Jackson Reid
A putter is a club used in golf to make short and low-speed strokes with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance. It is the last club used in any golf hole, making it the deciding factor between scores. The putter is often referred to as the scoring club as it is used for the shortest and most critical shots on the golf course. The design of the putter has evolved over the years, with the club head, shaft, and grip being the three primary components. The length of the putter, weight of the putter head, and balance are all factors that can impact a golfer's accuracy and should be considered when choosing a putter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Club type | Putter |
| Club used for | Short-distance shots |
| Club used on | Putting green |
| Club used by | Every golfer |
| Club used when | Close to the hole |
| Club used as | The last club |
| Club used to | Roll the ball into the hole |
| Club face | Flat or close to flat |
| Club design | Simple |
| Club length | 32-35 inches |
| Shaft length | 34 inches for a universal grip |
| Shaft type | Bent |
| Shaft position | In front of the club |
| Grips | Non-circular |
| Loft | Below 10 degrees |
| Markings | Lines, dots, circles |
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What You'll Learn
- Putters are used for short-distance shots, with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole
- Putters have a flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face
- Putters are the only club that may have a non-circular grip
- Putters are the only club allowed to have a bent shaft
- Putters are highly specialised and are used to perform precise and controlled shots
Putters are used for short-distance shots, with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole
Putters are a type of golf club. They are used to make short and low-speed strokes, with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole. Putters are typically used when a golfer is very close to the hole, often on the putting green, and they are considered a highly specialised tool. While no golf club is strictly indispensable, the putter comes closest.
Putters are designed to give golfers technical advantages, such as a smooth stroke, good glide, and a bounce-less topspin ball launch. The striking face of a putter is usually not perpendicular to the ground, with a small amount of loft to "lift" the ball out of any depression it has settled into on the green. This loft is typically 5–6° and cannot be more than 10°. The putter is the only club that may have a grip that is not perfectly round; "shield"-like cross-sections with a flat top and curved underside are most common.
Putters also have design features that are unique to this type of club, such as bent shafts and non-circular grips. The length of the putter's shaft is typically between 32 and 35 inches, although they can be longer or shorter. The shaft length and grip are designed to reduce the "degrees of freedom" allowed to a player when putting. This refers to the number of joints that can bend or twist during the putting motion, which can result in inconsistent putts.
The weight of the putter head can influence the tempo of the golfer's stroke, so it's important to find a weight that complements the natural putting rhythm. The balance of the putter, whether it's face-balanced or toe-balanced, should also match the golfer's putting style. Alignment aids, such as lines or dots on the putter head, can assist in aligning putts more accurately.
Putters have undergone significant changes in design and materials over the years, reflecting advancements in golf technology and a deeper understanding of putting mechanics.
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Putters have a flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face
A putter is a club used in golf to make short and low-speed strokes, with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance. It is the last club used in any golf hole, making it the deciding factor between scores. Putters are designed to give golfers technical advantages, such as a smooth stroke, good glide, and bounce-less topspin ball launch.
The putter is differentiated from other clubs by this unique design feature. While irons, wedges, and woods need to have stricter conforming grips, the putter category allows for much more flexibility. Putter grips can be much larger in diameter, feature no taper, and can even have a flat surface where the thumbs lay. These characteristics help to reduce hand movements and ultimately improve strokes and putts.
The length of the putter is also important and should match the golfer's posture and putting stance. The weight of the putter head can influence the tempo of the stroke, and the balance of the putter, whether it is face-balanced or toe-balanced, should match the golfer's putting style.
Putters are a highly specialized tool in golf and are considered indispensable by many golfers. They are often described as the "scoring club" due to their critical role in achieving accuracy and control in short-distance shots on the green.
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Putters are the only club that may have a non-circular grip
A putter is a club used in golf to make short and low-speed strokes with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance. It is the last club used in any golf hole, making it the deciding factor between scores. The putter is often described as the "scoring club" because it is used for the shortest and most critical shots on the golf course. Putters are generally used from very close distances to the cup, usually on the putting green.
The putter must be designed to give the golfer every technical advantage, including a smooth stroke, good glide, sweet impact, and bounce-less topspin ball launch. The striking face of a putter is usually not perpendicular to the ground and has a small amount of loft, intended to "lift" the ball out of any depression it has settled into on the green, reducing bouncing. The putter is differentiated from other clubs by a club head with a very flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face, and by other features which are only allowed on putters, such as bent shafts and non-circular grips.
