The 9Putt Story and What’s Ahead in 2026

The 9Putt Story and What’s Ahead in 2026
|Scott Carvalho

Share

Editor’s note: This company update was originally sent to our email subscribers on February 20, 2026. We’re reposting it here (with some small edits) for our blog readers.

Dear customers, friends, family, and supporters,

This is our first company update of 2026, and before anything else, we want to say thank you. Many of you have been around since the earliest prototype. Others found us at the PGA Show down in Orlando, online, or through a friend. However you got here, your support has helped move 9Putt from an idea to a growing business. We’re grateful for that.

The Original 9Putt putting mat

How we got here

9Putt started with a simple question: How do you make putting practice at home something you actually want to keep doing?

Jack and Brian, our two co-founders, came up with the idea for an arc-shaped mat with nine holes that get smaller as you move across. No sensors. No gadgets. Just a design that naturally adds challenge and variety.

Brian's original sketch of the 9Putt putting mat
Brian’s original rough sketch of the idea.

The first prototype made its debut on a bachelor trip packed with competitive golfers. Instead of sitting in the corner, it stayed on the floor all weekend. People invented games. They tried to make all nine in a row. They kept saying, “One more round!” That was the first sign this design had legs and was worth exploring further.

Jack using the first 9Putt prototype
Jack using the first prototype.
Jack using the latest version of the 9Putt mat
Jack using the latest product. We sure have come a long way!

In early 2025, we brought the mat to the PGA Show in Orlando. That was the first time people outside our circle used it. The reaction was consistent: they understood it right away, started putting on it, and stayed longer than they expected. That week gave us the confidence to spend the rest of 2025 preparing for what we hoped would be a year of real growth in 2026.

Golfers trying the 9Putt mat at the 2025 PGA Show in Orlando
People trying the mat for the first time at the PGA Show in Orlando in 2025.

Where we fit

Most people have seen the standard putting mat—a straight strip of turf with one hole at the end. It works, but it can get boring. On the other end of the spectrum, there are high-tech mats with cameras, sensors, and premium price tags. They’re impressive, but they’re built for a different type of buyer.

We built the 9Putt putting mat to sit between those two. A mat that’s engaging enough to compete on with friends, but simple enough to roll out for solo practice. Challenging, but accessible. Serious, but fun. That idea continues to guide everything we design and build.

Company updates

We’re only a short way into 2026, but a lot is already happening.

PGA Show 2026

We returned to the PGA Show in Orlando this year, and it was one of the highlights of the early season.

It was great to reconnect with people we met last year and just as exciting to introduce 9Putt to a new group of coaches, retailers, instructors, and golfers. We made several new partnerships, had meaningful conversations that are already turning into opportunities, and met a lot of new fans of the brand.

We also brought back the 9Putt Challenge, complete with a live leaderboard. Thank you to everyone who stepped up, competed, and stopped by the booth. Events like this remind us why we built 9Putt in the first place.

Jack Cluff competing in the 9Putt Challenge
Congratulations to Jack Cluff on an impressive 34 putts in a row—almost four complete trips around the arc. He took home a sweet cash prize.

Introducing Thomas, Head of Sales

We hired our first Head of Sales. Thomas joins us after working in sales for the St. Louis Cardinals, and he officially starts in late February. We’re excited to bring him on board!

He’ll focus on partnerships, retail relationships, and outreach to courses, instructors, and our existing customer base.

If you’d like to connect with him directly, you can reach him at thomas@9putt.com.

Website redesign

We recently redesigned our website. The original version helped us launch, but it didn’t clearly explain what makes 9Putt different or how to use the product.

The updated site now:

  • Breaks down how the mat works
  • Includes a dedicated “How to Play” page with drills and games
  • Organizes products into clearer categories
  • Makes it easier to contact us or subscribe to updates

You can see all these changes at 9putt.com.

Meet Scott, the mastermind behind our digital upgrades! Since joining 9Putt, Scott has officially launched our mobile app and overhauled our website to better serve our customers. We’re lucky to have his technical expertise driving our next chapter.

9Putt mobile app

We’re also building a companion mobile app for the mat. This is still in active development, but right now the app includes:

  • A catalog of competitive games
  • Guided challenges
  • Session tracking and performance stats

It’s designed for anyone who likes seeing progress over time. We’ve tested it internally and is now open to the public. Download it to your iOS (iPhone or iPad) device here.

Again, shoutout to Scott for showing us that this was even possible for our company and how it could add real value for our customers. We appreciate all of his hard work and expertise in designing, building, and testing this new product. You can reach him directly with questions or feedback at scott@9putt.com.

Custom putting mats

We now offer custom logo sleeves for companies, pro shops, instructors, and corporate gifts. The mat stays the same, but the sleeve can feature your logo to match your brand.

We’ve already seen strong interest from businesses and facilities looking for something different from a standard giveaway. If you’re interested, visit the Custom Putting Mats page on our site to get started.

A custom-branded 9Putt putting mat sleeve

Accessories and other products

Alongside the mat, we continue to expand our accessory line. That includes our Cartners and PuttLicker headcovers, plus the LongGlove.

They started as side ideas and have turned into some of our most talked-about products at events. Some have even called the LongGlove the Product of the Year at this year’s PGA Show. But in all seriousness, if you haven’t seen them yet, they’re worth browsing in the Shop section of the site.

A perfect gift for the golf-obsessed friend who likes a good laugh on the course.

9Putt Studio

Brian recently opened a 9Putt Studio in Houston. It’s both a small retail space and a working art studio.

Brian designed the original mat and our accessory line, and he’s now releasing original artwork through the site as well. His most recent piece sold out, and printed versions are now available in the "Golf Art Collection" of our shop.

He plans to release more art in the coming months, so be on the lookout for updates on our Instagram to make sure you don’t miss the next release.

Looking ahead

We’ve reached a point where the product works and customers respond to it. New opportunities are opening up. We’re finalizing regional retail placements, expanding sales outreach, testing the app with real users, and building new partnerships.

All in, we see 2026 as a big year for 9Putt. We’re proud of the progress so far, but we’re still early in the round.

At the Masters, they say the tournament doesn’t truly begin until the back nine on Sunday. We’re not there yet. We’re stepping onto the first tee on Thursday morning. A little nervous. Very excited. Ready to compete and see what we can build from here.

If you’ve supported us along the way, thank you. If you’re just finding 9Putt now, we’re glad you’re here.

Warmly,

The 9Putt Team

P.S. If you have questions, reach out on our website or socials. We read every response.