Nina Caldwell
Choosing the right golf putter is a highly personal decision that can make a significant difference in your confidence, consistency, and scores. While the putter is the most used club in a golfer's bag, many golfers simply choose one that looks good or has a good reputation. However, the right putter for you will depend on various factors such as your stroke type, putting style, and personal preferences. This includes considering the weight, length, lie angle, grip size, and head shape of the putter, as well as the type of courses you play on. It is recommended to test out different putters and get professionally fitted to find the one that suits your stroke and feels best for you.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stroke type | Straight, slight arc, or outside to inside |
| Putter style | Blade, mallet, or high MOI |
| Face technology | Inserts, milled faces, groove patterns |
| Length | 34-35" for men, 33" for women, or custom |
| Lie angle | Suited to your stroke |
| Grip size | Wider grip reduces wrist hinge/flicking |
| Grip weight | Heavier grip gives sensation of lighter head weight |
| Alignment aids | Suited to your eye |
| Weight distribution | Perimeter-weighted putters are more stable |
| Balance | Face-balanced or toe-hang |
| Shaft materials | Various options for optimal performance |
| Shaft length | Can be altered |
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What You'll Learn
Consider your stroke type and preferences
When choosing a golf putter, it's important to consider your stroke type and preferences. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Stroke Type
Firstly, determine your natural stroke path. Do you have a straight-back-straight-through putting stroke, or do you prefer a slight to strong arc in your stroke? To find out, you can place a few feet of masking tape on the ground parallel to your toe line and observe how your putter interacts with it. Another method is to have someone take videos of your putting stroke from different angles and then review the videos in slow motion to analyse your stroke path and putter face movement.
Putter Style
Once you know your stroke type, you can choose a putter style that complements it. If you have a straight-back-straight-through stroke, a face-balanced putter will help keep the putter face square throughout the stroke. Putters with a high MOI (moment of inertia) can also aid this stroke type by reducing twisting and inconsistent roll on off-centre hits. If you have a slight arc in your stroke, a putter with moderate toe hang will be ideal, while a more pronounced arc will benefit from even more toe hang. Mallet putters are often recommended for beginners as they provide forgiveness on strokes and feature face-balanced technology.
Putter Length
The length of the putter shaft is important to ensure a comfortable setup posture and eye position. Generally, the taller you are, the longer the shaft should be. A simple test to determine the ideal shaft length is to address a putt as you normally would and then drop a golf ball from your left eye. If the dropped ball lands on the golf ball you intend to hit, the putter length is likely correct.
Putter Weight
The weight of the putter can be a matter of personal preference, but it can also depend on the speed of the greens you typically play on. Heavier putters are more suitable for slower greens, while lighter putters are better for faster greens to retain feel when putting. If your stroke tends to decelerate or if your hands get too active, you may benefit from a heavier putter head.
Putter Grip
The grip of the putter should complement your stroke and feel comfortable in your hand. Smaller grips provide better control and a more natural feel, especially if you like to let your hands guide the stroke. Larger grips can help reduce wrist movement and are often paired with face-balanced putters. Choose a grip material that suits your needs and playing conditions; rubber is easy to grip, while cord and synthetic options are good for sweaty hands.
Remember, it's important to match your stroke with the right putter style to improve your performance and consistency on the green.
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Explore face technology options
When choosing a golf putter, it is important to explore the different face technology options available. The face milling pattern, for instance, can help direct putts back to the target line on off-centre hits. Horizontal grooves help get the ball rolling quicker off the face, reducing skid and promoting a smooth, end-over-end roll. Vertical grooves, on the other hand, are designed to keep your ball on line. Some putters combine both milling and groove technologies, offering precision with a touch of forgiveness.
Putters with milled faces are known to provide good feedback, a nice soft feel, and a true roll. The latest Queen B series by Bettinardi features the company's trademark Micro Honeycomb milling pattern, which results in less surface area contact at impact for improved feel. The new Sigma 2 line of putters by Ping incorporates two technologies in the face.
Some putters also feature unique inserts. For instance, the OZ.1i putter by L.A.B Golf features a fly-milled, medium-depth stainless steel insert that enhances the impact experience. An aluminium face option is also available for those who want an even softer feel. The Bettinardi INOVAI 6.5 is another premium, highly forgiving mallet putter with a soft feel that delivers a consistent roll from anywhere on the green.
Groove patterns on putters can also enhance a golfer's performance by equalizing speed, improving distance control, and reducing skid. Odyssey's White Hot Microhinge insert is a soft but responsive hybrid that combines the company's notable White Hot and Microhinge inserts. The White Hot material produces a soft feel and added forgiveness, while the Microhinge flexes at impact for a smoother, more immediate roll.
