5 Reasons the BirdieBall RollTech Is a Better Practice Putting Green Than the PuttOut AirBreak

If you're thinking about getting the PuttOut AirBreak Putting Mat, let me stop you for just one second. Yes, the Airbreak is super popular; it's sleek, modern, and there has been a ton of hype surrounding it. But I’ve spent hours testing it against every putting mat on the market, I can tell you right now I found one that is even better, its the BirdieBall Rolltech putting mat. Now, don't get me wrong - the AirBreak has some really cool features, which I'll walk you through. But the more time I spent using it, it became clear that the BirdieBall just gives you a way more realistic putting experience for a fraction of the price. So in this video, I'm going to show you the exact 5 reasons why the BirdieBall RollTech is the one to buy if you're serious about improving your putting at home.

Let’s start with the easiest win for the BirdieBall: price.

The PuttOut AirBreak will run you $369.99.

The BirdieBall RollTech “Ultimate Package” starts at $347.99.

So right out of the gate, you’re saving a little money.

But that’s just the beginning, because the BirdieBall gives you way more gear for that price.

Here’s what you get with the BirdieBall Ultimate Package:

A patented, foam-based true-rolling putting mat with your choice of speed (slow, medium, or fast)

Five different mat size options, which I’ll talk about in a minute

Six hole locations with actual recessed holes built into the surface that mimic the feel and sound of sinking a putt on the course

A putting mirror

Hole reducers to sharpen your aim

Extraction flags so you don’t have to bend down to pick the ball out of the cup

A U-shaped bumper system for containment

And the kicker? Contour shims that let you create realistic breaks

The PuttOut AirBreak? It’s a decent mat, sure. But beyond that, it’s mostly just the inflatable bladder system and a plastic base.

There’s no accessories or configuration options. No shims, no multiple sizes, no hole reducers, no mirror.

So when you compare them side by side? The BirdieBall costs less and comes packed with everything you need to simulate realistic putting practice.

That’s a win all day long.

And here’s something else to think about: the BirdieBall gear isn’t just extra stuff. It’s stuff you’ll actually use. The putting mirror, for example, is one of the most valuable tools for nailing your setup and alignment. Hole reducers help you dial in precision. The flags and bumpers make practice more convenient. And all of it works together seamlessly.

You’re not just buying a mat. You’re buying a full-on putting training system.

Now let’s talk about the biggest claim from the PuttOut AirBreak, its ability to simulate breaking putts with its inflatable base.

The idea is that you use foot pumps and release valves to tilt the base under the putting mat. That allows you to create up to 7.5 percent side slope and 3 percent uphill or downhill slope.

In theory? Cool.

In practice? Eh… not as cool as it sounds.

Here’s the deal: It’s a clever concept. But it’s also kind of a gimmick. You’re inflating air bladders to create a break… for a putting mat that’s sitting on top of a plastic frame. It looks more like a science fair project than a golf tool.

Not to mention, it’s a lot of parts, and it can feel overengineered. And you know what happens when something has too many moving pieces? Eventually something stops working right.

And let’s be honest, for a lot of us, setting up for a putting session at home happens in the margins. You’ve got 20 minutes free after work, or while the kids are napping, or before dinner. You don’t want to haul out pumps and adjust pressure valves. You just want to roll a few putts and get better.

Now contrast that with the BirdieBall’s shim system.

Instead of air pumps and valves, you get a set of foam contour shims that let you create realistic uphill, downhill, and sidehill breaks. It’s dead simple. And it works.

You get a variety of shims that you can mix and match to create the setup that you want. You lay the shims under the mat wherever you want to simulate a break. That’s it. And making adjustments is super simple.

Basically, guys, you can get the same breaking putts with the BirdieBall as you do with the AirBreak, but with a simpler, more reliable, and frankly better-designed system.

Also, think about long-term durability. Pumps wear out. Valves break. But foam shims? They’re not going anywhere. Set them and forget them.

This isn’t just a question of ease. It’s a question of how often you’ll actually use the product. BirdieBall makes setup a non-issue. Which means you’ll actually practice more. And that’s the whole point.

Here’s a detail that a lot of people miss, but it’s one of the most important parts of any putting mat. How does the surface actually roll?

BirdieBall’s RollTech putting mat is built on a patented, aerated polymer foam that’s specifically engineered to mimic the feel of a real putting green.

