Are Wide Blade Putters Better Than Traditional Models. The Answer May Surprise You

Are Wide Blade Putters Better Than Traditional Models. The Answer May Surprise You

Introduction to Wide Blade Putters and Their Unique Design

If you’ve been playing golf for a while, you’re probably familiar with the standard blade putter. It has a narrow head with a flat face designed to give you great feedback and control on the greens. But over the past decade or so, wide blade putters have exploded in popularity on the pro tours and among amateur golfers. As the name suggests, these putters have a much wider head and face than traditional blade models. But why have they become so popular, and are they really better than a standard blade putter? Let’s take a closer look at the unique design of wide putters and the potential benefits they offer.

The most obvious difference with a wide blade putter is the expanded width of the head and face area. While a standard blade has a face that measures around 2 to 3 inches wide, a wide blade putter stretches that width out to 4, 5, or even 6 inches across. This wider face disperses the weight across a larger sweet spot to help stabilize your stroke and improve forgiveness on mishits. The wider design also adds confidence at address since you have more face to work with in aiming at the hole.

The Science Behind Wide Putter Faces

There’s some solid science behind the design of wide blade putters. According to studies, golfers using a wider putter face experience less twisting and rotation during the stroke. This improved stability leads to more consistent impact across the face, resulting in better directional control. Less twisting also enhances the proper launch angle for smooth and accurate end-over-end roll on putts.

Additionally, wider putter faces inherently have higher MOI (moment of inertia) properties. The higher the MOI, the more resistant the putter face is to twisting on mishits. Off-center hits lose less energy and stay truer to the intended line with high MOI wide blade putters. This expansion of the sweet spot translates into more consistency on the putting green.

The Consistency and Accuracy of Wide Blade Putters

With their expanded sweet spot and enhanced stability, it makes sense that wide blade putters can improve accuracy and consistency compared to traditional blade models. Studies have shown that golfers using wide putters experienced more consistent ball speed and direction on both centered and mishit putts. Testers also achieved better distance control across the face with wide putter designs.

This consistency appeals greatly to pros who depend on solid putting to stay in contention. That’s why wide blade putters have surged in popularity on the pro tours over the last decade. Top players like Adam Scott, Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, and many others have found great success using wide putter models in competition. Their expanded sweet spots clearly give them an edge on the greens under pressure.

Finding the Right Wide Putter Length

One of the benefits of wide blade putters is that they allow more variation in putter length. Standard blade putters longer than 35 inches or so can become unstable and difficult to control. However, the expanded head size and MOI properties of wide putters maintain stability even at longer lengths. Many players taking advantage of the anchored putting technique prefer longer wide blade models between 38 to 40 inches.

But extended length isn’t right for everyone. Finding the ideal putter length involves considering factors like your stance width, posture, eye position, and stroke mechanics. The best length provides a comfortable, balanced stroke that returns the putterface squarely back to the ball at impact. Take some time testing different wide putter lengths to find your optimal fit.

Choosing the Right Lie Angle and Loft

Like any putter, wide blade models must be fit to your proper lie angle and loft to achieve ideal launch and roll. Lie angle varies based on the height you position the ball and your shoulder tilt at address. Upright lies are common for players with an upright posture and straight back-and-through stroke. Flatter lies suit arched postures and arcing stroke paths.

Loft is also an essential fitting element. Insufficient loft can lead to skidding and hopping, while too much loft eliminates the crisp launch and roll you want on putts. Finding the right loft for your stroke requires testing putters and analyzing the launch using high-speed video. Invest time in a professional wide putter fitting to optimize your setup.

Wide Putters for Slow vs. Fast Greens

The right wide putter can also help you deal with varied green speeds. On slower greens, you typically want higher loft around 4 degrees for a crisp ball launch. This steeper impact helps get the ball rolling smoothly on sluggish surfaces. Lower loft wide putters with 3 degrees or less create a flatter launch better suited to fast, true greens. Testing different setups allows you to fine-tune trajectory for your local conditions.

Additionally, softer urethane wide putter inserts grip the ball better on slower greens to enhance forward roll. Firm inserts like stainless steel have less friction to match quick surfaces. Dialing in your wide putter design for green speed gives you an advantage in consistency and control.

Finding the Best Wide Blade Putter Models

Fortunately, just about every major putter company now offers wide blade putter models to suit different needs. Odyssey’s 2-Ball and 2-Ball Ten putters pack outstanding MOI and alignment aids into a confidence-inspiring wide mallet design. Scotty Cameron’s Futura line utilizes wider blade shapes with advanced stability technology. Cleveland’s #7 Wide model combines a midsize profile with expanded MOI for ample forgiveness.

There are also many specialty wide blade options beyond major brands. Companies like Bettinardi, Evnroll, and SeeMore offer premium models with innovative wide face milling patterns and inserts to fine-tune feel and roll. Puring, grooving, and texturing wide faces reaches new levels with smaller putter makers. Finding the right look, weight, and face technology is key to choosing your ideal wide blade putter.

Counterbalanced and High MOI Wide Putter Models

In addition to expanded head shapes, some wide putters utilize counterbalanced or high-MOI technology for even more stability and consistency. Counterbalanced wide models distribute 50% or more of the putter’s weight into the grip end. This balances out the heavier putter head to avoid twisting and enhance an arcing stroke path.

High-MOI designs like the Odyssey Tank putters concentrate weight further from the face center to maximize stability and forgiveness. Expanded wings and perimeter weighting expand the MOI sweet spot on off-center hits. Combining wide faces with these technologies creates some of the most forgiving and accurate putters around.

