their putting average from 32 to 28, who practices with purpose rather than just rolling balls at a cup.
If you're someone who already spends 30+ minutes a week practicing putting, or you're trying to maintain your touch during the off-season, this mat will change your practice sessions. The ability to practice the exact breaks that give you trouble (for me, it's those subtle left-to-right breakers from 6 feet) is worth the price alone. Add in the legitimate green speeds, realistic lip-outs, and the fact that it actually helps you read greens better, and you've got a training aid that pays for itself in lower scores.
But if you're looking for something to occasionally roll a few putts on while watching TV, save your money and get something simpler. The Airbreak is like buying a Scotty Cameron when you only play five rounds a year—it's overkill unless you're going to use it properly.
For me? It's become as crucial to my practice routine as my putting stroke trainer and alignment mirror. My putting stats have dropped by 2.3 strokes per round since I started using it in January, and I'm reading greens with confidence I haven't had in years. Sometimes the best training aids are the ones that make practice feel exactly like playing. The Airbreak nails it.
