First things first, you need to know what kind of putting stroke you have in order to choose the best putter for you. Here’s how you can quickly and easily figure that out.
Place two alignment sticks or strips of masking tape parallel to one another on the ground and place a golf ball in between them in the center. Make your usual putting motion and stop on your back stroke. Look at where the head of your putter is in relation to the sticks/tape. If it is in the center of the sticks, that means you have a straight stroke, and if it has moved over to the outside of one of the sticks, then you have an arced putting stroke.
Putter Balance Types
All putters are either face or toe balanced. If you balance the shaft of a toe-balanced putter on your hand, the toe of the putter will point down towards the ground. If you do the same with a face-balanced putter, the face will point straight up.
Face-Balanced Putter
- Good for players with little-to-no arc in their putting stroke.
- Center of gravity is located directly below the axis of the shaft.
Toe-Balanced Putter
- Center of gravity is not directly beneath the shaft.
- Good for players with an arc in their putting stroke.
- Anser and blade putters are examples of toe-hang putters.
Types of Putter Head
Blade
- Best for players with a straight putting stroke.
- Good on faster, harder greens.
- You need a delicate touch for this type of putter.
Mallet
- Low and deep center of gravity.
- Good for players with an arced stroke.
Face Types
Metal-Faced Putters
These putters have a face made up of titanium, zinc, aluminum, brass, or steel. A good choice for those who want a controlled but firm feel.
Insert-Faced Putters
These have a face with a lightweight, non-metal insert. They have a soft feel and are great for use with firm-cover balls.
Groove-Faced Putters
A groove-faced putter can be either insert-faced or metal-faced, but the face has grooves in it. The grooves work to grip the ball and lift it when your putter makes contact.
Hosel and Shaft Placement
On a golf club, the “hosel” is the point where the head of the club meets the shaft. The placement of this point can make a big difference in how you putt! There are three types of shaft/hosel placement.
Center-Shafted
The hosel is located at the center of the putter’s head. This is best for players with a straight putting stroke.
Heel-Shafted
The hosel connects at the heel of the putter head.
Hosel-Offset
The hosel features a backwards bend so that the shaft is placed ahead of the putter’s face.
Now you’ve got the scoop on putters, you’ll need something to hit! We’ve got a wide array of inexpensive used balls, including all of the most popular brands and models.
