A compact, low profile golf putting practice apparatus includes a two-part flipper including a longitudinal flipping member and a coaxially mounted base section supporting the flipper member. A torsion spring pivots the flipper from its retracted position into an extended position whereby it propels a ball forwardly from a pocket area, and a powered retractor reversely pivots the flipper from its extended orientation into its retracted orientation. For safety, the two sections of the flipper are normally coupled together for movement as a unit by a resilient coupler which is capable of expanding temporarily when the flipper encounters an obstruction to its movement from the extended orientation to the retracted orientation.