What Is a Broomstick Putter and How Does It Work?

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Quick Answer

• A broomstick putter is an extra-long golf club, usually over 40 inches, designed to be anchored against your chest for a more stable stroke.
• This anchoring technique aims to create a pendulum-like motion driven by the shoulders, minimizing wrist hinge and improving consistency.
• They come in both blade and mallet styles, with the defining characteristic being the extended shaft length and the anchoring method.

Who This Is For

• Golfers battling the dreaded “yips” or general inconsistency in their putting stroke, often caused by excessive wrist action.
• Players seeking a more stable and repeatable putting method, especially if traditional putter lengths feel awkward or difficult to control.

What to Check First: Broomstick Putter Compatibility

• Putter Length: Make sure it’s at least 40 inches long. Some go even longer, and you need to ensure it fits your height and preferred anchoring point. No one-size-fits-all here.
• Grip Style: Check if the grip is specifically designed for anchoring or is wide enough to feel secure when you press it against your chest. A good grip is crucial for control.
• Putter Head Design: Is it a blade or a mallet style? Make sure the head’s weighting suits the anchored stroke you’re aiming for. Mallets often offer more forgiveness.
• Shaft Material & Flex: While less critical than length, the shaft can affect feel. Check the manual or manufacturer specs if you’re particular about this.

Step-by-Step Plan: Using Your Broomstick Putter

1. Select Your Stick: Pick a broomstick putter that matches your height and desired anchoring point. Mistake to avoid: Grabbing one that’s too short or too long will mess with your posture and stroke, making it harder to feel comfortable and consistent. I remember my first extra-long putter; it felt like wielding a pool cue until I got the length right.

2. Grip It Low: Place your hands lower down on the extended grip. This is key for the anchored stroke, allowing your shoulders to take over. Mistake to avoid: Gripping too high up will feel unnatural and limit your shoulder movement, defeating the purpose.

3. Find Your Anchor Point: Press the butt end of the putter shaft firmly but comfortably against your sternum or chest. This is your stable point. Mistake to avoid: A loose anchor means no stability. Make it feel solid, like a reference point you can always count on.

4. Set Your Stance: Stand tall with a slight knee flex, letting the putter hang naturally from your anchor point. Your eyes should be over the ball. Mistake to avoid: Slouching or hunching over will throw off your alignment and feel. You want to be athletic and balanced.

5. Initiate the Stroke: Keep your wrists firm and hinge-free. Use your shoulders to swing the putter head back and through like a pendulum. Think of your arms and the putter as one unit. Mistake to avoid: Trying to use your wrists will negate the whole point of the broomstick and bring back those pesky yips.

6. Maintain the Pendulum: Focus on a smooth, consistent arc. Your arms and shoulders should move as one unit throughout the stroke. Mistake to avoid: Jerky motions or trying to “guide” the putter with your hands will lead to inconsistent distance control and direction. Trust the pendulum.

7. Follow Through: Continue the pendulum motion after impact, maintaining that shoulder-driven swing. Let the putter head release naturally. Mistake to avoid: Stopping the stroke abruptly will kill your momentum and hurt your roll. A good follow-through is just as important as the backswing.

8. Practice Your Routine: Develop a consistent pre-putt routine that includes checking your anchor point and visualizing the stroke. Mistake to avoid: Rushing your setup or skipping practice will lead to inconsistency on the course. Repetition is your friend.

Understanding Broomstick Putters and Your Stroke

The primary goal of what is a broomstick putter and its design is to provide a more stable platform for your putting stroke. Traditional putters rely heavily on the golfer’s feel and control of the wrists and hands. For many, this is a source of inconsistency, especially under pressure. The extra length and the anchoring technique fundamentally change this dynamic. By pressing the butt of the club against your chest, you create a fixed point. This fixed point restricts wrist hinge, forcing the stroke to be driven by the larger muscles of your shoulders and upper body. This shoulder-driven motion is often described as a pendulum swing. It’s more mechanically repeatable, and for many, it significantly reduces the likelihood of the “yips” – those involuntary spasms that can ruin a golfer’s confidence.

The choice between a blade and a mallet head for your broomstick putter often comes down to personal preference and how you like your putter to feel and perform. Blade putters tend to offer more traditional feel and feedback, while mallet putters often have a larger sweet spot and more perimeter weighting, providing greater forgiveness on off-center strikes. Both can work effectively with the broomstick anchoring method, but it’s worth testing them out to see which resonates best with your game.

