A golf club called a putter is part of every golf set (or bag), as it is used for very short game – putting, i.e. moving the ball around the hole (green), but it can also be applied in some situations off the green.

This is one of the most used (if not the most used) sticks in the set, so its selection requires consistent fitting (choosing the appropriate parameters). Many beginner golfers focus mainly on drivers and wedges when building a golf set, but the putter should not be forgotten, as it can be used to play a number of shots that are very difficult with other clubs.

Types of golf putters and modern technology

Putters differ from each other mainly in design and also with regard to the manufacturing materials used. Two basic types are distinguished in relation to the design of the putter, namely putters with balanced head:

• to the cheek
• to the toe

This fundamental aspect is primarily defined by the linkage of the putter head to the shaft. Putters with face-balanced (or also face-ballanced) usually have a shaft with straight transition to the head, and its sweetspot (and center of gravity) is placed just below the shaft axis.

This type of putter has easier control and is especially suitable for players who prefer very straight shots with a trajectory perpendicular to the shaft. The concept of this type of putter works with a straight face and a forward pointing tip.

Toe-ballanced putters have a shifted connection of the shaft to the club head and a tilted tip. In this way, the centre of gravity of the club is shifted, allowing for more variable shot direction depending on where the ball is hit. The balance of the putter may not be quite perfect.

In addition to the balance, which is defined by the main selection parameter (it is directly linked to the style of play that the player applies when putting), individual putters also differ from each other by the specific design of the individual components, i.e. the head, shaft and grip.

Shape and striking surface of the putter head

According to the construction and shape of the head, there are three basic types of putters, namely:

• blade putters
• putters with peripheral head balance
• mallet putters

The heads of putters can thus be either elongated and straight (blade), most often combined with balance to the tip. This is a classic putter head design requiring very precise manipulation to direct the stroke correctly.

Mallet putters feature a larger head volume (with a rear curve), which primarily affects the stiffness at impact and reduced center of gravity. Mallet putters are popular with beginner players as they help them better concentrate their stroke on the ball during the swing.

The transition between a blade and a mallet putter is a putter with a peripherally balanced head, which are very similar in design to blade putters but with the addition of a balancing element to increase head stiffness. It makes the stroke more accurate even if it is not guided by the sweetspot of the head. Putters with head peripheral balancing are gradually replacing blade putters.

Another very important parameter affecting the handling and playability of the putter is the design of the striking face of the head. Three main types are distinguished in this respect, including:

• metallic cheek
• cheek with non-metallic face
• grooved cheek

While the putter head is usually made of metal or composite, which primarily affects its weight, the striking face of the putter head is specially treated with a metal, non-metallic or combination insert that has a specific purpose.

Each of the listed types of cheek design is specific, especially with regard to the accuracy of the stroke that can be achieved through it.

The metal face is usually made of steel, aluminium, copper alloys or bronze – the hardness of the metal then determines the action on the ball, but also the sound the club makes at impact, which can be used as a guide for secondary force estimation. The metal face can be smooth or finely grooved (the grooves in particular limit the rotation of the ball after impact).

Non-metallic liner is mainly used in putters designed for beginners, as it eliminates errant cheek hits and helps the ball to be better directed. The liner is made of a polymer or composite material with a lower hardness that reduces the effect of more accurate shots, so it is not recommended for more advanced golfers with precise strokes.

The combined face with grooved insert forms an alternative to both of the above types, combining their features. The face is a standard metal face with grooves, which can be in either metal or plastic. This type of cheek design helps to better handle the ball.

A very important characteristic of the putter head is also its overall weight. Lighter putters are suitable for experienced players with very good stroke technique. For less experienced players, higher weight putters are optimal, as they slow down the swing and force them to concentrate on accuracy.

Shafts of putters

The specifics of putters also depend on the type, length, and location of the shaft. The basic division of putters is directly determined by the structural attachment of the shaft to the head, which determines its balance. The connection between the shaft and the head can thus be made either at the shaft or at the centre.

In addition to the location, a further distinction can be made between the method of connection of the shaft to the head, which is defined by both the presence of a hosel (a tapered and shaped shaft handle with a different slope) and the loft of the head.

The shaft is the primary factor that determines the player's position in relation to the ball, so the length of the putter is also a very important parameter when selecting a putter, which must not be less than 18 inches, or approximately 46 cm. The optimal (classic) length for adult golfers is 80-90 cm.

In addition to classic putters, clubs with longer shafts were also used in the past and have special designations – belly putters and long putters. Playing with these types of putters was characterized by the technical design, where the shaft could rest on the belly (belly putters) or along the body (long putters).

As of 2016, this method of play is banned and only forearm resting (anchoring) is allowed. The length of belly putters starts from 104 cm, so this is currently the limit for the length of the putter.

