How do I use an online putter selector to choose the best putter for my golf game?

You can use an online putter selector tool to help you find the best putter for your golf game.

More about putter selector tools

Choosing the right putter is arguably the most personal decision in golf, as the club accounts for nearly 40% of your shots. An online putter selector tool, offered by major golf manufacturers, provides a streamlined, data-driven approach to narrow down the overwhelming number of options. These digital fitting quizzes help match key putter characteristics—head shape, neck type, and balance—to the fundamentals of your unique putting stroke, giving you tailored recommendations before you even step onto the putting green.

The first and most critical step in using these tools is accurately identifying your Putting Stroke Path. Most online selectors categorize the path into three types: Straight-Back, Straight-Through (minimal face rotation), Slight Arc (moderate face rotation), or Strong Arc (maximum face rotation). Knowing your path is essential because it determines the putter's balance: a straight stroke typically pairs with a face-balanced putter (minimal toe hang), while an arcing stroke benefits from a toe-hang putter (where the toe points down when balanced on a finger) to help the face open and close naturally.

Next, the tool will ask about your desired Putter Head Shape. You'll typically choose between a classic Blade or a modern Mallet. Blade putters (which often have toe hang) appeal to golfers who value feel and traditional aesthetics, and who tend to strike the ball consistently on the sweet spot. Mallet putters are generally larger, offer much greater Moment of Inertia (MOI) for maximum forgiveness on mishits, and come with extensive alignment aids, making them popular for players seeking stability and visual help.

Following the head shape, you will be prompted to select your preferred Hosel Neck Type (the connection between the shaft and the head). The hosel type directly dictates the putter's toe hang and offset. For instance, a double-bend hosel often creates a face-balanced putter, while a slant neck or plumber's neck creates varying degrees of toe hang. Selectors use your stroke path input to recommend a hosel that either complements your existing face rotation or helps correct common misses, such as pushing or pulling the ball.

Advanced selectors will often require inputs on physical parameters and feel preferences. This includes your typical Putter Length, which is critical for setting up your eye position correctly over the ball. They may also ask about the desired Feel (soft, mid, or firm impact) and Grip Style (standard or oversized). These factors are highly personal: a soft feel often comes from putters with face inserts, while an oversized grip can help quiet hands and wrists, promoting a more stable, square-to-square stroke.

Finally, after submitting your answers, the online selector will present you with tailored putter recommendations. These results are not merely suggestions; they are a short-list of models that are mechanically aligned with your specific putting stroke dynamics. You should use this list to schedule a physical testing session or a professional fitting, where you can validate the recommended specifications—particularly the correct length and lie angle—by hitting putts and assessing the feel and performance firsthand.

In summary, the online putter selector acts as your digital blueprint, transforming abstract concepts like "toe hang" and "MOI" into concrete club recommendations. By accurately answering the questions about your stroke, preferred shape, and feel, you maximize the tool’s value, ensuring your next putter choice is based on objective data designed to improve your consistency and lower your scores on the greens.

Odyssey for example has created an online golf putter selector to help you choose the best putter for your golf game.

The selector gives you a recommendation based on your answers to a range of questions such as:

  • What type of feel do you like with your putter?
  • What is your putter path?
  • What is your preferred club head shape?