All 6 Putter Neck Types – Which Hosel Fits Your Style
By Coach Erik Schjolberg – [post_published]
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Key Takeaways – Why Putter Hosels Matter
- Putter shafts come in different sizes, weights, and materials, and can impact the hosel connections you have available to you
- Choosing the right putter hosel is important when you purchase, as making adjustments after the fact is often not possible
In golf, a putter neck, also known as a hosel, is the connecting point between the putter shaft and the putter head. It comes in several different types and impacts the golfer’s stroke, as well as the positioning of the ball and body on the putting green.
The bottom line here is that the putter neck is important, but many golfers overlook it.
I’ve broken down the main putter neck types, so you know what to look for the next time you purchase a putter. We also made a few comparisons if you are stuck between which models are right for you.
Types of Putter Necks
Look through these putter neck options, remember it is likely more than one choice that will work for you. Many golfers ask me what the best putter neck is, and doesn’t work like that; the key is to find something that feels comfortable and consistent for your golf game.
Plumber Neck
The plumber’s neck putter is one of the most common in the industry. Expect that you will have an easier time squaring the face at impact and getting the ball rolling on the proper line.
You will see the plumber’s neck hosel connection in many blade-style putters as it helps with an improved toe hang. The great thing about a plumber’s neck is that it can work for both straight-back and arc-style putting strokes.
Single Bend
The single bend is another option that works well for the golfer with a straight back and straight-through putting strokes. When looking down at the ball, the single-bend putter offers a clean view as the head is just a bit offset.
When putter heads are offset, you won’t need as much forward press in the stroke as the club will already be in position. The forgiving single-bend putter head design is one of the most popular putter hosel types for the average golfer. You can check out the review about one of my favorite single-bend womens putters here.
Double Bend
The double bend vs single bend putter designs are similar. It also happens to be a good choice for the straight back straight through player. However, a double bend usually helps with keeping the face more balanced.
I find the double bend shaft to do a lot of the work for you. With the hosel offset and the improved feel, your putting stroke style can be simplified, but you still get great results.
Straight Neck
A straight neck putter is very often referred to as a center shafted putter. Not all golf manufacturers offer a center shafted putter, but they are known for being incredibly stable at impact. With the straight neck putter, players feel like they have more control over their putting strokes.
Expect to see more mallet putters in the straight neck; this connection is best for straight back and straight through putting stroke style.
Flow Neck
If you think that all putter types were for straight-back strokes, think again; the flow neck is perfect for an arc. Flow necks have very little offset (not zero offset), and they almost always produce more toe hang.
If you have been leaving your putter face open at impact, the flow neck can sometimes help.
Slant Neck
The slant neck putter is the same as a plumber’s neck. You will notice the slant is a short putter hosel type, and it ensures that your hands are properly positioned in front of the ball.
The slant is another versatile putter hosel connection that provides both a slight toe hang and a bit of face balancing, a great combination.
Comparing All the Putter Hosel Types
Here are a few comparisons; a different hosel in your putter could help your golf game.
Single Bend vs Double Bend Putter Shaft
When I compared every single bend vs double bend putter, found out both benefit the straight-through strokes more so than the arc strokes. I would go with the double-bend putter if you need a bit more forgiveness in your putting stroke.
The double bend hosel is also much more common in a mallet head design, so that in itself could limit your selection.
Flow Neck vs Plumbers Neck Putter
The flow neck putter head has less offset and increased toe hang compared to a plumbers neck.
Many lower handicap players like how the flow neck looks because they are often found in blade putters.
Flow Neck vs Slant Neck
The flow neck vs slant neck putters are similar, and both will be heel-shafted putters. I like the flow neck for golfers that tend to leave the ball to the right when the club gets to impact.
If your putter is open, the flow neck can help.
Slant Neck vs Plumbers Neck
The plumbers neck vs slant neck putters are both versatile and can work regardless of putter length, grip style, or putting stroke.
Both a slant putter and a plumber neck can help golfers, but I like the slant hosel for a slight arc and the plumber’s neck for a straight back straight through putting stroke.
FAQ
Here are a few most commonly asked questions about the type of putter hosel design connections. I wrote another article about different types of putters here if you want more information.
Who should use a plumber’s neck putter?
The plumber’s neck has a good amount of offset; best to use plumber necks when you need extra forgiveness in your putter.
What do different putter hosel types do?
Different putter hosels can help you square the clubface up at impact and ensure your putting stroke is more consistent. In addition, the face balanced or toe hang characteristics can be impacted by putter hosel type.
How do I choose a hosel for my putter?
We provided about the different types of hosel, so you have no problem finding the right putter suited to your needs as a player. If you would prefer a putter fitting, that is another way to decide.
Keep in mind that different neck putters create either a more face-balanced design or increase toe hang, and it’s best to know which one you need to make yourself more effective on the greens.
Final Thoughts – Optimizing Putter Neck Types
Feel comfortable deciding whether a slant neck vs flow neck or a single bend vs. double bend putter shaft is the best for your game. Golfers notice increased consistency in putts when paying attention to their putter neck style. There is a match that helps you improve clubface angle at impact and get confidence in your putting strokes.