If you were in the market for a new putter, how would you go about finding the best one for your game?

There are several factors to finding the right putter but the most important are:

Find one you can aim and one that you like the looks and feel of.

Others and still important are, the right length to fit your posture and a comfortable grip. Your stroke type and typical miss will also dictate whether you need a face balanced, or toe hang model. If your stroke is more straight back and through a face balanced putter will be best. If you swing the putter on more of an arc and misses are to the right (right-handed player) more toe hang will be better. Righthanders whose misses are left will usually want less toe hang. Toe hang is the amount the toe of the putter hangs down when balancing it with the shaft parallel to the ground. Face balanced putters have zero toe hang. Toe hang helps close or square the blade.

Cost might be an issue for many and don’t get hung up on the fact that the more you pay is better because there are a lot of good putters available under $250.
Yes AIM is important–it’s amazing using a laser how bad most people aim, even their own putter. We’ve found that right-handed golfers who are right eye dominant usually prefer or aim an off-set putter better. The opposite for right-handed, left eye dominant players–they need putters with no offset. If you can’t aim the putter correctly, how do you expect to ever get the ball started online.

Look and feel are almost as important as AIM. If you don’t like the way your putter looks or feels it probably won’t be in the bag very long.
Get a skilled fitter to help you determine what putters you can aim correctly and that you like their look and feel. Hopefully you’ll find 3-4 models that fit this. Take them out on the putting green and hit 10-12 3-4 footers with each, then the same with 25-30 footers. A good testament to the best one will be how many short ones you hole and how close the misses are, how you were able to consistently control the distance on the long putts and how well each looks and feels on the grass.

One last comment–a lot of folks comment they want something with forgiveness. If you’ve got a decent stroke and the right putter you won’t need that forgiveness.

Finding the best putter for your game is part art and part science. The best putter should help you improve your performance on the green- that is in speed control, start line consistency, and alignment. Unfortunately, many players use a putter which hurts them in these skill areas. A good fitting is one where you walk away with a putter that is helping and not hurting your game.

With that said, good putter fitting starts with getting the “Big 3” correct: Length Lie, & Loft. A putter that is the proper length and lie angle will allow you to stand with correct posture that allows you to see the target line accurately. Proper length and lie also will allow you to best move your body for your stroke, depending on your grip type and stroke style (hands/arms powered, torso-driven, brush-stroke, etc). Getting the loft of the putter correct allows for the best speed control and ball roll possible. Loft should be fit dynamically as you want to have about 2 degrees of loft at impact, for the majority of green conditions. Being able to try a putter indoors and out is the ideal scenario for the best putter fitting process.

Finding a quality putter fitter in your area is key. He or she will be able to fit any putter design to these three key principles. Additionally, a good fitter will be able to recommend further customization choices, such as grip type & size, putter head design/ CG placement (blade, mallet, etc.), face material, alignment aids, head weight, swing weight, total weight, shaft material, and toe hang. Finding a fitter who utilizes technology in the fitting process is important, too. A high-grade technology such as SAM PuttLab, CAPTO, or Quintic provides both fitter and student invaluable insights into stroke performance, and allow the most accurate fitting to occur.

Putters are still one of the least fit clubs in many players bags, yet they normally are used for the most strokes per round of any club. Spend the time to get a quality putter fitting and you will reap the benefits on the greens.

Becoming a better putter takes a shift in “focus”. Better equipment and practice plan over a couple of months will help.

First is your equipment. So make sure the putter is fit. Putters that are too long cause big angles in the elbows and putters that are too short make the arms to straight and stiff. Find a putter that lets your elbows be soft and have a slight bend.

Second, you will need to choose between a classic blade head or mallet. Over the years I have putted with both. What I have found is mallet heads tend to help players who have stroke deficiencies, and blade putters help with feel and touch inside 10 feet, especially on fast greens.

Last, is the grip. More players seem to opt for the bigger grips like the superstrokes which help eliminate wrist action. This can be good, but at the same time detrimental if you struggle with feel and speed control.

