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Welcome to our comprehensive Golf Putter Buying Guide, where we delve into the intricate world of selecting the perfect flat stick to elevate your game on the greens. Whether you're seeking pinpoint precision, enhanced alignment, or superior feel, choosing the right putter is paramount to lowering your scores and mastering the art of putting. In this guide, we'll explore the various types of putters, key features to consider, and expert tips to help you find the ideal putter tailored to your stroke and preferences. Let's sink more putts and shave strokes off your game together!
When purchasing a golf putter, there are several key factors to consider to ensure you choose the right one for your game. Here's a comprehensive list of what to consider:
1. Putter Type: Determine whether you prefer a blade putter, mallet putter, counterbalanced putter, or a armlock putter. Each type has different characteristics in terms of feel, alignment, and forgiveness.
2. Putter Hosel Type: Putter hosels play a crucial role in connecting the shaft to the clubhead and can vary in design, affecting the putter's performance and appearance. Hosels come in various types, including double bend, plumber's neck, center-shafted, and slant neck each influencing the putter's balance and alignment characteristics. It is also important to consider if a face balanced or toe hang putter is more beneficial for your putting stroke. Golfers should consider hosel design when selecting a putter to ensure it complements their stroke style and preferences on the greens.
3. Putter Length: Ensure the putter length is suitable for your height, posture, and putting stroke. A properly fitted putter length promotes a comfortable setup and a consistent putting motion. For more information about choosing the correct putter length read our Putter Length section.
4. Putter Loft and Lie Angle: Consider the loft and lie angle of the putter to ensure it promotes a consistent roll and proper alignment at address. Proper loft and lie adjustments can improve accuracy and distance control. For more information about how loft and lie angle impact your putting stroke and performance read our Putter Loft and Lie Angle section.
5. Putter Face Technology: Putter face technology encompasses various design features aimed at enhancing performance on the greens. These innovations include milled faces for precise flatness and consistency, insert materials like elastomer or milled aluminum to enhance feel and sound, and grooves or patterns to promote a smoother roll and reduce skidding. Advanced face technologies strive to improve forgiveness, consistency, and feel, ultimately aiding golfers in sinking more putts with confidence and precision. For more information about the technology used in putter faces and the benefits of these technologies read our Putter Face Technology section.
6. Putter Weighting: Pay attention to the weight distribution of the putter head, shaft, and grip. Choose a weighting configuration that promotes stability and control throughout the stroke. For more information about how weight and adjustable weighting impacts your putting stroke read our Putter Weighting section.
7. Putter Grip Options: Choose a grip size, shape, and material that feels comfortable and promotes a relaxed grip pressure. The grip should provide adequate traction and control without causing excessive hand tension. For more information about different putter grip options read our Putter Grips section.
8. Putter Shaft Options: Consider the material, flex, and bend profile of the putter shaft. Select a shaft that complements your putting stroke and provides the desired feel and feedback. For more information about different putter shaft options read our Putter Shafts section.
9. Budget Considerations: Set a budget for your putter purchase and explore options within your price range. Consider the trade-offs between price and performance and choose a putter that offers the best value for your investment.
10. User Reviews and Recommendations: Research user reviews and seek recommendations from fellow golfers or professionals to gather insights into the performance and quality of different putter models. Real-world feedback can help inform your decision-making process.
1. Design: Blade putters have a traditional, classic design characterized by a narrow, rectangular clubhead with a straight or slightly curved back. The clubhead is typically smaller and more compact compared to other putter types.
2. Features: Blade putters often have minimal alignment aids and a simple, clean appearance. They usually feature a full-shaft offset or a slight toe hang, which means the toe of the putter hangs down slightly when balanced on the shaft.
3. Performance: Blade putters are favored by golfers who prefer a traditional look and feel. They offer enhanced feedback and precision, making them ideal for golfers with a consistent, straight-back, straight-through putting stroke.
1. Design: Mallet putters have a larger, more elongated clubhead design compared to blade putters. They typically feature a rounded or angular shape with a high moment of inertia (MOI) for increased forgiveness.
2. Features: Mallet putters often incorporate alignment aids such as lines, dots, or shapes on the clubhead to assist with aiming and alignment. They may also have additional weight distributed around the perimeter or in the rear of the clubhead to enhance stability and reduce twisting on off-center hits.
3. Performance: Mallet putters are popular among golfers seeking maximum forgiveness and alignment assistance. They can help golfers achieve more consistent ball striking and distance control, making them suitable for a wide range of putting strokes and skill levels.
1. Design: Counterbalanced putters are designed with additional weight in the grip end of the club to counterbalance the weight of the clubhead. This design feature shifts the balance point higher up the shaft, promoting a smoother, more stable putting stroke.
