What Are The Different Types Of Putter Styles?

Are you an avid golfer looking to up your game on the green? Then you’re probably familiar with the importance of having the right putter in your arsenal. But with so many different types of putter styles out there, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is best for you. From the classic blade putter to the high-tech mallet putter, each style has its own unique characteristics that can make or break your putting game. In this article, we will explore the different types of putter styles and help you navigate the world of golf clubs so you can choose the perfect putter for your game.

Understanding Putter Styles

When it comes to golf, putting is an essential skill that can make or break your game. A key component of a successful putt is the putter itself. Putters come in various styles, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. Understanding the different putter styles is crucial in finding the one that suits your game and helps you perform at your best. In this article, we will dive into the world of putter styles, exploring their definitions, functionalities, and factors that distinguish them.

Definition of a Putter

Before exploring the different putter styles, let’s start with the definition of a putter. A putter is a golf club specifically designed for putting, the final stroke on the green that aims to roll the ball into the hole. Unlike other golf clubs, putters have a flat face and a shorter shaft, allowing for better control and precision on the green.

Functionality of Different Putter Styles

Putter styles can vary based on their design and weight distribution. Each style has its own functionality, which impacts factors such as feel, forgiveness, and alignment. The main putter styles include blade putters, mallet putters, peripheral weighted putters, center-shafted putters, toe balanced putters, face balanced putters, belly putters, and long putters.

Blade Putters

Blade putters are the most traditional and commonly used putter style. They feature a sleek, compact head with a thin top line and minimal offset. The weight of a blade putter is typically concentrated in the heel and toe, allowing for enhanced feel and control. Blade putters provide excellent feedback and are favored by golfers seeking a classic and responsive putting experience.

Features of Blade Putters

Blade putters are characterized by their timeless design and minimalist features. They often have a simple alignment aid, a thin face, and a narrow sweet spot. The hosel is typically positioned at the heel, resulting in a slight toe hang.

Pros and Cons of Blade Putters

The main advantage of blade putters is their ability to provide precise feedback and feel, allowing golfers to develop a consistent putting stroke. They also excel in delivering accuracy on shorter putts. However, their smaller size and less forgiving nature can be a challenge for golfers with inconsistent strokes or those seeking maximum forgiveness.

Best Uses for Blade Putters

Blade putters are best suited for golfers with a consistent stroke and those who prioritize feel and control over forgiveness. They shine on courses with faster greens, where the golfer can rely on their precision and feedback to excel.

Mallet Putters

Mallet putters, on the other hand, have a larger and more forgiving design compared to blade putters. They feature a bigger and more prominent head, with perimeter weighting that increases stability and resistance to twisting. Mallet putters often have elaborate alignment aids and offer a higher moment of inertia (MOI), reducing the effects of mishits.

Characteristics of Mallet Putters

Mallet putters stand out for their larger heads, which distribute more weight towards the back and perimeter of the clubhead. This weight distribution helps to improve stability and forgiveness. Mallet putters typically have a higher MOI, resulting in less twisting at impact.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Mallet Putters

The main advantage of mallet putters lies in their forgiveness and stability. They are particularly beneficial for golfers with a more inconsistent stroke or those who struggle with alignment. Mallet putters also perform well on longer distance putts. However, their larger size may take some getting used to for golfers who are accustomed to the smaller profile of blade putters.

Best Uses for Mallet Putters

Mallet putters are ideal for golfers seeking forgiveness and stability in their putting stroke. They shine on courses with slower greens or on uneven terrain, where their enhanced stability and alignment aids can be advantageous.

Peripheral Weighted Putters

Peripheral weighted putters, also known as perimeter weighted putters, are designed to enhance forgiveness and stability. These putter styles have weight distributed towards the perimeter of the clubhead, increasing the moment of inertia and minimizing the effects of mishits.

Properties of Peripheral Weighted Putters

Peripheral weighted putters feature a larger clubhead with weight concentrated towards the heel and toe. This design helps to reduce twisting on off-center hits, resulting in improved forgiveness. The weight distribution also enhances the stability of the putter throughout the stroke.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Peripheral Weighted Putters

The primary strength of peripheral weighted putters is their forgiveness. They are excellent at minimizing the negative effects of mishits, allowing golfers to achieve better results even with off-center strikes. However, some golfers may find the larger clubhead and heavier feel less comfortable, making it important to experiment and find the right balance for their game.

Ideal Conditions for Using Peripheral Weighted Putters

Peripheral weighted putters excel in situations where forgiveness and stability are key. They are well-suited for golfers who struggle with consistency or those who enjoy the added confidence provided by increased forgiveness. Courses with slower greens and uneven terrain can be particularly suited for the advantages offered by peripheral weighted putters.

Center-Shafted Putters

Center-shafted putters offer a unique design that can influence the golfer’s putting experience. The shaft is positioned in the center of the clubhead, altering the weight distribution and affecting the feel and stroke of the putter.

Details about Center-Shafted Putters

Center-shafted putters have the shaft directly connected to the center of the clubhead, rather than being attached to the heel or the hosel like other putter styles. This design redistributes the weight towards the center, creating a more balanced feel during the putting stroke.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Center-Shafted Putters

Center-shafted putters offer improved alignment due to the shaft’s position in the center of the clubhead. The balanced weight distribution can also provide a more stable stroke. However, some golfers may find the unique design less comfortable or struggle to adapt their stroke to accommodate the center-shafted putter’s characteristics.

