Finding the perfect putter for the way you play golf can be the most difficult club to select. This is because, unlike your woods and irons, there is no set formula for fitting most people to the correct putter. Instead, the only way to find the right putter for you is through your own search efforts.

And the frustrating part is that even if you find a putter that seems to work very well for you for quite some time, it may not always work that well, and you may have to replace it with a different style putter at some point. It's just one of the little frustrating parts of the game of golf for some people. So what should you be looking for when shopping for a golf putter?

Perhaps the first thing to consider is the material that is used for the putter head itself. More so than any other golf club in your bag, your putter relies on feel to be used successfully. So the kind of material that is used for the putter head can be important. Unfortunately, there's almost no end to the different kinds of material that are used for putter heads including stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum and lots more. The only way to see how the putter head material transmits feel is to try them all out yourself. Lighter materials also tend to contribute to more hand action in the stroke, whereas heavier putter heads tend to slow down the stroke and help it remain more consistent.

The shape of your putter head can also be important. The two main shapes that are in use these days are the blade and the mallet. A blade putter looks like a miniature hockey stick, and the blade can vary from being solid to a more cavity-back design. Again, which style works best for you can only be determined by putting them both to use.

Another consideration with putters is how the shaft connects to the putter head. Some connect in the center of the putter head, whereas others connects at the heel or back of the putter instead. This is another area where there is no right or wrong choice that can be made. It simply depends on which seems to be most comfortable to you as you use it.

No discussion of putters can be complete without also mentioning the longer golf putters that have come into popular use in recent years. Generally, there are two main sizes of these longer putters. One is referred to as the belly putter, and the other is often called a broomstick putter.

Belly putters are usually around 40 in. or so in length and they are designed to be tucked into the body around the abdomen area as an anchor to help stabilize the putter throughout the stroke. This usually helps produce a more consistent putting stroke and eliminates a lot of extra hand movement.

Long putters are made to tuck into the chest area instead, allowing the golfer to take a more upright stance when putting. The hands are usually separated on the putter with one being at the top and the other about midway down the shaft. This kind of putter produces a true are in the swing and if used correctly can encourage a more consistent putting stroke.

It should be obvious that when it comes to golf putters there are plenty of choices that can be made, and the best putter for you is the one that you feel most comfortable with and gives you the best results, whichever one that may be.