The best putter for your golf game will vary depending on your playing ability and style; however, the putter you choose does matter.
The putter you choose for your golf game is the most important club in your bag. Putters make a big difference in your score, and golfers must take the time to choose the proper one. Let’s take a look at why putters make a difference and how you can choose the perfect putter.
Does Your Putter Make A Difference?
Putters make a difference, and golfers need to carefully consider which putter they choose for their golf game. Depending on your putting stroke, the putter you choose will impact the roll, distance control, loft, and consistency of your putting game.
More and more golfers are going for a putter fitting because of the importance of finding the right putter for the game. Choosing a flat stick that is customized for your stroke is essential if you want to make more putts.
Part of choosing the proper putter involves understanding what makes one putter different from another.
How To Choose The Perfect Putter
For those new to the game or golfers ready to take their golf game to the next level, choosing the perfect putter takes a bit of time and research. Considering
you will use it on every hole, choosing a new putter is a big decision. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your next flat stick.
Blade Putters vs. Mallet Putters
There are two basic types of putters on the market: a blade putter and a mallet putter. The blade putter is a classic design with a much smaller club head. Blade putters are great for fast greens, classic looks, and impressive consistency. Something like a Scotty Cameron blade style putter has been used to win countless PGA Tour events.
Mallet putters are larger putter heads with more forgiveness and sometimes more stability at impact. These are usually counter balanced putters that come in a variety of styles and sizes. The new modern mallet putters are quite large and work well for the straight back/straight through putter style.
Arc vs. Straight Back Straight Through
Choosing a putter based on your putting stroke is typically a good idea. The blade style putters are best for the arc type stroke, while the mallet is best for a more consistent straight back and straight through. Putters heads are becoming more versatile so that they will work for various putting strokes. However, choosing one that is fitted properly will make a difference.
New Technology vs. Old Technology
Sometimes you can find a great putter that is an older design. So many players are rushing to buy the newest putter that releases to the market when an old putter is sometimes a really smart choice. Some putters from Ping, Odyssey, and Scotty Cameron can be found used at a good price.
The new technology will change the head shape and even the head weight. There are also some new shaft options in the new technology vs. the old. However, for some players, there won’t be much difference as technology in putters does not update as rapidly as it does in drivers or irons.
One Piece Putter Head vs. Face Insert
The most important part of a putter is the face, where you will make contact with the ball. The one piece putter head tends to have minimal vibration on a dead square hit. However, sometimes the feel of a one piece putter is a bit more firm.
For golfers that like a softer feel, the face insert is an excellent technology to consider. Face inserts allow for a softer feel at impact. Some of the most famous face inserts on the market are made by Odyssey golf. The one-piece vs. face insert can come down to personal preference at times.
The most critical piece of this puzzle is to learn to keep the putter face square, regardless of the putter in your hands.
You may also want to check out our review of the best Center shafted putters and our heavily researched post on the putter for women.
Cheap vs. Expensive Putters
A cheap putter and an expensive putter will typically have differences in weighting and feel. The more expensive putters tend to feel better at impact and do a great job of keeping the putt on the target line.
The most important part of finding the right golf putter for your needs is to eliminate the inconsistent stroke. You must find one that allows you to keep your putt on the line while repeating the same stroke time after time.
There are likely multiple options on the market that will provide this for you, regardless of the price range. Putters have increased considerably in price in the last few years. However, considering this club is used on every hole, don’t cheap out on your putter.
Is A Putter Fitting Worth It?
Now that you can see the importance of a golf putter and the difference it makes in your game, you may be wondering about a putter fitting. Putter fittings are a great idea regardless of your handicap. Players seem to have no trouble signing up for a custom club fitting that will give stats like average distance, spin rates, and smash factor.
Although the putter fitting may not give average golfers this same satisfaction regarding stats, if you are serious about becoming a better putter, or are a Beginner, this putter fitting can make a big difference.
In addition, putter fittings will ensure that you don’t end up with the wrong putter in your hands.
Conclusion
A putter makes a tremendous difference in your game. Putter technology is a bit different than iron or driver technology, and you can take your time to ensure that you end up with a putter that is the best fit for your needs. Many factors go into choosing the right putter, and you may have to make a bit of trial and error before you find the perfect model. However, once you get a great putter, you can keep it in play for years to come.
If the putter is not the problem, you may want to check out our recent article on how to read a putting green. Combining your new putter and the ability to read greens like a pro, you may be a scratch golfer in no time.
