Getting Started — PuttrLab

What You Need

1. An iPhone with PuttrLab Installed

Download PuttrLab from the App Store ($20). Requires iPhone 12 or later running iOS 17+.

2. A Phone Tripod

You need a tripod or mount that can hold your iPhone in landscape orientation with the camera angled downward. Most adjustable phone tripods on Amazon in the $15–$20 range work well.

Must hold an iPhone securely in landscape mode
Must be adjustable so the camera can point straight down or nearly straight down
Should be stable enough not to wobble during your stroke

Recommended tripods:

Recommended Tripod 1 (Amazon)
Recommended Tripod 2 (Amazon)

3. A PuttrLab Tracking Marker

You have two options:

Print your own: Download our free marker PDF, print it on white cardstock, cut it out, and attach it to your putter with double-sided tape. Use pure white paper only.
Buy pre-made markers: Purchase a pack of pre-cut, pre-taped markers from our shop.

How to Attach the Tracking Marker

The marker attaches to the top of your putter head — the flat surface you see when you look down at address. It works with both blade and mallet style putters. The black dot must be closest to the putter face or metrics will be inaccurate.

Photos: Correct marker orientation and placement on blade and mallet putters

For Pre-Made Markers

Peel the backing off the double-sided tape and press the marker firmly onto the top of your putter head. Make sure it sits flat with no bubbles or lifted edges. The marker can be repositioned if needed but works best when firmly adhered.

For DIY Markers

Print the marker PDF on pure white cardstock. Or print on regular paper and secure it to a piee of thin cardboard. Cut out the marker precisely along the border — the white border around the black pattern is part of the marker and must be included. Apply a piece of double-sided tape to the back, then press it onto your putter head. The tab at the bottom is intended for blade style putters and can be cut off if it's not needed.

Tips for Best Results

The marker should not move or flex during your stroke. If it shifts, your data will be inaccurate.
For a more rigid DIY marker, glue or tape the printed marker onto a thin piece of cardboard before attaching to the putter.
Keep the marker clean and free of dirt or scuff marks.
The marker adds minimal weight and should not affect the feel of your putter.

Download Printable Marker PDF

Tripod Positioning

Set your tripod behind where you will stand to putt, with the phone mounted in landscape orientation and the camera facing straight down at the ground.

Key Positioning Guidelines

The camera lens should be the part closest to you, with the phone screen facing upward so you can glance at it during setup.
Position the tripod high enough that the camera can see the marker throughout your entire stroke — from the top of your backswing through your follow-through. We recommend a tripod height of 28-30" and a putt distance of 15' or less.
Make sure the camera view is not blocked by your hands, arms, or body during the stroke.
The tripod should be stable and on level ground. Any movement of the phone during your stroke will affect tracking accuracy.

Quick test: Before starting a session, take a few practice strokes while watching the live camera preview in the app. Confirm that the marker stays fully visible throughout the entire stroke. Adjust the tripod height or position if the marker goes out of frame at any point.

Running Your First Session

Open PuttrLab and allow camera access when prompted.
Select the number of putts you want to track for this session and configure other settings.
Position yourself at address and check the camera preview — you should see a live feed with the marker in view of the camera. Ensure the camera is level for highest metric accuracy (you can use the Measure app to ensure the phone is level).
When the app confirms the marker is detected, you're ready to go.
Putt naturally. The app will automatically detect each stroke and record the metrics.
After each putt, the metrics will be displayed on the screen. At the end of a session, the session averages will be displayed.
To view session by session or date by date data, click the View Data button on the homescreen.

Tips for Accurate Sessions

Keep your phone plugged in or fully charged. Camera-based tracking can consume battery.
Putt on a flat, well-lit surface. The app works best in natural daylight but also works under artificial lighting.
Avoid shadows falling across the marker during your stroke.
Stay consistent with your setup — same tripod height and angle for each session so your data is comparable over time.

Watch the Full Setup Tutorial

Prefer to watch? Our YouTube tutorial walks you through the entire process — from unboxing your marker to completing your first putting session.

Embedded YouTube Video — Full Setup Tutorial

Getting Started with PuttrLab

What You Need

1. An iPhone with PuttrLab Installed

2. A Phone Tripod

3. A PuttrLab Tracking Marker

How to Attach the Tracking Marker

For Pre-Made Markers

For DIY Markers

Tips for Best Results

Tripod Positioning

Key Positioning Guidelines

Running Your First Session

Tips for Accurate Sessions

Watch the Full Setup Tutorial

Ready to Go?