Whichever you choose, make sure it is based on your performance inside 9 foot, not 30 foot.
Putting is more art than science. Player whose putts finish near the hole from all distances will tend to out perform those who spend the majority of their time worrying about stroke shape, alignment and green reading.

The best way to find the right putter is to consult your local PGA golf professional. Get fit! Nowadays, there are very sophisticated pieces of technology, such as Sam PuttLab, that your professional can use to fit you. Fitting your stroke with the proper length, lie angle and loft is vital. A certified PGA club fitter can do all of that for you. Then, getting a feel for mallet heads or blade heads, trying different grips and getting comfortable with aesthetics is all part of the process. That’s where you decide what you prefer, after getting the length, lie and loft dialed in. Remember, you are making an investment in the most important part of your game! And putters can be expensive, so have an expert advise you!

For an average golfer, putting strokes result in 70% of all shots located on the scorecard. You use your putter on every hole, so how do we go about finding the right one for you?

First, let’s examine length. The length of the putter is very important. When you set up to a putt, you should be able to drop a golf ball from your lead eye, and the golf ball should hit the golf ball on the ground. If the putter is too long, you’ll be standing too far away, and if it’s too short, you’ll be too far over the golf ball. It’s very tough to see the line the putt is going to travel if your eyes aren’t located almost directly over the golf ball.

Next is the grip. If you get really wristy in the golf swing, get a bigger grip. This will help you rock the better back and forth and reduce wristy putts.

Lastly, let’s look at the head of the putter. For players who take the club back on a straighter line, rather than more of an arc, a mallet or larger putter head will help reduce rotation in the swing because of the larger mass located in the head of the putter. If you bring the club on a bit more of an arc, a blade-type putter will be the best bet.

For a quick putting clinic and to see which type of putter best suits your game, follow the link down below. Also, don’t forget to download the Swing Essentials Golf App and let us help you with your golf swing today!

As a golf pro I have many people ask me what driver they should get, when they should be asking about what putter they should get.
It’s really a math question, how many strokes did you take using your putter vs. all your other clubs? Look at this example; On a par 72 golf course you hit all 18 greens & two putt all of them. 36 of your score is putting, what other club did you use as much? (If you used one more than that, time to invest in lessons, not clubs!). Golfers get fitted for irons & woods all the time, why not their putter?

There are a few factors I consider, which is my dominate eye? This can determine the type of hosel needed, offset, heel, center shaft. How does it look to you? You have to have confidence in what your looking at. The next would be length, long arms, elbows out, long putter? Lastly is grip size. Are you a wristy putter, maybe you need an oversized grip to reduce your hand movement.

So in my opinion, you should really consider putting more time & effort getting the correct putter in your hands vs a $500+ driver you might use 10 times in a round!

Finding the perfect putter is a very personal choice a golfer can make. You have to like what you’re looking down at to putt well. There are so many different shapes, lengths, grip sizes out there. I suggest getting fit for proper length, grip size comfortable to your taste. Next, what does your stroke look like? Does it arch a lot? Is your stroke straight back, straight through? Find the putter that makes it easier to develop YOUR putting stroke. Head to your local retailer and try everything. There is no wrong answer. To putt well, you need to be confident and excited to roll your ball. Best of luck rolling that rock with your new putter!

The best possible thing to do when finding a new putter is to get a putter fitting from a qualified professional with the right knowledge and tools to find the best putter for your game.

There are so many variables that can effect putter performance. The correct length and lie are important to get your eyes in the correct place to see your line. The shape and lines on your putter have an effect on helping you aim, making the putter appear more open or closed to your eyes. The grip and hosel type can effect face rotation and being able to start your ball on line. The weight, and where the weight is placed (in the head, above the hands, with the hands) can effect your ability to control distance consistently.

The putter is the one club you will use on almost every hole you ever play, and a five putt is just as important to your score as your tee shot, yet so many golfers just pick a putter off the shelf, roll a few balls and call it good.