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Get professionally fitted
Getting a putter that suits your stroke and style is crucial in golf. Getting professionally fitted for a putter can help you achieve this.
A putter-fitting session involves getting your stroke analysed by a professional. They will be able to identify what your stroke is doing and recommend putters that you might never have considered. For example, one golfer found out that they hit the ball with an ascending stroke, so the professional bent their putter and brought the loft down to 1.5 degrees. Another golfer was recommended a heavier putter for short putts and less toe hang to promote less push and cut spin.
Getting the right type of putter head for your stroke is important. For instance, you might prefer a mallet for forgiveness, or a blade for feel. Changing the weighting of the putter can also help improve your speed control. A professional fitter can help you get the weighting right, which is one of the most important factors in a putter.
A putter fitting can help improve your consistency and lower your scores. It can help you strike your putts on the same part of the face more often, which is crucial in getting the ball rolling at the right speed.
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Understand weight distribution and balance
The putter is the most used club in a golfer's bag, yet many golfers simply choose one that looks good. The choice of putter is deeply personal, and the ""best" putter is not universal. It is important to understand the impact of weight distribution and balance on your stroke.
The weight of the putter should be fitted to the greens you typically play on. If you putt on slower greens, you should consider using a slightly heavier head. A heavier putter head will give you more stability and balance, which can be beneficial if you are struggling with consistency.
High MOI putters, for example, tend to be perimeter-weighted, with the mass pushed to the edges of the putter head. This design creates resistance against twisting and stabilizes the head through your stroke. Multi-material construction, such as combining stainless steel with aluminium, can also fine-tune the balance.
The type of stroke you have will also help determine the perfect putter for you. If you have a straight putting style, where you keep the club path straight back-and-through, you will need a face-balanced putter to easily maintain a square putter face throughout the stroke. If you have a slight arc to your putting stroke, a blade-style putter is a good fit. This type of putter has a more traditional-looking head shape that is long and narrow and typically provides more control and accuracy on longer putts.
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Choose a grip style
The grip is the most important fundamental in putting. It is the only point of contact during a putting stroke, and choosing the right grip style can have a significant impact on performance.
There are several different ways to hold a putter, and there is no single grip style that is right for everybody. Some golfers stick to one grip style, while others use multiple grip styles. The basic goal of every putting grip style is to promote an efficient putting stroke by keeping the hands and wrists as quiet as possible.
Some of the most popular grip styles are the conventional style, the left-hand low, and the claw grip. The conventional style is the most common golf putting grip among amateurs and pros, with the right hand placed below the left. This grip feels the most natural and comfortable of all putter grip styles. The left-hand low grip is the opposite of the conventional style, with the left hand placed below the right. This grip is ideal for golfers looking to deactivate their hands. The claw grip is for golfers who want to push out of their comfort zone and try a unique grip.
When choosing a grip style, it is important to consider the size and weight of the grip, as well as the shape and material. The size of the grip can impact the rate of closure and have stabilizing effects. Heavier grips can help increase steadiness but may be more difficult to control. The shape of the grip can influence the way you set up to the ball and change the contact points of your hands, which will change the energy applied to the clubhead. The material of the grip should be comfortable and not force you to alter your grip.
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Frequently asked questions
The main types of putter are blade, mallet, and high MOI putters. Blade putters have a traditional long and narrow head shape, while mallet putters are bigger and bulkier with larger heads. High MOI putters are designed to have weight distributed towards the edges of the putter head for greater stability.
The type of putter head you choose depends on your stroke type and personal preference. If you have a straight-back and straight-through putting stroke, a mallet putter is a good option as it provides more forgiveness. If you have a slight arc in your stroke, a blade putter may be a better fit as it provides more control and accuracy.
It is recommended to get professionally fitted for a putter, but this may not be an option for everyone. If you cannot get professionally fitted, it is important to consider your stroke type and personal preferences. You should also test out several putters to see which one feels best for you.
A face-balanced putter allows the golfer to maintain a square putter face throughout the stroke, while a toe-hang putter encourages a consistent arc. To determine which type you need, you can balance the shaft of the putter horizontally across your open palm and observe the natural resting position of the head.
In addition to the head shape and type, you should consider the weight distribution, balance, shaft materials, and grip size. The weight of the putter can be fitted to the type of greens you play on, with slower greens typically requiring a slightly heavier head. You should also consider the putter face technology, such as inserts, milled faces, and groove patterns.
