Center Shafted Putters: Improving Your Putting Game

The heart of every golfer’s game is the putter. It’s the club that can make or break your round.

Finding the right putter can be daunting, but have you ever considered a center-shafted putter?

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using a center-shafted putter and provide a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best-center-shafted putter for your game.

What is a Center Shafted Putter?

Center-shafted putters are golf putters with the shaft attached to the center of the putter head instead of the heel or the toe.

Unlike traditional heel-shafted putters, the center-shafted putter’s balance is centered directly behind the clubface.

This design creates a balanced feel in the putter’s head, which can benefit golfers who struggle with consistency in their putting stroke.

Benefits of Center Shafted Putters

Using a center-shafted putter can have several benefits, including:

• Consistent Roll: The balanced design of center-shafted putters can promote a more consistent roll on the golf ball, leading to more accurate putts and lower scores.
• Distance Control: With a center-shafted putter, you can have better distance control on your putts, allowing you to gauge the amount of force needed to get the ball to the hole better.
• Straight Stroke: The center shafted design can help golfers with a straight back through putting stroke, as it can be easier to keep the putter on the intended line.
• Soft Feel: Many center-shafted putters have a softer feel at impact, making golfers more comfortable and creating a more enjoyable putting experience.

 Better Alignment

The center-shafted putter provides an easier alignment for golfers due to its design.

When the shaft is centered on the clubface, it creates a straight line from the shaft to the clubface, making it easier to align your putts with the target line.

This helps to reduce missed putts caused by poor alignment.

Consistent Roll

The center shafted putter’s balance also provides a consistent roll, even on off-center hits.

This is because the putter face remains square to the target line throughout the stroke.

With a heel-shafted putter, the clubface will twist on off-center hits, causing the ball to roll offline.

Improved Distance Control

Center-shafted putters also help golfers achieve better distance control.

The balanced design of the putter provides more stability and control through the stroke, making it easier to control the speed and distance of the putt.

Better Feel

Many golfers also prefer center-shafted putters for their feel.

The balanced design of the putter provides a more solid feel and sound on impact, giving golfers more confidence in their putting stroke.

Features to Consider when Choosing a Center-Shafted Putter

When choosing a center-shafted putter, there are several features to consider, including:

• Putter Head: There are several types of putter heads, including mallet-style putters and blade-style putters.Consider the type of putter head you prefer and how it fits your putting stroke.
• Face Balanced Putter: A face-balanced putter is one where the putter face points towards the sky when the shaft is well balanced on your finger. This type of putter is ideal for golfers with a straight back and thorough putting stroke.
• Shafted Putter: Consider the shaft length and the type of material used in the shaft. Steel shafts are more common, but some golfers may prefer a lighter material like graphite.
• Offset Putter: A putter offset has the shaft positioned slightly in front of the putter face, which can be helpful for golfers who tend to miss putts to the right.
• Head Weight: The weight of a putter head can impact the feel of the putter and the speed of the ball on the green. Consider the head weight that feels comfortable to you.
• Adjustable Head Weights: Some center shafted putters have adjustable weights in the head, allowing you to customize the weight distribution for your preferred feel.
• Micro Groove Face Technology: Some center-shafted putters feature micro groove face technology, which can help create more spin on the ball and a more consistent roll.

Putter Head

The putter head is the most critical part of the putter. It determines the weight, size, and shape of the club.

Most center-shafted putters come in either a mallet or blade-style putter head.

Mallet putters lean to be more forgiving on off-center hits, while blade-style putters provide more feel and control.

Putter Face

The putter face is where the ball makes contact with the club.

The face design can influence the speed and roll of the ball.

A face-balanced putter is ideal for golfers with a straight back and through putting stroke, while an offset putter is suitable for golfers with an arc in their stroke.

Putter Head Weight

Head weight plays a crucial role in the overall balance and feel of the center shaft putters.

A heavier head can provide more stability and control, while a lighter head can provide more feel and touch.

Shaft

The shaft is the connecting piece between the grip and the putter head.

Steel shafts are more common in center-shafted putters due to their stability and durability.

However, some newer models use lighter aluminum or graphite shafts for an improved feel.

Putter Technology

Putter technology has come a long way in recent years.

Many newer models feature adjustable head weights, adjustable sole weights, and speed-optimized face technology.

These features can help golfers fine-tune their putter to their specific needs and improve their overall putting game.

Top Center Shafted Putters on the Market

Here are some of the best center-shafted putters on the market, along with their key features:

• Odyssey Stroke Lab: This center shaft putter features a multi-material shaft and a micro hinge face insert for a softer feel and better roll. It also has adjustable sole weights for customization.
• TaylorMade Truss: The Truss center-shaft putter’s unique design increases stability and reduces twisting at impact. It also has a micro groove face for a better roll.
• Tour Edge Wingman: The Wingman center-shaft putter features a center-shafted design and a diamond CNC milling pattern on the face for better accuracy. It also has adjustable head weights for customization and a soft feel.
• Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Putter: This blade-style putter has a soft, responsive feel and a classic look, with a center shaft for added stability.
• Bettinardi Studio Stock Putter: This blade-style putter has a unique honeycomb face design for a better feel and a center shaft for improved balance and stability.
• Ping Sigma 2 Valor 400 Putter: This mallet-style putter has an adjustable length shaft and a face insert for a softer feel and improved roll.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right center-shafted putter can make all the difference in your golf game.

When considering which putter to buy, consider the features that best fit your putting stroke and personal preferences.

Consider the golf putter head, face balance, shaft material and length, offset, head weight, and additional features like adjustable weights or face technology.

By selecting the right center-shafted putter, you can improve your consistency, accuracy, and overall enjoyment on the greens.