| Expert golfers will tell you that picking the perfect | | | | weight and feel of one more than the others. And |
| putter for you can make a critical impact on your | | | | since putting is a very deliberate stroke that |
| golf game-for better or for worse. Your putter is | | | | requires patience, you'll want a club that has a |
| the most used piece of golfing equipment in your | | | | good weight for you. |
| bag. If you are just starting out in the game of | | | | - Examine the head shape. Putters usually have |
| golf-or even if you have been at it for a | | | | one of two head shapes-either the mallet shape |
| while-you probably find yourself focusing on your | | | | or the blade shape. Which shape you decide to |
| long game and practicing at the driving range, but | | | | buy is totally a personal preference depending on |
| experts know the way to give your game that | | | | your golfing style. Beginners, intermediate, and pro |
| extra something is to focus on putting. And your | | | | golfers use both, so there is no "best" head shape |
| golf scores will show it. So we asked professionals | | | | to choose. It's entirely up to you. |
| to tell us what to look for when picking the | | | | - Consider price. Some people think the more |
| perfect putter. | | | | expensive the putter is, the better it is. But that's |
| First and foremost, a putter must feel | | | | not necessarily so. While a really cheap putter |
| comfortable to you and in your hands. But | | | | may not be your best bet, simply purchasing the |
| chances are that doesn't narrow down the | | | | most expensive model in the golf shop isn't the |
| choices too much, because you can probably find | | | | answer either. Price doesn't equal quality or |
| lots of putters that feel good. So what are the | | | | performance. And it doesn't mean it will feel right |
| specific things to look for? | | | | for you or improve your game. So consider the |
| When you first begin looking around at the golf | | | | price, but consider more than just the price, too. |
| shop, you'll find lots of different putters in various | | | | - Look at the putter type. Putters come in one of |
| styles, types, and brands. Where do you begin? | | | | three basic types: conventional, long, and belly. |
| Well, it helps to know what differentiates one | | | | Typically, it is recommended that beginners start |
| putter from the other and what questions you | | | | out with a conventional putter. Long and belly |
| should ask before you make your purchase. So | | | | clubs, however, tend to be the preference for |
| don't just grab one off the rack and head to the | | | | anyone with a back problem or a wrist problem. |
| sales counter without reading the rest of this | | | | So try them all out to see what works best for |
| article. Here are four things you should focus on | | | | you and what feels right. Start out by asking |
| when selecting the perfect putter for you. | | | | about these four things when you go putter |
| - What is the putter constructed of? Primarily, | | | | shopping. But beyond asking questions, take the |
| you want to find out what material was used to | | | | time to try the clubs out for yourself. Try out |
| construct the putter head. Most are made of | | | | lots of them in lots of different styles. That's the |
| steel, brass, or aluminum. Ask the golf shop | | | | best way to pick the perfect putter for you. And |
| professional about the benefits of each, but then | | | | remember, this could make the critical difference |
| take the time to try out each type. After a few | | | | in your golf game, so choose carefully and don't |
| practice swings, you'll likely discover you like the | | | | be in a big hurry to make a decision. |