Drills to Improve Consistency with a Wide Putter

Switching to a wider blade putter isn’t an instant fix for consistency issues – you need practice to optimize it. Some great drills to dial in your new wide putter include:

• Gate drills – Hit putts through narrow openings to improve face control
• Alignment aids – Use lines on the ball and training aids like PuttOut to perfect alignment
• Face-balancing – Roll the putter to make sure the face stays square naturally
• Impact pattern checks – Use powder sprays to check you’re making centered impact
• Mirror and video checks – Verify your posture, grip, and stroke mechanics

Taking time to properly practice and analyze with your wide putter ensures you’re making the most of its expanded design.

Getting Fit for a Wide Blade Putter

To gain the full benefits of a wide blade putter, it’s essential to get properly fit by a qualified professional. A detailed fitting analyzes your posture, eye position, stroke path and mechanics to determine the right putter setup. Having the correct length, lie, loft, grip style, and weighting enables optimal performance from a wide putter face.

Dynamic fitting using video monitors to see your impact patterns is especially helpful. You can test different wide putter models and adjustments to dial in great feel and roll. Don’t settle for standard off-the-rack options – invest in a specialized wide putter fitting for your game.

Developing a Confident Wide Putter Stroke

A confident stroke is crucial to rolling the rock solid putts you expect with a wide blade putter. Set up with balanced posture and grip tension to the hole. Keep your head and eyes still, focused on the back edge of the ball during the stroke. Let the putter swing naturally like a pendulum, resisting manipulation. And commit fully to your read, stroke, and follow through.

These fundamentals blended with solid technique are vital for confident putting. Take time working on drills and repetitions to make that smooth pendulum stroke second nature with your new wide flatstick. Effective practice builds the confidence to drain more putts when it matters.

Wide Putters – Fad or the Future?

With so many pros and amateurs now using wide blade putters, it’s clear they’re much more than a passing fad. The expanded sweet spot and enhanced MOI of these designs deliver tangible performance benefits for a more consistent stroke. Expect wide putter technology to keep evolving with advanced multi-material designs and face milling innovations.

Wide putters may not be a magic bullet cure for the yips and putting woes. But their forgiving accuracy and directional stability are here to stay as a compelling option. If you struggle with consistency issues or face twisting, a properly fit wide blade putter can help take your putting to the next level. Give one a roll – you may be surprised at how much wide putters can transform your performance on the greens.

The Science Behind Wide Blade Putter Faces

While the benefits of wide blade putters seem clear, you may be wondering about the scientific principles that make their expanded face design so effective. Let’s break down the physics and research behind why wide putter faces improve stability, consistency, and accuracy.

First, widening the putter face disperses weight across a larger area, increasing the putter’s MOI (moment of inertia). This MOI effect essentially resists twisting on off-center hits, keeping the face squarer to the target line. Studies using robot testers have proven that high MOI wide putters maintain proper launch angles more consistently on mishits across the face.

Additionally, less concentrated weight distribution decreases the torque or twisting forces during the stroke. Think of it like an ice skater spinning – pulling their arms in increases spin, while extending them slows rotation. Wide putters minimize torque for improved directional control.

Wider putter faces also simply increase the size of the sweet spot. With a larger effective hitting area, there’s less chance of impacting the ball away from the center. Enlarged sweet spots translate into more solid strikes and consistent ball speeds.

Some scientists have looked closely at the effect of putter twist or face rotation during the stroke. Excessive face rotation leads to misdirection and reduces accuracy. But studies using advanced camera tracking have recorded significantly less face rotation with wide blade putter designs.

Less face rotation also produces more consistent ball launch angles. Crisp launches under 2 degrees lead to smooth forward roll rather than skidding. Testing indicates shots mis-hit across the face of wide putters maintain optimal launch angles for proper roll.

Groove and Insert Technologies in Wide Putters

In addition to head shaping, some wide putters incorporate advanced milling, grooves, and insert technologies to further enhance consistency and feel.

Grooved faces like those in the Ping Heppler putters increase topspin for better forward roll. The grooves essentially grip the ball better through impact. This effect is amplified by the expanded size of wide putter faces.

Inserts also influence feel and performance with wide putters. Softer inserts like the Pure Roll inserts in Odyssey putters offer more grip for smooth acceleration. Firm inserts like stainless steel provide a crisp click preferred by some golfers.

Precise face milling is another way companies fine-tune feel and launch with wide designs. Milling patterns like those in Evnroll putters optimize launch while providing pleasing vibrational feedback to the hands.

The Straight Back, Straight Through Stroke

To fully optimize a wide putter, many coaches recommend using a straight back, straight through stroke. This keeps the face square to the line longer for enhanced direction. A wide face coupled with a straight stroke path maximizes accuracy.

Set up to the ball with eyes directly over the inside line on the putter. Draw the club straight back low to the ground, then smoothly accelerate through impact back to the target. Stay down through contact before releasing up and around in a fluid motion.

Avoid manipulation during the stroke – let the putter swing freely like a pendulum. Gripping too tightly restricts movement and introduces twisting. Ideal grip pressure allows free motion while keeping control.

Use alignment aids like a PuttOut training mat to groove an on-line stroke path. Gate drills moving the putter between guides also help perfect straight back and through technique.

Consistent Alignment with Wide Putters

While stroke mechanics heavily influence results, starting the ball on line is crucial too. This makes proper alignment more challenging with a wide putter face.

First, make sure your eyes are directly over the ball in address position rather than inside the target line. Use intermediate points in your setup like the shaft or a reference line on the crown.

Next, amplify your alignment with aids like lines on your ball combined with guides on the putter itself. Models like the Odyssey 2-Ball Ten have helpful alignment features built in.

Take more time than usual to get properly aligned before each stroke. Narrow your focus to the exact dimple you want to strike. Consistent alignment gives you a leg up on holing more putts with a wide face.

With an understanding of the science behind them and proper technique, wide blade putters can clearly give your putting an accuracy and consistency boost. As technology advances, their expanded designs will only get better. Don’t be afraid to embrace the wide putter movement on your own game.

Are Wide Putters More Accurate and Consistent?

