How do you know which putter type is right for you?

[Koth]

I don't mean which specific putter is right for you, but which putter type is right for you?

I know finding a putter is all about trying them out and getting a feel for whichever one you like the best.

But how do you know what type of putters to look at? How do you know if you're a mallet putter or a blade putter? How do you know what size your putter should be?

I've been practicing my putting a lot lately, but I'm not sure if I'm getting much better, and I have a hard time deciding which putter to use.

[wubskis]

I know I'm a blade guy because if I look down at address and don't see a blade, I feel awkward and completely unsure of the putter I'm holding. From there, I just tried and tested everything I could, having narrowed the search. I'm sure right now you could say outright "I don't want to try anything like [blah]", say, a two-ball putter or something with the 'fangs' up from the heel and toe. It's just a case of developing a taste and finding your preferences, I suppose.

[Wildcat]

Go into a store with various types and try them out. See which ones you feel comfortable with. Try hitting some balls and see which ones you hit the straightest and truest. You should be able to narrow it way down with that. Store putting greens are flat and straight...if you can't hit a certain type straight on that surface, you can probably rule it out.

[dtb300]

I have an old Ping Darby that I have used for years. Tried out a Two-Ball Belly Putter for three months and just could not get the hang of it - distance control mainly. I have recently picked up a Center Shaft putter and feel much better and the aim and where my ball goes with it. But like others have stated, it is a try and find out thing. Maybe you can find a place where you can buy a putter, use it for three months, then trade it back in for another if it just does not work out for you.

For myself, how a putter works in the store on those indoor-outdoor putting carpets is totally different than when I am on the course.

[Keep It Simple]

I am going to buy a 2 ball mallot from Odyssey. Field and store tested it significantly out performed my current blade.

[James_Black]

A mallet is for a straight back - straight through type of putt.
A heel weighted blade putter opens on the takeaway and then closes through impact.

if you find out that you'd prefer a more blade-like putter or a larger mallet, you can send your bettinardi to me

[Koth]

Yeah, I guess my Bettinardi is right down the middle between blade and mallet, which makes it difficult to figure out which style I prefer.

I'm going to head to Golf Town tonight though and try out every type of putter until they decide kick me out.

But then after I find one, how do I know what length I need? Is a putter something you should get fitted at the store like a set of irons?

[James_Black]

Yeah, I guess my Bettinardi is right down the middle between blade and mallet, which makes it difficult to figure out which style I prefer.

Yes, get it fitted.

I got mine cut down to a 31 (I was 5,6 at the time) I've grown around 6 inches since then so I got it lengthened to 34 recently and I'm putting a lot better with it now. the pro should know what to do.

[Zeph]

It's quite simple.

1: Try putter A
2: Try putter B
3: Try putter C
4: Try putter D
etc.

Pick whatever you find works best. Length is not all that important since you can choke up, and people have different posture. Just find whatever works best for you and use it.

[chrisronline]

I had an issue with switching putters too. I originally had a 2ball Odyssey putter, but just didn't have the feel I wanted. I've recently switched to an Odyssey BS i#9 with a milled-face and I love it. I've made quite a few 10-20 footers recently!

[Koth]

Yeah, I started out with an Odyssey 2-Ball too, but then the insert broke, so I picked up a blade putter, and then I saw a nice deal on the Bettinardi so I bought that one. I've been all over the place with my putter types.

[walk18]

I have all different kinds and I'm going to stick with the mallet for awhile now, for me it's better on short putts. Borrow a friend's or use a demo from the pro shop and try it out on the practice green. Stay away from fake indoor greens, they're not realistic enough.

[B-Con]

1) I think the primary difference to examine is face-balanced versus full toe-hang (and the variations between). To me, they felt very different on take-away and through the stroke, and I couldn't force either one to fit its opposite stroke well. Face-balanced only felt good for straight-back-straight-through, and only strong toe-hang felt good for gating. I would determine which of those you like the best first.

2) The second difference was heel vs center shafted, but I haven't seen a putter that was center-shafted and not face-balanced. If you like face-balanced putters, then where the shaft intersects with the head may be the second biggest factor.

3) Blade vs mallet is just preference, but again, mallet is almost always (are there any exceptions?) going to be face-balanced, but some blades will also be face-balanced. Make that decision first before looking at blade vs mallet.

4) Find a weight that you like. Some feel that lighter putters can offer more distance control, but the primary disadvantage to lighter putters is that they're easier to yip. Less mass means less inertia which means it's easier to effect. On those short 2 footers where you're swinging very little, a heavy putter will not stray as easier once the backswing has started than a light putter.

For me, I found I like 1/2 to 2/3 toe hang and a medium weight putter which make my Karsten Anser II putter a great fit for me. I wish I could use a heavy putter for everything 2 feet and in, though, but oh well.

[saevel25]

Well the putter i used for 10+ years was a Ping blade putter with the extended back so it made it easier to pick up the golf ball ;)... I think it was a B20 or something like that. So i just got use to playing with blade putters, i like them. Then after a while i just wanted something a little more receptive, so i got a White Ice Blade putter. To me its what ever feels good, i like putters that have a really soft feel to them when i hit them solid than when i mishit, that difference helps me alot in knowing my putting stroke.

[bigoak]

I am suprised no one suggested this method. Instead they all talked about what they had. Who cares what you have? This is not the information requested.


When trying putter types use the two ball method. aline two balls so they will be struck at the same time with the putter. If you are a gate open=closer then the ball on the toe of the face will move the farthest when struck. If you are a shaft swinger then you are a shaft swinger when putting and the ball on the heel side will move the farthest.

try this with different style putters until you find a style that has the least distance between the two balls after being stuck. This actually gives you the whole face to putt with instead of a small portion

[Koth]

I've never heard of that method before, but I'm going to have to try that out.

Anyway, I just got back from Golf Town and I ended up getting a SeeMore FGP Original. I've looked at SeeMore putters before, but have never tested them out. I was certain I wouldn't like them because of the look. But at address this putter actually looks pretty decent, and it felt great. Plus, it was on sale for $100, so I grabbed it.

I think I might have to go back to Golf Town and try bigoak's method though. That sounds interesting.

Edit: I also liked the Ping Redwood Piper S mallet putter. It had a nice feel to it as well. But I think I'm more of a arc putter. I just like that method better. I may pick up a Piper for kicks though. It was pretty nice.

[Chas]

Just buy every putter you see that takes your fancy. There's safety in numbers. Eventually statistics says you'll find the right one.

I just bought my 7th yesterday, the new version of the 2-ball. Darker metal for better contrast between the metal and the "balls" and for glare suppression (v. important I discovered); adjustable weight that's elevated for better roll ..... we'll see about that.

I bought a cheap 2-ball knock-off (the "four ball") about 6 months ago ($19.11) and really liked it so my wife just bought me the real thing for my b'day. Let's hope I like it at least as much or I'm in big trouble. The knock-off is considerably heavier so that will take some getting used to.

[B-Con]

I am suprised no one suggested this method. Instead they all talked about what they had. Who cares what you have? This is not the information requested.

The problem, though, is that you have to repeat the experiment a few times to reduce the effect of random minor mistakes. Not everyone can make the same stroke perfectly every time. Plus you also would need to experiment with distance control. That works out to a lot of practice strokes and a lot of combinations.

As well, the putter you have not only works with your stroke but will also help groove your stroke. A putter that feels perfect in your hands may only be the third most accurate putter for you the day you try them out, but give it a month and it may be the best.