Golf clubs: Putter faces and inserts

The type of putter face you use will depend on what ball you use, your skill level and  the green you’re putting on

While many putter heads were, at one time, made from manganese bronze to produce a distinctive feel and sound from the clubface, many models today include an insert face. The main goal of putter faces is to increase the 'Moment of Inertia (MOI). The MOI is the term applied to a clubhead's resistance to twisting when the ball is struck.

Many manufacturers are switching to insert faces on their putters, as many top players prefer them to help them judge distance and pace and gain more consistency using balls which have a softer, spin-inducing skin.

Each insert or face material has its own benefits:

Metal Faced Putters

The traditional putter face material is steel. Steel has a reputation for soft and responsive feedback giving the putters a solid, controlled feel. One great benefit on a metal-faced putter is the noise feedback you gain. You can immediately hear the type of connection you made on the ball and this allows you to feel and hear where the centre of your putter is. Softer materials limit this sound.

Insert Faced Putters

Insert putters are basically metal putters with the metal face replaced with a light-weight non-metal insert material. The main advantage of using such a light insert means the weight of the putter can be redistributed elsewhere on the putter face. The drawback of these types of soft inserts is that they do not produce the sound of a metal and therefore you do not get the sound feedback that a metal putter may offer. Try using ear plugs or headphones when practising your putting to see how important sound feedback is for you.

Groove Faced Putters

A recent development has been the appearance of grooves on the face of a putter. On any putt, on any green, a putter's impact on the golf ball often results in skidding, sliding, back spinning, and even hopping before the ball can begin rolling on the green. Even when struck on the right line, these effects are the principal causes of missed putts. Therefore, the key to more accurate putting is to achieve a forward rolling motion immediately upon striking the ball.

The grooves on a putter face can help achieve this forward motion and keep the ball online. Upon impact with the golf ball the grooves grip the surface of the ball and simultaneously lift the ball out of its resting position and impart an over-the-top rolling action.

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