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A putter is a club used in the sport of golf to make relatively short and low-speed strokes with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance away. It is differentiated from the other clubs (typically, irons and woods) by a clubhead with a very flat, low-profile, low-loft striking face, and by other features which are only allowed on putters, such as bent shafts, non-circular grips, and positional guides.

Putters are generally used from very close distances to the cup, generally on the putting green, though certain courses have fringes and roughs near the green which are also suitable for putting. While no club in a player's bag is absolutely indispensable nor required to be carried by strict rules, the putter comes closest. It is a highly specialized tool for a specific job, and virtually no golfer is without one.

Design

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Stacy Lewis putting at the 2010 British Open

Putting is the most precise aspect of the game of golf. The putter must be designed to give the golfer every technical advantage including smooth stroke, good glide, sweet impact, and bounce-less topspin ball launch as well as every technique advantage including perfect fit as to shaft angle and length.

The striking face of a putter is usually not perpendicular to the ground: putters have a small amount of loft, intended to "lift" the ball out of any depression it has made or settled into on the green, which reduces bouncing. This loft is typically 5–6°, and by strict rules cannot be more than 10°. The putter is the only club that may have a grip that is not perfectly round; "shield"-like cross-sections with a flat top and curved underside are most common. The putter is also the only club allowed to have a bent shaft; often, club-makers will attach the shaft to the club-head on the near edge for visibility, but to increase stability, the shaft is bent near the clubhead mounting so that its lie and the resulting clubhead position places the line of the straight part of the shaft at the sweet spot of the subhead, where the ball should be for the best putt. This increases accuracy as the golfer can direct their swing through the ball, without feeling like they are slightly behind it. Many putters also have an offset hosel, which places the shaft of the club in line with the center of the ball at impact, again to improve stability and feel as, combined with the vertical bend, the shaft will point directly into the center of the ball at impact.

Historically putters were known as "putting cleeks" and were made entirely from woods such as beech, ash and hazel. In the 1900s putters heads evolved, with iron club heads becoming a more popular design.[1] The design of the putter's club head has undergone radical changes since the late 1950s. Putters were originally a forged iron piece very similar in shape to the irons of the day. One of the first to apply scientific principles to golf club design was engineer Karsten Solheim. In 1959 instead of attaching the shaft at the heel of the blade, Solheim attached it in the center, transferring much of the weight of the club head to the perimeter.[2]

Through attempts to lower the center of gravity of the club head, it evolved into a shorter, thicker head slightly curved from front to rear (the so-called "hot dog" putter[3]). The introduction of investment casting for club heads allowed drastically different shapes to be made far more easily and cheaply than with forging, resulting in several design improvements. First of all, the majority of mass behind the clubface was placed as low as possible, resulting in an L-shaped side profile with a thin, flat club face and another thin block along the bottom of the club behind the face. Additionally, peripheral weighting, or the placing of mass as far away from the center of the clubface as possible, increases the moment of inertia of the club head, reducing twisting if the club contacts the ball slightly off-center and thus giving the club a larger "sweet spot" with which to contact the ball. Newer innovations include replacing the metal at the "sweet spot" with a softer metal or polymer compound that will give and rebound at impact, which increases the peak impulse (force × time) imparted to the ball for better distance. Putters are subdivided into mallet, peripheral weighted and blade styles. Power instability and practice/play convertibility are features embodied in the latest putter design technology.

