Types of Putters
October 19, 2022

A putter is one of the essential clubs golfers use in a game. It is a type of club golfers use to move the golf ball into each hole’s cup. The face of the club is flat and enables the ball to roll forward.

Generally, having a solid putter is essential since it may make or break your final game.

Here are the various types of putters.

Two main types of putters

1. Face-balanced putters

A face-balanced putter is a putter that has an upward face when one balances the shaft on one of their fingers. It causes the center of gravity to lie directly beneath the line of the shaft. Since the clubface of this putter opens and shuts less in a putting stroke, it is best suitable for golfers with a straight-back-and-through stroke. On the other hand, it is unsuitable for golfers who use a swinging gate or a strong arc.

2. Toe-balanced putters

A toe-balanced putter has its toe facing the floor when one balances the shaft on a finger. The putter’s design is so that it opens and shuts during the backswing and the through-stroke, respectively. It is best suitable for golfers who have an arced putting stroke.

Types of putters based on head design

1. Blade putters

Blade putters are the oldest type of putter. They have a small head and a classic design and provide more accuracy and reasonable distance control on a longer putt. Also, their weight distribution allows for better precision in feel. Blade putters are typically face-balanced and suitable for golfers with a straight putting stroke.

2. Mallet putters

Mallet putters have large heads that come in various sizes and shapes. The standard shapes are semi-circle, square, and half-moon. Unlike a typical blade putter, the weight of the mallet putter spreads across the tool, with most of it away from its clubface. So while blade and mallet putter may be similar, their weight distribution breaks their similarity. They are best suitable for golfers with a straight back putting stroke.

3. Peripheral weighted putters

The peripheral or heel-toe weighted putter came from the blade putter. The putter has a thin and long design at its address with more weight at its toe and heel for more consistency and forgiveness.

Putters based on inserts and clubface design

1. Groove-faced putters

Groove-faced putters have grooves on their faces. They are usually metal-faced, but there are also some groove-faced insert putters. An impact of this putter on the ball results in skidding, back spinning, and sliding before it begins to roll on the green. So to achieve accurate putting, a player must first ensure he attains a forward rolling motion of the ball as he strikes it.

2. Insert-faced putters

Insert-faced putters are metal putters with a light non-metal insert face rather than a metal one. Golfers can use inserts to play with a firmer golf ball while getting the same feel as a softer ball with a metal face.

3. Metal-faced putters

Metal-faced putters come in metals like copper, brass, zinc, aluminum, and titanium. They are weighty and robust. The loud noise of the head when in contact with the ball is one significant feature of the putter. However, some of the putters’ faces have milling, which gives them a milder sound since there is less material in contact with the golf ball.