There’s a lot of variables that go into the proper selection of hosel type, or neck style, for a new putter. Outside of the physical shape of the head, almost all the other variables that make your putter perform the right way for your putting stroke live in the selection of the proper putter hosel. Offset and toe hang are the two most important variables to consider when picking the proper hosel type but looks and personal preference also need to be considered. With some help from our friends at Edel Golf and their new Array Putter line that we’ve built up with some BGT Stability putter shafts, we’ll dive into the steps for finding the proper hosel type for your new putter.
OFFSET
Every hosel type is going to have a specified amount of offset associated with it. Offset is your primary factor in how you’re able to aim the putter. The more you push your putts, the more offset you are going to want to look for. Something like the full shaft offset of the short plumbers neck from the Edel Golf Array Putter line is going to provide more aim assistance for a golfer that pushes their putts than something like the reduced offset in the short slant neck. For more information on what putter offset is and how it affects your game visit our full breakdown.
The amount of offset that you end up choosing in your hosel selection is also going to affect how the putter looks behind the ball. Some players may prefer to see some of the hosel over the ball because of the effect that it has on their visual ability to aim the putter. Other players may choose to have a more streamlined look that allows them to see the face of the putter through impact. Luckily, the majority of the time the visual preference a player has manages to coordinate with what actually works best for their ability to aim.
TOE HANG
Toe hang is the measured amount of drop that your putter’s toe has when it’s allowed to drop freely. The more toe hang your putter has the more the putter is naturally going to want to open and close during the putting stroke. More toe hang is great for players who have lots of arc to their putting stroke and face balanced putters, or putters without toe hang, are great for players with a straight back straight through putting stroke. The hosel changes toe hang based on where it intersects with the face of the putter if you were to draw an imaginary line through the shaft; or top of the hosel. You can learn more about toe hang in our full breakdown!
You can get the same or different amounts of offset with the same amount of toe hang. For example, the slant neck and the short plumber’s neck from the Edel Golf Array Putter line have similar amounts of toe hang, but have different amounts of offset. This is helpful because you can cater your needs for how you aim and the amount of arc in your stroke without having to sacrifice one for another. Click the accompanying photo to check out more about toe hang!
Toe hang is the measured amount of drop that your putter’s toe has when it’s allowed to drop freely. The more toe hang your putter has the more the putter is naturally going to want to open and close during the putting stroke. More toe hang is great for players who have lots of arc to their putting stroke and face balanced putters, or putters without toe hang, are great for players with a straight back straight through putting stroke. The hosel changes toe hang based on where it intersects with the face of the putter if you were to draw an imaginary line through the shaft; or top of the hosel. You can learn more about toe hang in our full breakdown!
You can get the same or different amounts of offset with the same amount of toe hang. For example, the slant neck and the short plumber’s neck from the Edel Golf Array Putter line have similar amounts of toe hang, but have different amounts of offset. This is helpful because you can cater your needs for how you aim and the amount of arc in your stroke without having to sacrifice one for another.
Thanks to our friends at Edel Golf for sending us their new line of Array Putters and Breakthrough Golf Technology for providing the Stability putter shafts you see used to help demonstrate. Click either logo above for more information on the equipment used or to purchase your own!