Common Mistakes with Broomstick Putters

• Inconsistent Anchoring — Why it matters: If the putter isn’t anchored the same way every time, your stroke will be all over the place. It’s the foundation of stability for this style of putter. — Fix: Find a comfortable, firm spot on your sternum and ensure consistent contact on every single practice and playing stroke. Get it right in practice, and it’ll feel natural on the course.
• Excessive Wrist Hinge — Why it matters: This completely defeats the purpose of the broomstick putter, which is to eliminate wrist action for stability. You’ll just be putting with a long club, not using the anchored technique. — Fix: Consciously focus on a pendulum motion driven by your shoulders and upper body. Feel your arms and the putter head moving as a unit, like a door swinging on its hinges.
• Incorrect Putter Length — Why it matters: A putter that’s too long or too short will force you into an awkward posture, making it hard to anchor correctly and achieve a repeatable stroke. It can lead to back strain and poor alignment. — Fix: Get fitted by a pro or consult manufacturer guides to find the ideal length for your height and preferred anchor point. It’s worth the investment for better putting.
• Over-Anchoring — Why it matters: Pressing too hard can restrict your natural shoulder rotation and make the stroke feel stiff and unnatural. You want stability, not a vise grip. — Fix: Aim for firm contact that provides stability, but not so much pressure that it inhibits your swing. It should feel secure, not locked in place.
• Trying to “Feel” the Putt Too Much — Why it matters: The broomstick method is about removing feel and relying on a mechanical, repeatable motion. Overthinking it or trying to “guide” the ball with feel can bring back the yips or inconsistency. — Fix: Trust the process. Focus on the shoulder swing and the anchor point. Let the ball roll. The consistency comes from the repeatable motion, not from trying to manipulate the ball into the hole.
• Neglecting the Follow-Through — Why it matters: A short or incomplete follow-through can lead to deceleration and inconsistent ball speed, affecting distance control. — Fix: Ensure you’re completing your pendulum swing after impact, allowing the putter head to naturally release. This helps maintain momentum and a smooth roll.
• Not Practicing Enough — Why it matters: Like any new technique, it takes time to build muscle memory and trust. Skipping practice means you won’t adapt to the different feel. — Fix: Dedicate specific practice time to your broomstick putter, focusing on drills that reinforce the shoulder-driven pendulum stroke and consistent anchoring.

FAQ

• What is the primary benefit of using a broomstick putter?

The main advantage is increased stability in your putting stroke by anchoring the putter against your chest, which minimizes unwanted wrist hinge and helps combat the yips, leading to more consistent distance and direction control.

• How does the anchoring technique work with a broomstick putter?

You press the butt end of the extra-long shaft against your sternum or chest. This creates a stable point of contact, allowing your shoulders to drive a pendulum-like stroke without relying on wrist action. It essentially turns your arms and the putter into a single unit controlled by your upper body.

• Are broomstick putters legal in professional golf?

Yes, broomstick putters and the anchored putting stroke are legal under the Rules of Golf. However, specific anchoring rules apply, such as not pressing the club against your body in a way that creates an “immobilized” stroke. It’s always a good idea to check the latest USGA/R&A rules if you’re unsure about specific applications.

• Can a beginner use a broomstick putter?

Absolutely. Some beginners find the stability offered by a broomstick putter helps them develop a more consistent stroke from the start, especially if they’re prone to wristy putts or struggle with traditional putter lengths. It can simplify the putting motion.

• What’s the difference between a broomstick and a belly putter?

A broomstick putter is typically longer than a belly putter (often over 40 inches compared to 38-40 inches) and is anchored higher on the chest or sternum. A belly putter is anchored lower on the stomach. Both aim to reduce wrist action, but the anchor point and resulting stroke mechanics differ slightly.

• How do I know if a broomstick putter is the right fit for me?

If you struggle with yips, inconsistent distance control, or find traditional putter lengths difficult to manage, a broomstick putter is worth trying. The best way to know is to test one out on a practice green. Pay attention to how stable you feel and if the shoulder-driven stroke feels more natural.

• What kind of grip should I use with a broomstick putter?

Most broomstick putters come with a longer, often thicker grip designed to accommodate the anchoring technique. If yours doesn’t, look for an extended grip that provides ample surface area for your hands to hold comfortably while allowing the butt end to rest against your chest.