{"id":2733,"date":"2026-11-04T00:36:33","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T23:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/comparatifs\/le-putter-comment-le-choisir-et-bien-le-tenir\/"},"modified":"2026-11-09T22:55:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T21:55:51","slug":"choosing-a-putter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/best-golf-tips.com\/en\/guides\/choosing-a-putter\/","title":{"rendered":"The Putter: How to Choose One and Grip It Right"},"content":{"rendered":"

The putter is the club you take out of your bag most often, and yet it\u2019s often the one you choose the fastest. Blade or mallet, length, loft, grip\u2014a putter tailored to your swing makes your putts more consistent. Here\u2019s how to choose one, how to grip it, and the mistakes that cost you the most strokes on the green.<\/p>\n

What is a golf putter?<\/h2>\n

The putter is the club designed to roll the ball across the green toward the hole. Its face is nearly vertical: golf rules define it as a club with a loft of no more than 10 degrees. It is not used to hit the ball high into the air, but to roll it along a straight line at the right speed.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also the most personal club in the bag. There\u2019s no such thing as a \u201cgood\u201d putter in absolute terms\u2014there\u2019s only the putter that suits your stroke, your height, and your stance. The basics of the stroke are covered on our page dedicated to the Putting<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Blade or mallet: Which putter head should you choose?<\/h2>\n
\"Diagram
The finger test: If the putter faces upward, it is face-balanced; if it points downward, it has toe hang.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Putter Type<\/td>\nFeatures<\/td>\nMost Common Balancing Method<\/td>\nFor which route?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blade<\/td>\nSlim, compact head; great feel<\/td>\nToe hang<\/td>\nArc swing: the clubface opens and then closes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Blade with weighted heel and tip<\/td>\nMore forgiving blade, weight distributed to the tips<\/td>\nSlight toe hang<\/td>\nLight bow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mallet<\/td>\nWide, deep head; very stable; line of sight<\/td>\nFace-balanced<\/td>\nStraight swing path; the clubface remains square<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n

The blade: the classic head<\/h3>\n

The blade is a narrow head, often with a bent neck. It offers precise control and a good feel for the face. On the other hand, it is less forgiving: a putt struck toward the toe or heel loses more speed than with a mallet.<\/p>\n

The mallet: the head that forgives<\/h3>\n

The mallet has a larger head, either half-moon-shaped or in a more modern design. Its weight is distributed away from the face, making it more stable when the ball isn\u2019t struck in the center. It often features long lines that help with alignment. Many amateur golfers find that this improves their consistency on short putts.<\/p>\n

Face-balanced or toe-hang: the finger test<\/h3>\n

Balance the putter shaft on one finger, just below the grip, and let the head hang down. If the face is pointing toward the sky, the putter is face-balanced<\/strong>. If the tip points toward the floor, it is toe hang<\/strong>. Anything in between is called a partial toe hang.<\/p>\n