In nearly all putting discussions, the styles of major champions are analyzed. Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods -- you name the champion, and there are people analyzing his style and often trying to emulate it.

What makes a major champion's putting style unique is a combination of physical traits and putting motions that are repeatable in getting the ball rolling on the desired line and at the correct speed. The equipment chosen is a defining part of any style, for the equipment sets up the conditions that the motion must repeat for putts to be made.

Today's putters are technologic innovations and scientific marvels compared with the simple blade putter used by the games earliest champions, including inaugural PGA Champion Jim Barnes (1916). The roots of golf trace back to a game played on fields that were mowed and cared for by herds of sheep.

The early putting surfaces were simple areas that were spread with a topping (often a sand and manure mix) and required a putter with significant loft so the ball could be chipped over the rough surfaces. A second putter with a lower loft and requiring a different putting style was often used on short putts so the ball could be rolled as opposed to chipped.

Today's champions play on putting surfaces that are finely-tuned and allow them the best opportunities to sink their well-struck putts. At Southern Hills Country Club, site of the 2007 PGA Championship, for instance, there were systems in place to control the air as it moved across the putting surface for temperature control. This allowed the greens superintendent to keep the surfaces at tournament speeds even with the high heat conditions. That's a far cry from depending on sheep and manure mixes!

As a result of these advances, putters no longer carry significant loft, but still come in myriad styles and brands. In order for you to sink putts like a champion, you need a good match between equipment and style.

Which putter fits your style and the green surfaces you play? Here are some rules to govern your decision:
1. The faster and smoother the greens the less loft you need on a putter.
2. The bend in the shaft should place your hands so the putter face returns to desired loft at impact.
3. The length is a most critical part of a putter fitting as it balances the weight and feel of the putter.
4. The alignment aids on the putter must fit your eye. This is very important in having a putting stroke that is repeatable.
5. Grip size and texture needs to match your desired finger positions.
6. The feel of the roll of the ball after impact is harmonious with your desired feel.
7. The balance of the face material and the weighting must create a natural sweet spot.

These are the parameters that determine whether a putter that fits your style. And since a putter fitting is so important to get that repeating roll, I recommend that you don't leave it to chance. Consult with a trained PGA Golf Professional when making this all-important decision, so that he or she can expertly examine your style and help you find the putter to match it. Remember, you can always find a PGA Golf Professional near you by going to www.PlayGolfAmerica.com and using the zip code search.

Until next time, here's to better golf! Rick Martino is Director of Instruction for The PGA of America. He teaches at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and is ranked among the Top 50 instructors by Golf Digest Magazine. The author of the PGA Manual of Golf (Warner Books/$34.95), Martino can be reached at (800) 800-GOLF or by email at pgalearningcenter@pgahq.com.