Types of Putters

Mallet Putter. A Mallet putter is known for more elaborate designs and are notable for their larger clubheads. Although the clubface of a mallet putter is similar to a blade putter, mallet putters have large clubheads that come in various shapes such as: a half circle, square back , or even some more abstract designs.

Heel-shafted putters are more common on the PGA Tour, but plenty of pros use the center-shafted variety, particularly those who swing long putters or belly putters. Many tour pros find a center-shafted putter helps them align the ball properly, according to “Golf Digest.” Additionally, some pros feel that a face-balanced putter is easier to square up at impact.

OEM putter makers who make putters with grooves will have you believe that a grooved putter will help you create this overspin. Just like grooves on an iron create backspin, the theory goes that the upward motion of the putter head at impact will allow the grooves to bite into the ball and cause it to spin forward.

Grooves, deep milling, and inserts can increase the chances that you will feel that “soft, pure” feeling of a good shot off the face of the putter, giving you confidence that you performed the shot correctly.

Mallet Putter. A Mallet putter is known for more elaborate designs and are notable for their larger clubheads. Although the clubface of a mallet putter is similar to a blade putter, mallet putters have large clubheads that come in various shapes such as: a half circle, square back , or even some more abstract designs.

Some insert putters (odyssey XG and white steel, TM Rossa), some milled steel (SC Newport), and my current putter which is technically an aluminum face with a soft insert behind it. All good putters, just different feel (sound).

Peripheral Weighted Putters. The peripheral weighted or heel-toe weighted putter was the natural evolution of the blade putter. Long and thin at address, the design was could still be soft and delicate but with added weight in the heel and toe portions adding more consistency and forgiveness.

A toe-balanced putter is also called a toe-down putter or toe-weighted putter. Just how much the toe of a toe-balanced putter points downward when the shaft is balanced parallel to the ground is referred to as "toe hang" (or sometimes "toe droop").