Photo by Benny Hassum on Unsplash The PGA Championship is the second major of the calendar year, typically played in May. Organized by the PGA of America (distinct from the PGA Tour), it carries full major championship weight and a rich history that includes some of the sport's most dramatic finishes. Here's a complete guide to what the PGA Championship rewards, who historically performs best, and what to expect in upcoming editions. The PGA Championship's Unique Identity Among the four major championships, the PGA Championship is sometimes unfairly dismissed as the "fourth" major — the one that follows the Masters, US Open, and Open Championship in prestige. This is an undeserved reputation. The PGA Championship has produced some of the sport's greatest moments and is played at world-class venues on a rotating basis. What makes it distinct is its field composition: unlike the other majors, the PGA Championship traditionally includes the top 20 players from t...
Choosing your first putter is one of the most personal decisions in golf equipment. Unlike most clubs, where the physics of loft and shaft flex dominate the decision, putters come down heavily to feel, preference, and the way a particular design inspires your confidence at address. Here's how to navigate the putter market as a beginner and find one that helps you make more putts.
Putter Styles: Blade vs. Mallet
The two primary putter styles are blade putters and mallet putters. Blade putters are narrow, traditional, and preferred by golfers who use a slight arc in their stroke path. They provide direct feedback on off-center hits and feel responsive. Mallet putters have a larger, wider head with weight distributed toward the perimeter and back, creating a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI) — meaning off-center hits stay on line better. Most beginners putt more consistently with mallets because the forgiveness built into the design compensates for the inconsistency in a developing stroke.
Modern mallet designs have become increasingly innovative: two-ball alignment aids (like the Odyssey 2-Ball), large spider-web shapes (TaylorMade Spider), and high-MOI rectangle heads (Ping Tyne series) all fall in the mallet category. If a design helps you see the line and inspires confidence, that's reason enough to consider it.
Putter Length and Fitting
Standard putter lengths run 33–35 inches. The correct length for you depends on your height and your putting posture — your arms should hang naturally and your eyes should be directly over the ball when you set up. A putter that's too long causes you to push your hands away from your body; too short causes excessive bend in the elbows. Most golfers are fine with a standard 34-inch putter, but taller golfers (6'2" and above) often benefit from 35-inch models. A 5-minute fitting check with a club fitter will confirm the right length for your posture.
Face Insert vs. Milled Face
Putters come with either a soft insert material in the face (polymer, elastomer) or a milled metal face (aluminum or steel). Inserts produce a softer feel and quieter sound at impact — many beginners find them more confidence-inspiring. Milled faces provide more feedback — you feel precisely where you contacted the ball. Neither is objectively better; it's a personal preference that you'll know after rolling 20 putts with each type.
Budget Recommendations
Quality putters are available at every price point. The Odyssey White Hot series, Cleveland Huntington Beach, and Wilson Infinite staff putters in the $80–$120 range are genuinely excellent for beginners — well-aligned, forgiving, and accurately calibrated. The Ping G Le and TaylorMade Spider EX in the $150–$200 range add premium craftsmanship. Premium milled putters from Scotty Cameron, Bettinardi, and SIK Golf run $300–$500+ and are beautiful tools for committed golfers who want the best. Start in the $80–$150 range and upgrade when your game demands it.
Putts account for nearly half of your strokes in golf — a club selection you get right makes a genuine difference in every round. Take your time choosing a putter, roll some putts with several options on the putting green before buying, and trust the one that feels best in your hands and produces the most consistent speed control. That's the right putter for you.
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