By: Matthew Hick
As a golfer, one of the most important pieces of equipment that you can own is a putter. As you probably realize, your putter is used more times in one round of golf than any of your other clubs. Knowing how to truly use a putter displays your excellence as a golfer. After all, if you know how to properly use a putter, then chances are that you are experienced at reading a green, as well as figuring out and controlling the speed and distance of your ball. You may even have the knowledge of how to create a pure roll with your golf ball; but this information is useless if you do not know how to use a putter. Knowing how to use a putter has many, many benefits.
No matter what, one highly important aspect of a putter is its alignment. Even if you read your green to the best of your ability and had a perfect speed and roll with your ball – if the putter was not lined up correctly to make the shot, chances are you won’t make it. Your putter’s alignment means everything in a game. Even if you think that you can read your green to the best of your ability, you may not be able to totally hit the ball with the best speed and roll. Playing this game over and over will show you how to line up the ball to make the shot. You may need to use line, circles, holes, dots, and other features to line yourself up for the shot – but no matter what, with the right putter, it will end up where you want.
What type of putter you choose is completely up to you. Putters are typically chosen based upon a personal preference. Remember that in golf, every person is different. You may choose a putter based on its style, its weight, its look, or its technology. The putter you choose is completely up to you and your personal style.
There are a variety of guidelines that can assist you in purchasing a putter. The basic types of putters are as follows:
Putter blades:
Putter blades are generally narrow and flat. On the market today, there are several putters that are widely popular among low-to-handicap players. This is due to the enhanced feel of the putters. The blade of every putter entered more in the middle compared to other types. A blade putter provides extra weight in the heel and toe of the putter to improve forgiveness on off center hits. Blade style putters give you a thin top line to look at while you are over the ball.
Perimeter weight:
A perimeter-weighted putter design is a forgiving design. The perimeter weightied design distributes the weight around the edges of the club-head, in turn creating a larger sweet spot that helps stabilize any slight mishaps.
Mallets:
Mallets feature a large, round club-head. The weight of these mallet putters is usually balanced throughout the head for a more consistent putting stroke.
Insert:
An insert is designed with composite inserts. These insert putters offer a great feel on the putt, as well as a highly a smooth roll.
