When you decide that it is time for a new putter, I would like to emphasize that the most important factor to consider is the way it looks and how it feels in your hands.  Do not go and buy a putter just because you’re putting poorly.  Find out what it is that you are doing wrong.  It could be any of the following: your stance, your alignment, how well you read the greens, your take away, your forward swing, your wrist movements, peeking, lack of concentration, not having a preshot routine, assessing the putt parallel to the line instead of behind the ball, jabbing the putt, indecisiveness, becoming tense over the putt, having negative thoughts, being afraid of passing the hole, rushing the putt or maybe the clothes or shoes that you are wearing that day are not comfortable, the putter may be too long or short, or the putter may be too light or too heavy. Have a professional watch you putt; he will be able to notice a few things that may need improvement.  It may be simply one thing that you are doing incorrectly.  He will give you some drills.  In most cases it is looking up prematurely or lack of practice that causes you to have bad putts.  You cannot expect to have consistently good putts without practice.

If you have made up your mind that a new putter is what you want, then ask yourself the following questions.  Once you have the answers analyze your responses. If necessary go shopping.  Please consider making an honest effort to determine what is wrong with your putter or what is wrong with your putting stroke.

Why do I want a new putter?

Do I want a blade, mallet, perimeter weighted, insert, off set, long putter or belly putter?

Do I have an in to out stroke with my putter or do I swing straight back and through?

Is the putter I have too light or too heavy?

Am I pulling my putts?

Am I pushing my putts?

Do I need to have more stability with my putts?

Is my putter too long?

Is my putter too short?

Is my putter too upright?

Am I happy with its looks?

Am I happy with the way it feels?

Is the putter worn out, rusty and nicked?

Am I buying one because my friend told me that his putter was the greatest and it improved his game?  

Am I buying a new putter because my golfing friends all have fairly new putters? 

Am I just plain tired of the same putter?

I have always had a used putter.

Did I find a putter that looks better?

Do I feel that I might have a smoother stroke and more confident feel with a new putter?

There are many places that allow you to take the putter on the green and use it so that you can determine if it feels right for you. Try your old putter along with the new one under the same conditions to see if there is a noticeable difference.

If you are a serious golfer or really want to be a good putter I would suggest that you first find out which kind of ball suits your game and use the same type of ball each time. If you play with a soft ball one time and a totally different feeling ball the next time, consistency with your putter will fluctuate.  Using balls of different compressions at random will also affect your consistency.  Do you putt with scuffed up balls or balls that have cart path scratches on it? If you always use the same kind of ball, know all the answers to the previous list of questions, and are not pleased with your putting game, it could possibly be that a new putter is what you need.

I would assess my putting game in the following manner:  Do I leave the putts short or long? Do I tend to push or pull my putts? Do I play most of my golf on fast or slow greens? What is the length of my average putt? How far back do I take my putter? Do I open or close the head of the putter anytime during my stroke? Answers to these questions will help you to decide whether to buy a new putter or give the putter a few more chances before it is put in the basement or garage.

Once you have decided that you want a new putter go to a shop that will allow you to putt on the green with it. Practice on greens which have the same speed that you are most likely to putt on.  Do not buy a putter and practice with it on a slow green if you normally play on fast greens. Do not change your stance; buy a putter that fits your stance.  Check that bottom of the putter lays flat on the green when you take your normal stance. You do not want the toe to be up in the air or pressing in the opposite direction.

 I have had my putter since 1960 that is over fifty years.  I have a brand new Scotty Cameron putter that was as popular as Tiger Woods.  I bought it as an investment hoping it would go up in value.  I used it one time when I left my putter to be re-gripped and had a tournament the next day.  That is the only time I did not use my old Wilson blade putter.  I use it today and love it more each day.  Yes you can love the putter or hate it.  Learn to use it properly and practice with it and you will love it dearly.