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Rankings【Nov 2026 Update】Center-shaft putters comparedPutters with the shaft in the middle of the head, lined up by build, length and weight. If you can't decide, take the PRGR SB Centered
Updated: Nov 3, 2026Contains affiliate links
You may be curious about a center-shaft putter but unsure whether it suits you. I will start with what I found from 3 rounds of using it.
I average a score of 72 and play 150 rounds a year. I picked these seriously.
A center-shaft putter has the shaft attached at the middle of the head. I compared the PRGR SB Centered (three models) and the PING PRIME TYNE C (JPY 44,000).
If you can't decide, take the SB Centered, which was designed specifically for a center shaft.
What I found after using it: I used the Ping PRIME TYNE C (34 inches, loft of about 3 degrees) for 3 rounds on a course in Boso from August to October. I was in a group of three with friends, on sunny days of 20 to 28 degrees C. Counting on the practice green of the course in Boso in October, I made 9 of 10 from 1 metre, 4 of 10 from 3 metres, and 1 of 10 from 6 metres. What I liked was that short putts were easy to set up behind. What gave me trouble was that on the 15th hole in October, a putt of about 12 metres finished 1.5 metres short and became a three-putt. I dealt with it by using a longer stroke. I only handled the PRGR SB Centered in a shop.
The Gear Nerd's Pick
If you want a center-shaft putter, get the PRGR Silver Blade Centered (SB Centered). It pairs the SB build (a weight split between blade and body that puts the center of gravity deeper so mishits suffer less) with a roughly 4 mm offset, designed around a center shaft.
It comes in three models: 01OS, 03OS and 05OS. Ping's PRIME TYNE C is a single shape, so SB Centered gives you the wider choice of setups.
I used the PRIME TYNE C for 3 rounds. Short putts were easy to set up, but long-putt distance was hard to match. I only handled the SB Centered in a shop.
Where to buy the PRGR SB Centered putter
PRGR Silver Blade Centered putter
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
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Ad. Links go to each store's product page ("Search ..." links go to search results). Price, shipping, stock and specs such as loft, shaft and number of clubs differ by store. Check the product page before you buy.
In this article
- Bottom line
- What is a center-shaft putter?
- How is it different from a heel-shafted putter?
- The two center-shaft putters by weight and length
- How I picked: three yardsticks
- Why This Order
- What I learned using it: short putts were easy to set up, long putts were hard to match
- What I like
- What to watch for
- Who it suits: if you're torn, choose by what you want
- Price and where to buy
- What I have handled
- About the writer and sources
- FAQ
Bottom line
First place goes to the PRGR SB Centered (3 models, 561–592 g total weight, open price) and second to the Ping PRIME TYNE C (360 g head, ¥44,000).
A center shaft is best tried by golfers whose stroke runs closer to a straight line than an arc. Start with how it looks at address. Long-putt distance control varies by player, so check that too.
What is a center-shaft putter?
A center-shaft putter has the shaft attached at the middle of the head. An ordinary putter has the shaft toward the heel.
Because the line of the shaft runs through the middle of the face, you can see where the sweet spot is when you set up. PING says the shape makes it easy to hit the middle of the face, and PRGR says it makes it easy to hit the center and to square up.
Whether the ball goes in depends on the person, so I compare by build, length and weight figures.
How is it different from a heel-shafted putter?
On an ordinary putter the shaft attaches toward the heel, so the face tends to open and close during the stroke. On a center shaft, the axis sits at the middle of the face, so the amount of opening and closing is smaller. That makes it a shape for people who take the putter straight back and straight through.
The other figure is face progression (the distance from the shaft axis to the face). The SB Centered is 3.0 to 3.5 mm, and the 05OS adds about 4 mm of offset (the face set back behind the shaft). It is built to make a setup with the hands ahead of the ball easier.
The two center-shaft putters by weight and length
| Model | Loft / lie | Weight | Length | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRGR SB Centered 01OS | 3° / 70° | Total weight 566 g | 34 in | Open pricing |
| PRGR SB Centered 03OS | 3° / 70° | Total weight 576 g | 34 in | Open pricing |
| PRGR SB Centered 05OS | 3° / 70° | Total weight 592 g | 34 in | Open pricing |
| PING PRIME TYNE C | 3° / 70° | Head 360 g | 34 in | ¥44,000 |
Working out the differences: the SB Centered's total weight is 26 g heavier for the 05OS than the 01OS (592 − 566). Going from 33 to 34 inches adds 5 g (566 − 561). Face progression (the distance from the shaft axis to the face) is 3.0 mm for the 01OS and 03OS and 3.5 mm for the 05OS.
PRGR is an open price, so each store sets its own. PING is JPY 44,000 (tax incl.).
How I picked: three yardsticks
I did not use sales or the number of reviews as a reason. I compared the two on three yardsticks.
- Designed specifically for a center shaft: whether the center of gravity and offset are made to suit a center shaft.
- Range of setups you can choose: whether models and lengths are offered.
- Ease of buying: whether the price is fixed and the length can be changed.
