Do Putter Shafts Make A Difference – Putter Shaft Buying Guide

Do Putter Shafts Make A Difference – Putter Shaft Buying Guide

 

Golfers have always known that playing with the proper golf shaft is essential. If you put a shaft in your club and it is not the right fit for your game, you are going to need to replace it. This is why custom fitting has become so extremely important for players.

As the golf shafts around us were becoming more and more advanced for all these years, putter shafts remained virtually unchanged. This has now changed. Today, golf putter shafts are just as important to consider as your iron or driver shafts.

There are more and more putter shaft options on the market and putter fitting for golfers is becoming an option that most will consider a necessity. Let’s take a look at putter shafts and all you need to know before purchasing one.

 

Why Putter Shafts Are Important

The putter is the most important club that we have in our bag. As any golfer will tell you, if your feel is off and you don’t have confidence in your putter, chances are you are not going to score well. Having a putter that you feel comfortable with and can trust is one of the most important factors in the game of golf.

When it comes to feel and being consistent with your putting, the one area that you need to look at is the putter shaft.

The feel of the putt you take will come down to the putter shaft and the putter club head.

If you have not considered both of these factors, you are going to have a hard time deciding which putter is truly the best for your game.

 

Personal Experiences With Putter Shafts

I have always used a steel putter shaft as it is almost standard in the clubs that I have always played. Not until recently did I get to experience the shaft in the Odyssey Stroke Lab putters that are both graphite and steel.

Admittedly a bit skeptical about the difference that this type of shaft could make in a putter, I was eager to try. I will say that almost immediately, you can feel that there is a difference in the way the ball feels as though it comes off the clubface.

It seemed as though my stroke was easier to control and repeat and that I was not going to have as much trouble managing by ball speed.

The putter certainly feels different, it performs a bit differently, but it is something that could significantly help certain people in getting better at putting. If you have yet to try anything other than a steel putter shaft, it makes sense to give it a try today.

 

What Are The Key Aspects Of Putter Shafts To Consider

Of course, we have discussed that the material of the shaft is going to make a significant difference in the feel; however, there is another essential putter shaft fitting aspect that needs to be considered.

That aspect is the length. If the length of your putter is not ideal for your height, you are going to struggle to make the majority of your putts.

In addition, it is smart to consider the weight of your putter shaft and also how it bends. Some putter shafts are straight, and others will have a bend in them.

 

Steel Or Graphite For Putter Shafts?

Putter shafts have been known as being steel for so long. The only graphite putter shafts that people really played with were in an occasional beginner set or even in a junior putter. However, the new technology and discoveries have shown us that there are some great benefits to playing with a graphite putter shaft.

You will have to find which one is going to be a better fit for your game. There are more and more companies that are using the graphite and steel combination in their putter shafts, and this is becoming more and more popular.

 

Pros Of Steel Putter Shafts

• It has good weight to it
• Very easy to find
• Traditionally tends to be cheaper
• Good for greens with slower speeds

 

Cons of Steel Putter Shafts

• It can be difficult to develop feel and touch the same way

 

Pros Of Graphite Putter Shafts

• Unique new option
• Offers a variety of technology with different layers
• Better feel and consistency

 

Cons Of Graphite

• Has to be weighted properly
• Large differences between high end graphite shafts and cheap graphite shafts

 

What Material For High Handicappers

High handicappers tend to have better access to the cheap graphite shafted putters.

Many of these putters are put in the beginner sets, and it makes it seem like a good choice for a higher handicapper. However, this is not always the case.

In fact, most high handicappers will do just fine with a steel putter shaft, as long as it is correctly fitted to their height.

 

What Do The Pros Use?

Pro golfers are almost always using the steel putter shaft; however, these shafts have been custom fit to them.

If a pro found that a custom fitting recommended them to use a graphite shaft in their putter, they would most likely switch without questioning that choice.

 

What Is A Stability Putter Shaft

Now that putter fitting is becoming increasingly popular; we are starting to introduce more putter shafts.

The Stability putter shaft is another brand of putter shaft that is designed to give golfers more stability.

The stability offers players a more predictable roll, and therefore golfers are capable of making more putts.  

 

Pros And Cons Of Stability Putter Shafts

• Great feel
• A bit heavier than the traditional putter shaft
• Great for golfers that need feedback on their shots
• Tour Proven design
• Solid feel and increased accuracy

 

Who Is It For?