2. Features: Counterbalanced putters typically have longer grips and heavier overall weights compared to standard putters. The additional weight in the grip helps golfers maintain control and stability throughout the stroke, particularly on longer putts.
3. Performance: Counterbalanced putters are favored by golfers who struggle with consistency and stability in their putting stroke. The counterbalancing effect can help reduce wrist action and promote a more pendulum-like motion, resulting in improved accuracy and distance control.
1. Design: Armlock putters are designed to be anchored against the lead forearm during the putting stroke, providing stability and consistency. They typically have an extended shaft and a specialized grip to facilitate the anchoring technique.
2. Features: Armlock putters feature a unique shaft bend and grip design to accommodate the anchoring position against the forearm. The clubhead may vary in size and shape, depending on the manufacturer.
3. Performance: Armlock putters offer stability and consistency for golfers who struggle with conventional putting methods, such as the wristy or yippy stroke. By anchoring the grip against the forearm, golfers can stabilize the putter and minimize unwanted hand and wrist movements.
In summary, blade putters offer a traditional look and feel with enhanced precision, mallet putters provide maximum forgiveness and alignment assistance, counterbalanced putters promote stability and consistency through additional weight in the grip end, and armlock putters offer stability and consistency by anchoring the grip against the lead forearm. The choice between them ultimately depends on individual preferences, putting stroke, and desired performance characteristics.
1. Design: Double bend hosels feature a dual bend in the shaft, curving away from the clubhead and then back toward it. This design promotes a face-balanced configuration, where the face points directly upward when the putter is balanced on a finger.
2. Performance: Double bend hosels are suitable for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. They offer maximum stability and consistency, making them ideal for those who prefer minimal face rotation during the stroke.
1. Design: Plumber's neck hosels have a slight offset bend where the shaft connects to the clubhead, resembling the shape of a plumber's neck. This design promotes a slight toe hang, encouraging a slight arc in the putting stroke.
2. Performance: Plumber's neck hosels are favored by golfers who prefer a traditional look and feel. They provide moderate toe hang, suitable for golfers with a moderate amount of face rotation in their stroke.
1. Design: In center-shafted hosels, the shaft attaches to the center of the clubhead, promoting a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. This design provides maximum alignment assistance and a balanced feel throughout the stroke.
2. Performance: Center-shafted hosels are ideal for golfers seeking a consistent and straight putting stroke. They offer excellent alignment and stability, making them suitable for golfers with a variety of stroke preferences.
1. Design: Slant neck hosels feature a bend in the shaft that angles back toward the heel of the putter head. This design positions the shaft closer to the heel, promoting a more face-balanced configuration compared to plumber's neck hosels.
2. Performance: Slant neck hosels offer a compromise between face balance and toe hang. They provide stability and forgiveness while still allowing for a slight amount of face rotation, making them suitable for a wide range of putting strokes.
1. Face Balanced Putters:
-Design: Face balanced putters have a balance point where the face points directly upward when the putter is balanced on a finger. This means the center of gravity is aligned with the axis of the shaft (in line with the hosel).
-Performance: Face balanced putters are ideal for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. They tend to resist opening or closing during the stroke, promoting a more stable and consistent path, making them suitable for golfers who prefer minimal face rotation.
2. Toe Hang Putters:
-Design: Toe hang putters have a balance point where the toe of the putter head hangs downward when balanced on a finger. You can also tell if a putter has toe hang by seeing if the putter face is set back from the hosel (offset). This indicates that the center of gravity is positioned toward the toe of the putter.
-Performance: Toe hang putters are better suited for golfers with an arced putting stroke, where the putter head opens on the backswing and closes on the follow-through. They allow for more natural face rotation and are preferred by golfers who prefer a more fluid stroke with moderate to significant face rotation.
Putter offset can affect the way a putter feels and performs. Generally, a putter with more offset (toe-hang) will tend to rotate more during the putting stroke, while a putter with less offset (face balanced) will tend to stay more stable. The right amount of offset for a golfer will depend on their specific putting stroke.
Choosing the right length of putter is crucial for achieving a comfortable, consistent putting setup and stroke. Here's how to determine the proper length for your putter:
1. Standard Length: Most putters come in standard lengths ranging from 32 to 36 inches for adults, with 34 inches being the most common. Standard length putters are suitable for golfers of average height and posture.
2. Measure Your Height: Stand in a relaxed, upright posture with your arms hanging naturally at your sides. Have someone measure the distance from your wrist (where it bends) to the floor. This measurement is known as your wrist-to-floor measurement.
