What Is a Toe Hang Putter?

A toe hang putter is one of the two primary types of putters in golf. The type you need depends on whether you tend to open or close the putter face at impact. Designed with extra weight in the toe, a toe hang putter helps to close the putter's face more gently during your stroke, reducing the likelihood of a violent closure on impact.

Toe hang putters can be either blades or mallets, and the head shape has minimal impact on performance. Continue reading to learn what to consider when selecting a toe hang putter!

Benefits of a Toe Hang Putter

The main advantage of a toe hang putter is its ability to help you sink more putts, especially if you tend to close your strokes too aggressively or frequently miss putts to the left.

A toe hang putter is ideal for golfers with an arched stroke. The added mass in the toe encourages the face to open during the backstroke, making it harder to snap the face closed at impact. This lag allows for a more gradual squaring of the face, benefiting those who typically close the face too quickly.

If you often pull your putts to the left, the physics of a toe hang putter can help mitigate this issue. However, every golfer is unique, so understanding your own stroke is crucial.

Face Balanced vs. Toe Hang Putters

Face-balanced and toe hang putters are the two most common types. To determine which you have, rest the shaft on your finger. If the face points upward, it’s face-balanced; if the toe points downward, it’s a toe hang putter. The downward point is due to the added weight in the toe.

Why does this distinction matter?

Each type of putter addresses different issues. If you tend to push your putts, a toe hang putter may exacerbate the problem. Conversely, if you push the ball rather than the putt, a toe hang putter can be beneficial. Thus, toe hang putters are better for promoting a push. In contrast, face-balanced putters do not encourage this.

Research by a PhD student indicates that golfers respond differently to these putters. For instance, golfers using face-balanced putters exhibited less hand activity compared to those using toe hang putters.

When selecting a putter, consider your natural hand movement. If you prefer more wrist action, a toe hang putter is likely a better fit. However, if you need to reduce your arc and wrist movement, a face-balanced design may be more suitable.

Key Features of a Good Toe Hang Putter

Hosel

The hosel is the part of the putter head where the shaft connects. Your choice of hosel should align with your putting stroke style, as different hosels can alter the weight balance and toe hang of the putter.

Toe hang putters are best for golfers with an arched stroke, but each golfer's arch is unique. For example, a short or flow neck hosel is ideal for players with a high arch, while a plumbers-neck hosel suits those with a hybrid arch-straight stroke.

Face Material

The face material of a toe hang putter is more about personal preference than stroke impact. Milled surface faces create more friction for a purer roll but can be pricier and not suitable for everyone.

A polyurethane face insert is a budget-friendly option that reduces vibrations on mis-hits and promotes consistent topspin.

Grip Size

Grip size matters. If you want to limit wrist action, consider a slim pistol or jumbo grip. However, many golfers perform better with a thicker grip, which minimizes face twisting and reduces grip pressure, leading to a smoother stroke.

Who Should Use a Toe Hang Putter?

Toe hang putters are ideal for golfers looking to improve their putting, especially if they tend to pull putts. If you use a right-hand putter and often pull putts to the left, you may be too open at impact.

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