Written by John VanDerLaan
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We've taken a look both at the tradeoffs and tendencies associated with center shafted putters in the game of golf, and tested and reviewed some of the top center shafted putters on the market today. Our goal is to help you understand who uses them, why, and why others can’t stand the sight of them!
Center-shafting a putter might seem like the completely logical, normal, or default option, yet in the game of golf they are seen as somewhat of an oddity. Simply put, they are either extremely eye-catching to some, or as an eyesore to others. Perhaps this is as simple as the fact that every single other club in the bag is heel shafted, and it just “looks” weird, or perhaps there are technical disadvantages - or untapped advantages - that a center-shafted putter might contain.
Best overall
SeeMore original blade
Best for soft feel
odyssey white hot blade
Best Mallet
evnroll er5cs hatchback
List Of The Top Center Shafted Putters
What Is A Center Shafted Putter?
It is a putter where the shaft attaches either dead-center in the middle of the club head or very near to it. This typically creates what we know as a face-balanced putter head.
The second feature is also that USUALLY the putter contains zero offset - with the shaft attaching straight-in to the putter head with no bends or angles. There are some exceptions to this, one of which we will review later in the TaylorMade Truss putter which has a very slight amount of offset, but generally a putter with the shaft in the center with a large offset would interfere with the golf ball in some way.
Who Should Use A This Type Of Putter?
As with most putter designs, a lot of players land on a particular choice through trial-and-error. There are many reasons why golfers have tendencies, whether it has to do with how they set up, how they stroke the club, or how they perceive the line that can lend themselves to “matching up” with a certain style versus another. Center shaft putters tend to work best for players with a more straight back, straight through putting stroke, although there are plenty of golfers with an "inside, down the line stroke" that putt extremely well with a this putter design.
There are a couple of things reported by many users of these putters that, if you struggle with them, you may want to try. The first is that many say that having the shaft in the center helps them locate the strike better in the middle of the putter face, as they are focused solely on the sweet spot of the club. Also the center shafting can help them line up to the sweet spot better.
Another interesting caveat is that a very significant portion of players who end up preferring a center shaft are lead-eye-dominant players, meaning left-eye dominant for a right-handed player. Because center-shafted putters are typically zero-offset designs, assuming the player has a completely neutral setup, this places the ball more under their lead eye, instead of centered between the eyes, which may help with properly perceiving the line of the putt at address.
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Which Putter Head Type Do You Prefer?
Center-shafting come in both blade and mallet varieties. Almost any combination imaginable has been used in the putter world, but there are some tendencies and preferences we see between the two designs when it comes to center-shafting.
Blade
The traditional model of putting throughout the ages has been to use a blade putter with some amount of toe hang. While all putters have to be swung on SOME degree of an arc unless the path is manipulated greatly, these putters favor a noticeable arc in the putting stroke.This is a kind of “matchup” that is very common: toe hang, arc stroke, and a blade putter head.
One characteristic of center shaft designs is that they are very commonly face-balanced by nature, as the shaft attaching in the center of a symmetrical putter head would have to be. That said there are exceptions and there are toe-hang putters that have the shaft in the center of the head. Usually if you look at these putters they will be shafted ever so slightly off center in order to encourage some flow and release in the putter head. Otherwise they would have more weight in the toe than the heel either due to shape or weight inserts.
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Mallet
A true center-shafted putter lends itself very easily to mallet designs. One thing to understand is that toe-hang and face balancing is not dictated by the attachment point of the shaft, but by drawing an imaginary line from an extension of the club shaft through the club face. This is the actual point about which the mass of the putter head rotates in motion.
For a typical center-shafted putter with a straight-in hosel, then these two points are exactly the same. If you look at some face balanced putter designs however, you will find that, while the hosel is attached somewhere towards the heel by virtue of a bend in the neck, the “imaginary line” extended from the shaft would more or less bisect the putter head. This is what allows the putter to be face balanced.
