Difference between these two...

[hypergolf]

What is the functional difference between a single bend putter shaft and a plumbing putter shaft? For example:

1. Red X3 (1/4 shaft offset) vs Red X5 (Full Shaft offset).
2. Ping i-Series Anser 4 (1/4 shaft offset) vs Ping i-Series Anser (Full Shaft offset).

From what I heard, 1/4 - 1/2 shaft offsets are better for people who usually miss putts to the left while full shaft offset are better for people who usually miss putts to the right.

Is this true and are there any other benefits to each design?

I thought it was just a design preference and had no significant performance difference...

[iacas]

From what I heard, 1/4 - 1/2 shaft offsets are better for people who usually miss putts to the left while full shaft offset are better for people who usually miss putts to the right.

I've always heard it had more to do with forward presses. Those who like to forward press tend to like the shaft back further.

Regardless, all of that - yours and mine - may just be old wives tale stuff. If you change the ball position in your stance slightly you can negate or exaggerate everything we've talked about already. I think it's more about whatever looks good to you. You can compensate - very subtly - for it from there. The literal difference between 1/4 offset and full shaft offset is, what, less than half an inch? It really makes very little actual difference.

[hawkeye]

Just an observation - but perhaps topical. Take the last 3 Masters winners putters.

Tiger has full offset (well standard Newport 2's do anyway)
Phil has semi offset (1/2 or 1/4) - so it appears
Zach has no offset/negative offset - shaft is behind the clubface.

I'm guessing it's aesthetic - whichever suits your eye.

[iacas]

Just an observation - but perhaps topical. Take the last 3 Masters winners putters.

Yeah, I think that's it. The old wives tales about "forward press" and "pulling or pushing" putts are bunk, I think.

[Crafty]

I've always heard it had more to do with forward presses

You are correct. Here it is from the Titleist Performance Institute: Right eye dominant players usually prefer putters with minimal offsets or even center shafted putters like the Scotty Cameron Red X 2. Left eye dominant players usually prefer putters with offsets like the Scotty Cameron Newports. Putter offsets help players create a consistent setup. Sometimes players press the shaft forward or lean the shaft back at setup but it actually appears straight up and down from the player’s point of view. If the shaft leans too far in any direction, the resulting changes in loft will play havoc with your speed control. An offset putter helps prevent the shaft leaning too far forward and non-offset putter helps prevent leaning the shaft too far back.