We take a look at some of the flat-sticks that have become legendary over the last 100 years of golfing equipment
Top professionals will use the flat-stick around 28-30 times a round, while the average amateur will need to strike it a few more times than that. As such, it’s absolutely key to find a putter that you trust and perhaps even fall in love with a little.
Over the decades the design of the putter has evolved, not only as equipment technology has moved on but also as advancements in agronomy have produced smoother and faster putting surfaces. Through the years, there have been a number of influential designs that have become beloved by top players and amateurs alike.
Here, in approximately chronological order, we run through ten of the very best putters of all time…
1. Bobby Jones Calamity Jane
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A simple offset blade with a hickory shaft, forged by Condie and sold by William Winton, stamped by Jim Maiden with the nickname ‘Calamity Jane’. The putter was almost 20 years old when Jones first used it in competition in the 1923 US Open at Inwood Country Club.
Jones won at Inwood and, in fact, he used the original and then a replica (Calamity Jane II) to win all 13 of his Major titles.
2. Titleist/Acushnet Bulls Eye
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The concept by Phoenix professional John Reuter in the late 1940s was to design a putter that swung like the pendulum of a clock. They were first known as ‘the sweet strokers’, before the name became ‘Bulls Eye’.
Acushnet put them into mass production in 1958 and they became one of the most popular, and successful, putters of the 20th century.
3. Wilson 8802
(Image credit: Wilson)
The original shape was part of Wilson’s Arnold Palmer collection, but it was renamed the 8802 in 1963. It’s a classic blade and the design has been used with great success by some of the greatest putters of the last 60 years, Ben Crenshaw being possibly the best.
4. Ping Anser
(Image credit: MHoplley)
No putter has more worldwide victories than the Ping Anser. With perimeter weighting, a cavity back and low centre of gravity, the putter set new standards in design.
George Archer was the first to win a…
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