Golf Trails

Finding the perfect putter is something that can take a lifetime. Even the greats of golf are constantly looking to determine whether or not the putter they are using is the correct one. There are many different types of putters for different types of games. The best way to find the right putter is to go out and try as many different kinds as you can. Considering that this is without a doubt going to be the club that will most effect your golf score take some time to find one that feels right to you. By getting a putter that you are familiar with you can save yourself a lot of headache on the putting green.

For any putter there are three main components – the head, the shaft, and the grip. First and foremost you want to start with the head to find a style you feel comfortable with. This is going to be the most important part of the club as it will directly contact the ball. There are three main types of heads you can choose to have on your putter: the blade, the mallet, and the peripheral-weighted. The blade is the most common type of head that golfers have used for decades. Blades are usually putter that most of us first hit a golf ball with and therefore tend to be the most familiar. They generally will have the best feel for the ball and are used by golfers who like to have complete control over there put. The problem is that miss hits with a blade can more common than the other types so using one requires a lot of precision and relies heavily on the stroke. Once mastered however the blade can be the most effective tool in your bag. Mallets are larger than blades and therefore can be much more forgiving. This provides golfers with a much more consistent putting stroke. Mallets however lack the fine accuracy of the blade. Perimeter weighted are larger than mallets and proved the most forgiving of all the putter club heads. These heads use counter weights on the outside to increase the size of the sweet spot and decrease the amount of miss hits. These putters are the most consistent of the three types, but again provide less touch than the other two. Each of these club heads has their own place in a golfers bag and it is up to you to find the one that best belongs in yours.

The shaft is often overlooked but is very important in setting up your putting stroke. You need to make sure that it is the proper length so that you can consistently have a smooth swing. Too short and you can pull an miss hit puts, two long and the same thing. You need to find a shaft length that comfortably hangs in your hands and lets you swing through naturally. The best thing to do is consult with a professional club fitter to find the right length for you.

Lastly is the grip. This is by far the least important part of the club but should not be overlooked. You want a grip that is comfortable in your hands and stays dry and cool on hot days. Make sure that the club does not slip from your hands in these conditions as this can cause problems with your stroke.

Once you have found the three components that work best you should be able to find the right putter.