Whether you’re trying to advance your golf game, or you are a beginner looking for some guidance, it’s important to know about the best putters for mid handicappers. Personalizing your golf clubs is a great way to get better at the game. When you pick the clubs based on how you play golf, you will find that the game is much easier, and it will be more enjoyable to play.
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What Is a “Handicap” in Golf?
The terminology used in golf can be a lot to learn for a new player. Terms like “mid handicapper” are things that you learn over time, as you play.
Seeing the word “handicap” can be misleading for someone who is not well-versed in golf terminology. The system of handicaps was created as a way to make playing golf with a group of people a more even chance of winning.
There are different levels of handicaps for golf. The lower the number associated with your handicap is, the better player you are. A mid handicapper would have a number between 11 and 20.
For example, say that you and two friends are playing a round of golf together. As a mid handicapper, your handicap is 12. The first friend is a 5, and the second is a 16. Out of the three players, the first friend would be the best player, followed by you, and then the second friend is the worst player of the three.
Essentially, all the term “mid handicapper” means is that you are a good golf player. Almost half of all golf players are mid handicappers. If you want to be able to improve your game, you don’t need more power. You need more precision. To do this, you need to buy clubs specifically for mid handicappers to help you with the weak spots in your technique.
Why Are Putters So Important?
You might be wondering what the big deal is about putters. They are only meant for short distances, and an important part of golf is getting the ball from the tee, across the fairway to the green. But once you’re at the green, you need a reliable putter to actually get the golf ball to the hole.
Putting is all about precision, not power. That’s why finding a great putter is so important. You need to be able to handle your putter perfectly, which can be difficult to do when it’s not the right fit for you. To find a great putter, you’ll need to match it both to your height and to the way that you play the game.
The average player uses their putter about twice as much as any other club in their bag. Be careful not to underestimate how much a great putter can improve your overall game.
The Different Parts of a Putter
There are terms for each part of a putter that you should know as you are purchasing one. This will help you to understand what the descriptions of the putter might mean, and it could also help you to determine whether or not a putter would be good for you.
Here is a list of all the different pieces that make up a putter:
- Toe hang
- Offset
- Head shape
- Loft
- Length
- Lie angle
- Head weight
- Grip
- Face texture
If you don’t know all of these terms, it might seem somewhat intimidating. However, if you’re a golfer, you likely already know 
what these are, just not their names. Each of these elements are important to think about when you are purchasing a putter for mid handicappers.
The toe hang is the very end of the club’s head. This term is used in reference to the direction that it points. The toe hang is important because it changes your stance as you get ready to hit the ball. Choose your toe hang based on what stance and angle feels most natural to you.
The measurement of the difference in the placement of the putter’s face compared to the shaft of the club is called the offset. A putter with no offset means that the putter’s face is in line with the shaft. A half offset means that the distance between the putter’s face and the shaft is about half the width of the shaft, and a full offset is the full width. Offset influences whether your shot leans to the left or right. The only good way to test this is to try out all three offsets on the same head shape and see which one fits you best.
Head shapes are either round or square. Round heads actually tend to send the ball straighter, whereas square heads are more likely to make the ball lean to the left or to the right. This isn’t always true, so test out both and see which one you have more command over.
The angle of the putter’s face is called the loft. This controls how much the ball is lifted from the ground after you hit it. The greater the angle, the more the ball will lift out of the grass. Change the loft based on the way you tend to hit the ball on the green. If you have trouble getting the ball out of the grass, go for a greater angle. If the ball usually bounces after you hit it, try a flatter loft.
The length refers to the length of the shaft. This should be measured based on your height. Use the distance between the ground and your wrist to guide you.
Lie angles are the angle of where the head of the putter meets the shaft. The goal of the lie angle is to optimize where the ball hits the putter. You want them to meet in the center for the most powerful hit.
Head weight impacts the amount of power that goes into each swing. Heavier head weights are best if you tend to be too gentle with your swing, whereas lighter head weights are good if you struggle with too much power behind your swing.
The material around the handle of the putter is called the grip. This is what makes the putter easy to hold. There are many different
grip styles, but they all essentially do the same thing. This doesn’t have a huge effect on a mid handicap player, so you should pick whatever feels comfortable in your hands.
You’ve probably noticed that the face of your putter has a texture engraved into it. This is called face texture and works to alter the impact of the ball on the putter. The patterns actually make it easier to control where the ball goes. Milled faces are more gentle, whereas grooved faces give the ball more spin. If you are unsure which would be better, you can get a head that uses face inserts so you can interchange them.
What to Look for in a Mid Handicap Putter
Finding the right putter can take some time. You’ll want to go over each one of the different parts of the putter, choosing what you think would be right for you.
Think about what your weakest spots are when you are putting. What doesn’t seem to go your way? What part of putting is the most difficult for you? By taking these things into account, you’re sure to find a great, personalized putter suited for you.