Putters are the only club that may have a grip that is not perfectly round. "Shield"-like cross-sections with a flat top and curved underside are most common. Putters may also have longer shaft lengths and grips, designed to reduce the "degrees of freedom" allowed to a player when they putt. The more joints that can easily bend or twist during the putting motion, the more degrees of freedom a player has, which can result in more inconsistent putts.
The grip is where you hold the putter, and it comes in different shapes and materials. Golfers can choose a grip that feels comfortable and promotes a consistent putting grip. Putters benefit from more flexibility in grip design, as they can be larger in diameter, feature no taper, and can even have a flat surface where the thumbs lay. These characteristics aim to improve feel and reduce hand movements, leading to better strokes and putts.
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, and the balance of the putter, whether face-balanced or toe-balanced, should match your putting style.
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Putters are the only club allowed to have a bent shaft
A putter is a club used in golf to make short and low-speed strokes with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole. It is the only club with a flat or near-flat striking face, and it is designed to get the ball rolling forward rather than lifting it off the ground. Putters are also differentiated from other clubs by features that are unique to them, such as bent shafts, non-circular grips, and positional guides.
There are different types of putter shafts, including single bend, double bend, and triple bend. The Apollo Single Bend putter shaft, for example, is designed to create an offset to the putter, with the lie angle built into the socket or post. The Apollo Double Bend putter shaft, on the other hand, is designed to create both the lie angle and the offset of the putter. The shaft first comes straight out of the socket or post and then bends toward the face or target before bending back up and then toward the heel.
The length of the putter should match the golfer's posture and stance, as a putter that is too long or too short can affect putting accuracy. The weight of the putter head can also influence the tempo of the golfer's stroke, and the balance of the putter should match their putting style. Alignment aids on the putter head, such as lines or dots, can assist golfers in aligning their putts more accurately.
Putters are considered the most important club in a golfer's bag, as they are used for the shortest and most critical shots on the golf course. They are often described as the "scoring club" and are used to perform precise and controlled short-distance shots on the putting green.
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Putters are highly specialised and are used to perform precise and controlled shots
Putters are a type of golf club used to perform precise and controlled shots. They are typically used for short-distance strokes with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance. Putters are highly specialised tools, and their design has evolved significantly over time. The clubhead of a putter has a very flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face, which distinguishes it from other clubs such as irons and woods. Putters may also have bent shafts, non-circular grips, and positional guides.
The design of a putter plays a crucial role in how it performs on the green. The length of the putter, for example, should match the golfer's posture and stance to ensure putting accuracy. A putter that is too long or too short can affect the consistency of the putting motion and the overall accuracy of the shot. The weight of the putter head can also influence the tempo of the stroke, and golfers should choose a weight that complements their natural putting rhythm.
The grip of a putter is another important consideration. Grips can vary in shape and material, and golfers should select one that feels comfortable and promotes a consistent putting grip. Putter grips can be larger in diameter, feature no taper, and sometimes include a flat surface for the thumbs. These design characteristics aim to reduce hand movements and improve the overall stability and feel of the club.
The putter's club head design has also undergone significant changes. Originally, putters were made entirely of wood, but in the 1900s, iron club heads became more popular. Today, putter heads can be categorised as either blade or mallet designs. Blade putters have a more streamlined, traditional look, while mallet putters offer a larger, more forgiving head shape that provides enhanced stability and alignment assistance.
Putters are highly specialised tools that are essential to a golfer's game. They are used for precise and controlled shots, particularly on the putting green, and their design has been refined over the years to maximise performance and accuracy.
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Frequently asked questions
A putter is a golf club used to make short and low-speed strokes with the aim of rolling the ball into the hole.
The putter is differentiated from other clubs by its flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face. It is also the only club that may have a non-circular grip and a bent shaft.
The design of the putter aims to give the golfer technical and technique advantages, such as a smooth stroke, good glide, and improved stability.
When choosing a putter, consider the length, weight, and balance of the club. The length of the putter should match your posture and stance, while the weight and balance should complement your natural putting rhythm and style.
Two common types of putters are blade putters and mallet putters. Blade putters have a more traditional, streamlined design, while mallet putters have a larger head shape that offers enhanced stability and alignment assistance.
