A few basic considerations to keep in mind when you are making such an important decision have to do with the bottom section or the "head" of the putter. This is where the brains of the putter are. There are other factors to consider such as the length and the grip but the brains of your best friend will be the most important part of choosing the right putter. Before looking at all of these considerations, let us first consider the most important part of this club known as the "head" of the putter.
The head is the most important part of the putter because it is the place where your ball will make contact on the green. The material in the head affects the way the ball moves and its direction across the green. Cheap or "dumb" putters are usually made of lighter plastic, zinc or aluminum. The lighter material requires you to hit the ball even harder on the green and allows for more mistakes.
"Smart", quality putters will usually incorporate stainless steel, titanium or brass. They can also have some wood mixed in or can be made of a combination of these other materials to create a more solid head. The difference will be felt when you hit the ball. On a slow green, the ball will move a lot easier. On a fast green, it will seem that you hardly have to hit it at all.
Perimeter weighting and Lie-angle - Two other important considerations in the head of the putter are perimeter weighting and lie-angle. Perimeter weighting has to do with the size and shape of the head. If you look, you will see a recess in the center of the head. This recess makes it possible for the weight of the head to be distributed in the toe and the heel which is preferable.
The other important factor is the lie-angle in the putter head. This tells you whether the putter is sitting flat against the ground when you hold it. Put yourself in your most comfortable stance and ask the salesman to check this for you. If the putter head is not sitting flat against the ground, you may need to have it adjusted.
Length and Grip - Two final things to consider in a putter are the length and the grip. The standard length of a putter is thirty-five inches. If you tend to stand upright, you may want it longer. If you bend over a lot, a shorter putter may be necessary. There are also various grips to consider so that a golfer with smaller hands may need a smaller diameter grip and vice versa.
Most importantly, choose a putter that looks and feels comfortable to you because this is going to be your best friend! With these considerations in mind, you will know that you have definitely chosen the right putter for you.
Once you feel that your golf stroke is fundamentally solid, most of your practice time should focus on distance control and securing the "feel". You can be taught golf fundamentals, but your level of feel will fall upon your shoulders. You need practice and more practice on the greens.
To get a general feel for the speed of the greens, hit several medium to longer golf putts. Move around the green so you are stroking different golf putts, uphill, downhill, left to right and right to left. Continue moving around the green until you have been relatively successful at putting the ball close to the hold. If you do not reach this point, then keep going. The more golf putts you roll, the more feedback you have.
Next, consistent putting requires a rhythm that is continuous throughout, much like that of a clock's pendulum. To maintain a consistent rhythm, use the same grip force throughout your golf stroke. Take time and practice this.
If your golf putts are coming up somewhat short of your target, you should first ensure that your golf stroke is the same length forward as it was back. If you incorrectly cut short your forward stroke, the ball will often end up short of the target.
You can use the three tee drill to check this. Place three tees in the ground in a line, so that the outside tees are of equal distance from the center tee. The ball should be placed in line with the center tee. Stroke your golf putt so that your putter head moves even with the back tee, then through to the forward tee. At this point, check to see that the back of your left hand has gone to the target and that you have maintained your wrist angles.
The second fundamental to check if your golf putts are continually coming up short is the length of your stroke. If your back stroke is too short, it will be difficult to get the ball to the hole, no matter what type of forward stroke you make. Increase the length of your backstroke and therefore your forward stroke as well.
Putts Continually Long of Your Target:
If your golf putts are continually rolling past the hole, check the following essentials. A backstroke that is too large would generate too much power and most often produce a putt that rolls too fast. Shorten the length of the backstroke and your forward stroke will produce less energy and not roll the ball as far.
Hitting your golf putts rather than stroking your golf putts will habitually roll the ball too far. Your rhythm and grip force should remain consistent throughout your stroke. If you force your forward stroke, which is frequently accompanied by an enhanced grip pressure, the ball will often roll too far.
Focus on keeping your rhythm even. Take notice when you start to stroke your putts rather than hit them that the sound coming off the putter face is different and not quite as loud. Focus on keeping your grip pressure even, rather than ever grabbing or pulling the putter.
Final Tip: Place your hands lower on your putter grip. Place your hands lower and you'll make the putter shorter which shortens the lever and therefore will produce less drive.
Both Aidan Sugrue & Dave Nimmo are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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