Trevor Ng
Choosing a golf putter is an important decision for any golfer, as it is the most-used club in the bag. The right putter can have a significant impact on your scorecard. There are many factors to consider when choosing a putter, including the type of putter head, the length of the shaft, the weight of the clubhead, and the shape of the putter. The putter should complement your natural putting stroke and provide the desired level of feel for the ball at impact. Other considerations include your level of play, budget, and the type of courses you typically play on. The best way to find the right putter is to try out different options and pick the one that feels most comfortable for your stroke and provides the desired performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clubhead weight | Depends on the player's stroke and their preference for the feel of the putter |
| Shaft length | Should set eyes 1-2" inside of the target line |
| Balance | Depends on the player's stroke and their preference for the feel of the putter |
| Shape | Mallet putters are more forgiving and have a larger head, blades are more complex and open and close a few degrees in the stroke |
| Putting stroke | Straight, arched, or half-arched |
| Neck design | Shorter necks increase toe flow, longer necks decrease toe flow |
| Shaft axis | Closer to the putter's heel increases flow, closer to the center produces a face-balanced putter |
| Grip | Smaller grips promote a more arcing stroke, larger grips promote a more "square to square" stroke |
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What You'll Learn
Pick a putter that complements your stroke
Picking the right putter is an important decision if you want to shoot better scores. There are many different brands and models of putters available, so choosing the right one for you can be challenging. However, the "best" putter is personal and depends on your natural stroke path.
If you have a straight-back-straight-through stroke, a face-balanced putter will help keep the face square. Face-balanced putters have most of the weight in the face and no toe-hang, which naturally aids a straight stroke. The mallet putter is an example of a face-balanced putter, with the largest clubhead on the market. Most mallet putters feature a face-balanced clubhead that allows the clubhead to remain perpendicular to the target throughout your swing, making it ideal for golfers with a straight stroke.
If you have an arcing stroke, a putter with toe hang will complement your natural motion. Toe hang means the weight of the clubhead is mostly balanced towards the toe of the putter. This extra weight in the toe allows golfers with an arced stroke to benefit from added inertia at impact, preventing the arched stroke from being exaggerated. Blade putters tend to feature a toe hang and are better suited for golfers with an arced stroke.
To determine your natural stroke path, you can do a simple drill at home. Grab two alignment rods, your putter, and a golf ball. Place the alignment rods parallel to each other, pointing in the direction of your intended target, and slightly wider than the width of your putter head. Place the ball between the rods and take your normal backswing, but instead of finishing your stroke, pause. If your putter is hanging over the rod closest to you, you’re likely an arc putter. If the putter is directly between the rods, you’re more of a straight back, straight through putter.
Additionally, the grip size of the putter can impact your stroke. A larger grip tends to reduce face rotation, which is helpful if you tend to pull putts left (for right-handed golfers). A smaller grip can increase face rotation, which might help if you leave putts out to the right.
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Consider the pace of the greens you play on
The pace of the greens you play on is a crucial factor in choosing a golf putter. The speed of the greens will determine the type of putter you should use. Generally, heavier putters are more suitable for slow greens, while lighter putters are more appropriate for fast greens.
When putting on slow greens, you typically need to make a longer swing to get the ball to the hole. With a heavier putter, you can achieve a shorter stroke while still generating enough power to reach the hole. This results in more consistent results, especially on short putts. Additionally, a firmer feeling face on the putter can provide better control on slower greens.
On the other hand, fast greens require a softer touch. Lighter putters excel on fast greens because they feel more nimble and responsive in your hands. You can make a shorter backswing while still achieving the desired distance. This can help you control the distance more effectively.
It's worth noting that some golfers prefer to stick to one putter regardless of the green speed. They believe that mastering a single putter through consistent practice is more important than switching putters based on green conditions. However, some tour pros, like Dustin Johnson, are known to change their putter head styles based on conditions and grass type.
To make an informed decision, consider the greens you play on most frequently and choose a putter that complements their pace. This will ensure you have the right tool for the greens you encounter most often, allowing you to develop a consistent feel and improve your putting performance.
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Choose between a mallet or a blade putter
When choosing between a mallet and a blade putter, it is important to consider factors such as alignment, stroke type, feel, and putting green conditions. The choice between the two ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and putting style.
