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How to Find the Right Putter for Your Game

ByThe Golfer

← Golf Equipment | Golf Clubs


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Quick Answer

  • Get honest about your putting stroke: is it an arc or straight back, straight through?
  • Pay attention to what feels good in your hands and what alignment aids help you aim.
  • Spend time on the practice green, hitting putts with different options until one just feels right.

Who This Is For

  • Any golfer, from beginner to scratch, who wants to shave strokes off their score by making more putts.
  • Players who feel their current putter is a hindrance rather than a help, leading to frustration on the greens.
  • Anyone looking to understand the fundamentals of putter fitting and selection to improve their short game.

What to Check First

  • Your Natural Stroke: This is the big one. Film yourself or use a mirror. Does your putter swing in a noticeable arc, or is it more of a straight-line motion? This dictates a lot of putter design choices.
  • Your Grip Style: Are you a conventional putter, a claw grip user, or do you use an armlock? The grip you use can influence the ideal putter length and head style.
  • Your Stance and Posture: How do you stand over the ball? Do you prefer to be more upright or slightly bent over? This affects the optimal putter length and lie angle.
  • Your Feel Preference: What kind of feedback do you like from the clubface? Do you prefer a soft, buttery feel, or something a bit more solid and responsive? This is highly personal.

How to Find the Right Putter: A Step-by-Step Plan

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. Finding the right putter is less about chasing the latest fad and more about understanding your own game. It’s about confidence. You’ve got to feel like you can make anything when you stand over the ball.

  • Analyze Your Putting Stroke: Grab your current putter and head to a mirror or have a buddy film you from face-on and down-the-line. Observe if your putter moves in a distinct arc, pivoting around your body’s center, or if it travels more of a straight back and straight through path. Mistake: Assuming you know your stroke without objective observation. Most golfers are surprised when they actually see it.
  • Determine Your Ideal Putter Length: Stand naturally on a flat surface, let your arms hang loosely at your sides. Measure the distance from the center of your grip hand straight down to the ground. This measurement is your starting point for determining the correct putter length. Mistake: Using a length that forces an unnatural posture, leading to inconsistent contact and poor distance control. Too long and you’ll have to choke up; too short and you’ll be hunched over.
  • Consider Putter Head Styles: You’ll see two main categories: blades and mallets. Blade putters are typically smaller, more classic shapes, often with less offset and toe hang, generally favored by golfers with a more pronounced arcing stroke. Mallet putters are larger, often with more perimeter weighting and a larger sweet spot, offering more forgiveness and stability, and are usually better suited for golfers with a straighter back-and-through stroke. Research their characteristics and how they might complement your stroke. Mistake: Choosing a style based solely on looks, not on how it complements your stroke. That shiny new mallet might look cool, but if it fights your natural arc, you’ll be leaving putts short.
  • Evaluate Face Balancing: Putters are designed with different amounts of “toe hang” or are “face-balanced.” A face-balanced putter tends to stay square through the stroke, making it ideal for a straight-back-straight-through motion. A putter with toe hang will naturally rotate open and closed, which is beneficial for golfers with an arcing stroke. Mistake: Ignoring face balance and picking one that fights your natural swing path. This is a recipe for inconsistency.
  • Test Alignment Aids: Putter faces come with all sorts of aiming systems – simple lines, double lines, dots, squares, even advanced visual aids. Some golfers find a single line is all they need to feel aligned. Others benefit from more complex markings that help them square the face at address and through impact. See what helps you aim more consistently and feel confident over the ball. Mistake: Overlooking alignment aids that could boost your confidence and accuracy on the greens. What works for one person might not work for you, so experiment.
  • Experiment with Grips: Putter grips are not one-size-fits-all. They come in various sizes, shapes, and textures. A thicker grip can help reduce unwanted wrist action, promoting a more pendulum-like stroke, which is great for many golfers. A thinner grip can offer more feel and allow for more nuanced wrist input if that’s your preference. Mistake: Sticking with a stock grip if it feels uncomfortable or doesn’t fit your hands well. A good grip is your direct connection to the putter.
  • Practice Your Stroke with Different Models: Once you’ve narrowed down your options based on stroke type, length, and head style, it’s time for the real test. Spend ample time on the practice green with several putters that fit your criteria. Hit putts from various distances – short ones, medium ones, and longer ones. Pay attention to how each putter feels off the face, how it rolls the ball, and how confident you feel making each stroke. Mistake: Not dedicating enough time to testing, making a hasty decision based on a few putts. You need to feel it over a variety of strokes to know for sure.

How to Find the Right Putter: Key Considerations

Beyond the basic stroke analysis, there are a few other factors that play a significant role in choosing the right putter for your game. These details can make the difference between a putter you tolerate and one you absolutely love.

