What Is A Heel Shafted Putter?

In golf, where precision and finesse are essential, the choice of equipment can make all the difference.

Among the wide variety of clubs available, one particular type that often sparks curiosity is the heel-shafted putter. But what exactly does this term mean?

A heel-shafted putter is a club where the shaft is attached to the clubhead’s heel, providing golfers a unique balance and feel.

This article will look closer at a heel-shafted putter’s characteristics, advantages, and potential uses, shedding light on this intriguing piece of golfing equipment.

What is a Heel Shafted Putter?

Definition

A heel-shafted putter is a golf club designed explicitly for putting. It is characterized by the placement of the shaft near the heel of the putter head, as opposed to the center or the hosel. This design allows for better face alignment and stability during the putting stroke.

Design

The design of a heel-shafted putter consists of three main components: the clubhead, the shaft, and the grip. The club head of a heel-shafted putter typically has a weighted back, providing enhanced stability and balance. The shaft is positioned near the heel, promoting a clean and fluid stroke. As for the grip, golfers have various options, allowing for a personalized and comfortable feel.

Advantages

There are several advantages to using a heel-shafted putter:

1. Improved face alignment: Positioning the shaft near the heel promotes better clubface alignment, leading to more accurate and consistent putts. This mainly benefits golfers struggling to align the clubface using other putter designs.
2. Enhanced stability and consistency: The weight distribution in the clubhead and the shaft placement increase stability during the putting stroke. This results in a smoother, more controlled pendulum-like motion, improving the consistency of the greens.
3. Ideal for players with specific putting strokes: Golfers with an arcing stroke, where the putter swings in an arc from the inside to the outside, often find heel-shafted putters to be a great fit. The design helps them maintain their natural stroke path and promotes a more fluid and rhythmic follow-through.
4. Better control and feel: The balance and weighting of a heel-shafted putter allow for enhanced control and feel. Golfers can more easily sense the clubhead’s weight through the stroke, leading to a better understanding of the distance and pace of their putts.

Disadvantages

While heel-shafted putters have their advantages, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

1. Limited suitability for certain players: Heel-shafted putters may not suit golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. These players may find it challenging to align the clubface properly with a heel-shafted putter, as the shaft position can cause an incorrect setup.
2. Adaptation and adjustment required: Switching to a heel-shafted putter may require some adaptation and adjustment, especially if a golfer has been using a different type of putter for an extended period. Changes in grip, setup, and stroke mechanics may be necessary to benefit from a heel-shafted putter’s design fully.
3. Less forgiveness on off-center hits: Heel-shafted putters generally provide less forgiveness on mishits than other putter designs. Shots struck away from the sweet spot may experience a decrease in accuracy and distance control. However, proper alignment and stroke mechanics can somewhat mitigate this issue.

Popular Models

There are numerous popular heel-shafted putter models available in the market. Some well-regarded options include:

1. Model A: This putter offers a traditional blade-style design with a heel shaft orientation. It is known for its clean aesthetics, balanced feel, and excellent face alignment.
2. Model B: A mallet-style putter with a heel shaft, this model provides added forgiveness and stability. It features a high moment of inertia (MOI) design, resulting in consistent roll and improved accuracy.
3. Model C: This heel-shafted putter incorporates a unique hybrid design, combining elements of both blade and mallet putters. It offers the benefits of increased forgiveness and improved alignment.

When considering different models, it is essential to compare features and performance to find the one that suits your preferences and style the best.

Choosing the Right Heel Shafted Putter

When selecting a heel-shafted putter, it is crucial to consider several factors:

1. Importance of custom fitting: Getting custom fitted for a putter can significantly enhance your putting performance. A professional club fitter can analyze your stroke, grip, and overall setup to determine the optimal specifications for your putter, including the shaft length, lie angle, and grip size.
2. Consideration of personal preferences: Consider your preferences when choosing a heel-shafted putter. Factors such as visual aesthetics, weight distribution, and feel are highly subjective and can vary from golfer to golfer. Trying out different options and assessing your comfort and confidence with each can help inform your decision.
3. Factors to consider when selecting a putter: In addition to the heel shaft design, consider other factors such as the head shape (blade, mallet, or hybrid), the material of the clubhead (steel or aluminum), and the alignment aids. Each of these elements can contribute to your overall putting experience.
4. Seeking professional advice: If you are uncertain which heel-shafted putter best suits your game, seek guidance from a golf professional or club fitter. Their expertise and knowledge can help you make an informed choice and ensure that you find the right putter for your needs.

How to Use a Heel-Shafted Putter

Grip and setup

When using a heel-shafted putter, it is crucial to establish a proper grip and setup:

1. Begin by gripping the putter with your dominant hand, ensuring a light but firm hold.
2. Place your non-dominant hand on the grip, interlocking or overlapping your fingers with your dominant hand.
3. Position the putter in line with your target, ensuring the clubface is square to the intended line of your putt.
4. Align your body parallel to the target line, with your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders all square to the target.

