How to Choose a Putter

As much as 50 percent of your golf score comes from the putting green. Not every putter is perfect for every golfer; several factors should be considered such as brands, styles and types. Follow these steps to pick the perfect putter.

Instructions

1. Determine the length of your putter according to the length of your arms, not your height. Typically, long arms equal a shorter putter; short arms equal a longer putter. Standard for men is 35 inches, while 33 inches is standard for women.

2. Decide whether you want an offset face or non-offset face. This is typically determined by choosing what is best for the individual-someone that naturally aims right will prefer an offset putter and the golfer that tends to aim left will prefer a non-offset putter.

3. Choose your style putter head-blade, mallet or traditional. The blade was the original style that has become less popular. The traditional style (a PING style putter) is still popular, but the mallet style is the most popular. Odyssey has made the mallet fashionable by introducing the "2-ball" putter. This makes lining up the putt easy by creating what looks like 3 golf balls in a row (the real ball and the 2-ball putter head).

4. Select the type of shafting you want, after you have decided on your head type. The 2 types of shafting are heel (or rear) shafting and center shafting.

5. Consider a non-traditional putter, because there are 2 other options-the "long putters" and the "belly putters." The "long putters" have become popular for players with back problems. The "belly putters" aid with alignment and control. The end of the grip rests firmly in the mid-section and provides stability for the putter head to move straight back and straight through.

6. Consult your local PGA professional for help in custom fitting your putter.