Last Updated on April 19, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Drivers and irons need to be replaced every 5-7 years to stay up to date with technology and ensure your current clubs truly benefit your game.
What about putters?
I’ve had my Scotty Cameron Newport putter for nearly 20 years. I still haven’t made the switch to something newer, although I have certainly tested a lot of new equipment. So this leads to the more important question of how long do putters last. Can you really purchase a puter and have it be good for a lifetime?
I’ll show you how long putters last when to switch to a new putter, and whether or not your current putter is still acceptable to be using on the golf course.
How Long Do Putters Last
On average, a golf putter will last for 10 years. Putters can last as long as 30 years if properly taken care of. The key to finding a putter that lasts is to invest in quality, to begin with. In addition, always make sure your putter is well-protected by using a headcover. Golfers often replace a putter for personal preference, a change in the putting stroke, or a proper putter fitting,
not because their putter is no longer good.
Since golf putters do not experience the same strike to the face that you would have with irons, fairway wood, or golf drivers, the clubs tend to last a bit longer.
How Do I Know When To Replace My Putter
If you are like me and you still have the putter you used when you were golfing in college, then it may be on your mind that a new putter would be a good thing for your game. I can tell you it’s on my mind; I just haven’t been able to find the right option for my game.
Because of how long putters last, making the switch feels like a long term investment, making the decision a bit harder. Here are some of the things that can give you a definite reason to change your putter out right now.
Your Putting Stroke Has Changed
Golfers can typically place themselves into two categories: arc style putters and straight back straight, through style putters. If you have been working on your putting game and noticed that a particular stroke seems to be a better fit for your game, it may be time to change putters. As a general rule, a mallet-style putter lets you keep the putter head on the right line with the putter face square to the target. The arc-style stroke is typically best used with a blade putter that has a little toe hang. Toe hang helps square the putter face up at impact.
I can get more into putting strokes and the best way to putt, but for now, you should know that if your golf game on and around the greens is experiencing changes, you may want to look into a new putter.
Mallet Putters vs. Blade Putters (Time to switch?)
Mallet and blade putters have changed over the last few years. If you have an older putter, chances are the club head is not nearly as forgiving as it could be. In addition, the feel of the putter head may not be your best option.
If your putter is more than 5-7 years old, go out there and test some of the newer mallet and blade styles. If you are currently using a blade, see what the mallet feels like and vice versa. For many years, golfers who like mallet putters stayed away from blades because of the lower MOI seen in blades.
This has changed!
A modern blade putter has a much higher MOI than a blade putter of just a few years ago.
If you have a good experience while testing your new clubs, it may be time to switch.
Imperfections on Putter Face
Take a close look at the face of your putter. As you can see from my Scotty Cameron, which has been around for over 15 years, the putter face still looks pretty good. Because of the manufacturing process, a milled putter face will work well for a long time. However, with an insert putter, you may see imperfections arise sooner. With regular use and lack of proper care, the imperfections can show up fairly easily.
You may be wondering if you are really good enough for a tiny scratch or imperfection to impact your game. I would encourage you to start thinking of yourself as a more precise putter than that and only play with golf clubs that are in good condition. Putting is a very precise area of the game, and it’s worth having the best tools in place.
Additional Alignment Help
One of the biggest changes we have seen in newer models to come to the market is a longer and easier-to-use alignment line. Although head weight, correct length, and even face balance vs. toe hang is important, alignment is one of the top features golfers need to look for in a new putter.
I like a blade putter with a very square and rectangular looking clubhead and a short alignment line. Some golfers like to find the longest line that they can, available on the larger modern mallet-size putters. New technology is not all about materials and shaft upgrades; some of it is simply a longer alignment line.
If that can benefit you, it may be time to look for a new putter.
Putter Fitting to Determine Effectiveness at Putting
When people leave a golf club fitting for a new set of golf clubs, they are often bragging about picking up 15 yards on the driver or 10 yards on the iron. Do you hear anybody talk about decreasing their dispersion rate on the greens? Do you hear people talking about consistency in their stroke?
Probably not.
