The flow neck putter has always been what has worked best for my game.
However, not until I started studying the difference between different types of putter head and shaft connections did I realize why this was the case.
A flow neck putter is not perfect, and not every golfer should use one, but understanding what it is and how it can help your game is quite important.
So to kick this article off, let’s discuss the pros and cons of this type of putter…
Pros of Flow Neck Putters
- It can help golfers with an arc-style putting stroke
- Helps with better feel as opposed to a mechanical type stroke
- Lots of toe hang
- Helps players stand a little further from the ball
- Can ensure the putter is more square at impact
Cons of Flow Neck Putters
- Not ideal for straight back and straight through putting stroke
- Won’t work well for a golfer that is more mechanical and less feel oriented
- Requires a more upright stance
Who a Flow Neck Putter is Best Suited For
As we mentioned, there is no such thing as a perfect putter, so finding a flow neck putter that will work for your needs requires understanding both the benefits of the flow neck and the type of golfer you are. Here are a few reasons why you would want to consider a flow neck putter for your game.
Golfers That Stand a Bit Further from The Ball
Some players feel that to get better stability and an optimal forward roll, they need to stand slightly further away from the golf ball. If this describes you, then the flow neck could be a great solution to consider.
When you stand too close to the golf ball, it’s sometimes hard to feel where the elbows should be moving in your stroke, and that can cause miss hits.
The general rule of thumb is to try and get your eyes over the golf ball, but it’s not a fit for all players and certainly not mandatory to be a great putter.
Feel Players
If you are a feel player, you are more of an artist on the course. Feel players look for putters that have better sound, better symmetry, and pure roll. In addition, these players tend to be a bit less mechanical in the way they swing the club.
If you’ve watched Bryson DeChambeau putt, chances are you have seen what a mechanical putting stroke looks like. Bryson is a golfer that they have nicknamed “the scientist.”
He likes math and making sure the putter is on a specific path back and forth to the hole. Measuring the length of his putting stroke and speed is common for Bryson.
Therefore a flow neck putter would not be the best thing for him. The club has too much toe hang, and he’s more of a face balanced kind of guy.
Inside to Inside Putting Stroke
Take a look at your standard putting stroke. Do you take the club back on an inside path and then take it back on an inside path on the follow through?
If this is the case, then you will benefit from a flow neck putter. The inside to inside putting stroke makes it considerably easier to square up the putter face and ensure the ball is headed towards the target.
With the toe hang on the flow neck putters, it will be considerably more square as you come into the impact position.
Players That Miss Putts to The Right
Does it feel like you are always missing your putts to the right?
It turns out this could be related to the putter itself and not just you! The toe hang on the flow neck putters allows the putter head to open slightly, move to a square position, and then rotate closed after the putt is made.
If you struggle to do this naturally with your stroke than it makes sense to look and see how the putter shaft and clubhead are connected.
Our Top 3 Flow Neck Putters
There are various types of flow neck putters on the market. Some companies will make a standard model and then let you choose the clubhead to shaft connection that works best for your game. Here are 3 of our favorite flow neck putters.
Cleveland Golf Frontline 2.0
The Cleveland Golf Frontline features the 2135 technology combined with forward tungsten weighting and impressive speed control across the face. Those that need a bit more stability and consistency through impact will do well with the Cleveland Frontline 2.0 flow neck.
Odyssey Stroke Lab Double Wide Flow Neck
The Triple Track design on the Odyssey Stroke Lab putters does not have to only be used in the large mallet head golf clubs. This Double Wide Flow Neck putter provides a firm feel at impact, improved sound, and a White Hot Microhine insert for some of the best feel in the game.
TaylorMade Spider SR Flowneck #9
The TaylorMade Spider SR Flowneck is a multi-material design golf putter with a combination of both steel and tungsten materials. The club has a white TPU Pure Roll Insert to help it be a bit softer at impact. In addition, the TaylorMade Spider line is one of the most stable at impact.
Other Types of Putter Necks
The flow neck is not the only type of putter neck in the game. Golf manufacturers will continually play around with the putter shaft and head connection to ensure that golfers have options for their game. Here are the other types of putter necks to know.
Plumber Neck: a horizontal bend just below where the shaft and hosel meet; this putter is known for having plenty of forgiveness
Flare Tip: The shaft covers the top of the hosel where the shaft and club head connect, best for an arc-style stroke
No Hosel: this will look like an S bend shaft that falls into the putter head directly
Slant Neck: the slant neck looks similar to the plumber’s neck but has even more offset; this is great for golfers who like a forward press in their stroke
Center Shaft: a center shafted putter moves the shaft away from the heel and creates a ton of stability and high MOI in the putter head
One of the best ways to know what type of putter neck to use is to go for a custom putter fitting. These putter fittings can tell you about your misses, the putts you strike well, and what equipment matches your style.
The great thing about golf putters is the technology does not change as often as clubs like drivers or irons, so you can find a match that stays in your bag for a long time!
Brittany Olizarowicz
Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.