Trevor Ng
Golf putters are clubs used in the sport of golf to make short and low-speed strokes with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance. They are designed to give golfers technical advantages such as smooth strokes, good glide, and bounce-less topspin ball launches. Putters come in a variety of shapes and prices, with some of the most common types being blade putters, mallet putters, and modern mallet putters. The right putter can make a significant difference in a golfer's performance, and choosing one that suits your posture, stroke mechanics, and personal preference is crucial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To make short and low-speed strokes with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance away. |
| Clubhead | Flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face. |
| Loft | Typically 5–6°, and by strict rules cannot be more than 10°. |
| Shaft | Can be bent. Length varies between 32-35 inches (81-89 cm) for most people, slightly shorter for ladies and juniors, and longer for men. |
| Grips | Can be non-circular and larger in diameter. |
| Positional guides | Allowed. |
| Head shape | Blade, mallet, or high MOI. |
| Use | Used on the green for final, close-up shots. |
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What You'll Learn
Putter design and materials
The design and materials used in the construction of a putter play a crucial role in how the club performs on the green. The putter is a highly specialised tool designed to give the golfer every technical advantage, including a smooth stroke, good glide, sweet impact, and bounce-less topspin ball launch.
The putter's anatomy consists of three primary components: the head, shaft, and grip. The head shape is one of the most important elements of putter design, as it can significantly impact the performance of the club. Blade putters, also known as anser putters, have a more streamlined, traditional look and are often favoured by golfers who prefer a classic feel. Mallet putters, on the other hand, have larger and more forgiving head shapes, making them popular among golfers seeking enhanced stability and alignment assistance. Hybrid putters offer a combination of both blade and mallet styles, providing a balance of performance and stability.
The shaft of a putter typically measures between 32 and 35 inches (81-89 cm) and can be slightly shorter for ladies and juniors or longer for men. The length of the shaft should match the golfer's posture and putting stance, as an inappropriate length can affect putting accuracy. The shaft of a putter may also be bent to increase stability and visibility.
The grip is another critical aspect of putter design, as it can greatly impact the feel and performance of the putter. Putters can have various grip types, including pistol, blade, and oversized, each offering a different feel and level of control. The grip may also have a non-circular shape, such as a "shield"-like cross-section with a flat top and curved underside. The material used for the grip, such as stainless steel or carbon, can also affect the feel and feedback during the stroke.
Other design considerations for putters include weight distribution, which can influence the feel and performance of the putter. A putter with a heavier head and lighter shaft will have a more stable feel and promote a smoother swing, while a lighter head and heavier shaft will increase the golfer's sensitivity to their swing. The balance of the putter, whether face-balanced or toe-balanced, should also be considered to match the golfer's putting style. Alignment aids, such as lines or dots on the putter head, can further assist in improving accuracy.
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Putter types
Putters are golf clubs designed explicitly for putting. They are used to perform precise and controlled short-distance shots on the putting green, giving the player great control over path, distance and power to provide maximum control and accuracy.
There are several types of putters, each catering to different play styles. The three main types are blade putters, mallet putters, and modern mallet putters. Blade putters are smaller than other putter varieties and have a thin, flat, angled clubhead with a straight or slightly curved hosel. They are often crafted from a single block of stainless steel and are known for their precision and quality. Blade putters are generally toe-balanced, making them a better fit for golfers who prefer an arc stroke for their putting swing path. They are also lighter than mallet putters.
Mallet putters, on the other hand, have a larger and more forgiving head shape, making them popular among golfers seeking enhanced stability and alignment assistance. They are heavier than blade putters due to their more complex and material-heavy designs. Mallet putters are often face-balanced, with the weight concentrated towards the toe of the club, making them ideal for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke.
Modern mallet putters are oversized and usually designed to help stabilise the putter head at impact. They also have a mix of materials, allowing engineers to push the centre of mass far back in the putter head.
Other types of putters include peripheral weighted putters, which have additional weight concentrated around the outer edges of the putter head, providing more stability during swings. Counterbalanced putters incorporate additional weight in the grip or shaft to shift the club's balance point, moving more weight closer to the golfer's hands and encouraging a smoother, more pendulum-like motion.