Design features

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  • Balance:
    • Center vs heel shafted - changes the aim & balance and how the head rotates
    • Face-balanced vs toe-hang - best suited to straight back and straight through vs in-to-out-to-in arcing strokes
    • Counterbalanced - heavier grip (or extra grip weight), and sometimes shaft, to shift balance upward for added stability on longer putters or those with heavier heads
    • Zero-torque/torque-balanced/lie-angle-balanced - designs that keep the face square to the stroke by aligning the shaft axis through the head’s center of gravity
  • 'Fetch' putter - has design feature that enables the golf ball to be retrieved from the hole without the player needing to bend down. In November 2018 Lee Westwood won the Nedbank Golf Challenge using a PING Sigma 2 Fetch putter.[4]

Long-shafted putters

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Though most putters have a 32-to-35-inch (81–89 cm) shaft (slightly shorter for most ladies and juniors, longer for most men), putters are also made with longer shaft lengths and grips, and are designed to reduce the "degrees of freedom" allowed a player when he or she putts. Simply, the more joints that can easily bend or twist during the putting motion, the more degrees of freedom a player has when putting, which gives more flexibility and feel but can result in more inconsistent putts. With a normal putter, the player has six degrees of freedom: hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, waist and knees, all of which can be moved just slightly to affect the path of the ball and likely prevent a putt from falling in the cup. Such motions, especially nervous uncontrollable motions, are called yips, and having a chronic case of the yips can ruin a golfer's short game. German professional golfer Bernhard Langer is famous for having such a severe case that he once needed four putts to hole out from within three feet of the cup.[5]

A belly putter is typically about 6 to 8 inches (15–20 cm) longer than a normal putter and is designed to be "anchored" against the abdomen of the player. This design reduces or removes the importance of the hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders. A long putter is even longer and is designed to be anchored from the chest or even the chin and similarly reduces the impact of the hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders. The disadvantages are decreased feel and control over putting power, especially with the long putter. Their use in professional tournaments is hotly contested; Jim Furyk and others on the pro tours including Langer and Vijay Singh have used belly putters at some point with a marked improvement of their short game, while players like Tiger Woods and officials like former USGA technical director Frank Thomas have condemned it as conferring an unfair advantage on users.[6]

In November 2012, a proposed change for the 2016 edition of the rules of golf was announced, which would forbid players from anchoring a club against their body in any way. This rule change will affect the use of long and belly putters by players.[7][8] Notable players affected include Adam Scott, Tim Clark, Kevin Stadler, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Carl Pettersson and Ernie Els. This new rule (14-1b Anchoring the Club) was approved in May 2013 and took effect on 1 January 2016. This new rule prohibits "anchoring" a putter when making a stroke. It does not ban long-shafted putters, rather, it bans the method by which they were originally designed to be used.

Following the rule change, longer putters continued to be used, notably by Langer and Scott, with the butt held away from the body. Anchoring below the elbow remained legal, and the so called armlock putting stroke, using a putter with a longer grip designed to rest along the (usually lead) forearm to stabilize the stroke, has been used by several tour professionals including Matt Kuchar and Bryson DeChambeau.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Putter

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from Grokipedia
A putter is a specialized golf club designed for making precise, low-speed strokes on the putting green to roll the ball into the hole from short distances. Under the Rules of Golf, it may only be used on the putting green and must have a loft not exceeding 10 degrees, though most feature a flat-faced head with minimal loft, typically between 3 and 4 degrees. It is the shortest club in a standard golf bag, often measuring around 34 to 35 inches in length. The putter is the most frequently used club during a round, accounting for roughly 40% of all strokes as golfers navigate the green. Putters have evolved significantly since their origins in the 18th century, when early versions were crafted from wooden heads like those of other clubs. Early metal putters emerged in the late , with Scottish clubmakers like Forgan and Willie Wilson contributing to their development and marking a shift toward greater durability and precision. By the early , innovations such as the center-shafted Schenectady putter, invented in 1902, introduced balanced designs that improved alignment and stability. Modern putters incorporate advanced materials like and inserts for enhanced feel and roll, with perimeter weighting—pioneered by Karsten Solheim's Ping Anser putter in the —helping to reduce mishits. Contemporary putters come in two primary styles: blade putters, which have a compact, traditional heel-toe weighted head suited for arc-style strokes, and , featuring larger, more forgiving heads with high for straighter paths. These designs cater to different player preferences, with factors like head length, and grip influencing putting accuracy and consistency. As the club responsible for the majority of scoring opportunities, selecting the right putter remains a critical aspect of a golfer's equipment strategy.