3. Consider Your Putting Setup: Pay attention to your putting setup and posture. Your eyes should be directly over the ball, and your arms should hang comfortably from your shoulders. Your hands should be positioned slightly ahead of the ball at address.
4. Experiment with Lengths: Try different putter lengths to see which one feels most comfortable and allows you to achieve the proper setup and posture. You can experiment with longer or shorter putters to find the ideal length for your stroke.
5. Check Your Eye Position: Ensure that your eyes are directly over the ball or slightly inside the target line at address. If your eyes are too far inside or outside the ball, you may need to adjust the length of your putter accordingly.
6. Personal Preference: Ultimately, the length of your putter comes down to personal preference and comfort. Choose a length that allows you to consistently strike the ball in the center of the putter face and maintain a smooth, rhythmic putting stroke.
Loft and lie angle are crucial aspects of putter design that can significantly impact performance on the greens. Here's how they differ:
1. Loft: Loft refers to the angle of the putter face relative to the ground. Unlike other clubs in the golf bag, putters typically have minimal loft, usually ranging from 2 to 5 degrees. Some putters may have even less loft or be completely face-balanced, meaning the face is perpendicular to the ground.
-The loft of a putter affects the initial launch angle and the amount of topspin imparted on the ball. A putter with more loft will launch the ball higher, while a putter with less loft will produce a lower trajectory. The optimal loft for a putter depends on factors such as green speed, putting stroke, and personal preference.
2. Lie Angle: Lie angle refers to the angle formed between the sole of the putter and the shaft when the putter is in its proper address position. Lie angle adjustments can influence the direction the putter face points at impact.
-A putter with the correct lie angle will allow the sole of the putter to sit flush on the ground at impact, ensuring that the putter face is square to the target line. If the lie angle is too upright, the toe of the putter may be elevated, causing the ball to pull to the left for a right-handed golfer (and vice versa for a too flat lie angle).
-Conversely, if the lie angle is too flat, the heel of the putter may be elevated, resulting in pushes or slices. Achieving the proper lie angle is crucial for consistent alignment and accurate putting.
Putter face technology has seen significant advancements over the years, resulting in various innovations aimed at improving feel, consistency, and performance on the greens. Here are some key differences in putter face technology:
1. Milled Faces: Milled putter faces are precision-machined to create a flat surface with consistent thickness across the entire face. This milling process allows for tighter tolerances and more precise face geometry, resulting in improved feel and performance on off-center hits.
2. Inserts: Many putters feature face inserts made of materials such as polymer, aluminum, or elastomer. These inserts are designed to enhance feel, sound, and consistency at impact. Inserts can vary in thickness, firmness, and design, with some incorporating grooves or microhinges to promote better roll and distance control.
3. Groove Technology: Some putters utilize groove technology on the face to enhance grip and promote a more consistent roll of the ball. Grooves are strategically designed to reduce skidding and bouncing at impact, leading to improved accuracy and distance control.
4. Variable Face Thickness (VFT): Variable face thickness technology involves varying the thickness of the putter face to optimize performance. Thinner areas in the center of the face enhance ball speed on center strikes, while thicker perimeter areas increase stability and forgiveness on off-center hits.
5. Face Inserts with Microhinges: Certain putters feature face inserts with microhinge technology, consisting of tiny hinges embedded in the insert material. These microhinges flex upon impact, helping the ball to grip the face and start rolling more quickly, resulting in improved accuracy and distance control.
6. Face Texture and Coatings: Manufacturers may apply specialized textures or coatings to the putter face to enhance friction and promote a consistent roll of the ball. These surface treatments can help reduce skidding and improve forward roll, especially on faster greens.
Weighting in putters refers to the distribution of weight throughout the clubhead and shaft, and it plays a crucial role in determining the feel, stability, and performance of the putter. Here's how weighting can differ in putters:
1. Head Weight: Putters come in various head weights, typically ranging from 300 to 400 grams. Heavier putter heads offer increased stability and a smoother stroke, while lighter heads can provide more feel and control. Golfers should choose a head weight that matches their stroke tempo and preferences.
2. Perimeter Weighting: Some putters feature perimeter weighting, which involves distributing weight around the perimeter of the clubhead to increase forgiveness and stability on off-center hits. Perimeter weighting helps reduce twisting and maintains ball speed consistency across the face, improving overall performance.
3. Center of Gravity (CG): The location of the center of gravity in a putter affects its feel and performance. Putters with a lower CG tend to produce a higher launch angle and more backspin, while putters with a higher CG may offer a lower launch and reduced backspin. Golfers should choose a putter with a CG that suits their stroke and green conditions.
