Stroke Type The two fundamental putting styles are arcing strokes and straight back-straight through strokes. The degree of arc can vary from slight to strong, depending on your individual style. Straight
Hosel Type Influence the degree of toe hang of the putter hence should be chosen based on your stroke type Plumber Neck
Face Type Insert putters have a softer feel and sound. Insert
Head Type Mallets have larger heads and are ideal for players with a straight back-straight through stroke Mallet
Balance Face balanced for straight back-straight through strokes Face Balanced
Wilson Harmonized M5 Putter The Wilson Harmonized M5 putter features a mallet head design and a plumber hosel. Features EASY ALIGNMENT DESIGN - Horizontal lines on the putter head visually support alignment for a more accurate setup. VERTICAL SEAM GRIP - The midsize Harmonized putter grip features a vertical seam on the back side to improve feel throughout the stroke. FACE INSERT - The micro-injection polymer face insert improves feel upon contact with the golf ball.
EASY ALIGNMENT DESIGN - Horizontal lines on the putter head visually support alignment for a more accurate setup.
VERTICAL SEAM GRIP - The midsize Harmonized putter grip features a vertical seam on the back side to improve feel throughout the stroke.
FACE INSERT - The micro-injection polymer face insert improves feel upon contact with the golf ball.
Here’s an easy way you can imply to find it out for yourself: keep two alignment sticks putter head width apart and make a few putts. You can even record it from behind for a more precise visual. See how the putter moves in relation to the alignment stick. The more the putter head moves away from the stick. The stronger the arc.
TYPES OF PUTTER HEADS:
FEATURES
BLADES
MALLET
LOOKS
Traditional looking putters featuring small heads
Modern looking putters featuring large heads
CHARACTERISTIC
Provides tremendous feel and control
Provides tremendous forgiveness
ALIGNMENT
Slightly harder to aim with and line up
Easier to aim with and line up
SWEET SPOT
Smaller
Larger
FORGIVENESS
Demands high precision hence not very forgiving
Highly forgiving
GREEN SPEED
Ideal for faster greens
Not the best performance on fast greens.
STROKE TYPE
Slight to strong arc
Straight back-straight through and slight arc
IDEAL FOR
Golfers with a consistent and repeatable stroke who want to prioritize precision and control on the green.
Golfers looking for greater consistency, balance and alignment on the green
FOR BEGINNERS
Not advisable
Advisable
BALANCE:
FACE BALANCED
MID HANG
TOE HANG
Face points up to the sky
Toe points down to the ground slightly
Toe points down to the ground
Even weight distribution through the toe and heel
Weight favouring the toe slightly
More weight on the toe
0 Degree of toe hang
>30 Degree of toe hang
<30 Degree of toe hang
Minimal face rotation through the stroke
Medium face rotation through the stroke
Maximum face rotation through the stroke
Ideal for players with a straight back-straight through the stroke with minimal face rotation
Ideal for players with a slight arc in and medium face rotation through the stroke
Ideal for players with a strong arc with high face rotation through the stroke
Ideal for players who tend to miss putts towards left
ideal for players who tend to miss putts to the right
Ideal for players who miss putts to the right
PUTTER FACE CONSTRUCTION
FEATURES
INSERT
MILLED
CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS
Feature a face insert made from a different material than the putter head itself which is often made of softer materials like urethane, aluminum, or elastomer. The insert is either bonded or mechanically attached to the putter head.
Typically made from a solid block of metal, such as stainless steel or carbon steel. They are precision-machined using a milling process, which removes excess material to create the final shape and design.
SOUND
Produce a softer sound due to the insert material's dampening properties. The sound can be more muted and less audible compared to milled putters.
Due to the solid metal construction, milled putters tend to produce a crisp and distinct sound at impact. The sound can vary depending on factors such as the metal used and the design of the putter head.
FORGIVENESS
Tend to provide more forgiveness on off-centre strikes due to the softer insert material. The insert helps reduce the loss of distance and accuracy on mishits.
Generally less forgiving on off-centre strikes since the solid metal face doesn't offer as much forgiveness. However, some models incorporate design elements like weight distribution and perimeter weighting to enhance forgiveness.
SWEET SPOT
Typically have larger sweet spot
Typially have smaller sweet spot
FEEL
Soft
Firm
PRICE RANGE
Cheaper because of the materials used.
More expensive because of the milling process.
HOSEL TYPE:
Putters come in various hosel types, which refer to the connection point between the putter head and the shaft. The hosel design can affect the putter's performance, feel, and alignment. Here are some common hosel types found in putters:
Plumber's Neck Hosel
This hosel type has a curved or offset bend that connects the shaft to the putter head. It creates a slight toe hang, where the toe of the putter head points downward when balanced on a finger. Plumber's neck hosels are popular in blade-style putters and can promote a slight arc in the putting stroke.
Center Shaft Hosel
In this design, the hosel is positioned closer to the heel of the putter head, which results in a centre-shafted appearance. Heel shaft hosels are typically found in mallet-style putters and can offer improved alignment and a more face-balanced configuration.
Double Bend Hosel
This hosel type features two bends in the shaft that connect to the putter head. It often creates a face-balanced configuration, where the putter face points directly upward when balanced on a finger. Double bend hosels are commonly used in mallet-style putters and can suit golfers with a straight-back-straight-through putting stroke.
Slant Neck Hosel
Slant neck hosels have a forward-leaning bend that connects the shaft to the putter head. This design often produces a moderate toe hang, promoting a slight arc in the putting stroke. Slant neck hosels are commonly seen in both blade-style and mallet-style putters.
Single Bend Hosel
A single bend putter shaft has a minimal bend in the shaft about the width of half the shaft. This allows your hands to be slightly more in line with the ball. Almost all the single-bend putters are face balanced. A single-bend putter tends to be the best option for the golfer that wants a clean look at the address, one that sets them up for more accuracy and consistency. Lower handicap players like the single bend putter because it makes it easier to square the clubface up.
Flow Neck
If you are a golfer with more of an arc style stroke, the flow neck could be a good choice for you. The flow neck has less offset. In addition, the flow neck gives golfers more toe hang. Helps players stand a little further from the ball and ensure the putter is more square at impact. Won’t work well for a golfer that is more mechanical and less feel oriented.
Short Slant
In recent years, the short slant has become the most popular hosel type for modern TaylorMade putters. This Tour-proven design, used by the likes of Rory McIlory, Dustin Johnson and more, provides the best of both worlds. It's very compact and helps dictate a wonderfully square face at address while also letting the golfer frame the ball very nicely. Because of its slight toe hang, it can be used either by golfers with a stacked setup (eyes over the ball) or players who stand more upright and produce an arced stroke (eyes inside the ball). The beauty is in the versatility. Players with an arced stroke (inside, square, inside) who opt for this hosel may benefit from adding length to their putter.