Putt Pal and Pocket Ball Brushes

The Putt Pal and Pocket Pal brushes do what they are made for: clear loose impediments from the line of your putt. However, there are issues with each model revolving around size and convenience.

Pros

Cons

"How many times has a golfer wished for a brush in order to thoroughly sweep sand from the green ... not have to pick up goose droppings by hand ... or swiftly be able to remove leaves from their line of putt?" That's what the website of Putt Pal USA, makers of the Putt Pal and Pocket Pal retractable brushes, asks.

The Putt Pal and Pocket Pal were created in response to a rules change in 2004. Previously, golfers could clear loose impediments from the line of their putt using their putter or hands only. But in 2004, the R&A and USGA said that those loose impediments could be removed by any means, so long as nothing is pressed down and no damage to the green occurs.

These two gadgets feature bristles in a plastic casing. Slide a button down and the bristles - the "broom" part of the gadgets - appear, allowing the golfer to sweep away loose impediments. They are like little whisk brooms, and they work great.

Our issues with the Pocket Pal and Putt Pal have to do with size and convenience. The Pocket Pal is meant to be carried in the pocket, but it's quite bulky for that purpose (the manufacturers describes it as being the size of a deck of cards). The Pocket Pal could benefit from being made a bit smaller; as is, it really started to become an annoyance late in the round.

The Putt Pal easily attaches and detaches from the golf bag, so doesn't have that bulkiness issue. However, this means you have to remember to take it onto the green with you, or walk back to retrieve it.