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Putting is one thing that has been a problem for many golf players. It requires the right style, a combination of accurate performance throughout the game, and a sleek finish. A good number of golfers prefer a putter based on the outward appearance rather than its performance. That is why missing puts have contributed to a belief that they cause strokes. But in a real sense, what matters is the style. To help you out there's an analysis of suitable putter styles for a perfect stroke. Moreover, it will also look into the best criteria to select an ideal putter. Let's check out.

What are some of the Putter Styles?

Putter styles come in various categories. But before choosing one, you need to be conversant with your path. A stroke path is not something that can be forced or forged. It is achieved naturally, and that is why it is essential to know your natural path. On top of that, they also come in two ways. That is straight and arced.

If you are still lost about your natural stroke path, make a straight or an arc by placing masking tapes or alignment rods on the ground while the putter is on top, then make a shot to see how it moves.

Now that you know how to achieve either an arced or a straight stroke path while playing, let's dive into the process of selecting putter styles.

How to Select the Right Putter Style

Putter with Toe-Hang

It can both be high or moderate, and you can achieve putting the arc with a mild stroke. The most suitable style to achieve this position is the Answer style putter. It facilitates a flexible and consistent putting angle.

Face-balanced Putter

Another essential style to assist you in achieving a perfect stroke is Face-balanced. You can reach either an arc or a straight stroke by using a balanced mallet or the best blade putter. Such achievement is the weight of the putter which facilitates a square position and natural assistance. Furthermore, these putters are suitable for players with less or no arc and a straight-back straight. It also assists a golfer in maintaining a stick on a square putter face.

Putters with High Moments of Inertia

Between the styles mentioned above, this one is a nice one for the center-ground and with special abilities to achieve both straight and arced putting strokes. The strokes are helpful since they assist the putter in rolling and turning.

While there are varieties of golfing tools, a putter is the most important and utilized item. Putting is one thing that makes the game of golfing strenuous sporting activities for many. Before calling yourself a qualified golf player, you should identify your type of stroke, and it should be a natural one. 

Putters play a significant role in golf. They help you secure high scores and earn accolades, and additional bragging rights. That's right; putting isn't the easiest part of the game; you deserve to brag a little.  Anyway, you don’t become a pro at putting by using the wrong putter. A lot of thought goes into selecting your putter. After all, that is the money maker. But interestingly enough, not many golfers pay attention to putter selection. To them, any putter can get the job done.

Well, that’s not the case. You can purchase the best blade putters and mallet putters, but they're useless if they don't deliver results. With that in mind, here are some factors every golfer should consider while selecting their putter of choice.

1. Putter head

Putter heads come in two distinct types; blade putters and mallet putters. However, the kind of putter you select depends on the green at the golf course. Usually, lighter putter heads are preferred for fast greens and the heavier heads work well on slow greens. Blade putters have been around for years, and they're lighter in weight. Therefore, they're ideal for putting on fast greens. On the other hand, mallet putters are made from heavy material. To maintain control and aim, they are best suited for putting on slow greens. 

2. Putter alignment

When putting, the aim is to hit your target. Therefore, alignment is essential. You need to select a putter that will align with your target and enhance your drive. A putter with an alignment line can help you line up the ball directly to the putter face. You can figure out the center of the face and where you need to target for a successful putt.

3. Putter length

The shaft length should be one of the primary considerations before you purchase a putter. Generally, the shaft length of an ideal putter should be around 18 inches. But some putters are longer or shorter than 18 inches. The correct shaft length improves your posture, consistency of your stroke, and confidence. To find out your putter's shaft length, start the measurement at the bottom of the putter to the shaft's top. If you're using the correct putter, your hands should not strain when you position yourself to putt.

4. Shafts and hosels

Almost all shafts are made of steel. The hosel is what connects the pole to the putter head. Hosels secure the club, and the shaft provides grip and consistency on the greens. To figure out the best rod for your stroke, you need to know the different types of shaft positions.

Heel-shafted putters: The hosel connects with the putter head at the back. Favorable for players with an arc stroke.

Centre-shafted putters: The hosel connects the shaft at the center of the head.  This putter is ideal for players who use the straight backstroke.

Hosel-offset putters: The hosel is flexible and works best for players who like to move their hand ahead of the ball during putting.

Whether you are a new golfer or an experienced one, you have probably used a blade putter. A blade putter is a traditional style of the putter with a non-existent flange or straight club head and a narrow. Some might have heel and toe weighting and can be designed with different neck setups such as round, flare, mid-slant, plumbing, or mini-slant necks. Blade putters are popular among golfers with an arc stroke because they allow for more flowing stroke and swinging gate.

Today, there are more improved designs of blade putters. Most of them borrow from the traditional make but aim to improve performance. For example, you will find blade putters in the market with a high moment of inertia (MOI), meaning it has high resistance, which most golfers find to be a good thing.

If you have ever asked yourself why golfers with arc stroke prefer blade putters, it’s mainly because of the design. A blade putter is designed to have more weight on the toe, which makes the sweet spot closer to the heel as a player can slightly twist the clubface during the stroke.

Why use a blade putter?

There are many benefits of using a blade putter, but it’s a matter of preference for every golfer. Whether you are an experienced player or a newbie, a blade putter can give you better control and accuracy, especially on longer putts. Additionally, because of its heel to toe weight distribution, a blade putter can give you more precision when golfing. As you already know, many golfers choose a putter based on feel. If you are one of them, then a blade putter is the best choice for you. A blade putter is also suitable for fast greens because it has a consistent impact.

Some of the disadvantages of a blade putter are that it is not as forgiving as a mallet putter. Some golfers also find it hard to line up while putting. If you are a beginner, using a blade putter can be good training as you look for what works for you in the field while playing.

How to know if a blade putter is right for you

Like any other game, to be the best golfer, you have to find the right tools. When purchasing a putter, there are many things to consider, like length, alignment, putter face, stroke type, and much more. If you notice that your putts are coming up short or they are all over the place, it means that you are using the wrong putter for your game. The best way to know whether a putter is right for you is to narrow down the reasons why you keep messing up your putts. It might be the putter, your stroke, or your ability to play the game.