Which Type of Putter Fits Your Stroke

Before we jump into each of the types of putters and the various putting strokes, here's an outline or which putter style and balance profile generally fits each stroke best. While there are exceptions to every rule, this is a great starting point.

Now it's time to learn more about each type of putter, and why they fit certain strokes better than others.

Moreso than any other club in golf, putters come in all shapes and sizes. From large mallet putters to sleek blade putters, and everything in between. Here is everything you need to know about the varying styles of putters.

A blade putter is the traditional, small-headed putter that typically has a cavity behind the face. Blades are the most common putter in golf retail. All manufacturers have their own designs with slight variations, but for the most part, they all play off of the original Anser-style putters.

Blade putters are significantly smaller than the large-headed mallet putters and have been proven to be less forgiving than mallets. However, many golfers prefer the feel of a blade putter over a mallet.

Blade putters are usually heel-shafted, but they do have a niche market for center shafted models that sell very well. Blade putters are typically intended for players with more arc in their stroke. We tested a ton of different putters, 158 to be exact, and picked the Toulon Design San Diego as the best blade putter on the market today, but we recommend several blade putters that could all be great in your bag.

Mallet putters feature a large head behind the face and has, by far, the most variations and eclectic designs. Due to the size, manufactures are more creative with how to distribute the weight in a mallet putter, this includes hollow bodies as well as removable weights.

Mallet putters have a higher MOI than blade putters, which helps players with a back and through putting style with consistent contact and distance control. If you have a back and through putting stroke, a mallet is typically a great choice, and we recommend checking out the best mallet putters. The added forgiveness from a mallet can make a back and though player very effective on the green.

A mid-mallet putter has a club head in between a blade and a mallet, and is the perfect answer for someone looking for the forgiveness of a mallet but doesn't want to stray too far from the traditional size of a blade. Mid-mallet putters have become one of the more popular styles because of their versatility and appeal to players who want something in between.

When shopping for a mid-mallet putter you will find a large variety of heel and center shafted models.

A fang-style putter falls under the mallet category but has some very distinct characteristics. Instead of the back of the putter being rounded, the design has two fang-style spikes that come off of the back. Depending on the manufacturers, these can also look like wings. The Odyssey No. 7 was one of the first adaptations of the fang-style putter and still to this day is one of the most popular models on professional tours and among amateurs.

There are two types of putter balances, toe hang and face balanced. Toe hang putters have extra weight distributed in the toe, whereas face-balanced putters, as the name describes, have a balanced face.

Just as there are several styles of putters, there are several styles of putting strokes. In addition to countless putting grips and methods, there are variations in the path of different players' putting strokes.

A high arc putting stroke is also known as a strong arc. This is a putting stroke where the face of the putter swings out (open) in the backswing, comes back to square at impact, and then swings in (closed) on the follow-through.

Some arc putters include Ben Hogan, Ben Crenshaw, and Tiger Woods. Three of the game’s best putters, coincidentally. A high arc stroke should always be paired with a putter with toe hang weighting. This is where more of the head weight is concentrated to the toe, rather than the heel or middle.

A mid arc putting stroke is also known as a slight arc or moderate arc. Simply put, this is a less severe arc than the high arc previously mentioned, but it's the same principle. The putter face opens when taken back, comes back to square, and then closes on the follow-through.

With this stroke you have more putter model options than a high arc, so feel free to look at blades and mallets.

Also known as straight back, straight through, or no arc, this putting stroke is what many players strive for, but don’t necessarily need to achieve thanks to all of the different models of putters that accommodate different strokes. This is a stroke where there is zero arc, both in the backswing and follow-through. The head of the putter stays on the same line throughout the entire stroke.

Standard men's putters, not including arm-lock putters or long putters, range from about 33-35 inches, while women's putters are usually 32-33 inches. Finding the perfect putter length has a lot to do with feel, but there is a method to determine the correct length for your stance and height.

Take your putting stance and let your arms hang naturally. Measure from the floor to the top of your hands. That measurement is the putter length you should be playing. Note: it's much easier and more accurate to do this with a helper, or, go to your local golf retailer for a putter fitting.

If you’re unsure what kind of putting stroke you have, consider going to your local golf retailer for a putter fitting. They have all of the tools, and inventory, to point you in the right direction. A fitting is also usually free with the purchase of a club.

If you would like to learn about your putting stroke but prefer the DIY method, find yourself two golf tees and some string. Tie the string to each golf tee and then put the tees in the green so there’s no slack left in the string. Slide your putter under the string and make your normal putting stroke. Pay attention to how much your clubhead deviates from the path of the string. This will tell you how much, if any, arc is in your putting stroke.