The Path of a 'Putting Master' ① How to Choose the Right Putter

'Iljayang' Blade Long Putting Glass
'Dunggeun Moyang' Mallet Short Putting Strength

Nothing is as important as putting in golf. It is a skill directly linked to the score. At the 87th Masters Tournament, the “Battle of the Masters,” which concluded on the 10th at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA, putting experts delivered impressive results. Here is a guide for amateur golfers to become putting masters.

The putter is the most frequently used club among the 14 golf clubs. Even with just two putts per hole, the total is 36 strokes. This is why choosing the right putter is crucial. 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.

Blade putters with a straight shape naturally create an arc, providing excellent distance control.

First, consider the head shape. The blade is straight, while the mallet has a rounded shape. The choice depends on personal preference and stroke path. The blade traces a small arc, whereas the mallet maintains a straight line. In the past, “experts” preferred blades, but recently mallets have regained popularity.

The blade putter, when the middle of the shaft is placed on the palm, has the toe of the head angled downward more than 45 degrees. The toe opens and then slightly closes toward the body during impact, naturally creating an arc. It is thin and has a relatively high center of gravity, so precise center hits and control are important. Tiger Woods (USA), the “Golf Emperor,” is a representative user. Consistent practice is essential. The sweet spot is narrow and sensitive. It is advantageous for long putts, but if the backswing wavers, short putts can be missed unexpectedly.

The mallet putter faces upward on the palm, with the face horizontal from toe to heel. Originally crescent-shaped, it has evolved into semi-mallets with slightly larger blades, square shapes, and complex designs reminiscent of spaceships. It can be further subdivided by shaft position: T-shaped when inserted in the center of the head, and L-shaped near the heel. The stroke is straight.

Mallet putters are easy to align with the target and are effective for short distances due to their straight-line stroke.

Mallet putters are recommended for golf beginners. The face is thicker than a blade, resulting in a larger moment of inertia (MOI), and the broad back makes it easier to align the target during setup. If you use your wrists a lot, you can reinforce it with a heavier head or thicker grip. The larger grip area helps stabilize the stroke. Mallets excel in short putting but can be challenging for distance control.

The standard shaft length is 34 inches. For those under 170 cm tall, 33 inches is suitable, and for those over 180 cm, about 35 inches. Actually, arm length is more important than height for shaft length because the putting path needs to be comfortable. If too short, the line of sight shifts left; if too long, it shifts right.

Loft starts at 4 degrees. If the loft is too high, the ball lifts off the ground and backspins, shortening the distance; if too low, the ball bounces excessively. For fast greens, 3.5 degrees is appropriate. If the ball tends to go left in actual play, a putter without offset is better. Although sensitive and difficult to use, it allows quicker contact and reduces misses to the left. If the ball tends to go right, a putter with more offset is recommended.

The thicker the grip, the more it reduces unnecessary wrist movement. The principle is that a larger grip area held by the hands helps stabilize the stroke. For golfers who are insecure with short putts, a “Hongdugae” grip can be very effective. Of course, there is a downside: it reduces feel compared to thinner grips. Golfers who frequently make long putts or prioritize putting feel should choose grips of normal thickness.

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