Putting technique adjustments

While the general principles of a putting stroke remain consistent across different putter types, there may be a need for adjustments when using a heel-shafted putter:

1. Backswing and follow-through: With a heel-shafted putter, it is essential to maintain a smooth and fluid motion throughout the stroke. Focus on swinging the putter back and through on an arc rather than using excessive wrist action or a straight-back, straight-through motion.
2. Maintaining control and tempo: To optimize your stroke with a heel-shafted putter, develop a consistent and controlled tempo. This will help you maintain a fluid rhythm, improving distance control and accuracy.

Alignment and target focus

The alignment of a heel-shafted putter can significantly influence your aim and accuracy:

1. Clubface alignment: Ensure that the clubface is square to your target line at the address. Use visual alignment aids, such as the lines or dots on the putter head, to help you align the face correctly.
2. Target focus: Directing your gaze towards your target rather than obsessively examining the putter’s face during the stroke can help improve your overall consistency and feel. Maintain a soft focus on where you want the ball to roll.

Practice drills and exercises

To get the most out of your heel-shafted putter, incorporate practice drills and exercises into your training regimen:

1. Gate drill: Set up two tees or alignment rods on either side of the putter face, creating a narrow gate for the ball to pass through. This drill enhances your ability to start the ball on your intended line.
2. Distance control drills: Practice varying stroke lengths to improve your distance control. This can be done by setting up targets at different distances and focusing on hitting the ball with consistent, smooth strokes.

Maintaining a Heel Shafted Putter

Cleaning and storage

Proper maintenance of your heel-shafted putter is essential for optimal performance and longevity:

1. Cleaning: Regularly clean your putter after each round to remove dirt, grass, and debris. Use a damp cloth or towel to wipe down the clubhead, shaft, and grip. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the surfaces.
2. Storage: Store your putter in a clean and dry environment when not in use. Avoid extreme temperatures and humidity, adversely affecting the club’s materials.

Checking and replacing grips

Over time, the grip on your heel-shafted putter may wear out and lose its tackiness. It is essential to monitor the condition of the grip and replace it when necessary:

1. Grip inspection: Regularly check the grip for signs of wear, such as cracks, fading, or smooth spots. If the grip feels slippery or uncomfortable, it may be time for a replacement.
2. Grip replacement: When replacing the grip, consult a professional club fitter or golf shop to ensure the new grip is installed correctly. They can also provide grip size and material recommendations based on your preferences and playing style.

Maintaining the clubhead

To maintain the performance of the club head on your heel-shafted putter, consider the following:

1. Inspecting the face: Regularly examine the putter face for any signs of damage or wear. Minor nicks or scratches can lower the performance of the club. If necessary, consult a professional to assess the condition and potentially repair or replace the clubhead.
2. Clubhead protection: When storing or transporting your putter, consider using a headcover or protective sock to prevent accidental damage to the clubhead. This will help preserve its appearance and performance.

Frequency of maintenance

The frequency of maintenance for your heel-shafted putter will depend on your usage and playing conditions. As a general guideline:

1. Cleaning: Clean your putter with a damp cloth after each round or practice session. This will help prevent dirt and debris from accumulating and affecting the club’s performance.
2. Grip replacement: Consider replacing the grip every one to two years or more frequently if you notice signs of wear or if the grip no longer provides the desired feel.
3. Clubhead inspection: Regularly inspect the clubhead for damage and wear, paying particular attention to the face. If necessary, have a professional assess the condition and address any issues.

FAQs

1. Can I use a heel-shafted putter if I have a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke? While heel-shafted putters are not typically recommended for golfers with this putting stroke, it is not impossible to use one. Experiment with different putter designs and seek professional advice to find the best fit for your stroke.
2. Can a heel-shafted putter improve my putting performance? Yes, a heel-shafted putter can help improve your putting performance, especially if you struggle with face alignment and stability. However, choosing a putter that suits your preferences and style is essential to maximize its benefits.
3. Do all professional golfers use heel-shafted putters? Professional golfers use a variety of putter designs based on their personal preferences and playing style. While some professionals may use heel-shafted putters, it is not a universally adopted choice.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a heel-shafted putter is a golf club that enhances cutting performance. Its unique design provides improved face alignment, enhanced stability, and better control and feel.

However, it may not be suitable for all players, and some adjustment and adaptation may be required. Using a heel-shafted putter should be based on personal preference, fitting recommendations, and professional advice.

By selecting the right putter, practicing proper technique, and maintaining the club, golfers can improve their putting skills and enjoy tremendous success on the greens.