Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Matt Greene
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It sounds simple, take the putter back on a straight line and then follow that line back though the ball but often our putter is not suited to this stroke. Using a putter designed for an arc-style putting stroke makes it much harder.
The solution to this problem could be in the putter you’re using. Blade putters look good but will show up any glitches in your stroke. Switching to a mallet design could help you hole more putts and get the Big Dick Energy of a putting maestro.
Let’s take a look at a few different models to see if we can find the best putter for straight back and through stroke in your game.
Best Putter For Straight Back And Through Stroke
- Wilson Infinite Men's Golf Putter (Best value premium mallet putter)
- TaylorMade Truss Center Shaft Putter (Best for players who want a blade putter)
- Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Putter (traditional mallet best for purists)
- Tour Edge Wingman Putter (wildcard option best for alignment)
- Odyssey EXO Seven Putter (best for tech enthusiasts)
Amazing value putter with premium features
This is a great putter. Simple. It is counterbalanced meaning the balance point of the club is closer to the hands which is ideal for a straight back and through stroke. The head has a matte black anti glare finish and features simple alignment guides which match up perfectly with the centre aligned shaft.
The double milled CNC face feels amazing - even with harder distance balls. This is a hard putter to beat for the price!
Pros
A really interesting design which gives centre shafted fans a blade option
Yes, the Truss design looks a bit strange, but it is there to add supreme stability to the club head throughout the putting stroke. This bladed version of the Truss line looks AWESOME down at address and you don’t notice the extra metal near the shaft at all.
This is a super premium product and everything about it looks and feels quality. TaylorMade says the Truss design can reduce head rotation but 70% in the centre shafted model, so this could be the silver bullet for straight back and through putters who are struggling for consistency. Worth a try if you have the budget!
Pros
No frills mallet from probably the best in the business
If you don’t like the idea of a centre shafted putter but want the stability of a mallet, you can’t look past the Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0.
The White Hot Pro 2.0 has a white urethane face insert, which provides golfers with a soft and receptive face allowing the putter to have similar characteristics to that of a hard-faced putter but with much more feel and forgiveness.
The Eyefit alignment systems make framing the ball simple and the black finish rounds out the sleek look. A solid option for any golfer.
Pros
Tour Edge Wingman Putter
Cool design with high level of adjustability
Tour Edge makes excellent value products with premium features. I am a huge fan of their fairway woods and was interested to try this putter out. It’s packed full of technology and the weights can be adjusted to suit your putting stroke.
This putter has a super high MoI but it doesn’t feel like a sledgehammer in your hands. The alignment aid on the top is different to many designs out there but I really liked how it focused my attention on the ball. It was pretty obvious when you were misaligned, and combined with the centre shaft it was perfect for my stroke.
Pros
Odyssey EXO Seven Putter
All of Callaway’s putter tech in one club
The Odyssey #7 is an iconic putter shape and with the EXO features it includes all of the latest technology Callaway has to offer.
This version is claimed to be 50% more forgiving than the standard Seven which when combined with the centre shaft and Microhinged White Hot face , make this putter a seriously gameable option for players with a straight back and through stroke.
It’s on the pricey side, but with Odyssey, you know you’re getting a quality piece of kit which will deliver round after round.
Pros
Factors for picking a Straight Back and Through putter
Your putter is easily the most important scoring club and that's why i focus so much on the short game in my videos and articles. You use the putter every round, on every hole between 25 and 45 times depending on your skill. Hopefully you move toward the 25 putts benchmark and not higher than 34 or so.
The putter keeps you in the game if you're having a bad ball-striking day and takes you low when you're hitting it close.
How to match putting stroke to putter style
Most golfers fit into a two styles of putting stroke. Remember there isn't really a putting swing, it's a different motion:
Straight Back and Through - A face-balanced putter will be best for the straight back and through stroke. The putters mentioned above are good for Straight Back Straight Through strokes.
Arc Stroke - You want more weight toward the toe of the putter because this type of stroke means the toe will actually come around almost like a full golf shot. These are usually putters like blades where the toe hangs down below the heel when you balance it on your finger.
Mallet or High MOI Putter
Mallets often behave more like a blade often. They have a longer back section for alignment but they have been taken over by the High MOI putter such as the Spider, some putters from Odyssey and also Scotty Cameron. The differences between the two are somewhat noticeable in the shape alone but there are some tech differences.
The mallet is smaller than the high MOI putter. The mallet can be face-balanced but often has toe hang. This can affect your ability to keep the head and face square in the straight back and straight through technique. Often the High MOI putters are face-balanced.
Shape and Weight of Putter Head
The feeling in your hands and the look at address you prefer is completely subjective. I can't tell you which you should like more but I have some suggestions.
Shape - when you look at the putter behind the ball, you want to feel like it is easy to align. The rear of the putter alignment aid should be long and clear enough for you to know your face is aimed at your target. The overall shape whether square, round, or weirdly shaped is up to your taste.
Weight - your tastes my vary to mine, but for quicker greens, I prefer a LIGHTER putter or a mallet. For slower greens, I prefer a HEAVIER putter or a HIgh MOI putter because it gets the ball moving with very little effort. On slower greens, you want to have the ball rolling assertively without much 'slap' or 'hit'. On quicker greens, you want to stroke the ball with minimal effort but maximum feel.
Best putter shaft for straight back and through stroke
There are 3 types of shaft to choose from on putters and each will have its own characteristics and suitability for a straight straight stroke.
Double Bend Shaft - The face of a putter with a double bend shaft rotates much less. The double bend is probably your best choice for straight back and through putting. It minimizes potential errors in your wrist or hand action by preventing the twisting of the face. You'll be able to start the ball on line very easily.
Plumbers Neck - This type of neck is where the shaft ends and the putter begins with a 90° angle into the club head. The club face is set moderately behind the connection to the hosel. It encourages having your hands in front of the ball at address with minimal effort. This type of hosel typically has some toe hang. It will suit you if you sometimes take it back straight and follow through straight and sometimes use an arc.
Center Shaft - The center shaft is my choice for straight back and through putting. You do need steady hands and must be sure your stroke is pure enough not to rotate the face because it is now set right in the middle of the head. You can really become a steady, straight back, straight through putter with this shaft and if you can get the stroke consistent, you can be sure of every putt starting right on line. If you have a slight arc in your stroke, this is not for you.
Alignment Aid
The alignment aid is a huge factor so that you can be confident that your putts are lined up to where the ball must go. If you ever doubt your alignment, you have lost the ability to putt correctly. Commitment and confidence is key. There are many putters out there with multiple alignment aids on one putter and these are your best bet if you're not a natural at lining up. If you're really confident with your natural alignment, you should choose a putter that just suits your eye because you're one of the lucky few.
Always use a good ballmarker to make sure your line is right and you are getting out the way of others.
Conclusion
With a straight back and straight through putting stroke, you will be a machine on the greens. You do need the correct putter so that you groove good habits. If you practice enough, and use the correct tools for the job, you can start the ball on the line you intend and after some time, you will get the feeling of the pace with your new putter. I hope this guide helps you find the best putter for a straight stroke.