4. Counterbalance Weighting: Counterbalance weighting involves adding extra weight to the grip end of the putter shaft to shift the balance point higher up. This design promotes a smoother, more stable putting stroke by reducing wrist action and increasing MOI. Counterbalance putters are favored by golfers seeking improved consistency and control on longer putts.
5. Adjustable Weighting Systems: Some putters come with adjustable weighting systems that allow golfers to customize the feel and performance of the putter. These systems typically feature removable weights in the sole or grip, enabling golfers to fine-tune the overall weight and balance of the putter to suit their preferences.
Overall, weighting in putters can vary significantly, and golfers should consider factors such as head weight, toe hang, perimeter weighting, CG location, counterbalance weighting, adjustable systems, and shaft weight when selecting a putter that suits their stroke and preferences. Experimenting with different weighting options can help golfers find the ideal putter for improved performance on the greens.
There are several different putter grip options available, each designed to cater to different preferences, putting strokes, and feel. Here are some of the most common putter grip options:
1. Traditional Putter Grip: Traditional putter grips feature a straight, cylindrical shape with a uniform diameter throughout the grip. These grips provide a classic feel and are preferred by golfers who prefer a simple, no-frills design.
2. Pistol Putter Grip: Pistol putter grips have a tapered design that widens towards the top of the grip, resembling the shape of a pistol handle. This design promotes a more natural hand position and grip pressure, leading to improved feel and control.
3. Oversized Putter Grip: Oversized putter grips are larger and thicker than traditional grips, offering increased stability and control. These grips help minimize wrist action and promote a more consistent putting stroke, making them popular among golfers who struggle with wrist manipulation or prefer a more stable feel.
4. Counterbalanced Putter Grip: Counterbalanced putter grips feature additional weight in the grip end of the club to counterbalance the weight of the clubhead. This design helps shift the balance point higher up the shaft, promoting a smoother, more stable putting stroke.
5. Tapered Putter Grip: Tapered putter grips have a gradual taper from the top to the bottom of the grip, with a narrower diameter at the bottom. This design encourages a lighter grip pressure and promotes better wrist action, resulting in improved feel and control.
6. Flat Front Putter Grip: Flat front putter grips feature a flat front surface that promotes a square face alignment at address. This design helps golfers achieve more consistent setup and alignment, leading to improved accuracy on putts.
7. Corded Putter Grip: Corded putter grips feature a textured surface with cord material embedded in the grip for enhanced traction and control, especially in wet or humid conditions. These grips provide a firm, secure grip and are favored by golfers who prefer a more tactile feel.
8. Gel Putter Grip: Gel putter grips feature a soft, gel-like material that provides a comfortable, cushioned feel in the hands. These grips offer excellent shock absorption and vibration dampening, reducing hand fatigue and promoting a smoother stroke.
9. Winn Putter Grip: Winn putter grips feature a proprietary polymer material that offers a tacky, comfortable feel and excellent shock absorption. These grips provide a secure grip in all weather conditions and are known for their durability and performance.
When choosing a putter grip, consider factors such as grip size, shape, texture, and material to find the option that best suits your preferences and putting style. Experimenting with different grip options can help you find the perfect grip for your game and improve your putting performance on the green.
Putter shafts can differ in several key aspects, each of which can affect the feel, performance, and stability of the putter. Here's how putter shafts can vary:
1. Material: Putter shafts are commonly made from steel or graphite. Steel shafts are traditional and offer a solid feel and consistent performance. Graphite shafts are lighter and can provide a softer feel and increased vibration dampening, but they may also be less durable.
2. Weight: Putter shafts come in various weights, typically ranging from 75 to 125 grams. Heavier shafts can provide more stability and control, while lighter shafts may offer increased feel and responsiveness. The optimal shaft weight depends on factors such as the golfer's stroke tempo and preferences.
3. Length: Putter shafts are available in different lengths to accommodate golfers of varying heights and putting setups. Standard lengths typically range from 32 to 36 inches, but longer or shorter shafts may be preferred based on individual preferences and fitting recommendations.
4. Flex: Putter shafts may have different levels of flex, although the flex of a putter shaft has minimal impact on performance compared to other clubs in the bag. Most putter shafts are considered to be "flexible" or "standard" flex, as the shaft does not flex significantly during the putting stroke.
5. Bend Profile: Some putter shafts have specific bend profiles designed to enhance feel and performance. For example, some shafts may have a softer tip section to provide more forgiveness on off-center hits, while others may have a stiffer tip section for improved stability and control.
6. Shaft Design: Putter shafts can have different designs, such as straight or stepped shafts. Straight shafts have a consistent diameter throughout the length of the shaft, while stepped shafts have sections of varying diameter. The design of the shaft can affect feel and performance, although the differences may be subtle.
