All 6 Putter Neck Types – Which Hosel Fits Your Style
By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Feb 27, 2024
Contents
Key Takeaways – Why Putter Hosels Matter
- Putter shafts come in different sizes, weights, and materials, and that 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
A putter neck, also called a hosel, is the connection point between the putter shaft and the putter head. If you have played golf at all, you have likely seen several different types of putter necks. The putter’s neck impacts your stroke as well as the positioning of the golf ball and your body while 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 for you, 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
As you look through these putter neck options, remember that there is likely more than one choice that will work for you. Many golfers ask me what the best putter neck is, and it 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. With the plumber’s neck hosel, 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 can help 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 were starting to think that all of these 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 (like most golfers do), the flow neck can sometimes help.
Slant Neck
The slant neck putter is really the same as a plumber neck; it just looks a bit different in the way it connects to the putter head. 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
Now that you know the main choices for putter neck connections, here are a few comparisons to help you decide if a different hosel in your putter could help your golf game.
Single Bend vs Double Bend Putter Shaft
When I compared each single bend vs double bend putter, I found they 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 to square up the clubface at impact, 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 where the shaft meets with the club head; it’s best to use plumber necks when you need extra forgiveness in your new 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?
If you use the information we provided about the different types of hosels, you should 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.
Always keep in mind that different neck putters will 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
At this point, you should feel more comfortable deciding whether a slant neck vs flow neck or a single bend vs. double bend putter shaft is the best for your game. One of the most significant differences golfers see when paying attention to their putter neck style is more consistency in putts. There is a match out there that will help you improve clubface angle at impact and finally get the confidence you need in your putting strokes.
