Putting is one of the most important and hardest things to do in golf, and there are many different ways of doing it, including by using different grips. On the other hand, did you know you can putt with the toe of your putter, using it like a mallet?
Therefore, if you did not know putting with your putter toe was possible, you may wonder: what is a toe putt in golf?
In this article, we will tell you exactly what a toe putt is in golf, and when you may want to use this technique.
What Is A Toe Putt In Golf?
In golf, a toe putt is the act of putting a golf ball using the toe (edge) of the putter club, hitting the ball as if the putter were a mallet. By rotating the putter club face 90 degrees, you can hit the ball with the toe of the putter to perform a toe putt. Toe putts are useful when the ball is stuck between two grass heights, near the putting green.
In golf, a toe putt is a rarely used putting technique that makes use of the toe of the putter club, instead of traditionally hitting the ball with the front face.
To perform a toe putt in golf, you need to rotate your putter 90 degrees, so that the toe is pointing towards the golf ball. Next, you can bring your putter back a bit, and hit the ball like you would with a mallet. You need to practice this technique to get an intuitive feel for how to perform a toe putt.
A toe putt has the advantage of being able to “chip” the golf ball when it is stuck in taller turf. The toe putt allows a golfer to really dig under the ball to get some lift, as opposed to with traditional putting technique.
The toe putt is generally used close to putting greens, when the ball is on rough or on the fringe, or the edge of one of these zones.
The toe putt is a somewhat risky technique to attempt, unless you practiced it with high volume and have developed an intuitive feel for how the ball reacts. It is also easier to perform if you have a flat blade putter as opposed to a half-mallet or mallet putter.
If you think you may need toe putts at your disposal, but do not use a flat blade putter, maybe you can carry two different putters in your bag from now on, including a flat blade putter.
If you are wondering what a toe putt looks like, you can watch this video by the PGA YouTube channel demonstrating some of the best toe putts performed by professional golfers.
As you can see in the video, the starting points for toe putts are essentially always near the putting green, but with the ball stuck on turf with taller height. The toe putts allows the professionals to dig the ball out of the turf with just the right speed, landing the ball into the hoe all in one motion.
When Should You Toe Putt In Golf?
Toe putts are extremely rare in golf and it is usually better to use regular putting technique. However, toe putts are useful when the ball is stuck between two turf heights, for example, between the fringe and rough. A toe putt can also “chip” the ball out of taller turf and onto the putting green with good accuracy if practiced.
Toe putts are rarely used in golf, as traditional putting with the club face is generally better, and more reliable in most situations. In 99% of putts, it is better to use traditional putting.
However, the golf ball has the gift of sometimes landing in odd places on the golf course, and there are certain situations in which using a toe putt in golf is useful.
For example, one situation in which you may want to consider a toe putt is when the golf ball is stuck between two different turf heights. For example, if the ball lands right between the fringe and the rough, you will have an awkward ball position with the ball sinking into the taller grass a bit.
In this situation, you may be unsure how much power to putt the ball with, and a toe putt can at least ensure that you “chip” the ball out of the taller turf and onto the putting green. By hitting the ball with the toe, you can dig under the ball some amount, more than you could with the front face of the putter.
The toe putt should obviously only be used if you are close to the putting green, as if you are further away, a wedge may be a better club choice.
Alternatively, some people may bring their putter to the green just to see how awkwardly placed their ball is, and decide to attempt the toe putt without going back to switch clubs.
One important note to mention is that if you have a flat blade putter, it may be easier for you to pull off a toe putt than if you have a bulky mallet putter.
Conclusion
There you go! After reading this article, you have discovered exactly what a toe putt is in golf, and when it can be useful.
Have you ever attempted a toe putt? Will you ever attempt a toe putt? Let us know in the comments down below!