In effect, these two designs are achieving similar results with a different aesthetic. Many players prefer to have the hosel and attachment point “out of the way” of the ball and sweet spot, and since all the other clubs in the bag are heel-shafted, it gives uniformity to the look and feel at address. Ultimately both are face balanced designs and once again while all combinations are possible and almost all have examples of being used very successfully, it is a common matchup to have a face-balanced mallet putter where the player stands more directly over the ball and uses a consistent putting stroke that is closer to straight-back, straight-through.
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Advantages
Believe it or not, professional golfers first started using center shaft putters over a century ago culminating in Walter J. Travis winning the 1904 British Amateur using a center-shafted mallet-head putter invented by an engineer who worked for the General Electric corporation in Schenectady, NY. The “Schenectady” putter’s success eventually led to its design being banned by the R&A until the 1950s.
All of this drama aside, the USGA always maintained a different interpretation of the rules, and eventually (after nearly 50 years!) there was a conclusion reached that there was no inherent advantage to the design, and golfers were allowed to use them freely all over the world once again.
The places where this type putter comes in handy are in matching up to a golfer’s tendencies. For many it is simply a matter of visual perception that allows them to locate the center of the strike better. There are also arguments made that off-center hits on these types of putters are closer to the “fulcrum point” resulting in less deflection and better distance control, however there are a couple of counter-arguments to this, which we will explore in the “disadvantages” section below.
Disadvantages
It might seem petty, but golfers being the creatures of habit that they are, one of the main drawbacks you will hear about a center-shafted putter is that they flat-out “look funny.” For some who like to stand out, this is a bonus. For others, who are used to every other club in the bag being heel-shafted and also having played with heel-shafted putters for their entire lives, the difference can only throw them off.
Aside from the aesthetics, as we have mentioned before almost all center shafted putters are face balanced or very nearly face balanced, suiting golfers who stand directly over the ball and putt with a consistent putting stroke that is a relatively straight-back, straight-through stroke style. For players who see the line better with their eyes inside the ball and/or putt with more of an arc stroke style, a heel shafted putter might be better for them.
The other fundamental design parameter of these putters, at least in MOST cases, is that they are zero-offset putters. For some this is a big help, but for many, they find that having some offset on their putter helps them aim their putter better and also return the face to square more consistently as well as launch the ball on a proper angle to get it rolling smoothly. These peculiarities could come down to things such as setup positions, intricacies in how the golfer’s eyes are naturally configured (including but not limited to eye dominance), and stroke/release tendencies. So again, for many golfers it’s not just the habit of playing heel shafted putters with some offset, but there may be technical reasons for why they perform better with a “normally” shafted putter.
The last point is regarding deflection, which above was mentioned as a possible advantage. The counter-argument is that since a heel-shafted putter generally has the toe “closing down” through impact, the toe has some momentum behind it and a putt off the toe will generally stay fairly neutral and not deflect much, and any deflections due to off-center strike will be in one direction. Center shaft putters have the ability to deflect the ball off to the left OR the right based on which side of the center-point the strike is located, causing more randomness in imperfect results.
Believe it or not, many elite putters also play a “shot shape” and a “one way miss” even with the putter, albeit on a smaller scale than with their long clubs. Tiger Woods has often stated that his go-to feel while putting was to “hit the high draw” every time.
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Best Center Shaft Putters: Reviews And Recommendations
Despite the these putters being a relatively “niche” market in the golf world, there are millions of golfers who adhere religiously to the style, and millions more in search of answers who tinker with them and add them to their collections as well. Because of this many competing styles have popped up with many of the biggest names in golf also throwing their hat in the ring with this shaft type.
Best Center Shafted Blade Putters
SeeMore is a company who almost specializes in center shafted putters. They offer more options than any other company. Part of this is because it pairs so well with their signature RST “Rifle Scope Technology” alignment aid, where the shaft of the club “hides” precision markings on the club head when the putter is properly set square at the intended address position. This leads to consistent alignment which is one of the keys to being a great putter.
