Used in final approach play, the putter is perhaps the most vital club in the game of golf. It is important, therefore, that golfers choose the right putter to suit their game.

Golf Putters are perhaps the most personal of all golf clubs, coming in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate unique player preferences. Here we will take a look at some of the factors you should take into consideration when choosing a putter, these include:

Head construction

Golfers should consider the head construction of their putter and how this relates to their game. New players should look for a heavier weight putter which will put greater power behind shots, and ensure smoother shots. Putter heads traditionally appear in three forms, namely blade, half mallet and mallet;

Blade – The blade putter has a simple head of a thin, rectangular shape.

Mallet – Mallet putters have a thicker, rectangular shape with a semi-circle at the back.

Half mallet – This is somewhere in-between the above.

Putter face

The face of the putter is all-important in ensuring that the ball rolls accurately when hit. For this purpose, milled faces are commonplace, with the aim of giving the golfer the perfect striking surface. Depending on personal preference, or the green being played on, putters with inserts to give a softer or firmer feel can be used to good effect. Anti-skid faces are a new development, reducing friction to make for faster, more accurate shots.

Shaft

The type of shaft determines how consistently the golfer squares the ball upon impact. There are three different types of shaft namely; regular, belly shaft and broom handle putters. The most common of these by far is the offset putter, which is widely regarded as the most consistent, and therefore a popular choice for beginners. 

The less widely used belly shaft putter is anchored to the belly and the broom handle putter is used by placing the left hand high up on the shaft. Both of these variations have been designed to reduce the effect of the wrist on the shot, making a pendulum type movement, which leads to more accurate putting. These putters are most commonly used by professionals.  

The length of the shaft is important, with a standard length of 35 inches not suiting everyone’s game. Those who prefer a stooped stance should consider shorter shafts and golfers are advised to try several lengths of shaft, in order to find a club which suits their style.

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