Of all the debates in golf—blade vs. mallet, draw bias vs. neutral, Tiger vs. Jack we’ve found one that really gets people wound up.
Where does the putter go in your golf bag? To some, it’s a matter of practicality; to others, it’s about tradition or preference.
But to us, there is only one clear answer.
The Case for the Top Section
Some golfers swear by placing their putter in the top section of the bag.
Why put the putter in the top section of the golf bag?
- It’s easy to get to – the putter is the most used club, so it should be in an easy spot to get to.
- The clubhead size (especially the large mallets) tends to have large headcovers, and they fit easily in the larger spot in the bag.
- When you put the putter at the top, shorter irons and wedges aren’t fighting for space in the smaller bottom section, and it should help protect the putter and the wedges.
The Case for the Bottom Section
Others advocate for storing the putter in the bottom section, near the wedges.
Why put the putter in the bottom section?
- The putter is heavy, and keeping it towards the bottom of the bag can feel more balanced if you walk and carry.
- Some golfers think the putter should be with the wedges since they are often used together.
- For many years, the putter was also kept near the bottom of the bag, so some consider this the traditional placement.
What About the Middle Section?
There are very few golfers who find the middle section of the bag to be a good spot for the putter, most that put it here don’t really have golf bag organization at the top of their mind or they have limited space and just stick clubs wherever they need to.
The Consensus: The Top Section Wins
While personal preference plays a role, the overwhelming consensus among golfers AND bag manufacturers is that the putter belongs in the bag’s top section.
Why?
- Most modern bags have a designated putter slot to help protect the putter head and keep the larger grip intact; you’ll find these towards the top of the bag
- During a round, you’ll grab your putter at least 18 times; when it’s right on the top of the bag, you don’t have to reach under any other clubs to get it.
- The top should give the putter a little more space without irons hitting it or damaging its head or shaft.
Conclusion: Find What Works for You
Where you put your putter comes down to personal preference for you. However, leaving it at the top should help you keep your putter in better shape.
Things change when you put the golf bag on a cart or carry it, so you may have to play around with the position. More important than where you place the putter is the idea of putting a putter cover on the club.
Not only will it protect your puttter head, but it protects any of the graphite shafts near the putter.
