If you’re ready to make more putts and possibly get out of a putting slump, it might be time to try center shafted putters. Sometimes changing your equipment is exactly what you need to putt with more confidence.

But there are a lot of choices today including broomstick putters, armlock putters, and traditional putters. Plus, you have to factor in the right putter length, type of putter (blade vs. mallet), and grip. Not to mention the type of hosel as well. 

Needless to say, choosing the right putter is a big part of the equation. Today, I’ll help you learn more about center shaft putters so if they’re right for you or 

Center Shafted Putters

First off, what is a center shafted putter? 

It’s where the shaft connects directly to the center of the putter head instead of the heel like most putters. This offers a different look and provides a few unique benefits that heel putters do not offer.

Center shaft putters are nothing new in the golf world and have been around for decades. One of the earliest examples of players using them is Payne Stewart before his tragic death in 1999. Other pros have turned them in as well, not to mention a good amount of amateur golfers. 

But if you don’t have the right stroke or forward press the ball, these putters can actually hinder your performance. 

Key Takeaways

• Center shafted putters are great for golfers who want to improve alignment and get the ball started on the proper line. 
• These types of putters are ideal for golfers with a straight back, straight through putting motion. 
• Center shaft putters tend to provide more stability and don’t allow as much twisting of the face throughout the stroke.
• Due to the design, golfers should not forward press to start their stroke with a center shaft design.

Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons to these types of putters.

Benefits of Center Shaft Putters

Let’s start with some reasons why these putters might be just what your game needs.

Improved Alignment 

One of the best benefits to using a center shaft putter is the improved alignment for better accuracy. As you know, getting a putt started on the right line is key to making more putts. You can have the best green reading routine and pre-shot routine, but if it starts in the wrong direction, none of it will matter.

Luckily, this type of putter makes it easier to see the line more clearly and offers better alignment. Plus, each putter design is unique and some might have even better alignment aids to help the ball get started on the correct line. 

Face Balanced Design

Another reason golfers prefer center shaft vs. heel shaft putters is the face balance design. In this design, the face is not meant to rotate throughout the stroke and provides more stability. 

This reduces the chances of the putter head twisting too much and instead, maintains a smooth stroke. Which should lead to a more predictable putt that helps with distance control and accuracy.

Most other putters are toe hang design, which are ideal for players with some arc in their stroke. As Sasho Mackenzie (creator of The Stack System) mentioned in a Golf Digest article, “If you want a stroke with less arc and wrist action, it may be that a face-balanced putter is good for you. On the flip side, if you feel comfortable using more hands and wrists in your stroke, you may be better off using a putter with more toe hang.” 

Learn more about face balanced vs. toe hang putters. 

Best for Straight Back, Straight Through Strokes 

Finally, to pair with the previous point, these putters are great for golfers with a straight back, straight through putting motion. The alternative is a stroke with more arc, as the club face opens on the backstroke and closes towards impact. 

The simple design and weighting of a center shaft putter pairs very well with a stroke that doesn’t have much arc. Which is why a lot of center shaft designs are also mallet putters, which also tend to straighten out a putting stroke. 

Downsides of Center Shafted Putters 

While there are plenty of pros to using these putters, there are some disadvantages too. 

Minimal Toe Hang

The first disadvantage to using a center shaft putter is the design does not suit an arc stroke. Due to the design, these putters are meant to go straight back, straight through.

If you’re someone that is using a blade, heel shafted putter, and has arc in your stroke, this might feel like too much of a change. While there is always a learning curve to new equipment, this one might be too much for some golfers to handle. 

The same Golf Digest article also noted that how you use your hand in the stroke also plays a big role. “If you tend to pull putts and miss them to the left, a putter with more toe hang may be best for you, because your hands are going to need to work harder in order to close the putterface. 

Conversely, if you miss putts to the right by pushing them, a model that’s more face-balanced may help you square the face.”

Not Good to Forward Press

A lot of golfers prefer to start their putting motion with a little forward press motion. This is a good trigger to the stroke and used by tons of amateurs and professionals.

However, this might not work well with a center shaft putter, as this type of design has minimal putter loft. Most putters have between 3–5 degrees, sometimes more if you like to forward press a lot (as this motion delofts the putter).

But since these putters have no offset or toe hang, forward pressing will take the loft down to less than three degrees. Which can lead to hitting down on putts which will cause them to skip, skid, and not roll pure (likely leading to a lot of putts missed short). 

Small Selection 

Finally, these putters are not nearly as popular as toe hang putters, which means there is a much smaller selection. This might make it harder to find a style that suits your stroke. 

Here are a few of our favorites:

• Titleist Phantom 5S
• TaylorMade Spider GTX 
• Odyssey Eleven Tour Lined CS Putter 

FAQs About Putters

Do you have more questions about finding the right putter? If so, keep reading through the most frequently asked questions and answers now. 

What is a center shaft putter?

This is when the hosel connects the shaft to the center of the head, not the heel like most traditional putters. 

What putter is Phil Mickelson using?

Phil has experimented with a ton of different putters and styles over the years. Most recently in 2024 he was spotted using a LAB Putter. These putters have become very popular with golfers around the world thanks to the forgiving design. 

What is a mid-mallet putter?

Mid-mallet putters are putters that offer more forgiveness than a typical blade putter. These putters are somewhat of a hybrid between blade and mallet designs and much smaller than a high MOI putter like the TaylorMade Spider. 

What is a full shaft offset putter?

With these types of putters, the head is slightly ahead of the face when looking down at it. Most traditional putters have some offset, while center shaft putters do not. 

What are the different types of center shaft putters?

Center shaft putters come in three designs like traditional putters including blades, mallets, and modern mallet (high MOI) putters. Blade designs are sleek and look great but less forgiving. 

High MOI and mallet putters help reduce twisting and provide a lot more forgiveness on mishits. Some putters also have adjustable weights to help offset any stroke issues. 

It’s best to find a design that offers some forgiveness and the right alignment features so you can stand over every putt with confidence. 

My Experience

I’ve yet to try out a center shaft putter, as I have some arc in my stroke and prefer to forward press. Which isn’t great for these types of putters, as mentioned above.

I’ve also noticed these putters are great if you prefer your eyes directly over the ball vs. slightly inside (which helps create more arc). You can learn more about eye position in putting here.

Plus, you want to make sure you have the right grip style (conventional, left-hand low, claw, etc.) to develop an even better feel on the greens. 

Final Thoughts 

Center shaft putters are very stable and ideal for golfers with straight back, straight through putting motions. They can help improve alignment and minimize face rotation throughout the stroke.

As Golf.com mentioned, these putters are making a comeback and have won several PGA Tour events in the 2024 season. “If you are a golfer who’s potentially struggling to align properly on the greens or have a reduced arc putting stroke and looking to improve your consistency, a center-shafted putter could be your ticket to fewer putts and lower scores too.”

However, they are not ideal for golfers who like to open/close the face during their stroke. And there isn’t as big of a selection, but still a good alternative if you need to change up your equipment. 

If you aren’t sure what type of putter is right for you, consider investing in a putter fitting. A certified fitter can help you test out different types of putters, find the right length, and adjust the lie angle as needed. 

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