During a chat with Harry Potter, Mr. Ollivander, the owner of a magic wand shop, said, “The wand chooses the wizard, it’s not always clear why.”
The same holds true of putters. There are several guidelines that can help players find a putter that suits their stroke, but there is a healthy amount of art blended with the science. Face-balanced putters tend to benefit golfers who have a straight putting stroke; players who have an arched putting stroke tend to favor toe-down putters. The ideal length and lie angle should position the hands directly beneath the shoulders.
The best putters on the PGA Tour use a wide variety of blades and mallets.