Golf is a game of precision and patience, and few clubs are as crucial to scoring well as the putter. While drivers and irons get all the glory for their long-distance power, the putter is the club that truly determines your success on the greens. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what a putter is, the different types available, how to choose the right one, and the techniques to use it effectively — helping you improve your golf game and lower your scores.
The putter is one of the most unique clubs in your golf bag, designed specifically for use on the putting green. Unlike drivers or irons, which are engineered for distance and power, the putter’s primary role is to provide precision and control for short-range shots. Its club head is typically flat or slightly curved, ensuring the ball rolls smoothly along the grass with minimal bounce or deviation. This specialized design makes the putter essential for finishing each hole efficiently.
Beyond its physical characteristics, the putter plays a critical role in the strategy of golf. Most golfers take nearly half their total strokes on the green, making putting a vital skill for scoring well. Whether you’re facing a short, straightforward tap-in or a tricky downhill putt, your putter is the club you’ll rely on to navigate those final feet to the golf hole. Mastering its use can be the difference between a par and a bogey, or even lower.
Understanding the putter also means recognizing the psychological aspect of putting. Many golfers feel the most pressure when standing over a putt, as success often hinges on subtle nuances like green speed, slope, and alignment. Developing confidence with your putter—and knowing how it behaves—can significantly reduce stress and improve your performance on golf courses of all levels.
A putter is a specialized golf club designed exclusively for use on the putting green — the smooth, closely mowed area around the golf hole. Unlike other clubs built for power and distance, the putter’s design focuses on control, accuracy, and touch. Its primary function is to roll the ball along the grass toward the hole with minimal bounce or deviation.
The putter typically has a flat or slightly curved club head, often weighing more than other golf clubs to provide stability. The club face is designed to promote smooth, consistent ball roll. Putters also feature various shapes, weights, and alignment aids that cater to different putting styles and preferences.
Putting is an integral part of every round of golf. It’s estimated that about 40-50% of all strokes in a typical round are putts, making putting one of the most important skills for scoring well. A powerful drive or a perfect iron shot can set you up nicely, but it’s your putting stroke that ultimately decides whether you sink the ball in fewer strokes.
Good putting reduces the number of strokes needed to complete a hole, often saving par or making birdies possible. Many golfers find that improving their putting stroke leads to the most significant score improvements overall. The putter is the tool that helps you finish each hole, and mastering it is essential to playing your best golf on any course.
Selecting the right putter is more than just picking a club that looks good. It requires a thoughtful approach that considers your height, stroke style, and personal preferences. Putter length is crucial; a putter that’s too long or too short can negatively affect your posture and alignment, leading to inconsistent strokes. Most golfers benefit from a length that allows their eyes to be positioned directly over the ball, promoting better aim and control.
Weight and balance are equally important when choosing a putter. A heavier putter head offers more stability and helps maintain a smooth, steady stroke, especially on longer putts or faster greens. On the other hand, lighter putters can provide quicker feedback and may suit golfers who prefer a more delicate touch. Understanding whether a face-balanced or toe-balanced putter matches your natural stroke arc can further enhance your putting consistency and confidence.
Additional features like face inserts and alignment aids should not be overlooked. Face inserts improve the feel and roll of the ball off the club face, often reducing skidding and enhancing distance control. Alignment aids, such as lines or dots on the putter head, assist in aiming accurately at the golf hole. Choosing a putter with the right combination of these elements can provide both comfort and improved performance on the greens.
Putter length varies widely, typically ranging from about 32 inches to 36 inches or longer. The right length depends on your height, posture, and natural putting stance. A putter that’s too long forces you to stand too upright, making it harder to control the stroke. Conversely, a putter that’s too short causes you to hunch over and may lead to inconsistent contact.
To find the proper putter length, stand in your putting stance and measure from the floor to your wrists. Your putter length should allow you to hold the club comfortably with your eyes positioned directly over the ball. Many golf club online stores offer fitting services or charts to help you determine the ideal golf club length for putting.
The weight and balance of the putter head affect the feel and stroke control. Heavier putter heads provide more stability and can help smooth out the putting stroke on fast greens or longer putts. Lighter putters allow for quicker, more delicate strokes, which some players prefer on slower greens or short putts.
Balance is also critical: face-balanced putters tend to resist twisting and are well-suited for golfers with a straight-through putting stroke, while toe-balanced putters encourage a slight arc in the stroke. Understanding your putting stroke helps you choose a putter with the right balance for you.
Many modern putters include face inserts made from materials like polymer or metal alloys designed to improve the feel and ball roll. Face inserts can soften impact or help the ball roll more smoothly, enhancing control.
Alignment aids on the putter head are visual tools that help you line up your putts more accurately. They may include lines, dots, or shapes designed to make it easier to aim toward the golf hole. For golfers struggling with alignment, these aids can boost confidence and reduce missed putts.
Golf putters come in a variety of styles, each designed to accommodate different stroke types and player preferences. Blade putters, for example, are the traditional choice with a narrow, rectangular club head. They provide excellent feel and precision, making them popular among skilled golfers who have a straight putting stroke and want maximum feedback from each putt. However, they generally have smaller sweet spots and require consistent contact for the best results.
Mallet putters, on the other hand, feature a larger and often more rounded club head. These putters are heavier and designed to increase forgiveness on off-center hits. They usually include advanced alignment aids, making them ideal for beginners or those who prefer a more stable, controlled putting stroke. Peripheral-weighted putters take this a step further by distributing weight around the edges of the club head, which helps reduce twisting and keeps the putter face square during the stroke.
Other types include long putters and belly putters, which are less common but still useful for certain players. Long putters have extended shafts allowing the club to be anchored against the body, providing additional stability, though anchoring has been restricted in competitive play. Belly putters are similar but slightly shorter, designed to be braced against the stomach. Both types are aimed at reducing wrist movement to improve stroke consistency.
