Buying Your First Putter

If you are a beginner golfer purchasing your first set of clubs, you will need to make sure you spend a bit of time and research finding the best clubs for you. This is especially true for putters. Putters are used for almost 50% of the game and can make or break your score. Putting can be very frustrating and difficult, which is why buying the right putter for you and your game is vital. Here are a few different aspects of putters and what you need to look out for on your next purchase.

Length: The length of your putter needs to correspond with your height and swing. The average length for a putter is between 33 and 36 inches. They also come in larger sizes, but those are used mostly by professionals. When testing out lengths, you need the putter head to rest comfortably on the ground. If your putter is too long you will end up too far away from the ball with the toe rising off the ground. On the other hand, if your putter is too short, you will be too close to the ball and clubhead and the heel of the putter will come up. Be sure to test out a few different sizes at a local shop to find one that fits you perfectly.

Head Design: There are quite a few different head designs you can choose from when purchasing your next putter. One design that you will see most frequently is the blade putter. This design has been around for many years and is universally used by both professionals and amateurs. The head gives the putter a nice, soft hit, making it great for any type of green you will play on. For a more weighted option, you can go for the mallet putter which helps reduce backspin on your putt through the lower, deeper center of gravity. Finally, you might want to consider a heel-toe weighted putter which is favored by professionals and amateurs. This putter is more suited to golfers who have a real in and out stroke.

Faces: The type of face and insert you have on your putter really depends on the speed of greens you are playing on. The first type of face is the metal face constructed of steel or other types of metals such as brass, zinc and aluminum. These faces have a reputation for giving the putter a solid, controlled feel with the soft feedback. Another type is the insert faced putters, which are constructed from metal but the face is replaced with a light weight, non metal material. The advantage here is putter with more forgiveness and a smoother roll. Finally, a recent development is the groove faced putters. These faces help achieve a forward motion to keep the ball absolutely straight.

The grip of your putter is another consideration to take into account. While it may not seem like a big deal, it can actually advance or hinder your game depending on whether you have the right one for you. You will see that the majority of putter grips are flat on top. This actually helps you with your swing by making it easier to find the placement of your thumbs. For people who have a stroke that involves a bit of wrist action, a skinnier grip might be ideal on the putter. However, most professionals prefer thicker grips that help take your hands out of the stroke.