What is the Difference Between a Face Balanced and a Toe Hang Putter?

When it comes to perfecting your putting stroke, choosing the right type of putter can make a significant difference. Two popular styles, face balanced and toe hang putters, are designed to complement different putting strokes. Knowing their differences and which style suits your stroke can be invaluable in improving your putting game.

Face balanced putters are designed for those who have a straight back, straight through putting style. The even distribution of weight in these putters helps to keep the face square during the stroke. On the other hand, toe hang putters work well with golfers who have a moderate to strong arc in their strokes. The weight distribution in toe hang putters encourages the putter head to open and close slightly, complementing an arced putting style.

Key Takeaways

• Face balanced putters suit a straight back, straight through putting style.
• Toe hang putters are ideal for those with a moderate to strong arc in their strokes.
• Understanding the differences can significantly improve your putting game.

Understanding Face Balanced Putters

A face balanced putter is designed to minimize twisting during your putting stroke. When you balance this type of putter on your finger at the lowest point of the shaft, the face will point towards the sky. This feature is particularly beneficial if you have a straight-back-and-through putting stroke.

Choosing a face balanced putter can help you maintain consistency in your putting, as the design encourages a pendulum-like swinging motion. This motion minimizes any unnecessary movements in your wrist, allowing for cleaner contact with the golf ball.

Face balanced putters usually have a more substantial head shape, which can inspire confidence when standing over the golf ball. This head shape also promotes a more consistent stroke with minimal twisting at impact, resulting in better control and improved accuracy.

In summary, face balanced putters are an ideal choice if you have a straight-back-and-through putting stroke and seek consistency. These putters will assist you in making a more stable pendulum-like motion, leading to better contact and increased accuracy on the greens.

Understanding Toe Hang Putters

A toe hang putter is designed for golfers with a moderate to strong arc in their putting stroke. These putters offer more forgiveness for those who tend to push or pull their putts, by allowing the toe of the putter to naturally rotate around the center during the stroke.

To determine if a putter has toe hang, simply balance the putter on your finger near the center of the shaft. If the toe of the putter points downward, then it’s a toe hang putter. The amount of toe hang depends on the design and angle of the neck where it connects to the putter head.

Using a toe hang putter can benefit golfers with an arced putting stroke because the putter head’s natural tendency to rotate helps to square the face at impact. This results in more accurate putts, even when the golfer’s stroke is less than perfect.

It’s important to note that toe hang putters are not suited for every putting stroke. Golfers with a straight back and straight through (SBST) technique should consider a face-balanced putter instead as these putters promote more accuracy for their stroke style.

Comparison of Face Balanced and Toe Hang Putters

Balance Point Differences

Face balanced putters have an even weight distribution, which helps the putter head remain square throughout the stroke. This is due to the center of gravity being directly below the putter shaft’s axis. To identify a face balanced putter, balance it on your finger or a straight edge. If the putter face points upward, it’s face balanced.

In contrast, toe hang putters exhibit a downward-facing toe when balanced on a finger or straight edge. This results from the center of gravity being located towards the toe section of the putter. The degree of toe hang is dependent on the putter’s design, ranging from mild to maximum toe hang.

Application in Golf

When considering which putter to use, it’s crucial to match your putting stroke style with the appropriate putter type. Face balanced putters are best suited for golfers with a straight back and straight through putting stroke. This is because the even weight distribution assists in maintaining the putter face square during the stroke, facilitating consistent contact and minimizing mishits.

On the other hand, toe hang putters are better suited for golfers who employ an arced putting stroke. As the toe naturally swings during the stroke, it accommodates the opening and closing of the face, which is crucial for those with a more rotational stroke. Matching the degree of toe hang with your stroke arc is essential for achieving accurate putts.

Remember, the effectiveness of a putter is influenced by factors like personal feel, fit, and preference. Invest time in finding the best putter that complements your stroke style and helps you improve your overall putting experience.

Advantages of Face Balanced Putters

Face balanced putters offer several benefits due to their even weight distribution design. They are particularly favored by golfers who use a straight-back-and-through putting stroke.

One of the primary advantages of face balanced putters is consistency. The balance helps keep the putter head square during the backswing, impact, and follow-through. This allows for greater accuracy and control, especially on longer putts.

Moreover, face balanced putters help reduce side-spin, resulting in a smoother roll after impact. This can lead to better distance control and overall improved putting performance.

When considering a putter, it’s essential to understand your personal putting stroke and preferences. If your stroke tends to be more straight-back-and-through, a face balanced putter may be the right choice for you. Ultimately, selecting the ideal putter style can lead to a more consistent and effective putting game.

Advantages of Toe Hang Putters

Toe hang putters are best suited for golfers who prefer a moderate to strong arc in their stroke. The design of these putters encourages a more natural rotation, helping you maintain consistency and accuracy throughout your swing. Let’s explore some of the key advantages of toe hang putters.

Firstly, the toe hang putter allows for better control as you move through your putting arc. The hanging toe design assists in opening and closing the face of the putter, which syncs with the natural rotation of your wrists and arms during the stroke. This results in improved precision when making your shots.

Another advantage of toe hang putters is their compatibility with a wide range of putting styles. Although they’re particularly effective for players with arced putting strokes, they can still be a viable option for those who have slight arcs or a more straight-back and straight-through technique. This makes toe hang putters versatile and suitable for many different golfers.

Finally, toe hang putters usually have a smaller head size compared to face balanced putters, which are typically larger and have a more prominent mallet shape. The compact design of toe hang putters can help boost your confidence on the green and can potentially improve your overall performance. Remember, however, that personal preference and comfort are critical factors in selecting the right putter for your game.

To sum up, toe hang putters offer increased control through the natural rotation of your wrists and arms, versatility for different putting styles, and a compact head design that may increase confidence on the green. Consider these benefits when choosing the right putter to match your unique stroke style.