For anyone not familiar with the term, a center shafted putter is a golf putter that features a hosel which connects to the center of the head.
The hosel might be located directly at the center, or closer to the heel. You’ll find that most center shafted putters are face-balanced, which means that if you balance the putter on your finger, the face will always turn upwards towards you, while as a heel-shafted blade will turn downwards.
Center shafted putters are an ideal choice for anyone wanting to improve their game. There are several advantages of using this kind of putter and it can be a great choice for players to experiment with. Using a center shafted putter can help you make more putts and many golfers would argue that this kind of putter makes it easier to line up your shots.
As the hosel bore is positioned behind the area that hits the ball, the ball should start rolling immediately after you putt. You should also find that this kind of putter reduces the possibility of the ball bouncing or skipping and gives you more control over your shots.
The putter is often the club that players will use more than any other during a round of golf, so it’s worth taking the trouble to find the best one for you. You’ll find a huge range of center shafted putters available online which means that finding the best fit for you may seem like a bit of a daunting prospect.
That’s where we come in.
We’ve researched all there is to know about center shafted putters to bring you our definitive list of the five best putters currently on the market. We’ve also explained the key features you should look for in our handy buyer’s guide and answered some frequently asked questions that may have left you scratching your head.
So read on to find the best center shafted putter for you and improve your golfing game today!
In a rush to find the best center shafted putter?
Why not consider our top pick the Ray Cook Golf SR400 Center Shafted Putter?
This would make an ideal choice for you if you’re after a high-quality center shafted putter that comes with an affordable price tag.
This premium cast putter is tour-weighted and balanced to give users maximum control over their shots. It features a midsize putter grip for comfort and protective head cover for when you’re away from the course. Designed to offer optimum putting consistency, the SR400 would be a great option for beginner to intermediate golfers looking to improve their game.
Top 5 Best Center Shafted Putters
OUR TOP PICK
Ray Cook Golf – Silver Ray SR400 Center Shafted Putter
EDITORS CHOICE
Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa Putter
BEST VALUE
TaylorMade Truss Center Shaft Putter
OUR TOP PICK
Ray Cook Golf – Silver Ray SR400 Center Shafted Putter
Golfing brand Ray Cook has been producing high-quality putters for years, and the SR400 putter would be an ideal choice if you’re looking for an affordably priced center shafted putter.
This center shafted putter is part of one of the newer lines of putters from the brand which incorporates many improvements and features several useful features designed to improve your game. This premium cast putter is tour-weighted and balanced to provide users with a soft, comfortable feel and offer optimum putting consistency, which should help to improve the accuracy of your shots.
It’s fitted with a midsize putter grip for maximum comfort which helps you take full control over your shot and comes complete with a matching protective headcover. The SR400 putter is designed for right-handed users however, so left-handed players may want to look elsewhere.
The striking black finish is complemented by bold red and white detailing, which gives the putter a sleek, professional look.
This is an increasingly popular, budget-friendly choice, and you’ll find many positive customer reviews online, with many users commenting that they found the putter offered excellent value for money and helped them make more putts.
Pros
- Very affordably priced
- Several useful features designed to improve your game
- Premium cast putter
- Soft, comfortable feel
- Offers optimum putting consistency
- Midsize putter grip for maximum comfort
- Comes with protective headcover
- Striking black finish
- Popular choice
Cons
- Not suitable for left-handed players
- Some reviewers commented on the high ‘ping’ sound the putter makes at impact
EDITORS CHOICE
Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa Putter
Our next choice is the Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa Putter. The putters in the Odyssey stroke lab range are designed to improve the golfer’s stroke, including the backswing length, face angle at impact, and head speed through impact and tempo.
This is made possible thanks to the new weighting style that the brand has developed. 40 grams of weight have been relocated from the shaft to the head and grip end of the putter to change the performance dynamics in order to increase balance and lower overall torque. This should offer users better control and help them to achieve a smoother and more accurate stroke.
This putter features a Micro Hinge Face which incorporates roll technology to promote immediate forward roll for improved speed and distance control. Choose from 3 putter lengths, 33, 34 and 35 inches long according to your personal preferences.
Players also have a choice of two grip types that include a standard Odyssey Grip and an Oversized Super Stroke grip. You can expect to pay a bit more for this center shafted putter, so it’s fair to say this isn’t the most budget-friendly choice, but we feel that the additional features and innovative design technology justify the additional expense.
The putter is exceptionally well-made and should help you achieve a smooth, repeatable stroke.
Pros
- Designed to improve the golfer’s stroke
- New weighting style designed to increase balance and lower overall torque
- Micro Hinge Face with roll technology to promote immediate forward roll for improved speed and distance control
- Choose from 3 putter lengths
- 2 grip types
- High-quality
Cons
- Expensive option
- A couple of customers commented that they had received the wrong grip size with their order
BEST VALUE
TaylorMade Truss Center Shaft Putter
For golfers looking for a high-end center shafted putter, this brand new design from popular golfing brand TaylorMade would be a good option to go for.
