Putters

Selecting the perfect golf putter in NZ is about finding the club that complements your natural putting stroke and gives you confidence over every putt. 

• Get the length right: Standard putters typically come in 33, 34, or 35 inches. The correct length is the one that allows your eyes to sit comfortably over the ball in your natural stance, with your arms hanging freely.
• Choose your head style: Blade putters are slimmer and generally suit golfers with a slight arc in their putting stroke, offering excellent feel and precision. Mallet putters, with their larger heads and alignment aids, provide more forgiveness and are often ideal for players with a straight-back, straight-through stroke or those seeking extra help with consistency. If you’re unsure, watch the natural path your putter takes during practice to determine your stroke type.
• Consider weight and feel: Heavier putters promote smoother, pendulum-like strokes and help golfers who tend to be jerky or inconsistent. Lighter putters offer more touch and feel, which is preferred by players who like to vary their stroke based on distance. 
• Check grip condition: Since the grip is your only connection to the putter, ensure it's in good condition and suits your hand size. Worn or slippery grips affect your control, but remember that grip replacement is relatively inexpensive if you find an otherwise perfect secondhand putter in NZ.

Generally speaking, mallet-style putters offer the most forgiveness in golf. Their larger head size and higher moment of inertia (MOI) mean that the putter head is less likely to twist or turn when you don't strike the ball perfectly from the centre of the face. This translates to putts that stay closer to your intended line, even when your contact isn't spot-on. 

Maximum forgiveness sometimes comes at the expense of pure feel. Some golfers prefer the feedback traditional blade putters provide, even if it means accepting less forgiveness. Whether you're looking at forgiving mallet designs or brands like TaylorMade golf clubs in NZ, the key is finding a preowned golf putter with the right balance for your game and confidence level.

Examine the putter face for deep scratches, dents, or worn areas that could affect ball contact. Inspect where the shaft meets the putter head for cracks or looseness, and look for excessive wear, cracking, or smooth spots that could affect your hold on the club. 

Check that any alignment aids, such as lines, dots, or other features, are clearly visible and not worn away. Inspect the putter head for any major dings, chips, or deformation, paying particular attention to the toe and heel areas.

At The Club Plug, we've created a transparent rating system that takes the guesswork out of buying secondhand golf putters, meaning you can shop with complete confidence.