As Ben Sayers once said, “A good player who is a great putter is a match for any golfer. A great hitter who cannot putt is a match for no one.” Putting is what ultimately decides how good your golf game really is. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your golf putter is right for you in terms of shape, stroke and feel. At GolfOnline we’re always on hand to help you choose the right equipment for your game. Here’s everything you need to know before making your next putter purchase.
Finding your natural putting stroke
One of the easiest ways to figure out what golf putters you should be looking at is to know what your stroke is. You can find your putter stroke with a quick drill.
Lay down two alignment sticks, a putter’s head width apart from one another. Stand with your putter in between the sticks. Close your eyes and take the putter back as you would at the beginning of a putt. Freeze and open your eyes. If the putter head is still within the range of the two sticks, you have a straight back and straight through stroke. If it’s outside the sticks you have an arc stroke.
Head Shape
The next thing to look at is head shape. Different shapes support different putting strokes, so having already done the above drill will be super helpful at this stage.
BLADES
Blade golf putters have a more traditional shape and are favoured by many who want a more classic looking putter. The blade head style is more toe-weighted, making them a better choice for golfers with an arc stroke.
MALLETS
Mallet golf putters are known for their larger head design. While the clubface is a similar size to a blade, the actual head design is much bigger and you can also expect a larger sweet spot. Bigger bodies also allow for better alignment, therefore mallet putters are also considered to be more forgiving and a better choice for golfers with a higher handicap and a straight stroke.
Weight
Face-balanced putters are ideal for golfers who have a stroke which goes back and through, as the centre of gravity is directly below the axis of the shaft. This enables the club stroke to straighten on the forward motion. Whereas a toe-balanced putter might suit those with an out to in stroke (arc), as the centre of gravity is not found below the axis of the shaft.
You can tell these two clubs apart by balancing the shaft on your finger, with the face facing upwards for a face-balanced putter, and the toe pointing to the ground for a toe-balanced putter.
Face
There are different types of putter faces on the market. Which one you choose can depend on the type of ball that you’re using, as well as the speed of the greens you’re playing on.
METAL
Metal-faced putters are crafted from titanium, zinc, aluminium, brass or steel. Preferred by golfers looking for a controlled yet firm feel.
INSERT
An insert face is non-metal and lightweight. Preferred by golfers who like a soft feel.
GROOVE
Groove-faced putters can be metal or insert faces, but with grooves. These help to grip the ball and lift it when your putter makes contact.
Putter Length
Putter length is your next important decision. Playing with a putter that is too long can affect your lie angle, causing it to become too upright which can change your putter aim to left of the intended target. A putter that’s too short can have the opposite effect. Causing the toe to point down and the heel to point up, your aim will now be to the right of the target.
To better understand the importance of putter length, we’re passing it over to putter aficionado Scotty Cameron to explain how length can affect your performance on the green.
Shaft and Hosel
The hosel on a golf putter is where the head of the club meets the shaft. Manufacturers are constantly tinkering with hosel placements to improve a player’s putting performance. So, what do you need to know?
Double Bend
Traditional set up for many mallet putters. Sets the putter’s head behind the hands. Works for golfers with straighter strokes and those looking for face balance.
Plumber Neck
This provides a medium amount of offset and keeps the hands ahead of the head throughout impact. This design is thought to be more forgiving. Better for those with a combination of arc and straight stroke.
Short
Good for arc strokes. Many have some degree of toe hang.
Centre Shaft
Hosel connects to the head in the centre of the head. They are easy to align. Suits a player with a straight back, straight through stroke.
Still in Doubt…
The best way to ensure your golf putter is perfect for your swing is to get custom fit. At GolfOnline our expert fitters are ready to take you through the process to help you achieve lower scores and feel comfortable on the course. Book in for your custom fit experience today.