The hosel is designed to increase stability and features a cobalt blue PureRoll insert which offers users an improved sound and feel.
The Truss features two different connection points on the putter head which means that the hosel covers more of the topline than a normal heel-shafted model can. This means that the head is less likely to twist during the putting stroke and at impact, so golfers can improve their consistency, particularly on off-center strokes.
This model also includes adjustable sole weights in the heel of the putter to allow for a variety of different swing weights and placements to be used depending on the golfer’s personal preferences. The putter is available in two sizes, the 34 inch and 35 inch, and in both right or left-hand orientation, so users can tailor the putter to suit their personal golfing style.
The KBS stepless shaft is designed to offer players greater stability and less deflection at impact. As this is a new design, you won’t find many reviews for this one online yet, but we can assure you that online feedback so far has been positive.
Pros
- High-quality design
- Trusted golfing brand
- Designed to increase stability
- PureRoll insert for improved sound and feel
- 2 different connection points on the putter head
- Adjustable sole weights to allow for different swing weights and placements
- Available in 2 sizes
- Available for both right and left-handed players
- Stepless shaft for maximum stability and less deflection at impact
Cons
- Expensive option
- Not many online reviews as it’s a new design
RUNNER UP
Ray Cook Golf – Silver Ray SR500 Putter
This is another much-loved center shafted putter from Ray Cook Golf. The rich charcoal grey finish gives the SR500 putter a chic, polished finish. The style of the putter is similar to the TaylorMade Spider putter but is available at a much more affordable price.
The large, stable head should help you put a consistent roll on the ball and the SR500 has useful alignment features that help to improve your accuracy in order to hit your line. The soft midsize paddle- style grip on this model is a very popular choice as it is incredibly comfortable and easy to use.
The head itself is slightly weighted to allow for a smooth, fluid stroke. Like the SR400 model, this center shafted patter won’t be appropriate for left-handed players, which is one of the few disadvantages of this particular putter.
This is a versatile, face-balanced putter that is comfortable to work with and should help to improve the accuracy of your shots. The inexpensive price tag and complimentary headcover mean that you can’t go wrong with this one.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Large, stable head
- Useful alignment features should help to improve accuracy
- Soft midsize paddle-style grip
- Popular choice
- Versatile
- Face balanced
Cons
- No option for left-handed players
RUNNER UP
Wilson Staff Infinite Golf Putter
Our final choice is this brilliant center shafted putter from the Wilson Golf store. This is another high-quality, affordable option that features a double milled face which helps to promote consistent impact, roll and distance control.
The classic, dark matte finish gives it a professional look. The putter features counterbalanced technology which effectively helps to move the balance point closer to the hands to produce a smoother putting stroke.
This model also boasts a dark anti-glare finish which helps to actively reduce glare and improve sight-lines, which should help to improve your performance on the course. The heavy grip construction on this model is designed to create a counter-balanced putter feel.
The Wilson Staff putter should prove to be a comfortable choice thanks to the new grip which features a perforated pattern that has been incorporated to improve the overall feel of the putter.
The oversized construction means that the putter feels sturdy and stable and rotation is limited during strokes. This putter is available with a 34-inch shaft and right-hand orientation.
Pros
- Affordable option
- Double milled face
- Classic, dark matte finish
- Counterbalanced technology
- Anti-glare finish
- Comfortable grip
- Offers stability
Cons
- Putters designed for left-hand orientation are not always widely available
Best Center Shafted Putters Buying Guide
Putter Faces
The type of face on your chosen putter should reflect your own personal preferences, what kind of ball you use, and the speed of greens you usually putt on. It’s important to try to find the best combination of ball and putter face in order to match the greens you putt on.
Choosing the right kind of face for your needs often comes down to some trial and error to find out what works best for you. The traditional putter face is usually made from steel or another kind of metal. Metal faces are incredibly strong and offer a solid, controlled feel.
Insert Faced Putters
When a metal face is replaced with a light-weight non-metal insert, it is referred to as an ‘Insert faced putter.’ Using a light insert means that the weight of the putter can be redistributed to the heel and toe of the putter, which makes it much more forgiving to work with.
Most insert faces are incorporated to create a softer feel than traditional steel so you won’t get the same sound as a metal face at impact.
Groove Faced Putters
Some center shafted putters featured grooves on the face.
Grooves can help to grip the surface of the ball upon impact to lift it off its resting position and create a rolling action.
Shaft Lengths
Finding the best length of putter for your height and stroke is a very important task if you want to improve your performance on the course. A putter shaft must be at least 18 inches long, but there is no maximum length if you’d prefer a longer length.
The most common putter shaft length is 32”-36”, which helps to create a pendulum swing in your putting stroke, but alternative shaft lengths are now becoming increasingly popular.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a center shafted putter?
There are many benefits of using a center shafted putter and many players feel this choice can improve their game. The face-balanced design of a center shafted putter helps to give players a more stable stroke.
Many golfers feel that using a center-shafted putter gives them more control of their shots and improves alignment. This kind of putter can also help to prevent the ball from bouncing or skipping.
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