How to Choose a Putter for Golf
Recreational golfers seem to spend a lot of time worrying about their long game. They focus on selecting the perfect driver or the ideal wood. They spend hours at the driving range working on their distance and loft, adjusting their slice or hook. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing even remotely off the mark in this. Actually, if you can’t get down the fairway, what good is an excellent short game? But when you get on the green in two and it takes you four more strokes to get in the cup, it’s high time to start working on that putt. And the first item on your way to improving this portion of your game should be the club you use to sink that ball — your putter.
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Instructions
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Settle on a price. It’s always best to figure out a budget when heading out to get any new club, let alone a putter. And seeing that this type of club can run you upward of a cool $300, you’d be foolish not to set a cap.
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Look at the quality. Just because something costs a lot doesn’t necessarily make it worth the buck. Actually, some of the cheaper putters may be perfect for your game. Quality, especially with golf, is totally in relation to feel. If a putter feels good, it’ll mostly work well for you. And, in turn, improve your game.
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The type of putter you choose, be it blade, mallet or peripheral weighted, is all dependent on the kind of game you play. Makes sense, right? If you’ve got a low handicap, the flat and narrow head of the blade putter may be perfectly suited for your stroke. If you’re looking for a more consistent putt, the large and rounded head of the mallet may be right up your alley. And if you need a little more forgiveness in this area of your game, the peripheral, with its larger sweet spot, may be ideal. But again, it comes down to the feel.
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Align the ball. If you can’t line up your shot, how do you plan on sinking your ball? Many putters on the market today have a sort of alignment utility somewhere on the club. When you’re looking to improve your short game, this is the kind of putter you should aim for.
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Feel out the grip. Many golfers ignore this part of the putter. If they like the way a club feels, they’re going to go with it, which is completely acceptable. But when you take the grip into consideration, you may actually have a chance to improve your game. A thinner grip is more apt to give you some much needed feedback on how you hit the ball.
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Tips & Warnings
If you’re buying a putter from a pro shop or a specialty retailer, most of them will allow you to test out the club before committing to their purchase. Check with the pro to find out the store’s specific policy.
If you’ve never been fitted for a putter, what are you waiting for? You short game is just as important (if not more, depending on who you ask) as your long game. Ask your local golf pro to help figure out the best length, weight and style of putter that best suits your game.