Mallet putters have a large head and a vast range of sizes and shapes. They are popular among golfers who want more balance and stability. The weight is distributed towards the perimeter, promoting a toe-balanced design. This design prevents the twisting of the clubface during the stroke, making it ideal for golfers with a straight-back-straight-through stroke. The larger sweet spot of a mallet putter can also help golfers who struggle with alignment issues.
On the other hand, blade putters have a traditional head shape and are often preferred by "purists". They feature heavy toe-weighting and a sweet spot near the heel. Blade putters are lighter than mallet putters, allowing an increased chance for the clubface to turn or twist at impact. They are well-suited for golfers with an arc-style putting stroke and provide more feedback on strike location.
Some golfers choose to carry both types of putters in their bags to adapt to different situations on the course. It is recommended to experiment with both mallet and blade putters to find the one that suits your game.
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![PGM Oversea Golf Putter - Putters for Men Right Handed & Left Handed - Blade Putter for Straighter Putts - [Length:33"-34"-35"]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61oRBz4sS1L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Ensure the putter is the correct length
The length of a putter is critical to your putting performance. If it's too long or too short, it can disrupt your alignment, causing you to miss putts. The right length puts you in the proper position, allowing you to line up your putts more accurately.
To measure your putter length, place the putter face down on a flat surface and measure from the centre of the club face up the shaft to the butt end of the grip. The measurement at the top of the grip is the putter length. Putter lengths generally range between 32 and 36 inches, with 33-35 inches being standard and suitable for most golfers.
Your height is one of the most critical factors in determining the right putter length. If you're shorter, you might need a 32-33 inch putter, while taller golfers may prefer a 35-inch putter or longer. Ensuring the putter matches the player's height promotes better posture and effective swings. A putter that is too long or too short can cause you to adjust your stance and posture, leading to inconsistent strokes and accuracy issues.
Your putting style and posture can also influence the length of the putter that suits you best. The correct length can enhance your feel and control around the greens. If you prefer to tilt more, you may want a shorter putter, while golfers who tilt less or experience back pain may prefer a longer putter.
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Pick a putter that suits your level of play and budget
Picking the right putter can transform your game on the greens. It's not just about feel, it's about confidence, consistency, and making more putts. When your putter fits your stroke and style, it shows on the scorecard.
There are three main categories of putter clubheads: the blade, the mallet, and the half-mallet. Each clubhead style answers the needs of specific golfers. The blade is the traditional putter shape, and most feature a toe hang, making them better for golfers with an arched putting stroke. Blades are a little more complex as they open and close a few degrees in the stroke so ball position is key to putting well. Mallet putters are generally heavier and more straight back and forth, so they are easier to keep the face square. However, they take up a lot of bag space and don't always travel well. Half-mallets provide a balance between the toe hang and the face balance, so they are useful for golfers with an arched back swing and a straightforward downswing.
When choosing a putter, it is important to consider your stroke style. If your stroke moves straight back and through, a face-balanced putter will keep things square. If you swing with an arc, then you'll need a toe-hang putter to match that movement and help the club square up at impact. If you mainly miss left, you might benefit from a face-weighted putter, and if you mainly miss right, some toe hang might help you close the face.
The grip is also important and thicker grips can help reduce shakiness, although they also soften the feel, which isn't ideal for those who rely on touch and feedback to judge distance. The key is to match the grip to your putting style and personal preference.
If you are a beginner, it is recommended to consider used putters, as you can get your hands on some high-quality putters for a fraction of their original price. You can also try a double-wide blade or a Wilson putter, which has a very affordable range with a variety of styles and weights.
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Frequently asked questions
The putter is the most important club in your bag, so it's important to choose wisely. The key things to consider are the type of clubhead (blade, mallet, or half-mallet), the length of the putter, the shape of the neck, and the weight of the clubhead.
The type of clubhead you choose will depend on your natural putting stroke. If you have a straight-back-straight-through stroke, a mallet putter is likely the best option as it provides more forgiveness on off-center hits. If you have an arced stroke, a blade putter with toe hang might complement your natural motion better.
The proper putting stroke moves along an arcing path: slightly inside the target line, back to square, then to the inside again after impact. To find the toe flow that corrects or complements your stroke, try hitting straight, flat putts from 20 feet and see what works best.
In addition to the technical specifications, you should also consider the feel of the putter. The pace and type of greens you usually play on will impact whether a firmer or softer-feeling putter is better suited to you. It's important to choose a putter that gives you positive feelings and confidence.
