You may have the best drives, outstanding approach shots, and might even hit the green in regulation consistently. But if you can’t sink the ball, then there is no point in going through the rest of the exercises. Your putting game needs to be strong for you to get favorable results often. Just ask Rory McIlroy, who has often been criticized for choking. That is what separated him from becoming a Grand Slam champion around 2015 and why he achieved the feat in 2025. Like every other stroke, you need the right equipment to ensure that you are excellent at putting.

Picking the right putter can be a challenging task. You get a variety of putters to choose from depending on your swing preference. When visiting a golf pro shop, you may be presented with a variety of putter heads, lengths, and grips. Every variable needs to be carefully picked to ensure you find consistency in putting.

Putter Length

One important thing you need to consider is the length of the putter you prefer. Traditionally, two different lengths of putters are available in the market.

• The most commonly used length is the short-staff putter. It stands just below the hip length and focuses on hand position and wrist play. Scottie Scheffler uses a short putter and has found success 14 times in his career with it.
• Alternatively, you can also choose a long putter. Charlie Owens first started using a 51-inch-long putter in 1983, which came up to his chest. It required an angled elbow and allowed golfers to have a straighter swing due to their stance. Nowadays, golfers Bernhard Langer and Akshay Bhatia use a long putter. However, they prefer playing with one that only rises to their abdomen. However, they do bend over a bit to make the putter reach their chest, which makes it easy for them to align the ball with the cup.
• Bryson DeChambeau uses a unique style of putter that is a bit longer than a short putter. While he holds the club at the length of a short putter, the extended shaft allows him to use his arm to stabilize the swing. Considering how many titles DeChambeau has won with it, the unique putter is certainly working for him. Then again, that is what you would expect from the scientist of golf.

Your decision to choose the length of the putter will also depend on your height and posture when putting. A short putter can traditionally range from 31 inches to 37 inches. For individuals with a height ranging from 5 feet to 5 feet and 10 inches, a short putt would typically be between 31 and 35 inches. For someone taller, anything about 35 inches is suitable. If you already have a putter that is not the right length, then you can visit a professional golf fitter, and they will adjust the height according to your preference. The only question will be, how long do you want it to be?

Grip

There are a lot of decisions to be made when you are choosing a grip. Ranging from how thick you want it, what kind of surface you prefer, and how long it should be. Different professional golfers have different preferences in grips, and it all depends on how they approach the shot.

• It’s important to test what kind of control you prefer in your wrist action. Those who use thinner grips often like to maneuver their swings to get a little extra oomph on their strokes. It also forces more spin, even if you slice the ball a little bit. Years of practice make it easy for golfers to avoid that. However, if you are new to golf, then you can take advantage of a thicker grip. This restricts your wrist movement and allows you to hit an accurate, straight swing. It’s a good way to start your journey. Many professionals prefer using a thicker grip even after the master putter (read Bryson DeChambeau).
• Alternatively, the pattern on the grip also makes a difference. Some grips offer a flat surface on the front and back of the grip. This allows the golfer to hold the club in different positions when putting. Other grips have a round elevation in the front and the back positioned perfectly at the spot where golfers will hold the club. This helps you maintain the position of the putter while also restricting the adaptability should you need to make a change.

It’s advisable to test the texture, length, and size of various grips before you decide what you prefer.

Club Head

There are a variety of club heads you can choose from. At a golf pro store, you will find blade putters, mallet putters, and half-mallet putters. You can also choose from putters that have different inserts and faces. All of these are based on the kind of weight of the putter and the preferred center of gravity. The decision to purchase a putter heavily lies on the comfort of your swing.

• Blade putters are lighter in weight. They allow you to have better control over the pace of the ball with your swing. Playing with a blade putter can be a bit challenging, as you have to rely on your ability to read the green, your swing, and your wristwork. No wonder Tiger Woods preferred using them. He is one of the best golfers in history when it comes to reading the green.
• Mallet putters have the weight distributed across the entire clubhead. The shaft is attached to the center of the clubhead, allowing you to get better control over the weight. A weighted putter gives you more stability on your swing, but is difficult to use on fast greens. Controlling the speed of the ball becomes a challenge, which may lead to overhit or underhit putts.
• If either of the above-mentioned clubheads is a bit too extreme for you, then you can also pick a half-mallet clubhead. It’s lighter than the mallet putter but provides more control than the blade putter. It’s ideal for golfers who are starting, as it’s easier to practice with and allows them to assess what kind of clubhead they prefer.

With so many decisions to make, you must give yourself the time to purchase the right putter. That could be the difference maker between sinking the ball for a birdie and struggling to get a bogey.