Flow Neck vs Plumbers Neck Putter – What’s The Better Option For Golfers

 

The type of putter hosel that you use impacts your stroke path and your ability to keep your ball on line. In this article, I look at the differences between a flow neck vs plumbers neck putter.

The aim is to identify if either is superior and which golfers suit which design. Understanding the impact of the hosel helps you keep your ball on line and improve the accuracy of your putts.

Intro To Both Types Of Putters

Complete Overview Of Both Types Of Putter In 3 Sentences

According to Golf Magazine, the flow neck putter is designed for players with an arc stroke. These putters feature increased toe hang compared to the plumbers neck with ½ toe hang/. The plumbers neck is built for golfers with a combined arc-straight putting stroke.

What Is A Flow Neck Putter?

A flow neck putter is also called a short hosel. It typically features limited offset and increased toe hang. Swing instructor Tyrus York explains that this construction suits golfers that induce extreme rotation on their forward stroke.

He finds that a toe-balanced putter creates lag to reduce rotation. Therefore it helps those with an arc stroke get the face square through impact for straighter putts.

What Are The Advantages

Reduced Face Rotation

The flow neck putter contains added toe hang to create lag and reduce face rotation through the stroke. Therefore it keeps the face square at impact.

Square Face At Impact

Thanks to a square face at impact, the ball starts on your intended line for improved results. When your face strikes the ball on an inward or outward path, it sends your ball offline from the start, giving it no chance of reaching the cup.

Improved Accuracy

When you square your putter face through impact, the ball starts on your intended line. If you read the green and judged the pace correctly, you should end near the cup or inside.

What Are The Disadvantages

Open Face

Golf Magazine reports that these putters contain added weight in the toe causing the putter face to open on your backstroke. Due to the lag, it is difficult to square your face at impact. Therefore, you leave it open and push your putt.

Pushed Putts

An open face at impact sends the ball right of your target, if you are right-handed, and left for lefties. Starting your ball away from the target takes the ball offline.

What Is A Plumbers Neck Putter?

Golf Magazine suggests that a plumbers neck putter contains ½ toe hang and suits players with an arc-straight stroke. Essentially, the plumber’s neck produces reduced lag compared to a short hosel. As a result, it works for golfers who do not need excess lag but still benefit from moderate quantities.

What Are The Advantages

Moderate Drag

Thanks to the reduced weight in the toe, these putters produce moderate drag. That helps golfers with an arc-straight stroke square the face at impact. Players with this stroke do not require excess drag. Plus, the added weight can cause the face to remain open at impact.

Square Face

Players who induce an inside-out-in stroke find it easier to square the face through impact. Striking the ball with a square face limit sends the ball on a straight path, reducing a pull or pushed putt.

Accuracy

Those with an arc-straight stroke combo enjoy added accuracy from a plumber’s neck. They find it easier to square the face at impact and send the ball on the intended line. As long as the pace and line are correct, you enjoy added accuracy.

What Are The Disadvantages

Reduced Drag

Arc-straight strokes may benefit from reduced drag. However, when excess face rotation is involved, the reduced drag can cause your face to close through impact and pull your putt. If you are left-handed that means it finishes right of the cup.

Flow Neck Vs Plumbers Neck

Who Should Use Which Putter?

Golfers with an arc stroke are best equipped for a flow neck putter. Conversely, arc-straight combo strokes perform best with a plumbers neck hosel.

What’s Better For High Handicapper?

The hosel of your putter is determined by your stroke and not your handicap. I suggest getting fitted for a putter to identify your stroke and then decide. Therefore, a plumbers neck is for straight-arc strokes, and a flow neck is for pure-arc golfers.

Best Flow Neck Putter – Mini Review With Pros And Cons

Spider FCG Putter #3

Pros

  • Firm feel
  • Optimal roll
  • Quality alignment aid
  • High MOI
  • Built for golfers with an arc stroke

Cons

  • Moderately expensive
  • Not ideal for golfers with a straight back and through stroke

The Spider FCG #3 is a mallet head putter designed to produce optimal MOI and a smooth, consistent roll.

Tungsten weight is positioned in the heel and toe of the putter to maximize stability and forward roll. In addition, the weight limits face twisting to encourage a square face through impact. Therefore, you enjoy improved accuracy and roll.

Furthermore, a CU29 Copper Pure Roll insert delivers a firmer feel and encourages added topspin. As a result, it produces excellent distance control for improved performance on the green.

A White True Path T-Sightline acts as an alignment aid to ensure you start your ball off on the correct line.

Overall, the FCG Putter is forgiving, feels good, and produces a consistent roll. It best suits golfers with an arc stroke, as the design helps to square the face through impact.

 

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Shop_Now

 

Best Plumbers Putter – Mini Review With Pros And Cons

White Hot OG 1

Pros

  • Clean look
  • Produces excellent forward roll
  • Firm feel
  • Acoustics
  • Crafted for golfers with a

Cons

  • Slightly expensive
  • Reduced forgiveness
  • Not ideal for golfers with straight strokes

The Odyssey White Hot OG 1 features a traditional clean blade design with the company’s signature insert. In addition, the insert combines with a milled surface finish to optimize the feel and roll off the face.

The two-part urethane insert ensures a firm feel, pleasant acoustics and ample topspin. These components enhance your putting experience and boost your distance control ability.

Moreover, the engineers placed a single line alignment aid in the cavity of the putter. That helps you ensure that your putter face points along your target line.

Lastly, Odyssey suggests that this putter works best for golfers who induce increased face rotation during their stroke.

Check Out More Reviews Here:

Shop_Now

Conclusion

Identifying the correct putter hosel for your game is easy when you know what stroke you have. If you do not know already, I suggest getting fitted for a putter or visiting your local golf coach. They will enlighten you.

Golfers who play with an arc golf stroke or induce maximum face rotation should stick to a flow hosel putter. Like the Spider FCG Putter #3 I mentioned. Conversely, an arc-straight combo is best positioned to use a plumber’s neck. I suggest taking a look at the White Hot OG 1.