The golfers that will benefit most from something like the stability putter shaft are those looking for feedback and performance in their games.

If you are tired of having no idea what is causing your missed putts, the stability shaft could make the difference.

 

Putter Shaft Weight – Heavy Or Light & For Who

Putter shafts need to be a certain weight so that you can get the distance you need on your putts.

Traditionally you will choose the weight of your putter based on the courses that you play most often. It can be hard to control a very heavy putter on a fast green.

This means that sometimes a putter that is a bit more lightweight is going to be a better choice if you play courses with faster greens.

 

Does Putter Shaft Flex Make A Difference

The putter shaft flex is likely not going to make much of a difference in your game.

You are going to want to choose the proper length and material of your putter shaft, but the flex is something that will be universal for most players.

 

Does The Type Of Putter Decide What Shaft To Use?

Not all putter shafts are going to work in every putter head. Sometimes when purchasing a new shaft for your putter, you will see that it is not compatible with the current putter that you have.

If this is the case, it makes sense to spend a bit more time researching and finding something that matches your game perfectly.

 

How Does Putter Shaft Length Affect Performance

Putter shaft length is going to have a big impact on the way you handle your game around the greens.

If a putter is too long for you, then you will not be able to get your eyes over the golf ball.

If the putter is too short for you, then you may feel as though you don’t have the same smooth tempo in your stroke.

Finding the perfect length putter is essential for overall performance on the putting green.

 

Is A Putter Fitting Worth It?

A putter fitting makes a lot of sense for a golfer that cares about their game and scoring.

If you are a player that heads out to the golf course once a month, a putter fitting is likely not worth it.

If, however, you are spending time working on your putting game, then having a putter fitting is going to make quite a bit of sense.

You may as well be working on learning to putt better while playing with the proper equipment.

 

Best Putter Shafts 2021 – Mini-Reviews With Pros And Cons

Best Choice: KBS CT Tour Putter Shaft – Straight Bend

KBS has been making high quality golf shafts for many years. The KBS Tour Putter shaft is an excellent choice for those that want a little more feel and a lot more style in their putter. This KBS black finish shaft is an excellent look for playing the golf course with a stable and solid putter.

Pros

• Looks great
• Made with durable materials
• Impressive feel with minimal vibration

Cons

• More expensive than a cheap traditional steel shaft

Overall Score: 94/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Best Steel Putter Shaft: Apollo Golf Steel Putter Shaft

The steel putter shafts are the most traditional on the market, and they are going to give you quite a bit of stability in the impact position.

With a steel golf shaft, you can get impressive performance and a very good deal on the shaft itself.

Pros

• Low pricing
• Easy to install
• Durable will last a long time

Cons

• Some say the feel is not as good as a composite shaft

Overall Score: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Best Graphite: LA Golf Shaft TPZ One

The best graphite golf shaft on the market is the LA Golf Shaft TPZ One.

You can be prepared to spend quite a bit of money on a shaft like this; however, many people will believe it is worth the price.

As you can imagine, the putter is the most important club in the bag. Sometimes it makes sense to spend the extra money on the club that matters most.

The most impressive technology in the TPZ One is the layers used to help eliminate any type of vibration in the shaft when impact is made.

Pros

• Very high quality build
• Impressive design and use of materials
• It Will give players of any level more feel in their putting stroke

Cons

• Does not work well for those that are shopping on a budget
• Should be professionally installed

Overall Score: 96/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

FAQ

How much does it cost to Reshaft a putter?

The cost to reshaft a putter all depends on how much the original putter shaft costs you. Putter shafts can be $10.00 to replace, and they can be $400 to replace. The actual labor of replacing the shaft should cost around $20 or less.

Can a putter be straight?

A putter is very often straight. Although some putters will have a bent neck, there are many different styles that can work for your game. The best choice is something that is a good look for your game and feel comfortable to you.

Should I get a 34 or 35 inch putter?

Most players are going to be fitted into that 34 inch range. The 34 inch putter is a good choice for the average height player, and it is the most popular size on the PGA Tour. The 35 inch player is for golfers that are 6’1” and taller.

 

Conclusion

The putter shafts have come a long way in the last few years. Putter shafts used only to be steel, and there was no consideration about what went into your club.

Today putter shafts are more involved, and many of them are going to feature a variety of different materials.

Golf putter shafts are going to be the future when it comes to making sure you have the proper equipment in your bag.

If you have not yet gone to a putter fitting, and you feel as though your game lacks the green, go and get one today.