Best Circumstances for Using Center-Shafted Putters

Center-shafted putters are best suited for golfers who struggle with alignment or those who prefer a more balanced feel in their stroke. Courses with fast greens can benefit from the stability offered by center-shafted putters. Golfers should experiment and practice with this putter style to determine its suitability for their game.

Toe Balanced Putters

Toe balanced putters, also known as slight toe hang putters, have a unique weight distribution that influences the stroke and behavior of the putter. The balancing point of these putters is near the toe, creating a slight toe hang when balanced on a finger.

Understanding Toe Balanced Putters

Toe balanced putters are designed to promote a more pronounced arcing swing path. The weight distribution towards the toe allows the putter face to naturally open during the backswing and close during the follow-through, resulting in a slight toe hang.

Highlights and Downfalls of Toe Balanced Putters

Toe balanced putters excel in promoting and accommodating an arcing putting stroke. They offer enhanced feel and control for golfers who prefer this type of stroke. However, golfers with a straight-back and straight-through stroke may find it challenging to adapt to the toe balanced putter’s natural arcing motion.

Proper Use of Toe Balanced Putters

Toe balanced putters are best suited for golfers with a pronounced arcing stroke or those seeking better feel and control. Golfers should consider their natural putting stroke and seek professional advice if unsure about the suitability of a toe balanced putter for their game.

Face Balanced Putters

Face balanced putters, in contrast to toe balanced putters, have a weight distribution that favors a straight-back and straight-through putting stroke. When balanced on a finger, face balanced putters will remain parallel to the ground, without any toe hang.

Concept of Face Balanced Putters

Face balanced putters are designed to promote a straight-back and straight-through putting stroke. The weight distribution is aligned with the shaft, creating a balanced feel and preventing the putter face from naturally opening or closing during the stroke.

Positives and Negatives of Face Balanced Putters

Face balanced putters excel in promoting a straight-back and straight-through putting stroke, which can benefit golfers who prefer this style. They offer stability and consistency, particularly on shorter putts. On the other hand, golfers with an arcing stroke may struggle to adapt to the face balanced putter’s design.

How to Utilize Face Balanced Putters Efficiently

Face balanced putters are ideal for golfers with a straight-back and straight-through stroke or those seeking a more stable and consistent putting experience. Courses with fast greens or on which shorter putts require precision can be well-matched with face balanced putters.

Belly Putters

Belly putters, as the name suggests, are longer putters that are anchored against the golfer’s belly during the putting stroke. This unique style offers certain advantages but also comes with its own set of challenges.

Characteristics of Belly Putters

Belly putters are typically 39 to 43 inches long, longer than conventional putters, allowing the golfer to anchor the grip against their abdomen. This anchoring creates a more stable putting stroke and can promote a pendulum-like motion.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Belly Putters

Belly putters offer increased stability and control due to the anchoring technique. They can help golfers with consistency issues or those who struggle with the yips. However, anchoring the putter may require adjustments to the golfer’s stance and grip, and the longer length can reduce the ability to generate feel in the stroke.

Suitable Situations for Using Belly Putters

Belly putters are particularly beneficial for golfers seeking improved stability and control in their putting stroke. Players who struggle with consistency or have difficulties with the shorter putting stroke may find belly putters helpful. Courses with slower greens may also be suited for this putter style.

Long Putters

Long putters, similar to belly putters, are longer than conventional putters. Unlike belly putters, long putters don’t require anchoring against the body. Instead, the golfer grips the club with one or both hands extended above the normal grip area.

Features of Long Putters

Long putters typically measure between 46 and 52 inches in length, considerably longer than standard putters. Golfers who use long putters grip the club with their hands extended above the grip area, creating a unique pendulum-like motion.

Pros and Cons of Long Putters

Long putters provide stability and control similar to belly putters but offer more freedom in terms of grip and stance. They can benefit golfers who struggle with consistency or those seeking alternative methods for combating the yips. However, the longer length of the putters may require adjustments to the golfer’s posture and grip, and they can limit the ability to generate feel in the putting stroke.

Optimum Conditions for Using Long Putters

Long putters are suitable for golfers who desire stability and control in their putting stroke but do not want to anchor the putter against their body. They can be particularly beneficial for golfers with the yips or those who struggle with shorter putts. Experimentation and practice are crucial in finding the right technique and approach with long putters.

Choosing The Right Putter Style

Selecting the right putter style can significantly impact your putting performance. Several factors should be considered when making this decision, including your stroke type, preferences, and the conditions you typically encounter in your game.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Putter

When choosing a putter, it is important to consider factors such as head shape, weight distribution, alignment aids, grip type, and overall design. Each of these factors can influence your comfort, stroke, and confidence on the greens.

How to Determine Which Putter Style is Best for You

To determine the most suitable putter style for your game, it is essential to consider your putting stroke type, personal preferences, and areas of improvement. Testing different putters and seeking professional advice can help you identify the putter style that aligns with your unique needs and goals.

How Different Putting Styles Affect Your Game

It is important to understand how different putting styles can impact your game. Factors such as stroke type, alignment preferences, and the length of putts you commonly face can all influence the performance and effectiveness of certain putter styles. Experimentation and practice with different putter styles can help you identify the most compatible option for your putting style.

By understanding the various putter styles, their functionalities, and the factors to consider when choosing a putter, you can make an informed decision that enhances your putting performance and improves your overall golf game. So, grab your putter and start exploring the wonderful world of putter styles. Happy putting!