Putters are the most specialized golfing clubs. When a putter is pulled out of the bag, it can only mean one thing – the ball is about to be knocked into a hole. Putters are quite unique in golfing, so much that they have features that are not allowed on other clubs. Non-circular grips and bent shafts are some of the features not allowed on any other club except putters.
Our review of the best putters has shown you the best putters available; this buying guide provides details about putters, including the types of putters, the factors that should be prioritized when buying a putter. The guide also answers frequently asked questions about putters.
What are the Types of Putters?
Based on head balance, there are two types of putters. These are the toe-balanced putter and the face-balanced putter.
Toe Balanced Putters
During the backswing, a toe-balanced putter opens. It then closes during the through-stroke. Toe-balanced putters are ideal for golfers with an arced putting stroke. To know if a putter is toe-balanced, perfectly balance the putter’s shaft on your index finger. Check the putter’s toe part. If the toe points to the ground or slightly droops, that means it is a toe-balanced putter.
Face Balanced Putters
A face-balanced putter does not open or close when a golfer uses it for putting. It is ideal for golfers with straight putting strokes. To know if a putter is face-balanced, perfectly balance the putter’s shaft on your index finger. If the part of the putter that makes contact with the ball faces upward, that means the putter is face-balanced.
What are the Things to Consider Before Buying Putters?
Due to the array of options available, choosing the best putter to buy can be challenging. With this in mind, we have drawn up a list of factors that should be considered when buying a putter. These factors will help you to make a sound buying decision.
Length
Getting it right with your putter length should be the first factor you consider when buying a putter. The best putter length varies from one individual to the other. A golfer’s height and arm length are determinants of the ideal putter length. To determine your perfect putter length, follow these simple steps:
- First, stand in your normal address position
- Free your arms so that they hang naturally (this is to avoid stiff arms when you putt)
- The distance between the ground and the top of your hands is the ideal length of your putter shaft (get someone to measure this).
Head Design
The head design of a putter is another vital factor to consider when buying a putter. The head design of putters comes in three types – blade putter, mallet putter, and peripheral weighted putter.
Putters with blade heads are the most traditional of all three; they are narrow and relatively light. They are ideal for players with straight putting strokes.
Putters with mallet heads have large heads and feature elaborate designs. They are ideal for players that struggle with alignment in their putts.
Peripheral weighted putters usually have additional weight in the toe and heel; hence the name heel-toe weighted putter. They are similar to mallet putters in a lot of ways and have greater forgiveness. However, they are longer and thinner.
Overall, you should be on the lookout for a putter with a head design that suits your style and putting needs
Milled Putter vs. Insert Putter
The choice between a milled putter and an insert putter should also be given a thought when buying a putter. In milled putters, the surface that makes contact with the ball is made of the same steel as its surrounding parts. Milled putters have the advantage of being more balanced and uniform. However, they are usually expensive.
On the other hand, the surface that makes contact with the ball in inserted putters is an inserted material. The soft insert could be made of zinc, rubber, steel, or titanium. Insert putters are relatively cheaper than milled putters.
Shafts
Your putter style usually determines the best type of putter shaft for you to buy. Heel-shafted putters are ideal for players that rotate the blade through their strokes. Conversely, putters with center-shafts are ideal for players with a flat stroke. Thus, consider your putting stroke when choosing the ideal putter shaft type.
How to Take Care of Putters
To ensure that your putter serves you for as long as possible, follow these simple steps to maintain it.
- Ensure that the putter is always dry. You can do this by cleaning the head with a clean, dry cloth after each use. This reduces the chances of oxidation on the putter.
- In cleaning your putter, avoid abrasives and paint thinners. They can smear the paint fill.
- Avoid storing the putter in a wet or damp environment.
- It would be best if you use a putter hardcover to store the dried putter safely.
How Much do Putters Cost?
You could get a putter for as low as $15. Also, there are putters that are sold for as much as $500. Overall durability tends to increase proportionally with the price. Putters within the $70 and $200 range offer a middle ground between durability and cost.
FAQs
Q: What is the best golf putter for beginners?
A: There are many brands of putters that are good for beginners. The best putter for a beginner is a putter that is most forgiving of bad swings and poor contact with the ball.
Q: Should I use a heavy or light putter?
A: It depends on the golfer and the greens they are playing on. Some golfers have no problem pulling off their putting with light putters. For golfers who cannot pull off their putts with light putters, a heavy putter may help them to perfect their putting.
Q: How heavy should your putter head be?
A: The weight of the putter head is dependent on the golfer’s preference. Putters usually weigh between 350 grams and 400 grams. Heavier putter heads give an advantage on fast greens.