Great golfers are consistently great putters. Approximately 40% of your shots in a round of golf are putts. So, nailing your short game is a vital part of your score.
There are many contributing factors to selecting the right putter for you. Here, we break down some factors to consider that may help with the most difficult part of putting: consistency.
How to choose a putter head: blade vs. mallet putters
Blade putters are slim-shaped and have a traditional look. They’re long, narrow, and typically lighter in weight.
In contrast, mallet putters have a much larger club head — nearly as wide as they are long. Their heavier weight provides more swing stability.
Consider your handicap as a good place to start to make this decision.
“A higher handicap player could benefit from a mallet if they tend to miss hit the sweet spot,” said Rick Hatfield, TGW Pure Performance Center Master Club Fitter. “If they hit on the heel or toe, that would make the club want to twist.”
Lower handicap players may have different priorities because they are more likely to have the ability to manipulate their putts between straight and arced strokes.
Best putters for straight strokes and arced strokes
Advanced golfers might deliberately twist their putters to shape their shots.
“Any time the center of gravity of the club is close to the shaft, the club is a little bit easier to twist,” said Hatfield. “A highly skilled player who has finesse and wants to be super delicate with their putter might prefer the blade putter because he can manipulate it to the finest degree.”
The best putter for a slight arc stroke is a toe-balanced putter. When you balance the shaft on your finger, a toe-balanced putter will face downward. Toe-balanced putters tend to be blades.
Golfers who putt with a straight stroke tend to do best with a face-balanced putter — typically a mallet putter. When you balance the shaft on your finger, face-balanced club heads point up.
Inserts vs. milled club faces
Club construction can call for inserted faces, or the face can be milled directly.
Inserts are placed into the club face and have a softer feel and quieter sound when striking the golf ball. They can be advantageous in short putts when you need to be delicate.
Milled club faces are textured with etching on the metal club face. This is designed for maximum audible feedback — you can hear yourself hitting the sweet spot. Milling can help with speed control, too, especially if you’ve missed the sweet spot.
Knowing what sounds to listen for and how the ball should feel when you strike it will help you be more consistent.
What to know about buying a putter: Shaft and handle
Counterbalance or counterweight
Some new putters have a counterweight in the handle. This design helps some players maintain control. They’re less likely to twist or flip their club and have improved speed.
“By putting weight behind the player’s hands, it makes a linear stroke, where the arms and the hands and the putter are all moving as one instead of two or three,” Hatfield said.
Grip
Using an oversized grip on the putter can help quiet a player’s hands and give more stability. Golfers with arthritis or pain in their hands might also benefit from using a larger grip.
Our golf grips buying guide has more to help you decide on this club customization.
Length
Choosing the right putter length is key for a golfer to have the proper address posture. Some golfers prefer an upright stance, while others squat somewhat.
You’ll stand too far from the ball if your putter is too long. Your eyes will focus incorrectly on the inside of the ball, resulting in missed putts to the left.
If you use a too-short putter, your stance will be too close to the ball. Your eyes might focus on the outside of the golf ball, missing putts to the right.
Will a new putter improve my putting?
The right putter for you can improve your putting and lower your scores. If you’ve been using a blade but need the stability of a mallet, switching putters can help you have a more consistent energy transfer into the ball and a more reliable shot.
But the key to improving your putts? Practice. There’s no getting around devoting ample time to practicing your putts. Here are some putting aids to help you get the most out of putt practice — indoors or outdoors.
What’s the best putter for me?
Ultimately, the best selection of a putter comes down to your preference. While all of the information above is helpful, one of the most important factors is subjective – you have to be focused when you look down.
“You can’t be distracted by the putter,” Hatfield said. “You have to have something that looks good to your eye and you feel confident using.”
For more info to help you choose the right putter, see our golf putter buying guide, check our golf putter reviews, and shop our selection of golf putters.
