Jackson Reid
Golf putters are one of the most important pieces of equipment in a golfer's bag. Used on almost every hole, the right putter can make or break your game. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. The most important factors to consider are the length, weight, and balance of the putter, as well as the shape and design of the putter head. It is also crucial to choose a putter that suits your natural swing style and stroke. While some golfers may opt for new putters from top brands, others may prefer to save money by choosing pre-loved putters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | The length of the putter should be such that when you tilt from your hips, your eyes are over the ball, hands under your shoulders, elbows bent but touching your rib cage, and hips over your heels. If you grip beyond the end of the putter, you will need a longer putter. |
| Weight | A 35" putter usually has a head weight of 330 grams. If you need a 34" putter, you need a 350- to 360-gram head weight. For a 32" to 33" putter, look for a 370- to 380-gram head weight. |
| Balance | There are two types of putter heads: face-balanced and toe-balanced. Face-balanced putters are for golfers with straight strokes, while toe-balanced putters are for those with arc strokes. |
| Head Design | Putter heads come in various shapes and sizes, with the most common types being mallet and blade heads. |
| Brand | Some top brands for golf putters include Scotty Cameron, Odyssey, Bettinardi, TaylorMade, and Golf Galaxy. |
| Price | Used putters are a more affordable option for beginners. In general, it is recommended that beginners allocate 10-20% of their budget for their putter. |
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What You'll Learn
Length: The putter should fit your stance and setup
The length of the putter is crucial to achieving a good putting stance and setup. The putter should be a comfortable length that allows you to assume a natural, athletic posture without crouching or leaning. This means standing upright with your eyes over the ball, enabling you to rotate your head and easily see down the intended line.
To determine the ideal putter length for your stance, take a relaxed putting stance and let your arms hang naturally. Measure from the top of your hands at the wrists to the ground. This measurement will indicate whether a standard 34-inch putter length is suitable, if you need something longer (35 inches or more), or if a shorter putter (under 34 inches) would be better.
Using a putter with the correct length for your stance is vital, as an ill-fitting putter can negatively impact the golf ball's path to the hole and lead to the development of poor habits. For instance, if the putter is too long, the toe will raise, and the heel will press against the ground, creating an upright angle that causes the ball to veer left of the target. Conversely, if the putter is too short, the toe will press against the ground, and the heel will raise, affecting the direction of your shot.
While minor adjustments can be made to the putter length by cutting the shaft or adding extensions, this will alter the balance point and feel of the putter. Therefore, it is essential to prioritise finding a putter with the correct length to match your stance and setup, as this will form the foundation for an effective putting stroke.
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Weight: A shorter putter needs a heavier head
When choosing a golf putter, one of the most important considerations is its weight. The weight of a putter is determined by its length and the weight of its head. If you need a shorter putter, simply cutting the shaft will not work because it will make the putter feel too light in your hands. The solution is to buy a putter with the proper weight.
A standard 35" putter usually has a head weight of 330 grams. If you need a 34" putter, you should look for a putter with a head weight of 350-360 grams. For an even shorter putter of 32" to 33", the head weight should be in the range of 370-380 grams.
The weight of the putter is important because it affects the swing weight, which is the feeling of the club's weight during the swing. A shorter putter with a lighter head will feel too light and unbalanced. By increasing the head weight, the putter will feel more balanced and comfortable in your hands.
When choosing a putter, it is crucial to consider not only the length but also the weight and how they work together. The right weight will depend on your personal preference, swing style, and the length of the putter. Finding the optimal weight will help improve your putting stroke and overall performance on the green.
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$119
Balance: Face-balanced putters suit straight strokes; toe-balanced putters suit arc strokes
When choosing a golf putter, one of the most important considerations is your comfort and confidence with the club. You want to be able to stand over a putt with the ultimate confidence that the ball is going in the hole.
To achieve this, you need to ensure the putter suits your natural putting stroke. There are two main types of putting strokes: straight strokes and arc strokes. Straight strokes, also known as barn door swings, go straight back and through, while arc strokes rotate the clubhead more open or closed, moving in a slight curve.
