When selecting which putter to purchase there is almost as much art as there is science. First no putter will make you a great golfer, which takes practice and skill. However, when choosing a putter the more you know the better chance you have of selecting a golf putter that will work with your style and provides you a feel and sound you’re looking for.

3 Main Putter Styles

For putter styles there are generally three common styles. Which is right for will depend on your style of golfing. The first, based on an earlier putter design, is the blade putter. Typically this type of putter should be left to golfers with plenty of skill, something we all hope to achieve.

The second design, sometimes considered the most copied design in putters, is the Pinger Anser. This design is somewhat of a modern standard. This putter is easier to use than the blade putter because it provides more forgiveness. This is due to the flange heel-toe weighted design.

The final style is the face-balanced mallet putter. When it comes to hitting the golf ball off center this putter gives the most forgiveness, making this the easiest putter to use for most golfers.

Moment of Inertia (MOI)

Moment of Inertia is the measure of an object to resist a change in its rotation. Much of the accuracy of a putter rests on its ability to not twist during impact. Efforts to reduce this twisting at the putter’s head are a large part of the putter design.

The higher the MOI of a particular putter the more resistance that putter will have to twisting when the ball is hit off center.

Shaft Design

The putter shaft will either enter the head at the center or at the heel. In addition to where the shaft enters the head there is also how it enters (hosel design) and the overall shape of the head.

When a shaft connects to the putter head at the center it will help reduce the twisting effect when it impacts the golf ball. Though physics supports this logic considering the impact is quite low this may not be as much of a concern compared to driving a golf ball. The longer the putt, the harder the impact, the more this will come into play.

Cost

This is perhaps the least important factor. Considering the wrong putter is expensive at any price and considering the price of the other clubs in your bag this will most likely be the cheapest of them all. Yet, you will use this club more than those expensive, high-tech drivers.

Inserts

Many putters will have some type of insert in the putter head. These inserts, as they are a different material form the rest of the head, will provide a different feel to the putter over solid based putters. Also the different materials used for the insert will give a different feel. An insert should not affect your accuracy so much but may affect how the ball rolls.

Alignment Markings/Aids

Aiming is a part of every golf swing and many manufactures will put various aiming aides on their putters. These come in the form of lines, circles, and other shapes on the putter head.

With most marketing claims these should reviewed with a little skepticism. They may work for some people and not with others. Just take a moment to view the aides and see if they help you line with your aim. If not don’t use them or select a different club.

These are just some of the putter characteristics you should consider when looking for a new putter. Just remember that no putter will make you an expert.