5 Ways Your Putter Should Be Helping You Improve (And Why It’s Not)
When it comes to golf, the putter is often referred to as the most important club in your bag. After all, it’s the club you’ll use the most during a round, and it’s responsible for finishing off each hole. Yet, many golfers struggle with their putting game, leaving strokes on the green that could have easily been saved.
If you’re not seeing improvement in your putting, it might not be entirely your fault—your putter could be part of the problem. Here are five ways your putter should be helping you improve (and why it might not be).
1. Providing Consistency in Stroke and Alignment
Your putter should help you maintain a consistent stroke and proper alignment, which are critical for sinking putts. However, if your putter lacks this ability or has an alignment system that doesn’t work for your eye, it can lead to misaligned putts and missed opportunities.
Why It’s Not Helping: If your putter’s alignment aids don’t match your visual preferences or the head shape feels awkward at address, you’re likely to struggle with consistency. Consider trying a putter with a different alignment system or head shape to see if it improves your setup.
2. Offering the Right Weight and Balance
The weight and balance of your putter play a huge role in how smoothly you can control your stroke. A properly weighted putter helps you maintain a steady tempo and prevents the club from feeling too heavy or too light during your stroke. The right balance (face-balanced vs. toe-balanced) also ensures the putter head stays square through impact.
Why It’s Not Helping: If your putter feels too heavy, it can slow down your stroke and cause deceleration. If it’s too light, you might lose feel and struggle with distance control. Additionally, if the balance doesn’t match your stroke type (straight, slight arc, or strong arc), you’ll have a harder time keeping the face square.
3. Enhancing Feel and Feedback
A good putter should give you immediate feedback on your strokes. This means you should be able to tell whether you hit the ball on the sweet spot or off-center, and how the ball will react based on your stroke. This feedback helps you make adjustments and improve your touch over time.
Why It’s Not Helping: If your putter doesn’t provide clear feedback—whether due to its design, material, or insert—you won’t know what you’re doing wrong. For example, a putter with a soft insert might feel great but mask mishits, while a harder putter might feel harsh but give you more information about your stroke.
4. Improving Distance Control
Distance control is one of the most important aspects of putting. Your putter should help you gauge how hard to hit the ball to get it to the hole, especially on longer putts. A putter with the right length, weight, and grip can make it easier to judge speed and roll the ball consistently.
Why It’s Not Helping: If your putter is too long or too short, it can throw off your posture and make it harder to control your stroke. Similarly, a grip that’s too thick or too thin can affect your ability to feel the clubhead and judge distance. Experimenting with different lengths and grips can make a big difference.
5. Boosting Confidence on the Greens
Finally, your putter should inspire confidence every time you step onto the green. When you look down at your putter, it should feel like an extension of your body, and you should trust it to perform. Confidence is key to making more putts, and the right putter can help you build that trust.
Why It’s Not Helping: If you’re constantly second-guessing your putter—whether it’s because of its look, feel, or performance—it’s going to hurt your confidence. A putter that doesn’t suit your stroke or preferences can make you doubt your ability, even if your technique is solid.
What Can You Do?
If your putter isn’t helping you improve, it might be time for a change. Here are a few steps to take:
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Get Fitted: A professional putter fitting can help you find the right length, weight, balance, and grip for your stroke.
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Experiment: Try different putter styles (blade, mallet, etc.) and materials to see what feels best.
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Practice: Even the best putter won’t help if you don’t practice. Spend time on the green working on your stroke and distance control.
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Trust Your Instincts: If a putter feels right and gives you confidence, it’s likely a good fit.
Your putter should be your best friend on the greens, not a source of frustration. By ensuring it’s helping you in these five key areas, you can start making more putts and lowering your scores. Remember, the right putter won’t just improve your game—it’ll make you enjoy it more, too.