How to Compare Golf Putters
The putter is probably the most important club in any golfer's bag, because it's the one used most often and the one that can shave the most strokes off his scorecard. With so much advanced technology, choosing the right putter may be a challenge, but if you learn what to look for--particularly in the areas of design, insert technology, grip and length--finding the right club gets easier.
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Instructions
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Choose the right design for your stroke. Traditional putters, often known as blade putters, use a classic blade design and offer face balance, which gives the player with a straighter stroke confidence of a soft hit on all types of greens. Heal-toe weighted (or peripheral) putters help a player with an inside-out stroke.
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Try an alternative. A mallet-headed putter weighs more than a traditional putter, and the deep-head design allows for a lower center of gravity and helps players improve alignment, as well as reducing backspin on putts.
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Research club inserts. Inserts refer to the different types of material placed on the clubface in order to feel a smoother stroke. The kind of face for your putter depends on the golf ball you use and the speed of the greens. Face inserts are primarily designed to increase the "moment of inertia," which refers to the resistance of twisting when the clubhead makes contact with the ball.
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Practice with putters with varying inserts to find the right one. Priority lies in comfort. Metal inserts--such as titanium, bronze, zinc and copper--are one option, while light-weight, non-metal inserts for a softer feel are another. As of 2009, the latest insert technology provides metal grooves on the face, which helps produce forward motion and decrease the percentage of skidding, sliding or back-spinning.
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Find the right length. Putters come in various sizes, ranging from traditional length (32 to 36 inches) to belly putters (41 to 46 inches) to long putters (48 to 52 inches). If you have back problems or poor posture, putting with the wrong-length putter won't help. Choose a putter length that complements your stance and stroke.
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Choose the right grip. Any alteration to your club affects your performance on the green. Choosing a thicker grip allows for better form, minimizing the influence of your hands and wrists in your stroke. However, a thinner grip gives you better feel and allows you to use more of your wrists if that's the stroke you prefer.
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Keeping these factors (design, insert technology, grip and length) in mind, go to a nearby golf equipment retailer or sporting goods store and ask to demo as many putters as you can. Take note of each club and jot down your likes and dislikes, then compare lists in the end and make an informed decision.
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