5 Things To Consider

When Buying A Putter

1. Alignment aids   2. Head shape   3. Length   4. Face design   5. Shafts & Hosel design

Choosing a putter is largely a matter of personal preference and ultimately the appropriate choice for you is the one that best suits your eye and feel.

There are many shapes, lengths and materials to select from and this guide is
designed to help you narrow down the assortment by considering the
different features that make each putter unique. These subjective
considerations are important parts of the decision process, and
the feedback the putter gives you, both in terms of looks and
sound should weigh heavy in your choice of a short stick.

Putter alignment can be a major problem for many golfers. One decisive factor in selecting a putter is finding the model that you feel comfortable lining up to the target. Incorrect alignment at address will result in missed putts left or right of the hole, costing you strokes. Best selling author Dave Pelz states that if everything is perfect with a putter stroke, but the putt is struck ¼ inch or more from the sweet spot, the putt will miss on average 95% of the time for 8 foot putts. It is clear that some putter designs emphasize alignment more than others; choose one that inspires confidence when looking down at address.

2. Types of Putter Heads: Mallet vs. Blade

Mallet: Nearly as wide from face to back, as from toe to heel
Blade: Traditional look - long and narrow.

Blade putters are typically lighter than mallets which, makes them ideal for use on faster greens. Mallet putters are usually heavier and have a larger head, Many golfers like this additional weight because it diminishes "wristiness" thus allowing the arms to promote a pendulum swing, which helps with accuracy. Using a mallet putter on slower greens is suggested primarily so you will not have to stroke the putt as hard, allowing you more control and precision.

3. Putter Lengths

Long: (48-52") anchored from the chest or below the chin - adds stability and reduces wrist action
Belly: (41-46") anchored against the mid-section to bring more stability
Traditional: (32-36") easier to control

The main function for Long putters is to minimize wrist action, or even take wrist action out of the stroke all together. When using a long putter a fixed center point is created that allows the putterhead to consistently swing back and through the ball. Long putters are also ideal for players suffering from back pain.

A variation on the long putter is the mid-length belly putter. Belly putters anchor to your midsection, so that it looks like the club is jabbing you in the navel. Similar to long putters, they’re designed to minimize wrist action in the stroke.

4. Putter Faces

Insert: (promotes a softer feel and sound)
Metal: (promotes firm, crisp feel and sound feedback)

One advantage of metal-faced putters is the sound feedback you acquire at impact. Instantly you hear the type of contact you made with the ball and this allows you to feel and hear where the center of the putter is. Many inserts are made from composites that deliver softer feeling putts but, limit this sound feedback. When choosing a putter face consider the type of ball you’re playing and how fast the greens are. Sound in putting is nearly one and the same with feel. How the putter sounds subconsciously tells you how far and how well you struck the ball even before you can feel it in your hands. The bottom line is all about feel.

5. Shafts & Hosels

Heel-Shafted: Allows the face to open and close during the stroke
Center-Shafted: Typically face-balanced, promotes square-to-square path (pendulum stroke)
Offset Putter: Helps players create a consistent setup and and allows positioning of the eyes
directly over the ball.

When choosing a shaft that is right for you, bear in mind your putter style. Heel-shafted putters usually work best for golfers who like to rotate the blade open and shut through the stroke. Center shafted putters seem to work well with a flat stroke vs. a hinged one. The offset putter gives you a good site line being more away from the ball and helps keep the hands ahead of the clubhead through impact. This promotes more over-spin and less skid off the putter face.