A Putter That Makes "Money": Try Choosing It This Way

Blade "Arc-shaped Stroke" Excels in Distance Perception, Mallet Effective for Short Distance with "Straight Line Movement"

Choosing a putter that matches your own style is the right choice.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The putter is the most frequently used club among the 14 golf clubs.

Even if you make just two putts per hole, that totals 36 strokes. This is why choosing the right putter is important. Golf equipment companies are enticing golfers with a variety of putters. This year, the Titleist Scotty Cameron My Girl, Callaway Odyssey Toulon Design, Ping Golf New Putter Series, and TaylorMade Spider GT are gaining attention. No matter how good a putter is, it is useless if it does not fit your body. This is essential knowledge when selecting a putter.

First, consider the head shape. Blades are straight-shaped, while mallets are rounded. The choice depends on personal preference and stroke path. Blades create a small arc, whereas mallets maintain a straight line. In the past, 'experts' preferred blades, but recently mallets have regained popularity. When placing the middle part of the shaft on your palm, the toe of the blade head points downward at more than 45 degrees.

The toe opens and then slightly moves toward the body during impact, naturally creating an arc. Blades are thin and have a relatively high center of gravity, so precise center hits and control are important. They are advantageous for long putting, but if the backswing wobbles, short putts can be missed easily. Mallets face upward on the palm, maintaining a horizontal line from toe to heel. Starting from a crescent shape, they have evolved into more complex designs nowadays.

The shaft position further subdivides the types. If inserted in the center of the head, it is T-shaped; if near the heel, it is L-shaped. The stroke is straight. The face is thicker than that of blades, resulting in a larger moment of inertia, and the wide back shape makes it easier to align the target during setup. If you use your wrists a lot, you can reinforce with a heavier head or thicker grip. The larger grip area helps stabilize the stroke.

The shaft length is based on arm length. 34 inches is the standard. For heights under 170cm, 33 inches is recommended; for over 180cm, 35 inches. If too short, the line of sight shifts outside the ball, pulling shots to the left; if too long, it moves inside, pushing shots to the right. The typical putter loft is 4 degrees. This helps lift the ball to an appropriate height. If the loft is too high, the ball lifts too much off the ground, causing backspin and shorter distance; if too low, the ball bounces excessively.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.