Golf Putter Types

Posted under Putters by SwingingKatz

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Choosing the right type of golf putters is often important in golf. There are three basic designs in golf putters - blade, peripheral weighted and mallet putters. The putter chosen depends on the face balance or how straight the golfer plays the ball.

A blade golf putter is a rather classical small headed putter that provides soft control especially on hard greens. It better suits a player with straight strokes. A peripheral weighted golf putter as the name implies has a slightly heavier head as compared to the blade golf putter and it is suited for a player with an in to out stroke. Mallet putters are heavier than blade putters and they are more like a wooden log. Since their centre of gravity dos not fall at the centre, they allow a smooth swing while allowing the golf player to play delicate shots. Mallet golf putters are face balanced and they support straight and back strokes.

Golf putters can also be classified into different types based on the material used in their face and the design of the face. Metal faces putters have a metal face and typically this is made of steel on contrast to olden days when bronze, titanium and similar metals were used. Metal faced golf putters are strong and heavy and hence they are greatly helpful in smooth putting. The major advantage offered by metal faced type of putters is the noise feedback that helps in locating where the center of the putter is hitting the golf ball. Insert faced putters are similar to metal face putters but this type of golf putters have a no metal insert that helps in smoother strokes and offer greater forgiveness. Further this type of golf putters can allow the distribution of weight across the toe of the putter assisting in cleaner strokes. Groove faced putters are another type of golf putters in this category and they are metal faced or insert faced but they have grooves on their face. The use of the grooves is that the back spinning effect on the golf ball is reduced and the ball does not skid away as with a smooth putting face.

Golf putters can also be classified into various types depending on the shaft and the hosel. The hosel is the place where the shaft meets the head of the putter and putters could be classified into heel shafted, center shafted and offset putters based on the hosel location. Center shafted putters are helpful in driving the ball straight while heel shafted putters provide a better drive.

Apart from this golf putters are classified into different types based on the length of the shaft – classic, belly button and broom handled. A classic type of golf putter has a length of 33-36 inches and it facilitates oscillatory movements. A belly button golf putter is 41-46 inches long and it helps in the extra grip due to the third point of contact at the belly button. The long handled type of golf putters are the most rarely used and they have shafts ranging from 48-52 inches and are used only by pros for highly sensitive strokes.

Ultimately the type of golf putter used depends on the individual playing type and preferences as with most other golf equipments.

Listen to this post