What We Like
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Their Original Blade SeeMore Putter brings these amenities to the most classic head design on the market, the cavity back blade. This combines some real “quirks” with a completely neutral and comfortable head shape that allows plenty of familiarity and versatility despite the center shafting and RST technology.
This is a slightly “gussied up” take from the SeeMore brand for those who prefer adding as much stability as possible while maintaining a blade putter look. These deep-flanged putters are kind of the last stop-gap between going fully into a “mid mallet” and arguably perform similarly but with a different shape.
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This SeeMore putter comes with the typical SeeMore features such as zero offset and the Rifle Scope Technology alignment aid. We love the Rifle Scope Technology as it almost ensures better alignment on every putt
In addition to that the deep flange helps to add some weight and stability to the putter and this is topped off by copper inserts that move more weight to the outside of the frame creating less twisting as well as more consistency on off-center hits.
Odyssey, the #1 most used putter brand on the PGA Tour, has unveiled a center shafted version of their “#1” model putter. The #1 from Odyssey comes in both standard and “wide” options, with the latter featuring a double flange and more stability a la the deep flange offering from SeeMore, above.
As with many of the latest offerings from Odyssey, this putter also features the Triple Track alignment aid featuring three long parallel lines on the flange to match up with the Callaway Triple Track golf balls, if desired. It is hard to find a better alignment aid when using the Callaway balls.
Last but not least Odyssey continues to have success with their industry-leading White Hot polymer face insert, which serves to give a consistent roll and feel all across the face.
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What you are getting with this putter is everything Odyssey has to offer in their classic blade designs, but with the shaft in the center.
The TaylorMade Truss Center Shaft Blade Putter is one of the most unique offerings on the market. Its signature is a hosel that is like no other. While functioning as a center-shaft design, this hosel actually attaches not at a single point but the triangular-shaped hosel attaches down an entire segment of the putter.
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As odd as it may look, it’s amazing how in so many aspects of the game, there is very rarely ever anything completely brand new in golf. The design of the hosel is reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century model called the Hackbarth putter which is now banned due to the hosel connecting at multiple points. A TaylorMade engineer took the idea from studying tennis racquet designs where long ago it was figured out that two attachment points were a huge advantage over one, and made a conforming design out of it.
The other game-changer with this putter is that it can give a center-shafted design while also providing shaft offset, something that is generally unseen with this putter shaft design.
EvnRoll putters are known as a brand that, while not being a household name, attempt to compete with the upper echelon of putters. They spare no expense, making 100% milled in California putters similar to Scotty Cameron putters. Their center shafted mid blade putter appeals to the golfer who wants to add simplicity and stability to their stroke without sacrificing a classic look and feel.
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EvnRoll distinguishes itself by face milling its putters in a special way. Instead of having one uniform pattern milled across the face, they distribute the etching in a way that changes in thickness from the middle to the edge of the face, resulting in a slightly more consistent roll.
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Best Center Shafted Mallet Putters
SeeMore’s Mallet putter blends iconic design with their patented Rifle Scope alignment aid. In this putter you’re going to get their high contrast alignment aid on top of a rounded mallet design that complements the center shaft look and functionality very nicely.
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Combining SeeMore's Rifle Scope Technology with the alignment ease of a mallet style putter makes the FGP one of the easiest putters in all of golf to line up. It looks good, performs well, and is a well balanced design. And the best part - it all comes at a much lower price than those premium options.
The Hatchback putter from EvnRoll represents the modern day “double flanged” mallet design that has become a go-to amongst golfers, comparable to top designs like the Phantom X, Spider GT, and Odyssey #7 putters. This simple, efficient, yet technologically advanced design has carved its niche, and the EvnRoll version gives golfers another option in the premium space using the same materials and manufacturing processes as the top putter-makers in the game.
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Like other EvnRoll putters it features their signature face milling which changes the groove size to give a more similar roll off of the entire face.