Overview and History

Definition and Role in Golf

The putter is a specialized characterized by a flat face and minimal , typically not exceeding 10 degrees, designed primarily for use on the putting green to roll the ball toward the with precision and control. This low ensures the ball spends minimal time in the air, promoting a smooth rolling motion rather than a lofted flight, which is essential for accurate distance control over short ranges. In the context of a standard golf round, the plays a pivotal role, accounting for approximately 40% of all shots taken by professional players, underscoring its importance in scoring. It is employed exclusively on the putting greens or adjacent fringes, where the objective is to navigate the along the ground to the , often over distances up to 50 feet, demanding fine-tuned adjustments for both direction and speed. Unlike woods or irons, which generate significant launch angles to propel the ball airborne for longer carries, the putter facilitates a ground-based that prioritizes roll over elevation, making it uniquely suited for the final phase of approach to the . The physics of putting revolves around fundamental interactions between the ball, the green's surface, and environmental factors. between the ball and the turf governs the ball's deceleration after impact, with green speed quantified using the —a device that releases the ball from a fixed height to measure roll distance in feet, typically ranging from 8 to 13 for tournament play. Additionally, slopes on the green introduce break, where gravity pulls the rolling ball into a curved path downhill, requiring players to aim off-line to compensate for this deflection. These elements— for speed control and for directional adjustment—define the putter's functional demands, emphasizing precision over power.

Historical Development

The putter originated in 15th- and 16th-century alongside the early development of , where primitive wooden clubs known as "cleeks" served as the primary putting tool. These early putters featured shafts made from flexible woods like or and heads carved from harder varieties such as , apple, or , often bound with strips for durability; they were handcrafted by local clubmakers to suit the uneven seaside and feather-filled balls of the era. By the mid-18th century, around 1750, the first iron-headed clubs emerged from Scottish blacksmiths, though metal putters remained uncommon until the late 1700s and early 1800s due to the fragility of contemporary golf balls, which limited the viability of harder faces. The introduction of Robert Adams Paterson's ball in 1848 revolutionized equipment, enabling more widespread adoption of standardized metal-headed putters by the mid-19th century, as the durable ball could withstand firmer strikes. The 19th century brought significant refinements, including the shift to shafts around the 1820s–1830s, which replaced softer ash and hazel woods for their superior strength, flexibility, and consistency in transmitting power during the putting stroke. Influential figures like Tom Morris Sr. (Old Tom) and his son (Young Tom) advanced early balanced designs in , with Old Tom credited for the "drainpipe" putter in the early 1890s—a straight-faced, cylindrical-headed iron club patented with collaborator Tom Stewart that emphasized even for smoother rolls on unpredictable greens. These innovations reflected growing experimentation amid golf's , as the Morrises, both multiple winners, influenced clubmaking standards through their roles as greenskeepers and course designers. In the , putter designs evolved further, transitioning from predominantly straight-faced blades to include subtle —typically 3–4 degrees—starting in the post- era to better impart forward roll and reduce skidding on faster, more manicured greens, a change accelerated by Bobby Jones's use of the lofted "" forged blade during his 13 major victories in the . By the , contributed to the popularization of heel-toe weighted putters through his endorsement and use of the Ping Anser model, an iconic design introduced in 1966 by Karsten Solheim that featured heel-toe weighting, revolutionizing putter technology with enhanced stability and forgiveness; it has been used for over 500 professional wins, including 19 majors, contributing to Player's success in majors thereafter as part of his nine major titles. This era marked a broader emphasis on balance to counter mishits, aligning with Player's advocacy for physical and technical precision in the sport. Technological advancements accelerated in the late , shifting from labor-intensive hand-forged irons—common until the —to computer (CNC) by 1982, when Dick DeLaCruz produced the first CNC-milled putter for Callaway's Bobby Jones Billet Series, enabling unprecedented precision in head shaping and weight distribution for consistent performance. This paved the way for Scottie Cameron's milled putters in the 1990s, starting with his 1993 Classics series of soft blades featuring custom face milling, which revolutionized feel and accuracy; Cameron's designs, adopted by for his 1997 Masters win, established the premium milled putter market and influenced modern manufacturing standards.