With their unique expanded head shape and enhanced MOI, it’s clear wide blade putters offer some advantageous technologies. But do these designs truly improve accuracy and consistency compared to traditional blade models? Let’s examine if wide putters can back up their claims with performance.

First off, the expanded sweet spot of wide putter faces inherently provides more wiggle room for solid impact across a larger area. By dispersing weight over a wider space, shots struck away from the center lose less energy and stay online better. Essentially, mishits that would negatively affect a standard putter still maintain precision with a wide face.

This expanded sweet spot concept has been proven out in robot and human testing. One study using a robot swinging machine found wide putters maintained ball speed and launch angle consistency within 1% on mishit impacts. Standard putter performance dropped off more severely outside the center.

Another interesting human trial evaluated putts struck on purpose away from the center of the face. Testers showed appreciably higher make percentages on off-center impacts with a wide blade putter versus a traditional blade model.

But some argue that extremely off-center hits actually lose too much speed with wide designs. The MOI effect does retain precision, but may sap too much energy on very poor strikes. One tradeoff for enhanced consistency is slightly reduced distance potential on big mishits.

What the Pros Say About Wide Putters

Elite players who rely on strong putting to win tournaments can provide great insight into wide putter performance. Several top pros have adopted wide blade models and reported noticeable gains in consistency.

Adam Scott switched to a long 49-inch TaylorMade Spider Tour wide putter and said it immediately improved his distance control. Scott raved about the enhanced MOI and stability compared to standard putters.

Rory McIlroy also noted excellent distance control after changing to a counterbalanced wide putter. Rory stressed that mishits only lose a very small amount of speed and stay on line better.

Jason Day has used wide TaylorMade Spider designs for years and calls their expanded sweet spots “effortless” in maintaining accuracy. The extra confidence Day gets from the wider face has clearly shown in his clutch putting.

Personal Testing for Proof

While research and pro feedback is compelling, individual testing may offer the best insights on wide putter performance. Highly scientific studies using robot testers and advanced analytics don’t necessarily replicate real world experience.

Try executing a personal wide putter test by gathering objective data during practice sessions with a wide model versus your regular blade putter. Here are some suggested metrics to analyze:

• Overall make percentage from 10 feet
• Make percentage from 10 feet after purposely mishitting
• Number of 3-putts
• Number of putts outside 5 feet
• Greens hit in regulation percentage

Keep thorough data over several practice rounds alternating between a wide blade and your regular putter. The results should clearly show if the wide face provides measurable gains in consistency for your stroke. You may be surprised at just how much of a difference it can make.

Consistent Ball Roll

While performance metrics related to accuracy and distance control are critical, analyzing ball roll quality is also informative. You want to see smooth, consistent end-over-end roll without skidding or hopping.

High-speed video comparison between a wide putter and blade model can reveal differences in launch, speed and roll. Pay attention to factors like:

• Launch angle – Consistently between 1-3° is ideal
• Forward rotation – Smooth without wobbling
• Skidding – Minimal to none past impact

Many players are surprised to find their blade putters produce more skidding than expected. Wide putter faces tend to optimize launch for consistent rolling end-over-end.

While no club can magically eliminate mis-hits, the expanded sweet spot of wide blade putters makes a strong case for improving consistency. But personal testing may provide the best evidence on whether accuracy gains will translate to your own game.

Top Pros Who Use Non-Traditional Wide Blade Putters

The popularity of wide blade putters on pro golf tours just keeps growing. Here’s a look at some top pros who have adopted non-traditional wide putter designs and seen major performance benefits.

Adam Scott

One of the earliest pros to switch to an unconventional wide putter was Adam Scott. He adopted a 49-inch TaylorMade Spider Tour long putter for its expanded sweet spot and enhanced MOI properties. The longer length anchored against his chest combined with the wide face has clearly helped Scott become one of the world’s most consistent putters.

Jason Day

Known as a streaky putter earlier in his career, Jason Day has found major success on the greens after changing to TaylorMade’s counterbalanced Spider mallet models. The counterbalance weighting improves his stroke path and tempo. And the wide high-MOI Spider head offers easy alignment with ample forgiveness.

Tiger Woods

Never one to shy away from equipment technology, Tiger Woods has tested his share of wide putters. He most recently used PING’s unique Sigma 2 Fetch model featuring a canted wide face aligned to the path of his stroke. Tiger praised the Sigma 2’s stability and ease of alignment. The putter clearly worked, helping him win the 2019 Masters.

Cameron Champ

One of the PGA Tour’s rising young stars, Cameron Champ uses an unmistakable Odyssey 2-Ball Ten prototype putter. Its eye-catching white and gold head contrasts perfectly with Cameron’s athletic gold putter shaft. The 2-Ball Ten combines perfect weighting for Champ with Odyssey’s excellent White Hot insert feel across an expanded mallet face.

Patrick Reed

Known for his creative short game techniques and aggressive putting, Patrick Reed relies on a Toulon Madison wide blade putter. The Madison’s expanded profile and intricate milled face offer Reed outstanding responsiveness on touchy short putts. The putter’s unique design suits Reed’s intense green reading and imagination perfectly.

Dustin Johnson

Despite his laidback persona, Dustin Johnson’s performance on the greens is no joke. DJ trusts a TaylorMade Spider Tour Red Monza putter to calm his sometimes-yippy stroke. The Spider’s counterbalanced design creates a smooth, flowing tempo to optimize the expanded MOI of its wide mallet shape for DJ.

While traditionalists may frown on non-conforming wide putter shapes, the success of marquee pros like Scott, Day, and Woods proves their performance. Expect even more touring pros to experiment with these expanded mallet and blade designs in the future.

For amateur players struggling with consistency issues, following the lead of the pros switching to wide putters makes a lot of sense. Their real world success can inspire everyday golfers to test just how much wide putter technology can elevate putting games.

