When to Switch to a Broomstick Putter (And How to Use it) | CaddyTips®
Every caddy eventually notices the same pattern.
A golfer who once rolled the ball beautifully starts missing putts they never used to miss. Three-footers become uncomfortable. Their stroke gets shorter, their grip gets tighter, and every missed putt chips away a little more confidence.
I’ve watched golfers blame the greens, blame their putter, blame the ball, and sometimes even blame their caddy.
But after carrying bags for thousands of rounds, I’ve learned something…
Sometimes it isn’t the putter that’s the problem.
It’s the stroke.
The Stigma Needs to Go
For years, golfers treated broomstick putters like a last resort. If someone showed up with one, the jokes started before they even reached the first tee.
“Giving up already?”
“Getting old?”
“What happened to your putting?”
Funny thing is…
Many of those same golfers eventually switched themselves.
The broomstick putter isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s simply another tool. One that’s helped major champions, PGA Tour professionals, and everyday golfers become dramatically better putters.
I’ve watched golfers fight the change for years because of pride.
The ones who finally made the switch usually wished they’d done it sooner.
When Should You Consider Switching?
From a caddy’s perspective, here are the warning signs:
You no longer trust yourself over short putts.
Your hands feel overly active during the stroke.
You struggle with the yips or involuntary wrist movement.
Your putting confidence disappears after one or two misses.
You constantly change putters hoping the next one will fix everything.
You practice plenty but never seem to improve.
If several of those sound familiar, changing your technique may be more valuable than changing your equipment.
Why the Broomstick Works
The biggest advantage isn’t magic.
It’s stability.
A broomstick putter dramatically reduces unwanted wrist action. Instead of manipulating the clubhead with your hands, the stroke becomes driven by your shoulders and upper body.
For many golfers, that immediately creates:
- Better face control
- More consistent tempo
- Improved distance control
- Less anxiety over short putts
- Greater confidence under pressure
It doesn’t make every putt—but it often allows golfers to hit the putt they intended.
How to Use a Broomstick Putter Correctly
One of the biggest mistakes I see is golfers trying to swing a broomstick exactly like a conventional putter.
That isn’t how it works.
Here’s the basic setup:
- Let the grip rest lightly against your chest.Modern rules prohibit anchoring the club against your body. The grip should hover lightly without creating a fixed anchor point.
- Grip the club softly.Your hands guide the putter—they shouldn’t control it.
- Rock your shoulders.Think of your shoulders acting like a pendulum. Avoid flipping your wrists through impact.
- Keep your head still.Let the putter swing naturally while your eyes stay focused on the back of the ball.
- Accelerate through impact.Don’t jab at short putts. A smooth, continuous stroke produces the best roll.
A Caddy’s Final Thought
Golfers spend thousands of dollars chasing five extra yards off the tee.
Yet many refuse to consider a putter that could save three, four, or even five strokes every round.
I’ve watched scratch golfers switch.
I’ve watched 20-handicappers switch.
I’ve watched golfers who hadn’t enjoyed putting in years suddenly look excited to stand over a six-footer again.
If your current putting stroke has become a battle instead of a strength, don’t think of a broomstick putter as admitting defeat.
Think of it as giving yourself permission to putt with confidence again.
Sometimes the smartest club in your bag isn’t the newest one.
It’s the one that finally lets you enjoy the game again.