Design and Components

Club Head Features

The club head of a putter is designed to provide stability, control, and consistent roll on the putting , with its shape and weighting playing key roles in matching a golfer's type. Blade putters feature a narrow, elongated profile that is heel-toe weighted, concentrating mass at the and to promote a subtle arcing while maintaining a traditional, compact appearance. In contrast, mallet putters have a larger, more rounded or semi-circular shape with perimeter weighting, distributing mass around the edges to increase forgiveness on off-center strikes and suit golfers with a straighter putting motion. Toe hang variations further refine this balance: putters with significant toe hang (where the toe points downward when balanced on the shaft) encourage an arcing path, while face-balanced designs (where the face points upward) minimize rotation for a straight-back-straight-through . The striking face of the putter head typically incorporates a of 3 to 5 degrees to impart forward roll to the ball without excessive lift, ensuring a smooth trajectory along the . The lie angle, generally set between 70 and 72 degrees, positions the sole flat on the ground at to prevent the or from digging into the turf during the stroke. Many modern putter faces include soft inserts made from materials like urethane or to enhance feel and promote , reducing skid and providing consistent energy transfer; these inserts must conform to USGA standards, no less than 85 on the Shore A scale durometer. Weight distribution in the club head prioritizes (MOI), a measure of resistance to twisting on mishits, calculated around the vertical axis through the center of gravity when the club is at a 60-degree lie angle. Heel-toe weighting in designs adds stability for arc strokes by placing heavier material at the extremities, while putters achieve higher MOI through redistributed perimeter , often exceeding 5,000 g-cm², to broaden the effective hitting area and minimize distance loss on off-center contact. Alignment aids on the putter head, such as etched lines, dots, or geometric shapes along the top line, assist in squaring the face to the target line at and framing the ball for accurate aim. These features, limited by USGA rules to no more than 0.25 inches (6.35 mm) in height above the face for putters, can include single or multiple lines for extended visual guidance or dots to center the stroke without overwhelming the sight picture.

Shaft, Length, and Grip

The shaft of a putter connects the grip to the club head and plays a key role in feel, stability, and stroke consistency. Steel remains the standard material for its , consistent , and feedback during impact. shafts, in contrast, are lighter, which reduces transmission to the hands and allows for greater customization in and flex profiles. This material also performs more reliably across varying temperatures, minimizing changes in shaft characteristics. Putter length directly influences player setup, posture, and eye position relative to the , making proper fitting essential for repeatability. Conventional lengths range from 32 to 36 inches, tailored to a golfer's and wrist-to-floor measurement to position the eyes directly over or slightly inside the . Belly putters extend to approximately 40 inches, anchoring against the body for added stability without excessive wrist movement. Broomstick putters, at 48 inches or longer, lean against the chest or shoulder, promoting an upright posture that enhances balance and minimizes lower-body interference in the . The grip provides the interface for hand placement and influences control, with designs selected to match grip styles like the reverse overlap for better alignment and reduced tension. Pistol grips feature a tapered shape that secures the upper hand while allowing natural . Oversized or jumbo grips increase diameter to limit action and promote a pendulum-like , often with non-tapered profiles for even pressure distribution. Ribbed grips incorporate an internal ridge that guides consistent hand positioning and with the target line, enhancing overall putting accuracy. Balance and in the upper components affect stroke path and , with hosel design determining offset levels. Offset hosels, such as slant or double-bend styles, position the shaft ahead of the head to create toe hang, suiting arced strokes by facilitating natural rotation. Inline or center-shaft hosels minimize offset for face-balanced putters, for straight-back-straight-through motions as they reduce torque on the face. Counterbalancing involves adding weight to the grip end—often 50 grams or more—to shift the balance point higher, stabilizing the putter through impact and promoting a more consistent arc.