Putter fitting may not be nearly as fun as a fitting for new golf clubs, but it will probably have a much more profound impact on your game than any other club replacement. If you have never gone to a putter fitting, it’s a good idea to schedule one. Putter technology and the way we analyze a putting stroke has improved greatly in the last few years. Launch monitor technology can teach you things about putter lie, loft, putter length, start line, MOI, speed control, consistency, and so much more.
For an avid golfer, these things may already be on your list, but for higher handicappers and those that make a few three putts per round, putter fitting should be on your bucket list.
How To Extend The Life of Your Golf Clubs (Particularly Your Putter)
The lifespan of your golf clubs is largely dependent on how you take care of them. Proper maintenance and upkeep can help ensure that the technology you have invested in lasts more than just a couple of years. Here are some of the things you can do to extend the life of your putter, and some of this will apply to all clubs in the bag.
Use A Headcover
Your putter probably came with a putter cover. However, a lot of good putters have putter covers that only last for a few years. If your putter is still going but your cover is done, spend a few dollars to replace the cover. When you have your golf clubs in a golf bag on the back of a cart, they are going to get destroyed rather quickly without the putter cover on.
Store At Room Temperature
Keep your golf clubs (especially the irons and driver) away from the extreme heat. Extreme heat is going to start to melt the glue that attaches the hosel of the golf club to the club head. For a putter, this may not be as big of a deal as it is for the 8 iron when the head comes flying off.
However, all of this can be avoided if you are smart about where you keep your golf clubs.
The number one problem that golfers run into is keeping the clubs in their car.
Do not store your putter in the truck of your car. Bring it in the house, let it sit in room temperature, and travel with it for practice sessions, but don’t store it in your vehicle.
Schedule Cleanings
Schedule a cleaning of your entire golf club set once per month.
The putter should be cleaned in addition to the other clubs in your bag. To clean a putter, I usually take a microfiber cloth with a little dish soap and water. I clean all sand and debris away from the putter head and then dry it completely with a dry microfiber cloth.
This cleaning time is the perfect opportunity to make sure that there are no imperfections on the putter face. I wouldn’t submerge my putter in water and let it soak. I don’t think it’s necessary, and you may even start to break down some of the painting for alignment lines or let water settle in the head of the putter.
Wiping it clean works just fine!
Get A Good Golf Bag
A great golf bag is going to help keep your putter in good shape. When you have a golf bag that has a separate putter compartment, it will ensure your putter does not hit other clubs as you make your way around the course. If you don’t have a putter well for your golf club, you can also consider something that has full-length dividers for all clubs.
With those full-length dividers, you at least get a separate compartment for your club, your putter grip will stay in better shape, and the head won’t be banging into your wedges as you play.
Be Nice (Control That Temper)
I know I probably didn’t even need to say this one, but sometimes golfers do more damage to their putters than they need to.
Putting is incredibly frustrating, and sometimes you hit a lot of good putts, and sometimes you don’t.
Try not to take this out on your putter. Instead, take a deep breath and make sure you make the next putt; you will be glad you did.
Replace The Grip
Sometimes, it’s not just the putter that needs to be replaced; it could be as simple as a grip replacement. The good news here is that a new putter grip may only cost anywhere from $10 to $35. A new putter grip will give you a better feel, more control of the golf ball, and sometimes more consistency in your swing. Replace your putter grip at least every 2-3 years.
Do I Really Need A New Putter?
Your decision to buy a new putter has more to do with how well you are putting than it does with the age of your putter.
As you can see with my old Scotty Cameron, the reason I have not decided to replace my putter is because I love the feel and the performance of this club. If I were shopping for a new driver, even if I loved the feel and performance, I couldn’t give up an extra 15 or 20 yards.
With the putter, the performance differences won’t be that large. Therefore, if you find something
you love, go ahead and stick with it.
However, if you are a smart player, you will be checking in on new technology every 2-3 years to make sure that there are no changes to the equipment that could really help make you a better golfer. You may find that being a loyal putter owner is good for 10 or 15 years, but at some point, you need to make the switch.
How long have you had your putter? Let us know!