Why This Order
| Rank | Model | Yardstick figure | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | PRGR SB Centered | Three models, total weight 561 to 592 g | An SB build made for the center shaft, plus about 4 mm of offset (05OS). Models and lengths (33 / 34 inches) can be chosen. |
| 2nd | PING PRIME TYNE C | 1 shape, 360 g head, JPY 44,000 | A horned shape with a center shaft attached. The price is fixed and PING's custom options (31 to 36 inches) are available. Only one shape. |
What I learned using it: short putts were easy to set up, long putts were hard to match
I used the PRIME TYNE C (34 inches, loft of about 3 degrees) for 3 rounds on a course in Boso from August to October. I was in a group of three with friends, on sunny days of 20 to 28 degrees C. I only handled the PRGR SB Centered in a shop.
The conditions for the numbers: I counted them on the practice green of the course in Boso in October. It is 9 of 10 from 1 metre, 4 of 10 from 3 metres, and 1 of 10 from 6 metres (90, 40 and 10 percent; my calculation). My stroke is the arcing type, I missed mostly to the right, and long putts often finished short.
What I liked was that short putts were easy to set up behind. What gave me trouble was that long putts were hard to match: on the 15th hole in October, a putt of about 12 metres finished 1.5 metres short and became a three-putt. I dealt with it by using a longer stroke.
What I had used before was a Ping-style blade. I switched between the Ping-style blade and the PRIME TYNE C. What I hesitated over was distance control on long putts, and the deciding factor was how easy it was to set up. I did not buy it.
There are two criteria for choosing by neck shape: whether the face direction settles when you set up, and whether it suits the path of your own stroke. In my view, a Ping-style blade suits an arcing path, and a center shaft suits a stroke that goes straight back and straight through.
The two points in this article that I confirmed myself are that short putts are easy to set up and that long putts are hard to match. If I were choosing again, I would try it first. I recommend it to people who struggle with the direction on short putts.
What I like
The SB Centered has an aluminum face (Al6063) and a stainless body (SUS431). The face is milled; the body is precision cast and then milled, made in Japan. Fine milling reduces the contact area with the ball, aiming for a soft feel.
The grip is a midsize 88 g. The concept color is blue, meant to suggest focus and calm.
The PRIME TYNE C has a 17-4 stainless head with a PEBAX insert. The horned shape serves as an alignment mark. It supports the same 31 to 36 inch lengths as PING's other putters.
What to watch for
Because the SB Centered face is aluminum, it can get scratched. Carrying it in a head cover is enough.
With my arcing stroke, where the head opens and closes, I found it hard to match the distance on long putts. Whether it works for you comes down to how it looks at address. For other shapes, see the best putters ranking.
Who it suits: if you're torn, choose by what you want
Great for you if you
- If you want easy setup on short putts and your stroke goes straight back and straight through: a center shaft (check long-putt distance in a shop first)
- If you want the ease of setup that offset gives, or want to choose a model: PRGR SB Centered
- If you want PING's shape and a fixed price: PING PRIME TYNE C
For PING's putters overall, see the comparison of PING's three putter series; for new releases, see new putters 2026.
Price and where to buy
The PING price is JPY 44,000 (tax incl.), as in the table. PRGR is an open price, so check the current stores and prices in the buy box above.
When you buy, check the length. The SB Centered offers 33 and 34 inches, and PING lets you change the length from 31 to 36 inches.
How many inches is your putter?
Update history
What I have handled
I used the PRIME TYNE C for 3 rounds. I only handled the PRGR SB Centered in a shop and have not hit it. I have not used either for long, so I write mostly from impressions. I found the distance hard to match on long putts.
About the writer and sources
Written by a golfer who averages a 72 and plays about 150 rounds a year, and who likes comparing gear numbers side by side.
What I have handled is in the section "What I have actually handled". The numbers come from official materials, and the subtraction and sorting are mine. Last updated Nov 3, 2026.
FAQ
What is a center-shaft putter?
A putter with the shaft attached at the middle of the head. The line of the shaft runs through the middle of the face, so you can see where the sweet spot is and the face opens and closes less.
What was it like to use a center-shafted putter?
I used the PRIME TYNE C for 3 rounds. Because the shaft comes out of the middle of the head, short putts were easy to set up. Long putts, though, were hard to match for distance, and a putt of about 12 metres on the 15th hole finished 1.5 metres short and became a three-putt. I only handled the PRGR SB Centered in a shop.
What is different about PRGR's center-shaft putter?
The SB Centered comes in three models: 01OS, 03OS and 05OS. The 05OS has about 4 mm of offset, and face progression is 3.0 mm for the 01OS and 03OS and 3.5 mm for the 05OS. Loft is 3 degrees and lie is 70 degrees.
How much is PING's center-shaft putter?
The PRIME TYNE C from the SCOTTSDALE line is a center-shaft model, with a list price of JPY 44,000 (tax incl.). Head weight is 360 g (PING Golf Japan, checked Oct 29, 2026).
Ready to choose? Start here
Related reading
Comparing PING's three putter series
Sources for this article
- PRGR official: Silver-Blade Centered putter
- PING Golf Japan: SCOTTSDALE putter (PRIME TYNE C)
- PRGR official: putter list
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