When it comes to putting in golf, the putter you choose can make a big difference in your game. One type of putter that you might consider is the heel-shafted putter. In this article, we’ll explore what a heel-shafted putter is, its benefits, and how to choose the right one for you.
What is a Heel-Shafted Putter?
A heel-shafted putter is a type of putter that has the shaft attached to the heel of the clubhead, as opposed to the center or the toe. This design places more weight toward the heel, which can help golfers who have a tendency to miss putts to the left.
Benefits of Heel-Shafted Putter
One of the primary benefits of a heel-shafted putter is that it can help golfers who tend to miss putts to the left. The extra weight on the heel helps to keep the putter face from turning over as much during the stroke, which can reduce the amount of side spin on the ball and keep it on target. Additionally, a heel-shafted putter can provide better stability and balance, making it easier to maintain a consistent stroke.
Choosing the Right Heel-Shafted Putter
If you’re considering a heel-shafted putter, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right one for you:
- Length: The length of the putter is an important factor to consider. Make sure to choose a putter that fits your height and putting style. A putter that is too short or too long can affect your stance and posture, which can in turn affect your stroke.
- Head Design: There are several head designs available for heel-shafted putters. Some have a blade-style head, while others have a mallet-style head. The choice will largely depend on your personal preference and putting style.
- Weight: The weight of the putter is another important consideration. Heavier putters can provide more stability and control, but may be more difficult to control for golfers with slower swing speeds. Lighter putters may be easier to control but may not provide as much stability.
- Grip: The grip of the putter is also important. Make sure to choose a grip that feels comfortable in your hands and provides the right amount of traction.
Heel-Shafted Putter Techniques
While a heel-shafted putter can provide benefits for golfers, it’s important to keep in mind that technique is also a key factor in putting success. Here are some techniques to keep in mind when using a heel-shafted putter:
- Alignment: One of the most important factors in putting success is proper alignment. Make sure to align the putter face with the target line and square to the ball.
- Grip Pressure: Grip pressure is another important factor in putting success. Too much pressure can result in a tense stroke, while too little pressure can result in a lack of control. Find a grip pressure that feels comfortable and allows you to maintain a consistent stroke.
- Eye Position: The position of your eyes can also affect your putting stroke. Make sure your eyes are directly over the ball, as this can help you to see the line more clearly and make a more accurate stroke.
- Stroke Path: The path of your putting stroke is also important. With a heel-shafted putter, it’s important to keep the putter head square to the target line throughout the stroke, as the weight toward the heel can cause the face to close if not properly aligned.
Heel-Shafted Putter Brands
There are several golf club manufacturers that offer heel-shafted putters, including:
- Scotty Cameron: Scotty Cameron putters are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and precision. They offer several heel-shafted putters, including the Select Newport and the Select Newport 2.
- Odyssey: Odyssey putters are designed to provide golfers with a great feel and accuracy on the greens. They offer several heel-shafted putters, including the O-Works Red 2-Ball and the White Hot Pro 2.0.
- TaylorMade: TaylorMade putters are designed to provide golfers with distance control and accuracy. They offer several heel-shafted putters, including the Spider Tour Platinum and the TP Patina Del Monte.
Maintenance and Care for Heel-Shafted Putter
Proper maintenance and care can help to extend the life of your heel-shafted putter and keep it performing at its best. Here are some tips for maintaining and caring for your putter:
- Clean after Use: After using your putter, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or debris. This will help to prevent rust and corrosion and keep the club looking like new.
- Store Properly: When not in use, store your putter in a cool, dry place to prevent damage. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, as this can cause warping or damage to the clubhead.
- Check Grip: Over time, the grip on your putter may become worn or damaged. Check the grip regularly and replace it if necessary to maintain proper traction and control.
- Check Loft and Lie: The loft and lie of your putter can affect your stroke and accuracy. Check these measurements periodically and adjust if necessary to ensure the putter is properly aligned.
- Check Shaft for Damage: Check the shaft of your putter for any signs of damage, such as cracks or bends. If you notice any damage, take the club to a professional for repair or replacement.
Popular Heel Shafted Putters
| Brand | Model | Loft | Length (in) | Head Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TaylorMade | Spider Tour Diamond | 3° | 35 | 355 |
| Odyssey | White Hot Pro 2.0 #1 | 3° | 34 | 350 |
| Ping | Sigma 2 Valor 400 | 3° | 35 | 365 |
| Titleist | Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 | 3.5° | 34 | 350 |
| Cleveland | Huntington Beach SOFT #11 | 3° | 35 | 370 |
| Mizuno | M-Craft III | 3° | 34 | 355 |
| Bettinardi | Queen B 8 | 2° | 33 | 355 |
| Wilson Staff | Infinite West Loop | 3° | 35 | 355 |
| Evnroll | ER2 MidBlade | 2° | 34 | 370 |
| Callaway | Odyssey Triple Track 2-Ball Blade | 3° | 35 | 365 |
Pros and Cons of Heel Shafted Putters
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More face-balanced, providing straighter putts | Less suited for players with an arc stroke |
| Improved alignment aids with the heel-shafted hosel | May not suit those who prefer a center-shafted design |
| More forgiveness on off-center hits | Heavier hosel can make it harder to swing consistently |
| Can suit players with a straight-back straight-through stroke | Not as versatile for different putting styles |
| More common among traditional blade-style putters | May not provide enough feel for some players |
Heel-Shafted Putter Fitting Guidelines
| Factor | Suggested Range |
|---|---|
| Lie Angle | 68° to 72° |
| Length | Based on player height |
| Loft | 2° to 5° |
| Head Weight | 330g to 375g |
| Grip Size | Based on player preference |
Notable Heel-Shafted Putter Users on the PGA Tour
| Player | Putter Model | Major Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Woods | Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS | 15 |
| Phil Mickelson | Odyssey White Hot XG #9 | 6 |
| Jordan Spieth | Scotty Cameron 009 Prototype | 3 |
| Dustin Johnson | TaylorMade Spider Tour Black | 2 |
| Rory McIlroy | Odyssey White Hot Pro #3 | 4 |
| Justin Rose | TaylorMade Spider Tour Red | 1 |
| Jason Day | TaylorMade Spider Tour Black | 1 |
| Sergio Garcia | Odyssey White Hot XG #7 | 1 |
| Adam Scott | Scotty Cameron by Titleist Futura X Prototype | 1 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | SIK Golf Prototype | 1 |
Heel-Shafted Putter Technology Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Heel-shafted hosel | Hosel located at the heel of the putter head |
| Face-balanced design | Putter head designed to balance the clubface perpendicular to the ground |
Conclusion
A heel-shafted putter can be a great choice for golfers who struggle with missing putts to the left. By providing more weight toward the heel, this type of putter can help to reduce side spin and improve accuracy. When choosing a heel-shafted putter, consider factors such as length, head design, weight, and grip to find the one that works best for you.
