Help...why the center shafted putter?

[Dub]

What are the expected performance differences with putters that are the same in every respect except shaft position.

I'm seeing more putters offered now with center shaft positions.

What does this offer?

[Big_M]

I think it mostly has to do with visual preference... although maybe a severely toed putt would twist the putter head less?

I choose my putter in the center shafted version because it fit my eye a tad better.

[firstcut]

I just picked up a center shaft putter. I think they may be better for pendulum swings. I also think that it was easier to "feel" even a slight twist which shoud help me correct mistakes.

On the flip side, it could just be the latest fad..

[titaniummd]

What are the expected performance differences with putters that are the same in every respect except shaft position.

There is no difference in performance. It is the preference for different folks - in my case, a pendulum stroke.

[Smallville]

although maybe a severely toed putt would twist the putter head less?

Also, the same with hitting it on the heel. That was my reaoning for trying it out, although my putter is not quite in the center, it was the closest I found at the time I was looking. I feel that I keep the putter head square even on off center hits. I have not putted as well with any other putter I have ever had. It's not like I make a ton of one-putts, but my longer putts I'm leaving in a better position to make the second.

Then again, it could all be in my head and have nothing to do with the position of the shaft on the putter head. That's OK too, as long as it helps me putt better.

[golf rules]

I don't know but i haven't had much success with center shafted putters. They don't really fit my stroke. This may be random but how do you put the thing with your clubs on the bottom.

[Harold]

The center shaft putters are likely face balanced and for the straight back and straight through aka "Pelz" putters. There may be toe weighted putters with a center shaft though I don't know for certain and that would seem to be kind contradictory to the "Utley" approach. Face balanced putters can have the shaft offset though. You have to balance them on your finger to find out though if the specs don't tell you otherwise

[zripp3]

I've had similar experiences with the swing type. My 8 year old white hot center-shafted works much better with my pendulum swing than the more traditional ping blade I picked up a couple months ago.

[ebin]

I use an Odyssey centre shafted putter b/c I have a square pendulum swing. It's definitely not for everyone and I actually find it to be more sensitive to the line you're aiming for - be off a little and the end result is that you're much further off than a heel based putter but hit it square and the result is great (at least for me).

[TinCupTampa]

I have been looking at center shafted putters because I have a straight back straight through putting stroke.

The new Scotty coming out is a center shafted putter... but its going to have to knock my socks off to get me to switch from my spider.

[Dub]

Thanks for the education.

It does make better sense now.

I read further in Utley's book last night and the matter was explained a bit.


I can see where these models would be great for a SBST stroke. Good to know.

[pirettigolf]

Our Center Shafted putter was made for ease of alignment. Although a face balanced putter is great for the SBST stroke, if you look at most of the premier SBST putters (Mickelson, Loren Roberts) they use heel shafted putters with lots of toe hang.
Mike