How Wide Blade Putter Faces Improve Ball Roll

If you’ve been putting around the greens with a traditional blade putter for years, you may be skeptical about whether switching to a wide blade putter could really make that big of a difference. But you might be surprised at just how much a wider putter face can improve your putting stroke and ball roll.

Let’s dive right in and look at the key benefits of using a wider blade putter face:

More Forgiveness on Off-Center Hits

One of the main advantages of wide blade putters, sometimes called double wide putters, is the increased forgiveness they provide on mis-hit putts. With a traditional blade putter, even slightly missing the sweet spot can cause the ball to launch off the face at an unintended angle, leading to missed putts. But with a wider putter face, you have a larger sweet spot and more margin for error on off-center contact.

Even if you don’t quite hit the ball on the absolute center of the face, the wider design helps get your stroke back on track and maintain a consistent ball roll towards the hole. For many golfers, this increased forgiveness can lead to noticeably higher putting percentages from short range.

Improved Alignment and Consistency

In addition to providing more forgiveness, the broad face of a wide blade putter makes alignment much easier compared to a traditional blade. With the wider design, you have what is essentially a built-in alignment aid that helps you take dead aim at the cup every time you step up to a putt.

Proper alignment is crucial for not only starting the ball on your intended target line, but also ensuring your putter face is square to that line at impact. The wider alignment assistance these putters provide can help increase your consistency in both regards, leading to a higher percentage of putts finding the bottom of the hole.

Minimizes Putting Errors

Between the improved forgiveness and alignment, wide blade putters inherently help minimize common errors that can lead to missed putts with a traditional blade. Flaws like misalignment, pulling or pushing putts, and improper face angle at impact are all much less likely with the more forgiving and alignment-friendly design.

By minimizing these common mistakes in your stroke, a wide blade putter face gets your roll and pace more on point more often. That consistency leads to more made putts, especially those in the 3-6 foot range that can make or break a good scoring round.

Ideal for Various Green Speeds

Variations in green speeds from course to course or even day to day can impact your putting. Fast, slick greens require a more precise stroke and ball strike to avoid blowing putts past the hole. Slower greens need a better sense of touch to avoid leaving putts short.

Luckily, the design of wide blade putters allows them to perform well on both slow greens that require a soft touch, as well as fast greens that demand great precision. The alignment assistance and forgiveness help immensely on fast greens, while the clean roll off the face works nicely on slower surfaces.

Provides Confidence Over Short Putts

All good putters need confidence in their stroke, especially on short putts within 6 feet that require more mental focus than mechanical skill. Having absolute confidence that you can knock down a 3-footer when the pressure is on leads to more made putts when they matter most.

The way wide blade putter faces improve alignment, feel, and ball roll can give you added confidence over those tricky short putts. And in putting, confidence goes a long way towards holing more of the putts you actually should make.

Making the Switch to a Wide Blade Putter

If you’ve been struggling with your putting using a traditional blade putter, switching to a wide blade design could be a great way to improve your consistency on the greens. But like any equipment change, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the transition smoothly:

• Get properly fit for length, lie angle, and grip style to maximize performance.
• Give yourself time at the practice green to adjust to the new alignment setup.
• Don’t expect miracle results right away – it will take practice to optimize your stroke.
• Find a wide blade style that gives you confidence over the ball.
• Focus on solid fundamentals like posture, alignment, and speed control.

With some adjustments to your setup, stance, and stroke, switching to a wide blade putter could be the solution you’ve been looking for to transform your putting. While traditional blade designs have stood the test of time, modern wide blade putters have proven benefits that can lead to better consistency and more made putts for many golfers.

If you’ve been frustrated with your putting lately and want to try something new, consider giving one of these wider blade putter faces a roll. You might just be surprised at how much it can improve your alignment, ball strike, pace, and confidence on the greens.

Wide Putters vs Standard Models: Distance Control

When it comes to distance control on the greens, one of the key differences between wide blade putters and traditional blade models is the enhanced feel and feedback that wide putters provide. This improved feel can lead to better pace judgement and distance control.

Let’s take a closer look at how the wider putter face impacts distance control compared to a standard blade:

Face Feel and Response

With a wider putter face, you get more consistent feedback and response across the entire face. A standard blade has a smaller sweet spot, so mishits lose some feel and bounce off unevenly. The widened face keeps feel consistent even on off-center hits.

This constant, smooth feel improves your sense of touch and ability to judge pace. You gain a better innate sense of how hard to stroke each putt based on the enhanced feedback through the putter face.

Accuracy on Longer Putts

Longer putts require both precise alignment and the right touch to reach the hole. A wide putter face excels at both – the alignment lines get you aimed correctly, while the improved feel helps you control the speed.

The forgiveness on off-center hits also maintains accuracy on longer putts. With a narrow blade, a heel or toe mishit can cause skipping or skidding. The widened face keeps longer putts on line when you miss the sweet spot.

Pace Control on Short Putts

Short putts demand the right pace and touch to avoid lipping out or blowing it 5 feet past. The soft, smooth roll off a wide putter face enables superior distance control from short range.

The confidence from the alignment aids also ensures you’re stroking your short putts on the intended line. Together, these benefits improve distance judgement and avoid the short misses that plague so many golfers.

Maintaining Speed on Fast Greens

On fast, slick greens, maintaining the right speed can be challenging with a standard putter that skips or skids if not struck purely. But a wide blade maintains consistent roll speed even on mishits.

This prevents fast greens from exaggerating your pace misjudgments. The stabilized speed and smooth roll help dial in the exact firmness required to handle the quick surfaces.

Touch on Slower Greens

Slow, grainy greens require an extremely soft touch and smooth roll to avoid coming up short. Easy mishits with a narrow blade can dampen the delicacy needed on slower greens.