Do yourself and your handicap a favor and get fit for your flatstick!

When I am in the market for a new putter I look around in proshops after checking in to play or for what ever reason I’m there. When I see a putter I might like I pick it up set it down and if it looks like I like it and feels like I can aim it easily then I take a few swings with it, if it passes those tests I ask if I can putt a few balls on the carpet, if I like the way it feels I ask if I can take it out to the putting green. I probably would wait and comeback another time to see if I still like it. It’s all about looks and feel for me.

Find the putter length that allows you to have your eyes over the ball and also the arms to hang freely (with minimal elbow bend), If correct also lines up theforearms with the shaft Experiment with changing loft if the boll is not rolling smoothly ( bouncing) off the clubface. Finally pick a head shape and weightl that looks and feels comfortable.

Putting is such an individual part of the game with so many styles that if something works just ride it until it doesn’t! That being said in general if you are pulling your putts a face balanced version might be best for you. If you tend to block your putts get a putter with toe hang to help you release the club. Length is also critical to having you closer to the line of your putt and also for comfort. Have a PGA professional also check the lie angle so the club rides the ground correctly. Use your feel, try not to become too mechanical and enjoy the roll!!

It’s always important when dealing with putters to find something that appeals to you visually. From there matching stroke to the arc of the putt. Putter technology has come a long ways and it’s silly to not take advantage.

Putting styles and putters are ever evolving there are so many choices of putters and so many styles no one putter or style for all. Now you can try different models before buying. The bigger headed putters, called mallet heads are in vogue because they have larger aiming lines for better putter head aim also they are face balanced which means they are better for straight back and straight thru styles. Also the putter length and weighting systems like Scotty Cameron line has, allow the feel, putter balance and sound to be optimum along with the eye appeal is a factor. the sound of the ball leaving the face is also a big deal in helping Find a putter the suits your style, I even suggest a putter fitting to guide you to the best putter for you, by trying different models you will find one you feel comfortable and confident with.

So what is the RIGHT Putter for me??? Over the 10 years the Mallet Style has grow the most in the golf Industry. So much so that about 75 to 80 percent of Tour Players us them. Putter to me are a personal thing, for example my wife and I use SeeMore Putters but she prefers a Mallet Style while I use a Blade style. Now come comes the Neck design (mid slant, Plummers neck, Center shaft and Single Bend). This can influence on our Style of Stroke. The length and and Lie Angle of Putter also Have a influence to, here are some examples ( I’m 34 inches, Tiger 35.25, Andy North 29 and etc). Just like anything else lets get fitted for the most important club in the bag. Fewer strokes lead to lower scores

The best way to find a new putter is to go to your local golf store or Pro Shop that has a variety of putters. Using your favorite golf balls. Once you’ve narrowed it down to the one that “Feels “ the best take it out for a test drive on your favorite course. Putters are designed to have different face balance for different strokes, make sure your stroke matches the “toe hang”of the putter. The right grip is also important.

The bottom line to putting well is good fundamentals, solid setup, feel, and PRACTICE.

I have a rock taped to a stick that I use to beat the bejeebers out of the guys that come out with the new super-duper, space-age, titanium, graphite composite, Bumble Bee, triple wing, computerized and laser-guided implements, thinking that their new magic wand will solve all of their putting problems and help them to master the play on the greens. Sorry………….. I got carried away!

The new clubs will help because they ARE better, but only if they put the time and effort in, practice, and develop true confidence in their distance control and alignment! Period!

The short answer is to find a center shafted, face balanced, upright (11-degree lie) putter with defined lines, a grip that feels great, and that fits your eye well enough to sleep with it. Find a putter you love! practice for HOURS until your back aches and your focus is waning. Stick with it, learn your tendencies, and earn the confidence to believe you are a GREAT putter!! No Shortcuts! My opinion, and once again I happen to be correct!

Have fun

Putters are bought not sold…Eye appeal and feel are very important factors…However, if your stroke faulty, then it really doesn’t matter, Scotty Cameron vs. Miniture putting putter!