You use your putter on almost every hole — often two or three times. It is the club you hit most in every round, yet many golfers choose a putter based on looks alone, or keep using the one that came in a boxed set years ago. A putter that does not suit your stroke, your eyes or your posture makes putting harder than it needs to be.
The right putter will help you aim more accurately, start the ball on line and control distance. This guide explains the different head styles, balance and toe hang, length, loft, lie, grips and face inserts — and how to test putters so you find one that genuinely suits you.
Why the right putter matters
Putting is about three things:
- Aim — pointing the face at your target.
- Start line — striking the ball so it starts where you aimed.
- Speed — rolling the ball the right distance.
A putter that suits you helps with all three. One that does not — the wrong length, the wrong balance or a shape that is hard for you to aim — makes even a good stroke unreliable. For stroke technique, see how to putt: the fundamentals.
Putter head styles
Blade putters
Traditional, narrow heads with the shaft usually attached near the heel.
- Pros: classic look, excellent feel and feedback, suits arcing strokes.
- Cons: less forgiving on off-centre strikes.
- Best for: golfers with a consistent strike and an arcing stroke.
Mid-mallet putters
A larger, rounded or squared-off head between a blade and a full mallet.
- Pros: more forgiveness than a blade with a familiar shape.
- Cons: less distinctive feel than a blade.
- Best for: golfers wanting a balance of feel and forgiveness.
Mallet putters
Large heads, often with alignment features and weight positioned at the edges.
- Pros: very forgiving and stable; often easier to aim.
- Cons: some golfers find the size distracting.
- Best for: golfers who struggle with aim or off-centre strikes, and those with straighter strokes.
High-MOI putters
A type of mallet designed for maximum stability (high moment of inertia), keeping the face square on off-centre strikes.
| Head style | Forgiveness | Feel and feedback | Aim assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blade | Low | High | Moderate |
| Mid-mallet | Medium | Medium–high | Good |
| Mallet | High | Medium | Very good |
| High-MOI mallet | Very high | Medium | Very good |
Stroke type and toe hang
This is one of the most important — and least understood — parts of choosing a putter.
Understand your stroke
- Straight-back, straight-through stroke: the putter face stays fairly square to the target line throughout.
- Slight arc: the putter moves slightly inside on the backswing and through, opening and closing gently.
- Strong arc: the putter swings noticeably inside, with more face rotation.
Understand toe hang
Balance the putter shaft on your finger and let the head settle:
- Face-balanced: the face points to the sky. Suits straighter strokes.
- Slight toe hang: the toe points partly down. Suits slight arcs.
- Strong toe hang: the toe points strongly down. Suits strong arcs.
| Stroke type | Best balance |
|---|---|
| Straight back and through | Face-balanced |
| Slight arc | Slight toe hang |
| Strong arc | Strong toe hang |
Matching balance to stroke helps the face return square without manipulation.
Putter length
Most off-the-shelf putters are 33–35 inches long. Many golfers use a putter that is too long, which makes them stand too upright, choke down or bend their arms awkwardly.
How to check your length
- Take your putting posture — bend from the hips, arms hanging naturally.
- Your eyes should be over, or just inside, the ball.
- Your hands should hang below your shoulders with your arms relaxed.
- The putter should fit your hands in that position without choking down or reaching.
A fitter or pro shop can measure you accurately and shorten or lengthen a putter.
Longer and alternative putters
Some golfers use longer "arm-lock" or counterbalanced putters for stability. Note that anchoring the club against your body — for example, against your chest or stomach — is not permitted under the Rules of Golf.
Loft and lie
Loft
Most putters have 2–4° of loft to lift the ball gently out of any depression and get it rolling. If you press your hands forward at address, you may need more loft; if your hands are behind the ball, less.
Lie angle
The lie angle should let the putter sole sit flat on the ground at address. If the toe or heel lifts, the face can point slightly left or right, affecting aim. A fitter can adjust lie angle.
Face inserts and milling
- Milled faces — machined metal faces — offer a firm, consistent feel.
- Inserts — softer materials set into the face — offer a softer feel and sound.
- Grooved faces are designed to promote forward roll.