  • Material and Feel: Putters are made from various materials like stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and even inserts made of polymer or other composites. Different materials produce different sounds and feels at impact. Some golfers prefer the softer, more muted feel of an insert, while others like the solid, crisp feedback of a milled face. Don’t underestimate how much this impacts your confidence.
  • Offset: This refers to how far the shaft is positioned in front of the leading edge of the putter head. Full shaft offset (where the shaft enters the heel of the clubhead) tends to promote a more arcing stroke and helps square the face. Half shaft offset is a bit of a middle ground, and no offset (center-shafted) is typically for very straight strokes.
  • Bounce: While more common in irons and wedges, some putters, particularly mallet styles, can have a slight bounce. This helps the putter glide through the turf rather than digging, which can be beneficial if you tend to hit slightly behind the ball.
  • Lie Angle: This is the angle between the shaft and the ground when the putter is soled correctly. If your putter is too upright, the toe will be off the ground at impact, potentially leading to pushes. If it’s too flat, the heel will be off the ground, which can cause pulls. Getting the lie angle correct for your stance is crucial for consistent direction.
  • Weighting: Putter heads have varying weights, and the distribution of that weight (e.g., perimeter weighting in mallets for stability) significantly impacts how the putter feels and performs. Heavier putters can offer more stability and a smoother stroke, especially for those prone to jerky movements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Choosing a Putter Based Solely on Aesthetics — Why it matters: A putter that looks cool but doesn’t suit your natural stroke or feel will ultimately hinder your performance. You might love how it looks in the bag, but you’ll hate how it feels on the greens. — Fix: Prioritize feel, performance, and stroke compatibility over appearance. The best-looking putter is the one that sinks the most putts.
  • Using the Wrong Putter Length — Why it matters: An incorrect length forces you into a bad posture, leading to inconsistent ball striking, poor distance control, and a lack of confidence. You’ll either be hunched over or reaching, neither of which is ideal for a repeatable stroke. — Fix: Measure your ideal length using the arm-hang method or, better yet, get properly fitted by a golf professional.
  • Not Testing Enough Putters — Why it matters: You might miss out on the putter that truly unlocks your putting potential if you only try a couple of options. The subtle differences between putters can be significant. — Fix: Dedicate ample time on the practice green with multiple putters that fit your initial criteria. Don’t rush the decision; give each one a fair shot.
  • Ignoring Your Natural Stroke — Why it matters: Forcing yourself to use a putter that doesn’t match your natural swing mechanics will lead to frustration and missed putts. It’s like trying to wear shoes that are two sizes too small. — Fix: Honestly assess your stroke (arc vs. straight) and choose a putter designed to work with it, not against it.
  • Getting Advice from the Wrong People — Why it matters: What works for your buddy, even if they’re a great putter, might not work for you. Everyone’s swing, feel, and preferences are different. — Fix: Focus on your own feel, comfort, and what works for your specific swing. While advice can be helpful, trust your own instincts on the green.
  • Overlooking the Importance of Feel — Why it matters: Putting is a feel game. If a putter doesn’t feel right in your hands or provide the feedback you desire at impact, you’ll struggle to develop trust and consistency. — Fix: Pay close attention to the tactile sensations. Does it feel solid? Soft? Does the sound at impact give you confidence?
  • Failing to Consider Lie Angle — Why it matters: An incorrect lie angle can cause your putts to consistently go left or right due to the putter face being open or closed at impact. This is especially true if you have a significant difference in height from the average golfer. — Fix: Get your lie angle checked during a fitting. It’s a critical, often overlooked, aspect of putter selection.

FAQ

  • What is the difference between a blade putter and a mallet putter?

Blade putters are typically smaller, more traditional shapes with a heel-shafted design, often favored by golfers with more of an arcing stroke. They offer more feel and feedback. Mallet putters are larger, often with more perimeter weighting and a larger sweet spot, offering more forgiveness and stability, and are generally better suited for golfers with a straighter back-and-straight-through stroke.

  • How do I determine the correct putter length for my game?

The most common method is to stand naturally with your arms hanging loosely at your sides and measure from the center of your grip hand to the ground. A good starting point for most men is around 34 inches, and for women, around 33 inches, but this varies greatly. A professional fitting is the most accurate way to determine your ideal length.

  • What are the benefits of different alignment aids on putters?

Alignment aids help you aim the putterface more accurately at your target and visualize the intended path of your stroke. Simple single lines can work well for golfers who have a good feel for squaring the face. Multiple lines, dots, or more complex shapes can help others lock in their alignment and maintain it through the stroke. It’s highly personal, and what helps one golfer might be distracting to another.

  • Should I get fitted for a putter?

Yes, especially if you’re serious about improving your putting and shaving strokes off your game. A professional fitting considers your unique putting stroke, stance, posture, and physical characteristics to recommend the perfect putter length, loft, lie angle, and head style. It’s a solid investment that can pay dividends on the course.

  • How often should I consider changing my putter?

There’s no set schedule or mileage for changing a putter. If your current putter isn’t performing consistently, if you find yourself constantly second-guessing your reads or your stroke, or if you simply don’t feel confident over the ball, it’s time to start looking. The goal is to find a putter that builds confidence and promotes a repeatable, effective stroke.

  • What is “toe hang” and how does it relate to my putting stroke?

Toe hang refers to how the putter head naturally rotates when suspended by the shaft. A putter with significant toe hang will naturally want to close on the downswing, which is beneficial for golfers with an arcing stroke. A face-balanced putter, on the other hand, will remain relatively square throughout the stroke, making it ideal for a straight-back-straight-through motion.

  • Does the material of the putter face matter?

Absolutely. Different materials provide different feels and sounds at impact. For example, milled carbon steel offers a very classic, soft feel, while aluminum inserts provide a slightly firmer, more responsive sensation. Some golfers prefer the muted feedback of softer materials, while others like the crispness of harder ones. It’s a matter of personal preference and what gives you the most confidence.

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