The putter is an essential part of a golfer’s equipment and is often the one that receives the most punishment. The design of the putter means that the golf ball will roll across the surface, normally the green, although shots from the fairway are not unknown. The most common putters are only three feet in length, and are held in much the same way as other golf clubs, but this traditional method has faced competition in recent years. Recent developments have seen the use of the belly putter and also the long putter, and there has been an uptake amongst some professionals. It is a matter of choice and each putter can have disadvantages and advantages, and it is often a choice between control, feel and power on the golf shot.