Feel and sound affect distance control, so choose what helps you judge pace.
Alignment aids
Putters may have lines, dots, shapes or contrasting colours to help you aim:
- A single line on the top suits many golfers.
- Multiple lines or shapes can help frame the ball.
- No line suits golfers who prefer a clean look.
Test aim with an alignment mirror or laser if possible. Many golfers are surprised how far they aim left or right with some putter shapes.
Putter grips
Grips influence how your hands work in the stroke:
- Standard (pistol) grips offer feel and a traditional shape.
- Midsize grips reduce hand action for many golfers.
- Oversize grips quieten the hands further and suit golfers who struggle with wrist breakdown or twitchy short putts.
- Flat-fronted grips help position the thumbs consistently.
You can also try different grip styles — such as cross-handed or claw — with the same putter.
Weight
- Heavier heads promote a smoother stroke and suit slower greens.
- Lighter heads offer more feel and suit fast greens.
- Counterbalanced putters add weight in the grip end for stability.
Some putters have adjustable weights.
How to test putters
When trying putters in a shop or on a practice green:
- Aim test: set up to a target and have someone check your aim — or use an alignment mirror.
- Start-line test: putt through a gate from six feet. Does the ball start on line?
- Distance test: putt to targets at 20, 30 and 40 feet. Which putter gives you the most consistent distance control?
- Short-putt test: hole ten three-footers.
- Feel test: which feels and sounds best?
Try several head styles and balances before deciding. See putting drills to stop three-putting for test drills.
Putter fitting
A putter fitting assesses your stroke, aim, posture and preferences, and recommends head style, length, loft, lie and grip. It is one of the best-value fittings available, as it affects every hole. See custom golf club fitting.
Choosing a putter by golfer type
Beginners
A forgiving mallet or mid-mallet with clear alignment aids is a great starting point. Make sure the length suits you.
Golfers who miss short putts
Consider a high-MOI mallet, a larger grip and alignment aids. Check your aim with a mirror.
Golfers who struggle with distance
Focus on feel and sound. Test different face materials and head weights.
Golfers with an arcing stroke
A blade or mid-mallet with toe hang often suits best.
Looking after your putter
- Use a headcover — putters dent easily.
- Wipe the face after each round.
- Replace the grip when it becomes slick.
See how to clean and care for golf clubs.
Buying a putter
- Try in person first wherever possible — putters are personal.
- Know your length, balance and grip preferences before buying online.
- Consider used putters — they hold up well if undamaged.
- Do not overspend — an expensive putter will not fix a poor stroke, but the right putter will help a good one.
See buying golf equipment online, and visit our Pro Shop for selected options.
Common putter-buying mistakes
- Buying on looks alone without testing aim and distance control.
- Choosing the wrong length, usually too long, leading to poor posture.
- Ignoring toe hang and stroke type.
- Testing only on short putts — distance control on long putts matters just as much.
- Changing putters after one bad round — give a new putter time.
- Expecting a new putter to fix a technique problem. Combine the right putter with practice and, if needed, a lesson.
Frequently asked questions
Is a blade or mallet putter better?
Neither is better overall. Mallets are more forgiving and often easier to aim; blades offer feel and suit arcing strokes. Choose the style that helps you aim, start the ball on line and control distance.
How do I know what length putter I need?
Take your putting posture with your arms hanging naturally and your eyes over the ball. The putter should fit your hands without choking down. A fitter can measure you precisely.
What is toe hang?
Toe hang describes how the putter head balances when the shaft is supported. Face-balanced putters suit straighter strokes; putters with toe hang suit arcing strokes.
Should I use an oversize putter grip?
If your hands and wrists become active in the stroke, or you struggle with short putts, an oversize grip can help steady your stroke.
How often should I change my putter?
Only when it no longer suits you. Many golfers keep a putter for many years. Changing putters frequently can make consistency harder.
The bottom line
The right putter helps you aim, start the ball on line and control distance. Match head style and balance to your stroke, choose the right length for your posture, check loft and lie, and pick a grip that keeps your hands quiet. Test putters on a green for aim, start line and distance control — or book a putter fitting — and you will have a club you can trust on every green.