THE PUTTER- YOUR MOST IMPORTANT CLUB

	The single golf item that sells second only to golf balls is 
the putter. Golfers almost seem to change putters as frequently as 
their socks. Most golfers own at least two and 3 seems to be the 
average. Part of the reason for this lies in the infuriating simplicity 
of this most elusive part of the game. Putting doesn't require much 
strength or athletic ability just to roll the ball into the hole. 

Simple, right?

	There is, to be sure, a proper stance, set up and stroke in 
good putting but there is, at the same time, no more individual part 
of golf. That's not all bad if you are consistent to your style. It's 
when you do something just a little different with each putt that 
trouble begins. Some days there seems to be a transparent cover over 
the hole; nothing wants to go in.  

	While it is true that you will probably hit well with a club 
that you like it is doubly true for a putter. Maybe it's the look, 
color, grip, decoration or because your favorite pro plays one like it. 

Who knows?
 
	There is little rhyme or reason to why golfers have their 
favorite putter but that's the one that they will have the most 
success with over the long run.

	There are important design considerations in putters as with 
all clubs. The head mass should be distributed from heel to toe to 
produce as wide a sweet spot as possible. This optimizes your 
distance over a greater area of the face and means that you are not 
penalized so heavily for an off center hit. It also reduces torque 
feedback to your hands so that you won't feel the putter try to turn 
on an off center hit.

	Most amateurs need a little help leading the club head into 
the ball with the back of their wrist. Consequently, most popular 
designs put the shaft ahead of the face. Some heads, like the Ping, 
cast this offset into the head while other manufacturers achieve the 
same effect by bending the shaft into a "goose neck" curve near 
the head. Either way is fine.
 
	Grips have become larger over the years to allow finer 
directional control and minimize wrist movement. They have also 
become flat on top to accommodate the golfers thumbs. This helps 
remind you to put your thumbs directly on top of the shaft (where 
they are supposed to be).

	All but one mass produced putter has some loft, generally 
4 to 5 degrees (which I think is too much). Loft can be of some value 
early in the year when the greens tend to be a bit shaggy. Loft 
(about 2 degrees) will help get the ball on top of the grass quicker 
where it can roll over rather than through the grass. Later in the 
season when my stroke is smoother and more consistent and the 
greens are faster I prefer a zero loft putter.

	Choosing the right putter from all the varieties available can 
be confusing at best. The first consideration should be head style. 
Mallet head putters are heavier and promote a slower stroke. Blade 
putters feel lighter but are the hardest to control. The "Ping" style 
head is something of a compromise between the two.

	The next criteria should be length. Find the length that puts 
your hands at grip height when you are bent over in the proper 
stance.  To putt consistently well your eyes must be directly over 
the ball. A shaft that is too long will cause you to either stand too 
upright or bend your arms too much. Both lead to inconsistency. 
Gripping further down the shaft to accommodate excessive length 
changes the "feel" of the putter and cannot be accomplished the 
same on each putt. There, again, goes your consistency. 

Get the right length.

	The putter you choose or presently own is a simple but 
precise instrument that requires practice to master. Once 
mastered, however, it will be the best stroke saver in your bag.