Donald Radke Putters is known for designing putters with a center-shaft whereas traditional putters are designed with a heel-shaft. Center-shaft putters offer golfers a straighter back-and-through putting stroke with more consistent contact. Beyond the technical aspects, Donald Radke Putters aims to bring quality, faith and consistency to their work.
Donald Radke has been a master machinist since 1982 and decided to combine his love of golf and experience in engineering to create a putter that helps golfers sink more putts.
Fairway to Green’s Nathan Rarick had the opportunity to talk with Radke ahead of the PGA Show in Orlando.
Nathan Rarick: What inspired you to start Donald Radke Putters?
Donald Radke: Donald Radke Putters was inspired by a simple but powerful idea: creating putters that blend timeless craftsmanship, performance and integrity.
The motivation came from a lifelong passion for golf and a belief that a putter should be more than just a club—it should feel personal, balanced and confidence-inspiring every time it’s in your hands. Too many putters are mass-produced with little attention to detail, so the goal was to go back to the basics: precision milling, clean design and consistent feel.
Equally important was the desire to build a company rooted in faith, honesty and relationships—treating customers like people, not order numbers. Donald Radke Putters was started to serve golfers who appreciate quality, trust the process and value craftsmanship done the right way.
NR: What is the difference between center-shafted putters like yours compared to heel-shafted putters?
DR: Center-shafted putters (like ours):
- The shaft enters the head near the center, which makes the putter face-balanced or close to it.
- This design naturally promotes a straighter back, straighter through stroke with minimal face rotation.
- Many golfers find it easier to aim, since the shaft lines up directly over the sweet spot.
- Impact feels very stable because the shaft is aligned with the center of mass, helping reduce twisting on off-center hits.
NR: How do your putters improve consistency or accuracy compared to others?
DR: Our putters are designed to improve consistency and accuracy by focusing on fundamentals that matter most at impact, rather than gimmicks.
- Center-shafted balance
Because the shaft is aligned closer to the center of mass, the face stays more square throughout the stroke. This reduces unwanted face rotation and helps golfers start the ball on their intended line more consistently. - Precision CNC milling
Each head is CNC-milled to tight tolerances, ensuring exact face angles, loft and lie. That consistency from putter to putter means predictable roll and distance control—no “hot” or “dead” spots. - Clean, confidence-building alignment
We use simple, purposeful alignment features that draw your eyes to the true center and target line, making it easier to aim correctly and trust what you see. - Stable feel on off-center hits
The weight distribution and center-shaft design help minimize twisting on slight mis-hits, so the ball still rolls close to your intended line instead of veering off. - Feedback without harshness
Our face milling provides clear, honest feedback at impact without feeling overly firm or soft. That feedback helps golfers learn their stroke and repeat it more reliably.
The bottom line is our putters don’t try to fix your stroke—they support it. By keeping the face square, improving alignment, and delivering consistent roll, they help golfers make the same stroke and get the same result more often, which is where true accuracy comes from.
NR: What was the main goal behind this putter’s design?
DR: The main goal behind this putter’s design was to make putting simpler and more repeatable.
From the start, we focused on eliminating unnecessary variables that cause inconsistency. By using a center-shafted design, aligning the shaft with the sweet spot and carefully balancing the head, the putter is built to stay square through the stroke and return to impact consistently.
We also prioritized a clean, timeless look—nothing distracting at address—so golfers can aim confidently and trust their stroke. Every element, from the CNC-milled face to the weight distribution, was chosen to promote stable feel, true roll and reliable distance control.
Ultimately, the goal wasn’t to reinvent putting—it was to create a putter that works with the golfer, inspires confidence, and helps them roll the ball on line more often by doing the fundamentals exceptionally well.
NR: What customization options are available?
DR: We do all customization options like putter lengths, lie angle, shafts, grips, head weight, etc.
NR: What type of golfer is this putter best suited for?
DR: This putter is best suited for golfers who want confidence-inspiring, consistent putting regardless of skill level.
NR: What are your future plans and goals for your company?
DR: Our future plans for Donald Radke Putters are focused on steady, purpose-driven growth while staying true to our roots.
First, we plan to continue refining and expanding our putter lineup—introducing new head shapes, finishes and customization options while maintaining the precision milling and clean, classic designs we’re known for. Performance and consistency will always come before trends.
Second, we want to grow brand awareness through selective partnerships, fitting opportunities and events like industry trade shows, while keeping a strong direct relationship with our customers. Building trust and long-term relationships is a major goal.
Third, we aim to strengthen our custom and limited-run offerings, giving golfers something truly personal and unique—putters that reflect both their game and their style.
Finally, our long-term goal is to build Donald Radke Putters into a respected boutique brand that stands for quality, integrity, and faith-based values, without sacrificing craftsmanship for scale. Growth matters, but doing things the right way matters more.
At the end of the day, success for us means helping golfers putt with confidence and honoring God through our work.