But with a wide putter face that maintains feel and roll even on off-center contact, you learn the exact touch needed to match the green speed. Your sense of distance control improves greatly on slower surfaces.

Maximizing Distance Control

Switching to a wide blade putter is one of the best ways to upgrade your distance control on the greens. But you also need proper technique, practice, and mental focus to fully master green speeds:

• Learn green speeds by rolling balls from your hand to get a feel.
• Improve your touch by doing drills with tees or coins as targets.
• Control distance by making smooth, pendulum-like strokes.
• Use visualization and routines to enhance focus over the ball.
• Practice putts from 5-20 feet to build distance control.

While wide blade putters provide huge benefits, you still need disciplined practice and mental skills to truly master distance control. But combining proper technique with these more forgiving, feedback-enhancing putters can shave several strokes off your scores by avoiding three-putts.

Precise distance control is crucial to holing more putts and saving shots on the greens. If you find a wide putter improves your feel and touch compared to a standard blade, make the switch to tighten up your distance control and drain more putts when they matter most.

Choosing the Right Wide Putter Length for Your Game

When it comes to wide blade putters, selecting the right length is crucial for proper posture, alignment, and stroke mechanics. The wrong size putter can lead to inconsistency and missed putts. Here’s how to determine the ideal wide putter length for your game:

Stand in Your Putting Stance

First, assume your normal putting stance with your eyes directly over the ball. Keep your arms relaxed and let them hang naturally. Have someone mark the floor at the crease of your wrist joint. This is roughly where the end of your ideal putter grip should reach.

Consider Your Height

Your height is a baseline factor in finding the right putter length. Taller players generally need longer putters, while shorter players do better with shorter clubs. Use these general guidelines:

• Under 5’6″ = 31-33 inches
• 5’6″ to 6’0″ = 33-35 inches
• Over 6’0″ = 35-37 inches

But your wrist-to-floor measurement should take priority over height alone when selecting putter length.

Test Different Lengths

Once you have a starting point based on your height and floor measurement, try out putters in 1/2 inch increments above and below that length. Pay attention to how each length impacts your posture, eye position, and stroke mechanics.

Too long and you may hunch over excessively; too short and you could reach awkwardly. Find the length that allows your eyes to stay directly over the ball at address.

Consider Grip Style

Grip style also impacts ideal putter length. conventional grips work best around 34 inches. But oversized and counterbalanced grips require an extra 1-2 inches of length to accommodate wider hand placement.

Factor in Lie Angle

The lie angle, or how upright the putter shaft sits, plays a role. More upright lies require slightly shorter putters to prevent squatting at address. Flatter lies need longer lengths to avoid reaching.

Test on Practice Green

Once you narrow down the right length, spend time testing it on the practice green. Dial in your setup posture and alignment with the new length. Then stroke some putts to ensure your mechanics stay smooth and balanced.

Optimizing Your Wide Putter Length

Determining the optimum wide putter length involves a blend of measurement, height, individual technique, and testing. But finding your ideal fit will maximize performance:

• Enables proper alignment with eyes over ball
• Allows shoulders to rotate freely in stroke
• Eliminates slouching or reaching
• Creates ideal triangle with arms and shoulders
• Provides stability through the stroke

Even half an inch change in putter length can make a noticeable difference in your setup positions and mechanics. Take the time to carefully evaluate different lengths using the tips above to find your optimum fit.

With detailed custom fitting, you can determine the exact wide blade putter length that fits your personal build, posture, and stroke. While general height guidelines provide a starting point, fine tuning based on your wrist measurement and testing is crucial for dialing in proper performance and consistency on the greens.

Finding the Ideal Wide Putter Lie Angle and Loft

If you’ve made the switch to a wide blade putter, congrats! These big boys have been gaining popularity over the last few years and for good reason. The increased stability and consistency they provide can really pay dividends on the green. But with the switch to a wider profile comes the question: what lie angle and loft settings are ideal for your stroke?

It’s a great question, my friend, and one without a definitive answer. The “right” lie angle and loft combination is a personal thing, dependent on your stroke mechanics, putter path, and eye dominance. But there are some general guidelines that can help narrow your search for flatstick nirvana.

First, Let’s Talk Lie Angle

The lie angle of your putter is the angle between the shaft and the sole of the clubhead when the shaft is in the proper position at address. Most standard putters have a lie angle around 70-72 degrees. However, with wide putters, you may need to tweak this up or down a bit.

Here’s a quick test: Address the ball with your wide blade putter and check the angle between the sole and the ground. If the heel is off the ground, your lie angle is too flat. If the toe is hovering, it’s too upright. The goal is to have the sole sit flat on the surface with the face square.

If you notice the heel or toe off the deck, bending the shaft 1-2 degrees with your putter fitter can make a world of difference.

Don’t Forget About Loft

Loft controls the launch angle – how high or low your putts initially come off the face. Most putter designs have 3-4 degrees of loft built in. But with the wider profile of many modern blades, you may need to adjust here as well.

If you struggle with putts skidding across the green, add a degree or two of loft to get the ball launching slightly higher. If your putts feel like they balloon or hop off the face, consider taking a degree out to flatten the trajectory.

A quality putter fitting can really assist in dialing in the optimal loft. Your fitter can evaluate factors like stroke path, angle of attack, and ball position to suggest the right loft for maximum performance.

Combining Lie Angle and Loft

Now we’re getting into the real nitty gritty! Lie angle and loft settings intersect to launch the ball on your intended line with ideal backspin. A putter too flat or upright can lead to missed putts even if the face angle looks square at address.

Work with your fitter to match the proper lie angle first, then fine tune loft based on how solidly the face contacts the ball through impact. Several iterations may be required to find the sweet spot, but persistence pays off.