Famous for designing forgiving golf equipment as well as high-end putters and wedges, Cleveland has hit on a unique combo with their Huntington Beach Soft Premier 10.5 C putter. This putter really really blends the lines between a wide blade and a mallet. The slightly tapered double back flange is almost like a hybrid between the two clubs, not entirely squared off and not entirely rounded like a classic “wide blade” or mallet would be.
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This putter also brings a lot of 21st century innovation to the simplistic center-shaft construction. It features a very dynamic CNC milling on the face, with a diamond pattern that is very dense in the sweet spot and then broadens towards the edges. This accomplishes the desired effect of increasing friction and providing a softer hit.
This is the Tour Edge version of the “double winged” design utilized across the industry as seen with the Phantom X and Odyssey #7 head shapes. It doesn’t get into the crisscrossing and elaborate designs that some more futuristic putters get into, but provides maximum MOI and stability through both the stroke and impact.
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Combining this with a center shaft option makes for a very very straightforward, stable putter design that gives the user a “point and shoot” feel as they swing on a nearly straight arc and return the sweet spot to the ball. Tour Edge uses premium materials, construction, and engineering but delivers this product at a literal fraction of the price to the consumer, compared to the “big 5” brands.
The Odyssey Eleven is one of their flagship offerings. The center shaft option gives a unique look to the ultra-modern design. This putter comes fully loaded from Odyssey with the following features:
- Option of their Stroke Lab counterbalanced shaft for unparalleled stability
- Industry-leading White Hot face insert for soft feel and smooth roll
- One of the highest MOI club heads in the industry
- Plethora of arrangements for sight lines or aiming aids including Triple Track and 2 Ball
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This putter really pulls out all the stops and Odyssey has such a large footprint in the industry that you can choose from tons of different variations and customizations to create your perfect putter.
The Spider putters, since being introduced by TaylorMade in 2009, have really made their mark on the golf world and become one of the more revolutionary designs of the past few decades. The Spider GTX putter head is their newest take on that look, tweaking the fundamentals based on the latest engineering while staying true to the original concept, and giving the head a more linear, more straightforward look than the original Spider putters.
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This spider putter once again makes a great center-shafted option, with its full mallet design complementing a face balanced attachment point quite well. This particular iteration also has a very simple alignment aid compared to what many others in the industry are attempting, with a long stripe down the middle of the body to indicate aim at address, promoting better alignment on all putts.
Wilson is kind of a “legacy” manufacturer in the golf space who has actually held their own in the modern marketplace, delivering goods that compete on aesthetics and technology for a greatly reduced price compared to the higher-visibility and mass-marketed brands.
This Wilson Infinite South Side Center-Shafted Mallet really shows off what they are all about, blending a very sleek “blacked out” look with the throwback of a center shaft and all the innovation they can muster with a double-milled face and counterbalance grip.
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If you're looking for a putter that does an impeccable job of balancing tradition and sleek design with new era technology for increased consistency and feel, you have found your putter. Check out the South Side for a putter that is going to produce results, and look good doing it.
Pinemeadow Golf specializes in making very familiar, popular, and successful designs available at bottom-barrel prices, while still delivering solid construction and quality materials. They won’t measure up to the Scotty Camerons of the world, but for a beginner or for somebody who is unsure of a new design ― or somebody who is so confident in their putting that they don’t need to bother spending more than absolute necessary on a flat stick ― Pinemeadow has you covered.
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Their Site 2 Mallet is an attempt to mimic the Odyssey Versa 2 mallets, and does so quite well. You’re going to get a very functional shape with the same high-contrast black/white paint scheme that helps distinguish the aiming markers and top line of the putter. One drawback is, for this price, you are not going to get a premium face insert like you would with a more expensive putter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are center shafted putters more accurate?