Types and Variations

Blade Putters

Blade putters feature a compact, iron-like club head design that emphasizes precision and traditional . This style typically includes a moderate toe hang of 30 to 45 degrees, which accommodates golfers with an arcing putting stroke by allowing natural face rotation during the swing. The head's low (MOI) demands precise center-face contact, offering minimal resistance to twisting on off-center hits compared to more forgiving designs. Historically, blade putters dominated professional and amateur play from the 1920s through the 1980s, serving as the standard for putting equipment during that era. Their popularity stemmed from the enhanced feedback provided on pure strikes, which allowed skilled players to fine-tune distance control and alignment. Professionals like favored blade putters for this tactile response, using models such as the MacGregor 600 throughout much of his career to secure multiple major victories. In terms of performance, blade putters deliver superior feel on well-struck putts, enabling consistent impact patterns among experienced golfers who prioritize touch over error tolerance. However, their lower MOI results in less on mishits, making them ideal for players with repeatable strokes rather than those seeking stability on imperfect contacts. Archetypal examples include the Wilson 8802, introduced in 1964 and celebrated for its timeless profile and soft impact sensation, and the Ping Anser, an iconic design patented in 1966 by , which incorporated heel-toe weighting to slightly enhance perimeter stability while maintaining the classic form. This revolutionary putter has been used for over 500 professional wins, including 19 major championships. Despite the rise of mallet putters, blade putters remain in use among high-ranking putters on the PGA Tour and are competitive at the highest level for players who prioritize feel, particularly on longer putts, superior distance control, and traditional aesthetics. For instance, in 2025, four of the top ten players in strokes gained putting utilized blade-style putters.

Mallet Putters

Mallet putters feature a larger clubhead , often with a semi-circular or rectangular shape that incorporates perimeter weighting to maximize (MOI), enhancing stability during the putting . This high-MOI construction, typically achieved through redistributed mass around the edges of the head, minimizes twisting on off-center strikes, making mallets particularly forgiving for ers with inconsistent contact. Most mallet putters are face-balanced or have minimal hang (0-10 degrees), promoting a straight-back-straight-through putting motion suited to players who prefer a pendulum-like rather than an arced path. The evolution of mallet putters accelerated in the 1960s and 1970s as manufacturers like Ping introduced perimeter-weighted designs to improve forgiveness over traditional styles, with early models such as the Ping 1A gaining popularity among professionals and amateurs seeking greater consistency. By the , innovations like Odyssey's two-ball alignment system further propelled mallet adoption, leading to their current dominance in the market, where they account for over 50% of putter sales due to advancements in weighting and materials. Today, mallets represent a modern standard, evolving from experimental shapes to precision-engineered tools that prioritize alignment and error reduction. In terms of performance, mallet putters excel in reducing dispersion on mishits. Many models incorporate alignment aids, such as elongated sight lines or multi-dot patterns on the top line, to help golfers square the face more reliably at address. Representative examples include the series, known for its urethane insert and perimeter weighting that softens impact while maintaining roll, and the Phantom X line, which uses multi-material construction for optimized weight distribution and high forgiveness.