Glasses – loft a lie

Like the other clubs in the set, putters have their own slope solutions to the ball and shaft that indicate the exact location of the sweetspot. The latter is smaller in putters and therefore it is more difficult to hit the shot with the necessary accuracy, so for beginners it is ideal to choose clubs with better forgiveness of error (i.e. mallets preferably with cheek balance). The ideal lie (ground to length) of a putter should be 70°, and loft (cheek to cheek) should be no more than 2-4°.

Grips of putters

In addition to the normal grip, the putter may be the only golf club to have a modified grip – with a flat for better anchoring. The modified grip of the putter allows for easier handling and more accurate strokes.

Grips also vary in overall length, weight (which they counterbalance the weight of the head) and thickness. In general, larger parameters help to improve grip and thus putter control, but they may not suit everyone and more advanced players tend to prefer lighter clubs.

How to choose the right golf putter

The fitting of a golf putter should therefore depend primarily on the player's ability and also his own body proportions. Based on these basic criteria, the optimal parameters of the head, shaft and grip are selected.

The player's proportions (especially his height) primarily determine the length of the shaft, but it also depends on his experience.

Beginner golfers should choose putters with a larger and heavier head, ideally mallets, with larger sweetspot area and modified face (with grooves and insert), longer shaft and grip. More advanced players with practiced putting technique should prefer lighter blade type heads with peripheral balance and with balanced

I'm on the cutting edge. The shaft and grip of such a club can already be shorter, the face of the metal optimally with grooves.

Golf putters are manufactured by companies dealing with the complete production of golf equipment, golf sets as well as specialized manufacturers usually also dealing with research and development in this field.

When choosing a putter, you have a wide variety of different designs that affect not only the look, but also the function and playability of the club. Today, there are a number of very high quality putters on the market featuring the application of various advanced technologies and very precise balancing that allow for optimal results even with imperfect putting techniques.

Putter manufacturers offer these products in variations of quality levels and generally for all types of players (men, women, children and teens, with high and low handicaps), as well as in different price ranges.

Among the best known and largest are:

• Oddysey
• MASTERS Golf
• Longridge
• Wilson
• Slazenger
• Titleist

Golf putter prices depend primarily on technology, additional features and design. They range in price from very cheap (around 300 CZK) to very expensive (10 000 CZK). In optimal quality, the price is between 3,000 and 6,000 CZK.

Parameter table for golf drivers

Feature	Common Parameters
Head Shape	Tip/cheek balance
Head Type	blade/peripheral balance/mallet
Punch face	metallic/non-metallic/spline
Head weight	light/medium/heavy
Shaft offset	without offset (direct connection) / hosel
Shaft length	46- 104 cm
Grip	standard/flat
Player Dominance	right/left

The most popular types of golf drivers according to consumers

A golf putter is needed by virtually every golfer for the last few strokes in the hole. If you are starting out in golf, it is better to get a (relatively inexpensive) mallet with a longer shaft on which you can learn the technique of hitting a short drive into the hole.

These types tend to be simple in design, unisex and for gripping from both sides (right- and left-handed dominance), so they are virtually universal.

The more advanced technical and functional putter design is then usually also associated with a higher price, but you can play much more accurate shots with them and in case of practice, develop your swing technique very well. Here are the 10 most popular models of golf putters according to consumers.

CRIVIT Golf Putter 33″ – Review

The 33” golf putter from CRIVIT is an ideal option for beginners. This versatile mallet in 84 or 89 cm length has a simple construction and very good error forgiveness. The putter can be purchased in both right- and left-handed orientation. Due to the affordable price, it is optimal as a first putter for training the basic elements of stroke technique.

Reasons to buy the CRIVIT Golf Putter 33

• ideal for beginners
• universal putter for all categories of players
• low price

Reasons not to get the CRIVIT Golf Putter 33

• suitable for beginners only
• high forgiveness, thus low stroke accuracy

Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle – Review

The Stroke Lab Tuttle, a lightweight, versatile mallet putter from Odyssey, is a putter well suited for intermediate golfers who are already familiar with hitting techniques on the green. The putter is designed for players with right-handed dominance, the face is equipped with grooves, the reinforced shaft length of 87 cm is optimal for precise strokes. The design of the head and the entire club helps to reduce unwanted secondary effects on the trajectory of the ball.

Reasons to get the Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle golf putter

• excellent quality and balance
• very suitable for more advanced players

Reasons not to get the Odyssey Stroke Lab Tuttle golf putter

• not suitable for beginners
• right-handed only
• high price

Odyssey Hot Pro 2 Ball Blade 2013 Review

The 2013 Hot Pro 2 Ball Blade putter from Odyssey is a unique putter with a special design and a non-metallic face with high error forgiveness. The putter shaft is 87 cm long, the head is equipped with optical elements for better sweetspot targeting. The putter is designed for more advanced players, the head is balanced to the toe.