Here are a few real world examples of lie and loft combos that have worked for wide blade players:

• 71 degree lie, 3.5 degrees loft = high handicap player with arc putting stroke
• 72 degree lie, 4 degrees loft = mid handicap with moderate arc stroke
• 70 degree lie, 3 degrees loft = low handicap with straight back straight through stroke

See how the upright lie works well for more arcing strokes, while the flatter lie benefits straighter strokes? Again, you’ll need to experiment to discover your personal goldilocks zone.

Don’t Forget the Grip!

Proper grip and hand position are also essential for dialing in your lie and loft with a wide body putter. Make sure your hands rest in a central, neutral position with even pressure in both palms. If you find yourself gripping too much in the fingers, a slightly thicker putter grip can promote ideal hand placement.

Putter performance is a complex interplay of factors. But taking the time to nail down the right lie angle and loft for your stroke tendencies can provide a tremendous boost on the greens. Test, observe results, and keep adjusting until you unlock the secrets of consistent speed and line with your big beautiful flatstick.

You’ve got this! Let me know if you have any other equipment questions.

Wide Blade Putters for Slow Greens vs Fast Greens

With their expanded sweet spot and enhanced stability, wide body blade putters have surged in popularity in recent years. But how does their performance differ on slower versus quicker pace putting surfaces? Let’s break it down, flatstick friends.

It’s a fact – the speed of your putting green can significantly impact your equipment choices and setup. Here are a few key factors to consider when selecting a wide blade for slow vs fast greens.

Head Weight and Momentum

On slower greens, you typically want a heavier putter head to provide momentum through impact without being too “flippy.” The extra mass helps get the ball rolling smoothly on greens with sparse grass or an overall sluggish pace.

Many wide blades weigh in around 350 grams or more, ideal for slower surfaces. Going much lighter may lead to inconsistent speed and distance control when green speeds are on the lower end of the stimpmeter.

Conversely, on slick downhill putts, a wide blade with more mass can sometimes feel too heavy, causing “deceleration” through impact. In this case, a slightly lighter head in the 315-330 gram range can promote better rhythm.

Counterbalancing for Consistency

The use of counterbalancing – extra weight in the grip end of the putter – has become popular with many wide body designs. This balances out the weight of the oversized head.

For slow greens, moderate counterbalancing provides just enough extra momentum for solid pace. Too little, and the head feels like it’s dragging. Too much, and you risk losing touch and having putts race past the hole.

On fast greens, heavier counterbalancing improves stability on quick, downhill putts. The extra weight helps take your hands out of the stroke for less manipulation of clubface angle.

Loft and Launch Angle

As referenced in my previous article, loft is a key factor with wide putters. More loft helps get the ball airborne quickly on slow greens. Less loft improves rollout on fast surfaces.

Most wide blades have 3-4 degrees of loft built in. To accommodate slow greens, consider adding 0.5-1 degree via bending by your fitter. For slick greens, take a degree out to flatten trajectory.

Don’t be afraid to experiment here. A half degree change in loft can make a world of difference in optimizing launch angle.

Length for Consistency

Putter length is another element to evaluate. In general, shorter putters improve slow green performance by allowing more pendulum motion. Longer models help on fast greens by quieting the hands.

If you’re playing predominately slow greens, consider cutting your wide blade down to 32-33 inches if you’re currently at 34 or more. The shorter length increases rhythm to get the ball rolling end over end.

On quick surfaces, extending your grip 2-3 inches evens out the stroke for less manipulation when aiming down slopes. More steady, more steady!

Lie Angle and Ball Position

We’ve already covered finding the optimal lie angle. But lie also impacts how you position the ball at address.

For slow greens, a ball position just forward of center promotes descending blow with irons to pinch the ball then quickly release. On fast greens, play the ball farther back to avoid excessive backspin on full shots.

A qualified clubfitter can advise adjustments to your wide blade putter lie angle, loft, length, weighting, and grip to maximize performance on both slow greens and lightning fast surfaces. Dialing in your flatstick is one of the best investments you can make in this great game. Trust me, you’ll drain way more bombs once properly fit for your stroke and the greens you play.

The Best Wide Blade Putter Models on the Market

If you’re in the market for a new wide body blade putter, there are tons of great options to consider. The major putter companies have embraced the popularity of the wider profile, giving players more choices than ever. Let’s check out some of the top models available right now.

Odyssey 2-Ball Ten

The newest iteration of the legendary 2-Ball continues the tradition with a high MOI wide body for enhanced stability and forgiveness. The white-on-black contrast makes alignment intuitive, while the Microhinge Star insert provides a pleasing sound and feel.

With models ranging from 33 to 35 inches and head weights from 350 to 375 grams, you can fine tune the balance and length to match your stroke tempo. If you crave the confidence of the 2-Ball at address, the Ten offers a seamless transition to the wide body style.

Ping Heppler Vault 2.0 ZB3

Engineered with input from putting legend Brad Faxon, the Heppler Vault 2.0 ZB3 combines forgiveness with outstanding feel. The unique stepped crown shifts weight to the perimeter for stability on off-center hits.

The clean matte black finish frames the ball beautifully at address. A counterbalance grip improves consistency on quick greens. Available in lengths of 33, 34, and 35 inches to accommodate different strokes.

TaylorMade Spider EX

The Spider putter has long been popular with pros for its high MOI design. The EX model incorporates a 30% wider frame with two 15 gram sole weights for even more stability and consistency.

The Pure Roll insert enhances feel, while the gray/black color contrast helps the face stand out. With 37.5 inches of standard length, parallel sole grips, and a “wings” design, this putter oozes confidence on every stroke.

Bettinardi BB8 Wide

Crafted from soft carbon steel, the BB8 Wide has the buttery feel serious putters crave. The wider profile increases MOI by 20% over previous BB8 models for improved distance control.

A high toe profile aids alignment and provides pleasing visuals for arc putting strokes. Fit with a Lamkin Deep Etched cord grip and Super-Fly milling on the face. For pure roll, the BB8 Wide delivers in spades.