Center shafted putters can be more accurate for some players, and those who do benefit from them swear by them. There are many other putters on the market that by the laws of physics should perform very similarly, with the main difference being the visuals and the psychology of the center-shaft. Some players feel like having the shaft right near the sweet spot makes more sense for reliably returning their stroke to that spot.
One difference that can make these putters feel more accurate, as well, is that they coincidentally almost always have zero offset. This can help some players aim the club more accurately, while other players aim the club more accurately with offset. Having a putter that fits your eye and your stroke is one of the greatest ways to get better at golf without taking lessons.
What does putter offset do?
The definition of offset is that the shaft is “offset” from the face of the club. Basically, the two are not directly in line with each other when looking down at address. Effectively, what this is doing, is placing the shaft and thereby the hands slightly in front of the ball at address, without changing the shaft lean at all. This also has the effect of allowing the putter head a split-second of extra time before it passes the ball or passes the hands in the stroke, which gives the putter head more time to square up by impact. It also tends to encourage players to have the ball more centered between both eyes at a neutral address, although this can vary with setup.
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The net results of all of these things are that they change the way the golfer sees the line, aims the club, and matches up their release (or lack thereof) through the stroke.
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Why are center shafted putters not more popular?
Center shafted putters are relatively unpopular for a couple of reasons.
First of all, they were banned for nearly 50 years by the R&A in Great Britain. While not banned by the USGA, this still put them on shaky ground and established them as an odd-ball experiment for the tinkerer rather than a mainstream choice in golf. This ban was lifted in the 1950s but still their legacy as a fringe piece of equipment remains.
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Another aspect is that it’s no coincidence that it is very common to report that golfers who end up falling in love with center-shafted putters are lead-eye dominant. Only about 30% of right handed golfers are left eye dominant. Obviously this doesn’t exclude other golfers from having success with these putters but it is definitely a trend that the majority of golfers do not fit.
Lastly, for whatever reason, many golfers just think that they look and feel odd. This could be partly because all the other clubs in the bag are heel shafted and hitting it on the shaft is something golfers always try to avoid! Also most golfers grew up with “traditional” putters with either bent hosels, heel attachment points, offset, or all of the above and are creatures of habit.
In addition, while center shafting might make sense on paper, lending to a simpler setup and functionality of the putting stroke and strike point, there might actually be some advantages to a toe that opens and closes in a flowing motion and heel attachment points might actually create a more consistent (one-way) deflection on off-center hits in practice.
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What PGA Tour members use a center shafted putter?
Center shafted putters took center stage during the careers of Payne Stewart and Zach Johnson, both of whom have won major championships using these putters. Also, many PGA Tour pros have experimented with center shafted models from time to time but rotated to other putters eventually. Overall, on a normal week less than 10% of the PGA Tour field will use a center shafted model.
Ernie Els has used a center shafted putter lately in his Champions Tour career, and the new model from L.A.B. Golf that Adam Scott uses is an elaborate center shaft design. Padraig Harrington changes equipment a lot but has gamed the Wilson Infinite Southside recently, and Dustin Johnson won the Travelers Championship in 2020 using a TaylorMade Truss.
Final Thoughts
These putters certainly aren’t for everyone - either technically or aesthetically - and while they remain a very “alternative” option on the greens for most golfers, they have a very dedicated following that has proven their staying power in the game.
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Many golfers who don’t even realize why they like the putters so much end up finding out that they are lead-eye dominant, after the fact.
Other than that, users 0f the center shaft versions love the fact that it helps them locate the sweet spot on the putter face both at setup and through impact, and the feeling of striking the ball with the shaft is extremely reliable and repeatable for them.
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Another huge subset of golfers are not center shaft devotees, but love tinkering with new putters and setups - both at the amateur level and the professional level, and will keep a center-shafted putter or two in the rotation. Many find the look amusing and others find it to be very quirky and enjoy playing with unique clubs.
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At the end of the day, it’s definitely not for everyone, but if you’re struggling with aiming your putts or striking the center of the putter face, try putting one in your golf bag and see if your scores improve!