Reasons to buy the 2013 Odyssey Hot Pro 2 Ball Blade golf putter

• very good playing characteristics, functional design for better sweetspot hitting
• optimal shaft length and stiffness
• suitable for beginners and advanced players

Reasons not to get the 2013 Odyssey Hot Pro 2 Ball Blade golf putter

• non-metal face impairs ball trajectory accuracy
• high base price

Wilson Prostaff SGi I – Review

Though billed as a men's putter, the semi-mallet putter (with peripheral balance) Prostaff SGi from Wilson is well suited for advanced women golfers thanks to its lightweight construction. The putter features a non-metallic insert on the face, balancing to the toe, and the shaft is mounted on the hosel. It can be purchased at a reasonable price, but only in the right-handed dominance version.

Reasons to get the Wilson Prostaff SGi I golf putter

• semi-mallet unisex option for beginners and advanced
• very affordable price

Reasons not to get the Wilson Prostaff SGi I golf putter

• Right-handed dominance only
• Non-metal cheek pad reduces stroke accuracy

MASTERS Genus Gents P1 putter – review

The Genus Gents P1 Unisex Blade Putter from MASTERS Golf is a putter in a classic design with a very thin and light metal head and a grooveless face. The putter can be purchased in both right and left-handed versions. The head is balanced to the tip, the 87 cm long shaft features an all-weather grip with improved grip design.

Reasons to buy the MASTERS Genus Gents P1 golf putter

• excellent quality at a very affordable price
• designed for advanced players
• classic blade putter design

Reasons not to get the MASTERS Genus Gents P1 golf putter

• the metal face without grooves requires very good hitting technique by an experienced player

Longridge Milled Face putter – review

Milled Face putter from Longridge in blade design with grooved striking face and head balanced to the tip. The shaft is at optimum length of 87 cm. The head design allows use from both the right and left side.

Reasons to buy the Longridge Milled Face golf putter

• classic blade design for advanced players
• grooves on the hitting face for better accuracy
• reversible option
• low price

Reasons not to get the Longridge Milled Face golf putter

• not suitable for beginners

Slazenger V300 – review

The Mallet Putter V300 from Slazenger is the ideal putter for beginners. The head of the putter is balanced to the cheek with a non-metallic insert, the head design itself can be selected in different variations, which mainly affect its stiffness and weight.

For better aiming, it is equipped with an optical sighting solution (scribing). The length of the shaft is 87 cm, the putter is suitable for golfers with right-handed dominance.

Reasons to buy the Slazenger V300 golf putter

• ideal for beginners, right-handed putters
• variable head design with different weights for fitting
• optical markings for sweespot targeting
• low price

Reasons not to get the Slazenger V300 golf putter

• Non-metal cheek pad reduces stroke accuracy – putter not quite suitable for advanced players

Genus Gents Putter P3 – review

The Genus Gents P3 mallet putter from Masters Golf is a putter suitable for intermediate players. The design of the putter head is in design towards semi-mallet solution, the head is balanced to the tip and features optical sweetspot delineation for better aiming.

Putter is suitable for both men and women with right-handed dominance, has a very lightweight construction and a shaft length of 89 cm.

Reasons to get the Genus Gents Putter P3

• optimal quality, well-designed
• lightweight construction ensuring easy handling especially for more advanced golfers
• optical sweetspot markings for better targeting

Reasons not to get the Genus Gents Putter P3 golf putter

• not suitable for complete beginners
• right-handed option only
• higher price

Sc Select Newport 2018 putter – review

The 2018 Titleist SC Select Newport putter is a top quality putter with advanced features. The putter can be purchased in a mallet or semi-mallet design for advanced players with left-handed orientation.

The striking side of the cheek is metal with grooves for very precise strikes with optimal impact not ball direction. The head is balanced to the tip, the shaft is connected through the hosel. The putter is universal (for all categories of players).

Reasons to buy the Titleist SC Select Newport 2018 golf putter

• advanced and functional head and shaft design
• designed for advanced players with good hitting technique
• ability to achieve optimal accuracy

Reasons not to get the Titleist SC Select Newport 2018 golf putter

• not suitable for beginners
• very high price

ODYSSEY Hot Pro 2.0 Rossie – review

The Hot Pro 2.0 Rossie mallet putter with non-metallic insert on the striking face of the head and balance on the tip is designed especially for beginner and intermediate golfers (men and women) with right-handed dominance. The shaft is 89 cm long, and the club head is fitted with guide lines for easy aiming.

Reasons to buy the ODYSSEY Hot Pro 2.0 Rossie golf putter

• universal putter for beginners and intermediates
• high stroke forgiveness
• long shaft

Reasons not to get the ODYSSEY Hot Pro 2.0 Rossie golf putter

• non-metal insert on cheek impairs stroke accuracy – not suitable for advanced players
• moderately higher price