There are more varieties of putters on the market than any other club. That may be because choosing a putter is a very personal process. There is no "right" putter. There is simply the putter that is right for you.
Putters generally come in three styles of clubhead, and three varieties of lengths. Clubheads can be a traditional blade, a heel-toe clubhead, or a mallet clubhead. Lengths are standard (a "normal" putter), belly putters and broomstick (a k a "broomhandle" or "long") putters (see finding the right putter length) .
Choosing one is simply a matter of personal choice.
Putters are, of course, designed to be used on the putting green. However, it isn't uncommon for golfers to use their putters from up to a few yards off the putting green, if the turf around the green is cut very low. The key to using a putter from off the putting surface is a low, smooth cut of turf. The fringe or frog hair that circles a green usually qualifies.