Long and Alternative Shaft Putters

Long putters, also known as broomhandle or chest-anchor putters, feature extended shafts typically measuring 40 to 52 inches, allowing the grip end to be anchored against the golfer's chest or for stability during the stroke. In contrast, belly putters have slightly shorter shafts, around 39 to 42 inches, where the grip is pressed against the midsection or to create a similar anchoring point lower on the body. These designs emerged as alternatives to conventional putters, aiming to promote a more consistent pendulum-like motion by minimizing variability in and hand movement. The mechanics of these putters rely on anchoring the shaft to the body, which reduces wrist action and encourages a shoulder-driven , effectively turning the golfer's into a pivot point for greater . This approach was first patented in 1965 as a "body-pivot golf putter" by Richard T. Parmley, with early adoption in the late 1960s when professional Phil Rodgers won two events using a 39.5-inch belly putter, gripping it against his stomach while spreading his hands for leverage. The style gained further prominence through players like , who popularized the chest-anchor broomhandle variation starting in the early 2000s, using it to overcome putting and secure multiple victories, including on the Champions Tour. Variations of long and belly putters include adaptations for left-handed golfers, with manufacturers offering mirrored designs to accommodate the minority of players who putt left-handed, ensuring equivalent performance benefits without compromising the anchoring mechanics. Additionally, adjustable-length models allow for custom fitting based on a golfer's and posture, enabling fine-tuning of the shaft to optimize the point and stroke path. These unconventional designs saw peak adoption in the , with over a quarter of the 2012 British Open field employing belly or long putters, though their use has since stabilized among players who adapt non-anchoring techniques to remain compliant with modern equipment standards. Another modern variation is the arm-lock putter, which features a shaft length of 38 to 42 inches and a grip that presses against the lead (for right-handed golfers), creating a stable pivot without anchoring to the body. This technique, popularized in the 2010s by professionals like , minimizes wrist movement and promotes a more consistent stroke, serving as a legal alternative following the 2016 anchoring ban by the USGA and R&A. As of 2025, arm-lock putters continue to gain traction for their forgiveness and alignment benefits.

Usage and Technique

Basic Putting Stroke

The basic putting stroke begins with a proper setup that promotes stability and alignment. For right-handed golfers, the ball should be positioned slightly forward in the stance, typically just inside the left , to allow for a natural upward through impact. The stance width is generally shoulder-width apart or slightly narrower, with weight evenly distributed between the feet for balance. The eyes should be positioned directly over or slightly inside the ball line to ensure accurate aim and a clear view of the intended path. The stroke itself follows a pendulum-like motion, where the shoulders act as the primary , creating a rocking action that keeps the arms and hands relatively passive. This setup minimizes action and promotes a straight-back-straight-through path along the target line. The length of the backswing is proportional to the distance of the putt; for example, a 6-inch backswing typically suits a 6-foot putt, scaling up or down to match the required roll without altering tempo. Effective speed control relies on maintaining a firm position throughout the stroke, allowing for a natural through impact as gravity assists the forward motion. The ideal tempo features a 2:1 , with the backstroke taking approximately twice as long as the through-stroke, ensuring consistent regardless of distance. This approach helps the start on line with the appropriate speed to reach the . Common errors in the basic putting stroke include deceleration through impact, which often causes the ball to come up short by reducing energy transfer, and the yips, a nervous condition leading to involuntary wrist twitches on short putts. To correct deceleration, golfers can practice accelerating the putterhead past the ball while focusing on a smooth follow-through; for the yips, brief drills emphasizing relaxed grip pressure and process-oriented routines, such as counting the tempo aloud, can rebuild confidence.