Evnroll ER5B Blade

Evnroll putters utilize “Sweet Face” Technology to ensure uniform performance across the face. The ER5B blade combines this feature with a widebody design for max forgiveness.

At 350 grams, this putter packs plenty of heft without feeling overly heavy. The mallet-style rear shape contrasts nicely with the blade front profile. Offered in stable aluminum or buttery stainless steel models weighing 350-400 grams.

Cleveland Frontline Elevado V4

Another great counterbalanced option, the Frontline Elevado V4 adds stability through an extra 25 grams of weighting in the grip end. The high MOI head design further enhances consistency on off-center strikes.

Platinum or black finish options contrast well with the neon green alignment lines framed by compact bumpers. If you struggle with face rotation or manipulation, this model is worth a roll.

This is just a small sampling of the wide body blades currently on the market. Visiting a qualified clubfitter is the best way to determine which model pairs best with your stroke path, tempo, and alignment tendencies. Don’t be afraid to test different lengths, lie angles, weighting, and grip styles to unlock your ideal flatstick setup.

With the right wide blade putter, you’ll have the confidence to drain big bombs and take your scoring to new lows. Let me know if you want any other buying recommendations or have questions about making the switch to a wider profile.

Specialty Wide Blade Designs: Counterbalanced and High MOI

The new generation of wide body blade putters goes beyond just making the head bigger. Companies are incorporating innovative features like counterbalancing and ultra high MOI to take performance to the next level.

These technologies optimize stability, consistency, and rhythm. Let’s break down their benefits for players looking to upgrade their flatstick.

Counterbalanced for Improved Consistency

Counterbalancing places extra weight in the grip end to counterbalance the expanded head on modern wide blades. This helps take your hands, wrists, and forearms out of the stroke for less manipulation.

Typically 25-75 grams are added under the grip via custom plugs and internal weighting. This shifts the overall balance point closer to your body’s core for a pendulum-like motion.

Benefits include:

• Decreased face rotation and path variance
• More solid impact location across the face
• Better distance control on quick greens
• Improved alignment and rhythm

Mid-to-high handicappers tend to benefit most from counterbalanced designs. If you struggle with consistency in your setup, stroke, or contact point – counterbalancing can provide a tremendous boost.

Ultra High MOI for Maximum Forgiveness

MOI (or moment of inertia) indicates a putter’s resistance to twisting on off-center strikes. New manufacturing techniques allow companies to push MOI dramatically higher in wide body blades.

By incorporating multi-material heads, perimeter weighting, and lightweight aluminum or carbon composite inserts, these putters maintain speed and line even when you don’t quite hit the sweet spot.

Here are a few standout models with tour-level MOI:

• Ping Sigma G Wolverine H – 7700 MOI
• Odyssey O-Works #7 – 8900 MOI
• TaylorMade Spider EX – 12,000+ MOI

Wow, right? Many times higher than classic blade designs. Combined with alignment aids like lines, colors, shapes, and verniers, these putters are extremely forgiving.

Higher handicappers get the most from ultra high MOI, but pros like Jason Day, Patrick Reed, and Bubba Watson leverage MOI for consistency under pressure.

Finding the Right Balance for Your Game

More technology is not always better, however. The ideal specialty wide blade for you depends on factors like:

• Tempo and stroke arc
• Ability to control face angle
• Consistency of impact location
• Green reading skills

Work with a qualified putter fitter to evaluate your tendencies. If you have a strong arc and good rhythm, counterbalancing may be excessive. If you read greens well but lack touch, ultra high MOI could help.

There are no absolute rules – finding the right balance point is a personal journey. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you discover the specialty wide blade that clicks.

With patience and an open mind, a purpose-built wide blade can transform your putting. Let me know if you have any other equipment questions! I’m always happy to help improve your short game.

How to Improve Consistency with Wide Blade Putter Drills

Making the switch to a wide body blade putter can provide big gains in consistency and accuracy. But you need to practice smartly to ingrain the proper techniques. Here are some great training drills to help optimize your performance.

One-Handed Stroke Drills

Hitting putts with only your dominant hand on the grip minimizes wrist action and guides proper pivot for solid contact. Try these one-handed drills:

• Make 10 putts with right hand only, then switch to 10 with left hand only. Helps feel the correct lead and trailing arm roles.
• Practice one-handed strokes while reading a putt. Promotes stroke continuity without disrupting routine.
• Work on one-handed draw/fade putts to control face angle without manipulating lead wrist.

Be sure to calibrate length for the same backswing and follow through on each side. One-handed work trains larger muscles for pendulum motion.

Impact Bag Drills

Gently hitting a towel or impact bag trains optimal clubface position at impact. Try these impact bag drills:

• Place the bag beneath the lead edge of the putterhead to promote downward blow.
• Set up with the bag under the toe and heel to learn proper face alignment.
• Make strokes while barely nicking the top of the bag to prevent flipping or scooping.

Start with the bag an inch in front of the putterhead, then slowly move closer to fine tune contact point down to 1/4 inch.

Alignment Aid Drills

Nailing your starting line is crucial with a wide body. Use drills like:

• Place two clubs outside the putter lines to reinforce proper takeaway path.
• Align ball with a marker in front to check aim relative to target line.
• Stroke putts while holding your finish and checking clubface rotation.

Gate, string, chalk line, and mirror drills also help ingrain proper alignment setup. Remove aids periodically to avoid over-dependence.

Obstacle Course Drills

Varying putt length, break, and obstacles improves feel and creativity. Drills include:

• Putting between two clubs or tee pegs set closely together.
• Rolling ball through a carved out “channel” just wider than the ball.
• Putting over a chalk line, towel or ramp to perfect strike and speed.

Don’t just beat balls – make practice fun! Obstacle drills build feel and mimic odd lies encountered on the course.

