Golf Putter Terminology

by David Bell

Simply Explained for Golfers Who Just Want to Play Golf

After hundreds—maybe even thousands—of customer questions and feedback about putters over the years, it became clear that one thing was overdue: a clear, easy-to-read glossary of golf putter terminology.

Golf putter terms can feel overly technical, confusing, and sometimes intimidating. This guide is designed to explain the most common putter terms, so golfers can spend less time decoding equipment and more time enjoying the game.

Armlock Putters

Armlock putters emerged after the 2016 USGA/R&A ruling that banned anchoring the putter against the belly or chest. These putters typically feature approximately seven degrees of loft and are designed to rest the upper grip against the golfer’s lead arm (left arm for right-handed players).
Only a small number of PGA Tour players currently use armlock putters.

Blade Putters

Blade putters are traditionally heel-toe weighted with a cavity-back flange design. They are usually standard weight and were originally designed as toe-balanced putters.
Today, blade putters are available in both face-balanced and toe-balanced designs, with many modern blades incorporating wider faces and redistributed weight to increase forgiveness and MOI.

Long Putters (“Broom Style”)

Broom Style putters are long putters, typically 42”–50”, using two-piece round grips (commonly 5” and 13”) with upright lie angles of 78–80 degrees.
They promote a pendulum-style stroke and upright posture. Popular players have included Akshay Bhatia, Lucas Glover, and Bernhard Langer. Head weights generally range from 390–480 grams.

Center of Gravity (CG)

The point in a putter head where balance is equal in all directions. While not technically identical, CG is often referred to as the “sweet spot” or center of percussion.

Center-Shafted Putters

A putter design where the shaft enters the head near the center of the face. These putters are often non-offset and face-balanced and can help right-handed players who tend to miss putts to the left.

Counter-Balanced Putters

Counter-balancing adds weight to the grip end of the shaft, increasing overall weight and stability. These putters are often mid-length (36”–40”), typically 2–4 inches longer than standard putters.
Longer grips (13”–15”) add 60–70 grams to achieve the counter-balance effect.

CNC Milling

CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) milling uses computer-guided machines to mill putters from solid 303 stainless steel with extremely tight tolerances. Modern putter design relies heavily on 3D modeling and CAD software before prototypes are produced.

Face-Balanced Putters

When balanced on the shaft, a face-balanced putter’s face points upward toward the sky. These putters are often recommended for players who use a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke.

Flat Lie Putters

Flat lie putters typically range from 67–70 degrees, several degrees flatter than standard putters. They can benefit golfers whose eyes are positioned farther inside the ball line or shorter players who see the toe sitting up at address.

Flange

The portion of the putter head that extends behind the face. The flange contributes to alignment, forgiveness, and overall stability.

Heel-Shafted Putters

A design where the shaft enters the head near the heel. Heel-shafted putters are commonly associated with toe-balanced designs.

Heel-Toe Weighting

A common weighting method that positions mass toward the heel and toe, increasing forgiveness and MOI compared to traditional putters.

Lie Angle

The angle between the shaft and the ground at address.

  • Standard: 71–72°

  • Upright: 75–79°

  • Flat: 67–70°

USGA limits maximum lie angle to approximately 79–80 degrees, depending on design.

Mallet Putters

Mallet putters feature deeper heads designed to increase MOI and improve alignment.
Modern mallets include full-mallet and half-mallet (wing-tip) designs and are now available in both face-balanced and toe-balanced configurations.

Mid-Mallet Putters

Mid-mallets blend the forgiveness of mallets with the appearance and feel of blades. They often weigh 25–50 grams more than traditional blades and feature perimeter weighting and wider faces.

Moment of Inertia (MOI)

MOI measures a putter’s resistance to twisting on off-center hits. Higher MOI generally means more forgiveness and more consistent ball roll.

Offset, No-Offset & Onset

  • Full Offset: Shaft sits forward of the leading edge by approximately one full shaft diameter.

  • Half Offset: Leading edge aligns near the center of the shaft.

  • No Offset: Shaft positioned directly in line with the leading edge.

  • Onset (Reverse Offset): Shaft enters the head behind the leading edge, often in the flange area. 

Offset primarily affects how the putter sets up at address and how the head balances.

Side-Saddle Putters

An early upright putting style popularized by Sam Snead. Golfers face the target line with a relaxed, athletic motion similar to bowling or slow-pitch softball.

Toe Balance (Toe Hang)

When balanced, the toe of the putter points downward. Toe-balanced putters are commonly recommended for arcing putting strokes.

Upright Lie Putters

Upright lie putters (75–79°) are popular with golfers whose eyes are directly over or very near the ball line and can help correct right-handed golfers who miss putts to the right.

Zero Torque Putters

Designed to minimize face rotation by positioning the shaft near the center of gravity. Zero-torque designs have gained popularity among touring professionals in recent years.

Advanced Putter Terminology (For Golfers Who Want the Details)

The following terms explain how putters are built and balanced. These details are helpful for golfers interested in design and fitting but are not required to enjoy the game.

Stepped Steel Shaft

A traditional steel shaft with visible steps, commonly used in straight, single-bend, double-bend, and triple-bend designs.

Stepless Steel Shaft

A smooth-taper steel shaft with no visible steps, offering a clean appearance and slightly different feel preferences.

Double-Bend Steel Shaft

A steel shaft with two bends used to create offset while maintaining symmetrical head weight and balance.

Heel-Weighted

Weight concentrated toward the heel, shifting the center of gravity slightly inward.

Toe-Weighted

Weight concentrated toward the toe, moving the center of gravity slightly outward. A common design method used to create toe-balanced putters.

Toe-Up Putters

A balance condition where increased heel weighting causes the toe to sit higher when balanced.

Matte Finish

A non-glare finish applied to CNC-milled putters to reduce reflection and improve alignment visibility.

Milled Face

A precision-milled face, often flat to within .001”, designed to promote consistent contact and smooth roll.

303 Stainless Steel (303-SS)

A premium stainless steel alloy used in high-end putters for tight CNC tolerances. Not to be confused with cast steel putters.

Perimeter Weighting

Redistributing weight toward the heel and toe to increase MOI and enlarge the effective sweet spot.

Leading Forward Edge

The most forward and highest point of the putter face, influencing address position and visual framing of the ball.

Center of Percussion

Often referred to as the sweet spot, this is the impact point that produces minimal vibration and twisting.

Final Thought

Golf equipment should support your natural motion—not force you into someone else’s. Understanding putter terminology helps golfers make confident decisions without overthinking the game.

Customer feedback and questions continue to shape the models and custom options we offer, and that input is always appreciated.

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