Advanced Techniques and Fitting

Advanced putting techniques extend beyond basic setup by incorporating personalized stroke paths and grip adjustments to enhance consistency and control. Golfers often employ either an arc stroke path, where the putter head moves inside the target line on the backstroke and returns square before finishing on a slight arc, or a straight stroke path that keeps the putter head aligned directly along the target line throughout the motion. The arc path suits golfers with a more natural rotation, while the straight path promotes a pendulum-like motion for those seeking minimal deviation. Grip variations further refine technique by reducing wrist action and promoting stability. The claw grip, also known as the pencil grip, is used by professionals such as Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler. In the claw grip, the left thumb is typically positioned slightly down the right side of the grip to help square the putter face and improve stability. The right hand holds the grip between the thumb and index finger, with the palm open on top of the grip; in standard descriptions, it is not positioned between the right index and middle fingers. Variations exist, such as those where the trailing hand's index and middle fingers are extended along the grip's side while the other fingers wrap around, allowing the lead hand to dominate and minimizing right-hand dominance that can cause pulls. This method benefits players struggling with excessive hand manipulation, as seen in its adoption by professionals like for improved feel. Reading greens accurately is crucial for advanced play, with methods like plumb-bobbing and providing systematic approaches to assessing . Plumb-bobbing involves holding the putter vertically from the grip end to create a reference line, aligning the shaft over the ball to gauge break direction based on its perceived tilt relative to the ; however, it primarily indicates overall rather than precise severity. , a feel-based system, requires golfers to stand on the green and use their feet to sense percentage, then calibrate break by holding up fingers to estimate aim points—typically 1% per finger—allowing for quantitative green-reading without visual guesswork. Over 50% of professional golfers incorporate elements of for its reliability on varied surfaces. Putter fitting personalizes to match a golfer's and physique, beginning with lie angle adjustments through static and dynamic tests. Static tests measure lie angle with the putter soled on a flat surface or using a board to check toe-heel contact, ensuring the sole sits flush at address. Dynamic tests, conducted during actual , assess impact position via tape on the sole or launch monitor data to confirm the lie promotes a square face at contact; mismatches, such as a toe-up lie causing pushes, can be corrected by bending the shaft 1-2 degrees. analysis using launch monitors like evaluates path (the direction the putter head travels) and face angle (the putter face's orientation relative to the target), identifying deviations—such as an inside path with an open face leading to inconsistent starts—that inform adjustments for straighter rolls. Customization optimizes performance by tuning and to individual metrics. Weight tuning balances head and grip mass to suit : lighter head weights (around 340-350 grams) favor quick- strokes for better , while heavier heads (360+ grams) stabilize slower for control; adjustable weights in the head or grip allow fine-tuning to reduce and promote a square face. is determined by height and arm measurements, with a standard 34-inch putter suiting a 5'10" player to allow arms to hang naturally without excessive ; taller golfers (6'0"+) may require 35 inches, while shorter players benefit from 32-33 inches to maintain eye position over the ball. Drills reinforce these techniques, focusing on path accuracy and distance control. The gate drill sets two tees slightly wider than the putter head, forming a gate through which the ball must pass without contact, training a consistent path and square face on short putts (3-6 feet). The ladder drill places balls at increasing distances (e.g., 10, 20, 30 feet) from the hole, requiring each putt to stop progressively closer without passing, honing speed judgment and tempo for lag putting.