Consistently holing more putts requires ingraining proper fundamentals through purposeful practice.Drills train muscle memory and translatable skills. Be creative and track progress over time. You’ll gain confidence knowing your wide blade stroke is locked in!

Fitting for a Wide Blade Putter: What Factors to Consider

Making the switch to a wide body blade putter is an exciting way to pick up consistency and confidence on the greens. But don’t just grab one off the shelf – take the time to get properly fit by a qualified professional.

Here are some key elements your fitter will evaluate to find the optimal wide blade model for your stroke and preferences.

Length Based on Stroke Arc

The proper length is a balancing act. Too long and a wide blade can feel unwieldy. Too short reduces stability. Your fitter will assess factors like:

• Wrist-to-floor measurement to gauge appropriate standing height
• Stroke arc and backswing distance
• Tempo – fast vs. smooth accelerators

Moderate arc players often fit best with a 33-34 inch wide blade. Stronger arcs may require 35 inches or more for proper stance width and rhythm.

Lie Angle for Impact Consistency

A putter that sits flat at address ensures proper impact alignment through the stroke. Your fitter will check:

• Sole contact – are the heel and toe grounded?
• Face angle alignment – does it match your eye line?
• Stroke path – do you need an upright or flatter lie?

Lie adjustments within 2 degrees up or down are common during wide blade fitting. Don’t just “play what feels good” – verify proper lie angle.

Loft Suiting Your Attack Angle

Loft is often overlooked but crucial. Factors your fitter will evaluate include:

• Ascending vs. descending blow through impact
• Stroke consistency – do you hit the sweet spot?
• Ball position – forward press or lag?

1-2 degrees of change in loft make a big difference in optimizing launch angle. Don’t assume standard loft is best.

Head Weight and Balance

Head weight impacts rhythm, tempo, and “plow” through the ball. Your fitter will look at:

• Transition move – fast accelerators want less mass
• Impact blow – descending needs more momentum
• Counterbalance needs – lighter heads may require more

Don’t automatically assume you need a heavy head for consistency. Dialing in swing weight optimizes dynamic feel.

With so many wide blade options now available, getting properly fit is a must to choose the right one for your game. Let an expert assess your stroke tendencies and preferences to unlock better alignment, contact, distance control, and confidence on the greens.

Making a Confident Stroke with a Wide Blade Model

One of the big advantages of switching to a wide body blade putter is the confidence it inspires at address. That expanded profile behind the ball simply looks and feels rock solid.

But the proper stroke is just as important as the putter itself for consistency. Here are some tips to make confident, reliable strokes with your new wide blade.

Quiet Your Hands in the Grip

Avoid manipulating the putterface with busy hands. Set up with even grip pressure and let the big muscles do the work.

• Grip mostly in the palms and last three fingers
• Point elbows forward to minimize forearm rotation
• Imagine “pushing” the grip into your left side

Quieter hands enhance a pendulum-like motion and face control.

Focus on Rocking Your Shoulders

Initiate the stroke with a gentle rocking of your shoulders:

• Backswing loads slightly more weight on your right foot
• Transition shifts weight forward to your left side
• Follow through ends with balanced finish

Think “rotate” rather than “swing” – wide blades work best with a subtle pivot motion.

Maintain Spine Angle and Posture

Avoid excess upper body movement by keeping your spine angle and posture steady:

• Set posture at address and stay there
• Don’t stand up or get “loose” during stroke
• Let the putter swing under a solid base

Consistent spine angle nets better contact and direction.

Trust the Pendulum

Once you’ve set your stroke in motion, trust the pendulum and resist manipulation:

• Commit to your takeaway path
• Release the putterhead through impact
• Avoid steering or slowing down

Have faith in your routine, alignment, and tempo. The putter will do the work.

With balance, rotation, and discipline, you’ll unlock the magic of the wide blade. Silky smooth acceleration into a balanced finish is the goal. Experiment to find your optimal motions, then repeat confidently under pressure.

Are Wide Putters a Fad or the Future? Our Conclusion

The golf industry is notorious for fads that come and go. But based on performance benefits and tour adoption, wide body blade putters appear poised for long-term prominence versus being a mere flash in the pan.

After extensive research and feedback from experts, here is my conclusion on wide putters – they represent the future evolution of blade designs, not just a passing craze.

Performance Advantages Are Proven

There’s no denying the performance edge wide body blades provide:

• Increased MOI improves stability and forgiveness
• Expanded alignment aids boost confidence
• Counterbalancing enhances rhythm and reduces face rotation

This combination leads to more consistent contact, speed control, and starting lines. The pros are not adopting wide blades just for fun – they create measurable gains.

Elite Player Usage Is Growing

If wide putters were just a gimmick, the best players in the world wouldn’t rely on them. Yet usage on professional tours keeps increasing:

• Multiple Major winners like Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott
• Past champions like Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson
• Rising stars like Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler

Their validation demonstrates wide putters are here to stay at the highest level.

Manufacturers Are All In

Major equipment companies have invested heavily in wide blade technology and endorsements:

• Odyssey EXO lineup
• TaylorMade Spider EX and Itsy Bitsy families
• Ping Heppler and Fetch models

This signals their confidence in wide putters as more than a passing trend.

Custom Fitting Optimizes Performance

As fitting tools and expertise expand, players can optimize wide blades for their stroke:

• Lie, loft, length adjustments
• Matching size, shape, alignment aids
• Dialing in counterbalance weighting

This customization maximizes the performance gap versus traditional blades.

In my evaluation, wide putters clearly represent an evolution rather than a revolution. Their benefits are real and long-lasting. Golfers of all skill levels will continue gravitating to wide profiles for the enhanced consistency, feel, and confidence they provide.

The numbers don’t lie – wide is the future. But test for yourself and let me know what you think! I’m happy to discuss further and answer any other equipment questions you may have.