The balance of your putter is critical to matching your stroke type. There are two types of putter balance: face-balanced and toe-balanced. To determine the balance of a putter, lay the putter shaft in your hand with the shaft parallel to the ground. If the face is facing the sky, it is a face-balanced putter, which suits golfers with straight strokes. On the other hand, if the toe is hanging towards the ground, it is a toe-balanced putter, ideal for those with arc strokes as it allows the toe to release and swing more.
Face-balanced putters help golfers achieve a square-to-square stroke, where the putter face remains square to the target throughout the stroke. Conversely, toe-balanced putters enable an arc stroke, allowing the putter face to open and close relative to the target.
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Head design: Mallet or blade?
When it comes to choosing the right golf putter, one of the most important considerations is the head design. The two most common styles of putter heads are blade putters and mallet putters, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Blade putters are commonly seen on the PGA Tour and are known for providing more feedback and responsiveness due to their smaller size and lower weight. Blades typically have more toe hang, making them ideal for golfers with an arc in their stroke. This allows the golfer to open and close the face of the club more naturally during their swing. Blade putters may also be easier to aim and manage, with a smaller overall appearance. However, they can be less forgiving for off-centre strikes and might be harder to keep straight.
On the other hand, mallet putters generally have a higher moment of inertia (MOI), making them more forgiving on mishits and less prone to twisting and deflection if you don't regularly hit the centre of the face. They tend to be more face-balanced, which suits golfers with straight strokes. Mallet putters also offer more opportunities to pack technology into the club head, although blade putters are starting to catch up in this regard. Additionally, compact mallets offer a middle ground between blades and full mallets, with a wider body shape than a blade and moderate toe hang, making them more forgiving than blades while maintaining responsiveness.
Ultimately, the decision between a blade and a mallet putter comes down to personal preference and what suits your swing style. If you have a circular or "arc" path to your stroke, a blade putter might be the best option. If your stroke is more of a straight line towards the target, a mallet putter could provide better results. It's worth trying out different models and seeing which one instils the most confidence in your game.
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Budget: Used putters can be a good option
Used putters can be a good option if you're looking for quality on a budget. Buying pre-owned putters from specialist retailers means you can access top brands at a fraction of the cost of a new putter. Retailers such as Next Round offer a range of used putters from brands like Scotty Cameron, Odyssey, and TaylorMade. These putters are selected for their quality and performance, so you can be assured of a good experience at a lower price point.
When buying a used putter, you can also benefit from the advanced technology and design of these clubs, which are known for their ability to help golfers make more putts and lower their scores. You can also find a range of styles and shapes to suit your preferences and unique style.
If you are looking for a more sustainable option, buying a used putter can help reduce waste and minimize your environmental impact. Retailers like Callaway Golf Pre-Owned offer a range of putters with different specifications, such as face insert technology, multi-materials, and face-balanced options.
When buying a used putter, it's important to consider the balance style. Face-balanced putters are better for golfers with straight strokes, while toe-balanced putters are designed for those with more arching strokes who use their trail arm. You can also find putters with visual aids on the clubhead, such as lines, dots, or wings, which help with accuracy.
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Frequently asked questions
The most important factor is that you feel comfortable, confident and successful with the putter. Other important factors to consider are the length, weight, balance point, and head design of the putter.
There are two types of putter heads: face-balanced and toe-balanced. Face-balanced putters are for golfers with straight strokes, also known as barn door swings. Toe-balanced putters are for golfers with arc strokes. There are also blade putters and mallet putters, which differ in size and appearance.
When you tilt from your hips, you want your eyes over the ball, hands under your shoulders, elbows bent but touching your rib cage, and hips over your heels. The putter needs to fit this set-up. If you grip beyond the end of the putter, you will need a longer putter.
A 35" putter usually has a head weight of 330 grams. If you need a 34" putter, you should look for a 350- to 360-gram head weight. For a 32" to 33" putter, you will need a 370- to 380-gram head weight.
You can buy golf putters from online stores such as Golf Galaxy, Golf Discount, and PGA Tour Superstore, or in-store at a nearby golf store.