Rules and Innovations

Governing Regulations

The (USGA) and jointly govern the specifications for putters under the Rules of , ensuring equipment conforms to standards that promote fair play without undue performance advantages. These bodies set limits on putter design, including exemptions from certain restrictions applied to other clubs, such as the (COR) limit of 0.83, which applies only to drivers and woods to prevent spring-like effects but is irrelevant for putters. Putter head dimensions are strictly regulated to maintain traditional shapes: the heel-to-toe length must not exceed 7 inches (177.8 mm), the heel-to-toe measurement of the face must be at least two-thirds of the face-to-back dimension and at least half of the head's heel-to-toe length, the face-to-back dimension must be less than the heel-to-toe length, and the sole-to-top height must not exceed 2.5 inches (63.5 mm). The face must be hard and rigid, with a minimum of 85 on the Shore A durometer scale, and free of concavities exceeding 0.006 inches (0.152 mm) proud or 0.004 inches (0.102 mm) recessed, ensuring no spring-like rebound. Groove and marking rules for putters prioritize safety and consistency: grooves, if present, must have a maximum width of 0.060 inches (1.524 mm), a maximum depth of 0.040 inches (1.016 mm) that is less than the width, and edge radii of at least 0.010 inches (0.254 mm) to avoid sharp edges that could unduly influence ball flight. Identification markings on the face or head are permitted provided they do not enhance performance, such as by creating irregular friction, and must conform to the same edge radius requirements. Shaft regulations include a prohibition on anchoring the club to the body during a stroke, implemented via Rule 10.1b effective January 1, 2016, to preserve the skill-based nature of putting; this bans techniques where the grip end contacts the player's body but allows non-anchored long putters. The shaft must be generally straight from the top of the grip to a point no more than 5 inches (127 mm) above the sole, a standard codified in 1968 to limit extreme bends, though earlier rules from restricted attachment points to between the heel and center of the sole. Adjustability in putters, such as for , , or , is allowed under Part 11 of the Equipment Rules provided all positions conform to specifications, adjustments require tools or special knowledge and cannot be made readily during a round, and no mechanisms unduly influence performance; these guidelines, unchanged in major ways through 2024, ensure technological innovations remain within fair bounds. by the USGA and R&A verifies these standards through physical inspections and measurements, with non-conforming putters ineligible for use in formal competitions.

Notable Developments and Controversies

In the early , putter manufacturers introduced grooved faces designed to enhance ball roll and reduce skid, with innovations like geometrically spaced grooves improving feel, accuracy, and distance control on the greens. These features aimed to promote a truer roll by imparting subtle spin, but the USGA later imposed restrictions through groove specifications effective from 2010, limiting sharpness and depth primarily for irons and woods while ensuring putter faces remained hard and rigid without excessive spin variation compared to standard steel. Post-2010, multi-material constructions became prominent, incorporating weights to optimize perimeter weighting and stability; for instance, Callaway's Advanced Roll Technology in 2010 used for quicker roll, and Cleveland Golf's Frontline Elite series in 2023 featured a -soft face for consistent speed across the striking surface. A major controversy erupted in 2013 when the USGA and R&A proposed Rule 14-1b, banning anchored putting strokes effective January 1, 2016, to preserve the skill-based challenge of the game by prohibiting the club or grip from being held against the body. This directly impacted players like , the 2013 Masters champion who relied on a long anchored putter, prompting him and eight other pros to explore legal challenges against the ruling, though none proceeded to court. In response, manufacturers like Ping developed adjustable-length shafts in 2013 to allow conversion from anchored to conventional styles, sparking debates over whether such adaptations undermined the ban's intent or encouraged further equipment adjustments. The Odyssey 2-Ball alignment aid, launched in 2001, revolutionized the market in the 2000s by featuring two partial golf ball designs on the crown for enhanced aiming, contributing to Odyssey's dominance as the top-selling putter line and influencing widespread adoption of visual alignment tools. In the 2020s, AI-optimized weighting emerged as a key trend, with Odyssey's Ai-ONE series using machine learning to distribute mass for consistent ball speeds and balance tailored to stroke paths, reducing mishit dispersion by up to 21% and establishing a new benchmark in performance customization. In 2025, the USGA and R&A clarified that self-standing putters, while conforming to equipment rules, cannot be used for alignment assistance during strokes (effective January 1, 2025), and players may now replace damaged clubs, including putters, under expanded conditions without prior restrictions. Looking ahead to 2025, non-rule-violating smart sensors integrated into putter grips, such as Arccos's P3 putter sensor, offer potential for performance tracking by capturing stroke data like speed and path without providing real-time advice during play, aligning with USGA guidelines that permit electronic devices in mode for post-round analysis.

References

  1. https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/equipment-rules.html
  2. https://www.golfonaut.io/glossary/putter
  3. https://www.golfdistillery.com/definitions/clubs/putter/
  4. https://convexgolf.com/pages/history-of-the-putter
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