Blade putters are the classic, traditional style characterized by a thin, rectangular club head. They are typically lightweight with minimal offset. Blade putters offer exceptional feel and feedback, allowing skilled golfers to control the ball with precision. Because of their smaller sweet spot, they require consistent, accurate contact.
Blade putters are ideal for players with a straight putting stroke who prefer a clean, no-frills design. Their simple shape also makes them easier to control in windy conditions and tight greens.
Mallet putters feature a larger, often more rounded or square-shaped head that provides added stability and forgiveness. They typically weigh more than blade putters and distribute weight around the perimeter (peripheral weighting) to reduce twisting on off-center hits.
Mallet putters usually incorporate advanced alignment aids, making it easier to aim and line up putts, especially for beginners or high handicappers. Their forgiving nature helps maintain consistent distance control, particularly on longer putts.
Peripheral-weighted putters are a subtype that spreads weight around the edges of the putter head, increasing the moment of inertia (MOI). This design reduces the tendency of the club head to twist on off-center hits, improving accuracy and distance consistency.
Golfers who struggle with mishits or inconsistent roll may find peripheral-weighted putters beneficial. This type of putter blends the stability of mallet designs with the feel of traditional blades.
Long putters, sometimes called broomstick putters, have an extended shaft that allows the golfer to anchor the putter against the chest or stomach. This anchoring provides extra stability and control during the putting stroke.
Long putters are favored by players with putting stroke difficulties or physical limitations. However, due to rule changes by golf’s governing bodies, anchoring the putter is no longer allowed in official tournaments, which has affected their popularity at the professional level.
Belly putters are mid-length putters designed to be anchored against the golfer’s belly or stomach. They provide a stable putting stroke and can help reduce wrist movement.
While they were once very popular, changes in golf rules have banned anchoring putters during play, limiting their use in competitive golf. Nevertheless, many amateur players continue to use belly putters for their feel and control.
Using a putter effectively requires mastering several key elements: grip, stance, posture, and stroke. Your grip influences control and the tendency to manipulate the clubface during the stroke. Common grips include the traditional grip, where both hands hold the club naturally; the claw grip, which reduces wrist action; and the cross-handed grip, which can help with alignment and consistency. Experimenting with these grips can help you discover what feels most comfortable and effective for your putting style.
Your stance and posture also play a critical role in setting up for a successful putt. Feet should be shoulder-width apart with knees slightly bent to create a stable base. Your eyes should be positioned directly over or just inside the ball to ensure you aim correctly. Keeping your shoulders square and your arms relaxed helps maintain a smooth pendulum motion during the stroke.
The putting stroke itself is typically a pendulum-like motion controlled by the shoulders. A smooth, straight-back, straight-through putting stroke helps maintain the putter face square to the target line, promoting a true roll toward the hole. Avoiding wrist breaks or excessive hand movement leads to greater consistency and better distance control. Regular practice focusing on these fundamentals can significantly improve your accuracy and confidence on the greens.
Mastering the basic putting technique is essential for every golfer, regardless of skill level. The key to a successful putting stroke lies in simplicity, control, and consistency. Start by gripping the putter with light but steady pressure—enough to maintain control without creating tension in your hands or arms. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart with your weight evenly distributed, and your eyes positioned directly over the ball or just inside the target line. The putter face should be square to your intended target, and your shoulders should remain level and relaxed. During the stroke, focus on a pendulum-like motion that originates from the shoulders, not the wrists. Keep your lower body still and avoid swaying or lifting your head too early. The backswing and follow-through should be equal in length to promote a smooth, balanced motion. With regular practice and attention to these fundamentals, your putting technique can become more automatic, leading to greater consistency and success on the green.
The way you hold your putter affects your control and consistency. Here are common grip styles:
Experimenting with different grips can help you find what works best for your putting style.
Your stance should be stable yet relaxed. Feet should be shoulder-width apart with knees slightly bent to maintain balance. The eyes should be positioned directly over or just inside the ball to ensure proper alignment.
Maintain a slight bend from the hips and keep your arms relaxed but steady. The shoulders should control the stroke, and the wrists should remain firm without excessive movement.
A good putting stroke resembles a pendulum, with the shoulders swinging the putter back and through in a smooth, controlled arc. Avoid breaking the wrists or adding unnecessary movements that disrupt consistency.
A straight-through putting stroke, where the putter head travels straight back and straight through on a consistent path, is ideal for many golfers. This helps produce a clean roll and improves accuracy.
Practice Distance Control: Vary your stroke length during practice to learn how far the ball rolls based on stroke size.
Use Alignment Aids: Take advantage of the lines or markings on your putter and the green to line up putts precisely.
Pre-Putt Routine: Develop a consistent routine to build focus and confidence before each putt.Practice on Different Greens: Vary the speed and slope of greens in practice to better handle real course conditions.
The putter is an indispensable golf club that directly influences your scores and overall enjoyment of the game. Understanding what a putter is, how it functions, and the different types available allows you to make an informed choice tailored to your game. Whether you prefer a classic blade putter or a forgiving mallet putter, selecting the proper putter length, weight, and grip style will enhance your putting stroke.
Mastering putting technique—from grip to stance to stroke—can transform your golf game. With consistent practice, you’ll gain better control and confidence, sinking more putts and lowering your scores. Don’t underestimate the power of the putter head to change your round.
Explore options like a premium golf putter in your 11 piece golf set, complement it with golf clubs wedges, and integrate reliable clubs such as Lazrus hybrids to round out your equipment. The right putter is not just a club—it’s your partner on the green, helping you finish every hole strong and enjoy golf to its fullest.