It’s the only indoor mat I’ve tested that gives you that true, dead-flat roll. And you can even feel the grain as you putt with or against it.

This is not turf. This is not carpet. This is not something you buy at a big-box store. The ball rolls true. It’s smooth. It’s fast (or slow, depending on your chosen stimp). And it doesn’t wobble or drift the way cheaper mats do.

You can even customize the green speed at home. Use the included stiff brush to slow down or speed up the surface, depending on the direction you brush it. That kind of control is rare. And it matters if you’re trying to match conditions at your home course.

Now, let’s talk about the PuttOut AirBreak surface. It runs a 10 on the stimp, which is a nice medium pace, but the mat itself is much thinner. It feels a little cheaper. And the roll just isn’t quite as consistent.

The bottom line is you want to trust that when you make a good stroke, the ball will do exactly what it’s supposed to. BirdieBall gives you that confidence.

One of the underrated things about the BirdieBall setup is how customizable it is.

Let’s say you’ve only got 10 feet of length to work with in the space where you’ll use your putting green. Or maybe you’ve got a much larger area that extends beyond 18 feet. BirdieBall gives you options.

You can choose between:

• 4’ x 10’
• 4’ x 12’
• 4’ x 14’
• 4’ x 16’
• 4’ x 18’

And all of those sizes are available in the Ultimate Package tier.

That means you can get exactly the fit you need for your space and your budget.

And it’s not just about the length. These greens lay flat, stay flat, and are super easy to store when not in use. The foam base means you can roll them up, stash them in a closet or under the bed, and unroll them later without any warping or weird waves or creases in the surface.

With the PuttOut AirBreak, you get just one option. 8 feet. That’s it. Just one size.

And that would be fine, if it were more portable. But it’s kind of bulky. It’s not heavy, but it’s awkward. The base has to fold up. The pumps have to be stowed. And the mat has to be rolled. It’s a lot of pieces.

By contrast, BirdieBall’s mats roll up easily, store flat, and are light enough to move or transport pretty much anywhere. And no matter how many times you roll or unroll them, they always lie perfectly flat.

To me, BirdieBall is just more hassle-free, and I really like that it gives you more size options.

Another thing is that I think you’re more likely to keep the BirdieBall mat out because it looks better. It blends in better. And it doesn’t feel like a clunky contraption. It just looks and feels like a premium putting mat.

This is the part that’s kind of hard to explain until you use both setups side by side.

The BirdieBall just feels more like golf to me.

You get the realistic roll, the drop-in cups, the grain feel, and all the accessories to dial in your stroke. You can adjust your putting speed with a stiff brush. You can aim for smaller holes. You can change up the slope. It’s a complete training system, not just a mat.

I find myself wanting to use the BirdieBall more, which means it’s the product that gives me the best chance to actually improve my putting.

To me, the PuttOut AirBreak is fun and clever. But it leans a little more toward novelty.

The pump system? Kind of a hassle.

The slope settings? Honestly, some of these breaks you get when you pump up the bladders are more like you’re playing mini golf than what you’d actually see out on a real course.

The surface? It’s OK, but not anything great.

And even something as simple as the flags in the BirdieBall cups makes a difference. It’s also cool that you can practice with multiple cup locations. All these little touches matter.

If you’re going to spend nearly $400 on a putting setup, you want it to be something you look forward to using. You want versatility. You want realism. But you also want simplicity.

For me, BirdieBall checks all of those boxes.

And if you’re serious about becoming a better putter, it’s hard to beat the reps you can get with this thing.

Here’s the honest answer:

If you love gadgets, and the idea of controlling your break with air pumps and valves sounds cool to you, then yeah, maybe the AirBreak is a great fit for you.

But for most golfers?

I think they want something that works. Something that rolls true. Something that gives them realistic feedback. And something that’s not overly complicated to use.

And that’s why I recommend the BirdieBall RollTech Putting Green.

You’ll pay less. You’ll get more. And you’ll have a practice tool that actually helps you improve.

Add in the customizable speeds, the shim system, the included accessories, and the great putting surface, and it’s just hard to make the case for not going with the BirdieBall.

Have you tried either of these? Let me know in the comments. I test a lot of golf products, and even when I love something like BirdieBall, I’m always open to hearing different opinions.

And if there’s another product you want me to compare or review next, you know what to do. Drop it down below.

Thanks for reading. And as always, I’ll see you out on the course.