| With so many putters to choose from, how do | | | | truer roll. |
| you know which one is right for you? The most | | | | Don't forget that it's also very important to |
| popular styles of putters are blade, mallet, | | | | choose the right length putter. If a putter is too |
| perimeter weighted, insert, and offset. Each one | | | | short or long it can lead to bad posture, throwing |
| of these putters has it's own uniqueness. | | | | off your view of the putting line. It is important to |
| Blade putters are narrow and flat with the best | | | | choose the right length for your body type. |
| feel for the ball. Low handicappers favor blades. | | | | Traditional length putters are the most common. |
| Blades differ in where the shaft enters the head. | | | | They are approximately 33-36 inches in length. |
| The shaft is either at the heel or center, where it | | | | These putters use the golfers natural swinging |
| enters more in the middle of the blade. Tending to | | | | motion of your arms, like a pendulum, giving the |
| be face balance, blade putters will suit a player | | | | putt a true roll. |
| with a straight putting stroke. These putters are | | | | Belly putters are latest craze amongst players. |
| suited to hard, faster greens that require soft | | | | They are approximately 41-46 inches in length. |
| control, making them a good safe choice. | | | | The end of the putter rests in on your belly |
| Mallets have a large rounded head. The deep | | | | button while you swing the club back and forth. |
| design of the putters head allows for a lower and | | | | Resting the club shaft on your belly button |
| deeper centre of gravity that is far away from | | | | creates a third point of contact, stabilizing the |
| the face, reducing backspin on your putts. A lot | | | | stroke and anchoring the body. The wrist action is |
| of mallet putters have inserts on the face | | | | easier to control as the length of the putter |
| offering a soft hit from a large head. The weight | | | | changes the dynamic of the swinging motion. The |
| is usually balanced throughout the club, providing | | | | main disadvantages are distance control and feel. |
| golfers with a more consistent putting stroke. | | | | The belly putter requires golfers to use more |
| Perimeter weighted putters are very forgiving | | | | large muscles and fewer small muscles during the |
| because the weight is distributed around the | | | | putting stroke. Additional practice is required to |
| edges. This putter provides for a larger sweet | | | | develop the feel for distance control. |
| spot because the perimeter weighting stabilizes | | | | Long or Broom Handle putters are the least |
| any slight mis-hits. These putters are great for | | | | popular length to use. They are approximately |
| beginning golfers or high handicappers. | | | | 48-52 inches and up in length. Golfers stabilize this |
| Insert putters are designed with composite inserts | | | | putter by pressing its top against their chest or |
| made of a softer material. The advantage of | | | | resting it on their chin. These putters require a |
| using a light insert means the weight of the putter | | | | completely different grip. Most players grip long |
| can be redistributed elsewhere on the putter face. | | | | putters with their left hand, holding the putter into |
| Therefore the weight is added to the heel or and | | | | their body (thumb up), and the right hand working |
| toe, offering a wider area for pure strikes. This | | | | as a claw in the middle section of the putter to |
| wider area makes a larger sweet spot with more | | | | pull and push through the line of the putt causing |
| forgiveness. The inserts provide for a better feel | | | | the putter to swing like a pendulum. Putting all the |
| on the putt and a smoother role, rather than a | | | | power of the stroke in the right hand. This is a |
| hop or skid. The only draw back is they do not | | | | tough skill to master and hard to use in the wind. |
| produce sound. If sound is important feedback, | | | | Now that you've got a feel for what putters are |
| this may not be the putter for you. | | | | available to you and how they work, choosing the |
| Offset places the actual putter blade back from | | | | right putter will be easier. With about 50 percent |
| the shaft slightly. This allows the golfers eyes to | | | | of your shots being putts, it's important to pick a |
| be more directly on top of the ball when standing | | | | putter that works for you. Great putting will |
| over the putt. This will increase top spin for a | | | | always save par. |