The length of the putter is also an important consideration, with standard putters ranging from 32 to 35 inches (34 inches being the most common) and long putters ranging from 48 to 52 inches.
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Putter grips
Putters are a type of golf club used to make short and low-speed strokes with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole. They are designed to give golfers technical advantages, such as a smooth stroke, good glide, and a bounce-less topspin ball launch. Putters have a flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face, and can feature bent shafts, non-circular grips, and positional guides.
The length of the putter grip should also be considered in relation to the golfer's posture and putting stance. A putter that is too long or too short can impact putting accuracy. Longer putters, for example, are designed to be anchored from the chest or chin, reducing the impact of the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. However, this can result in decreased feel and control over putting power.
There are various putter grip shapes available, including midsize, oversize, and non-tapered grips. Golfers can select a grip that aligns with their preferences and putting needs, such as improving feel and consistency. Ultimately, the right putter grip can enhance a golfer's performance and improve their game.
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Putter length and posture
The length of a putter is critical to a golfer's performance. It affects the stroke arc, lie angle, and ball trajectory, and influences the player's stance, posture, and alignment during a putt. An incorrect length can lead to poor putting mechanics and off-target strokes.
The length of a putter should be determined by the player's height and stroke style. Generally, putters range between 33 and 35 inches, with taller golfers opting for a longer putter and shorter golfers a smaller one. The standard putter length produced by most manufacturers is 35 inches, but this is not suitable for everyone. A putter that is too long or too short can disrupt the player's alignment, leading to mishits and inconsistencies.
A golfer's posture and stance are critical when determining putter length. The correct stance begins by standing comfortably with the feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and back straight. The eyes should be directly over the ball, allowing for precise alignment and better control. A longer putter may suit those with a more upright stance, while a shorter putter could be ideal for a bent-over posture.
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to putter length and posture. Each golfer should experiment with different putter lengths and postures to find the most comfortable and effective combination for their stroke.
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Putter history
Putters have been an integral part of golf since its earliest origins, but their design and materials have evolved over time.
In the 16th century, golfers played with wooden-headed clubs, and the putter was known as a "putting cleek". It was made from hardwoods such as beech, ash, or hazel. In 1618, the featherie golf ball was introduced, made of a leather cover stuffed with goose feathers. This ball was not durable, so players continued to use wooden-headed clubs, even after iron heads became available.
In the late 1800s, a typical putter was made by St. Andrews, Scotland club maker Willie Wilson. By this time, hickory wood from the United States was the most popular material for fashioning shafts due to its durability. Wilson's design consisted of a simple brass club head with a thin blade and a grip of padded sheepskin.
In the 1900s, putter heads evolved, with iron club heads becoming a more popular design. One of the first to apply scientific principles to golf club design was engineer Karsten Solheim. The Anser design he pioneered quickly became standard among manufacturers.
The next great revolution in putting history came with the PING Anser, which became one of the most popular putter designs in golf history. In the 1980s, 26 out of 40 major championships in golf were won by golfers using Ping putters.
In the 21st century, standards of forgiveness have improved dramatically, and there has been a shift towards bigger and thicker-headed putters designed to give more help on less-than-ideal strikes. The Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball, released in 2001, was a leader in this trend. Today, putters feature the latest technology, such as moment of inertia (MOI) technology, which reduces the twisting of the putter blade when it makes off-centre contact with the ball.
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Frequently asked questions
A putter is a golf club used to make short and low-speed strokes with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole. It is designed to give the golfer technical advantages such as a smooth stroke, good glide, and a bounce-less topspin ball launch.
The putter is differentiated from other clubs by its clubhead, which has a very flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face. The putter is also the only club that may have a grip that is not perfectly round and can be bent.
The length of the putter should match your posture and putting stance. The weight of the putter head can influence the tempo of your stroke, so it is important to find a weight that complements your natural putting rhythm. You should also consider the balance of the putter and whether it has alignment aids to assist in aligning your putts more accurately.
