World-class putters in golf are often the ones who excel under pressure, have impeccable touch, and show great consistency on the greens. Here are some of the best putters in golf history:
1. Tiger Woods
- Style: Known for his meticulous preparation and mental toughness, Tiger's putting stroke is smooth and repeatable.
- Strengths: Clutch putting in critical moments, exceptional green reading ability, and unparalleled focus.
2. Ben Crenshaw
- Style: Often referred to as “Gentle Ben,” Crenshaw's putting stroke is classic and fluid.
- Strengths: Natural touch and feel, especially effective on fast greens. Known for his remarkable performance at Augusta National.
3. Jack Nicklaus
- Style: Nicklaus had a distinctive, methodical putting style, with a slight forward press.
- Strengths: Confidence and composure in high-pressure situations, exceptional lag putting, and great distance control.
4. Brad Faxon
- Style: Faxon's putting stroke is characterized by its simplicity and fluidity.
- Strengths: Renowned for his consistency and smooth stroke, regarded as one of the best pure putters in golf history.
5. Jordan Spieth
- Style: Spieth's putting technique includes a unique look at the hole during shorter putts.
- Strengths: Clutch under pressure, exceptional green reading skills, and a knack for holing crucial putts.
6. Bobby Locke
- Style: Locke had a distinctive hook putting stroke and a stance that emphasized a closed clubface.
- Strengths: Excellent on all types of greens, known for his ability to hole putts from any distance.
7. Seve Ballesteros
- Style: Ballesteros had a creative and confident putting stroke.
- Strengths: Impressive touch and feel, especially in clutch situations. His creativity on the greens made him a formidable putter.
8. Loren Roberts
- Style: Known as the "Boss of the Moss," Roberts' putting stroke is smooth and rhythmic.
- Strengths: Consistency, great touch, and exceptional performance on fast greens.
9. Steve Stricker
- Style: Stricker’s putting stroke is simple and efficient, with minimal wrist action.
- Strengths: Excellent from mid-range distances, highly reliable under pressure, and known for his consistency.
10. Gary Player
- Style: Player used a straightforward and effective putting stroke, often practicing rigorously.
- Strengths: Mental toughness, exceptional focus, and reliable in crucial moments.
These golfers are celebrated for their putting prowess, each with a unique style and set of strengths that have led them to success on the greens. Their ability to hole putts consistently and perform under pressure has made them legends in the sport. Whether it’s the fluid strokes of Ben Crenshaw and Brad Faxon or the mental fortitude of Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, these world-class putters have left an indelible mark on the game of golf.