Your putter may be the smallest club in your bag, but it can have the biggest impact on how you putt. From the type of hosel to face inserts, there are many options for golfers. Finding the right putter for you is important, and a PGA Professional can evaluate your stroke to help you find the right model.
Putters are made from a variety of metals, but the majority are steel. This is due to investment casting, which allows the production of dramatically different putter heads with a more consistent quality than forging. This process also allows for more weight to be placed directly behind the club head, which improves stability on off-center hits.
The most common putter hosel is the plumber’s neck, which is found on blade-style putters. This style of hosel is best for players who use a smooth, arcing putting stroke. It has a slight toe hang and a large amount of offset, making it a popular choice for players of all skill levels.
A single-bend shaft is similar to a plumber’s neck, but has only one bend in the shaft. The shape of the shaft, which is often square or slightly curved, helps to manipulate the center of gravity into an alignment with the putter head. This creates a toe flow that is especially helpful for beginners who are just learning the game.
Many Putters have a heel-toe weighting system. This increases the center of gravity to the heel area, which helps to improve the stability of the putter on off-center hits. This is especially beneficial for beginners who are more prone to hitting the ball off-center.
Another popular feature on putters is an alignment aid. Some are simple dots or lines, while others have more complex perpendicular alignment features on the top rail of the putter. Choosing the right alignment feature is key for players who want to get their putts on the intended line every time.
In recent years, mallet-style putters have been gaining popularity with golfers of all skill levels, primarily because they offer more forgiveness than blade-style putters. They have a larger footprint than traditional putters, but they also feature a wider face that allows for more surface area to make contact with the ball, improving consistency.
Face-balanced putters are designed with a club face that is balanced evenly. They are usually center shafted and can be a good option for players who have a more straight-line putting stroke.
When selecting a putter, it’s important to consider the shape of the face, its design and the grip size. You’ll also need to test the putter and evaluate its feedback on your practice sessions. Taking all of these factors into consideration will allow you to find the perfect putter for your needs. Once you’ve found the putter that’s just right for you, your putting will improve with each and every round of golf.