Buying guide for Best putters
Having the right putter lowers scores, it’s as simple as that. And in recent years, modern technology has advanced in a way to give players more tools than ever. Advancements in how the club is weighted and how the face responds to striking the ball gives the player more feel and forgiveness.
We tested more than 10 of the most popular new putters on the market in 2023 to find which was the best for players of all ability levels. We took them out on different styles of courses with players with handicaps that range from 2 to 20.
Scotty Cameron, a legendary high-end clubmaker, once again emerged as having the best option on the market in the Super Select Newport putter for those who are willing to spend whatever it takes on the top of the line. For the cost-conscious higher-handicap player, TaylorMade emerged as our favorite with their TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 model.
Best putters of 2023
Scotty Cameron 2023 Super Select Putter
Our top pick is a high-quality putter made with aircraft-grade aluminum. We found it's a high-performance putter designed for experienced players who want a higher MOI on their putting strokes. It has a sculpted I-beam-style jet neck that promotes increased toe hang, and the milled flange sight line provides clean alignment, which helps golfers execute more precise shots. Also, it has a Pistolini Plus grip for a more comfortable feel — which is a newer development for Scotty putters, compared to models we tested in years past.
TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 Putter
This putter is engineered with a unique Hydro Blast process where a high-pressure water stream is used to craft a smooth and durable surface on the club face. Our higher-handicap tester loved how it felt in terms of distance control. TaylorMade has long designed putters that are easy for the eye to line up and this year's model is no exception. The double-wing shape and optimized perimeter give it increased forgiveness, helping players succeed even when striking the ball off-center, and the short slant hosel generates 32 degrees of toe hang. Plus, it has a Pure Roll insert optimized to enhance roll characteristics.
Scotty Cameron 2022 Phantom X 5.5 Putter
This mallet putter offers excellent stability and precision, making it a great putter for experienced players. Our low-handicap player wondered if a Phantom entity was squaring up the clubhead for him, it was so easy to use. It has a self-centering sole plate design to help players get more precision and accuracy on their strokes. The Pistolero Plus grip provides a comfortable feel, and a milled sight line can help boost confidence as you prepare to putt. Also, the slanted neck provides enhanced toe hang. If you prefer a larger clubhead, this model still remains one of our favorites a year after it was released on the market.
Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 11 Putter
Experienced golfers and beginners will appreciate this mallet putter’s lightweight and durable design. It has a precision-milled face that facilitates a smoother roll and a softer feel upon contact, making it one of the easier putters to control. It’s also a highly forgiving putter as it’s engineered with Speed Optimized Face technology that normalizes ball speed across the entire face, meaning you can still get precise shots even if you strike the ball off-center. We found the larger grip to be a differentiator for the club as many other makers have opted for a slimmer style of grip this year. When you take a close look at it, it has an impressive-looking face reminiscent of the expensive clubs. It also was effective for distance control and was a massive improvement for our testers who were more accustomed to playing with dated equipment.
Odyssey Stroke Lab Seven S Putter
Several top golf instructors endorse this putter, and it’s an excellent bargain pick for novice golfers looking to improve their short game. It has a balanced weight distribution and is advanced-engineered to help players improve every facet of their stroke, including backswing length, face angle and overall tempo. It has an insert that promotes an improved sound and feel, and high-contrast alignment technology can help you identify the proper face angle for a more precise shot.
What to consider before buying a putter
Offset
The offset in a putter describes where the shaft connects to the head. Different offsets help the player strike the ball squarely, depending on the player’s putting stroke. Each offset style creates a different strike point on the putter, assisting the player in aiming correctly.
- No offset: These putters have a shaft that connects just behind the face of the putter head.
- Half offset: These have half of the shaft’s diameter ahead of the face of the putter.
- Full offset: These putters have the entire shaft ahead of the putter face.
Balance
Hold out your hand and place the putter on an outstretched finger to determine what type of balance it has: face-balanced or toe-balanced. The type of stroke you have determines the putter balance you need.
- Face-balanced: This putter works nicely for players who can keep the putter face in line independently and works best with a pure, straight putting stroke.
- Toe-balanced: This putter causes the toe of the putter head to drop slightly during the backstroke and follow-through. For players with a bit of an arc in their putting strokes, the toe-balanced putter helps them strike the ball squarely.
Shape
Putters are available with heads of many different shapes and sizes. Some of these shapes are made to help a player feel confident in their putting stroke. However, there’s also a technological component to the different shapes.
- Blade: Blade putters have a rectangular shape, often with rounded edges. Players with a pure putting stroke usually prefer the simple design of a blade putter.
- Mallet: Mallet putters have large, broad heads. The face of the putter is flat, just like the blade putter, and weight is balanced throughout the mallet putter, which encourages the golfer to keep the putter head in line and square to the ball.
Putter features
Weight
Most of a putter’s weight is in the head. A lightweight putter is preferred when seeking extra touch on the ball, such as on fast greens. Large, slow greens often require a heavier putter for successful strokes.
Insert
Some pricey putters have a panel inset integrated into the putter’s face. This panel is softer than the rest of the putter head, giving the player a feel for the ball as they make contact.
Milled
Milling the putter face gives it roughness, almost like sandpaper on wood. Some players prefer how the ball feels as it contacts a milled face.
Edge weighting
With the extra weight at the edges of the putter head, the face will fight to stay online even when the swing path is slightly offline.
Tips
- Wipe down the putter head after each hole. Although a putter doesn’t accumulate grass or dirt like an iron, wiping it with a towel after each use is best. The grass on the green is often wet, so drying the putter head helps it last longer.
- Strike the ball, don’t push it. When putting, the rules of golf say the player must strike the ball rather than push it, which is a common rule violation on very short putts.
- Cover the putter head. You don’t want the putter to become nicked or scratched as it’s carried in the bag and bounces off other clubs. A thick cover will keep the putter head in pristine condition.
- Store the putter in a dry place away from sunlight. As with other types of golf equipment, when the gear will be in storage for a few weeks or longer, it’s best to place the putter in a dry area away from direct sunlight.
- Don’t throw your putter. Golf can be frustrating, but don’t take out your frustration over a missed putt by throwing the club. You may damage it, and your putting stroke will suffer.
Did you know?
A putter is officially defined by the rules of golf as a club with a loft of 10° or less in the face.
STAFF
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FAQ
Q. How much does a putter cost?
A. You can find a solid putter for $200-$300. However, if you want something more durable with superior consistency and accuracy, you can expect to spend up to $500.
Q. Are there limits to the size of the putter head?
A. The putter head can’t be longer than 7 inches, the height can’t exceed 2.5 inches, and the putter width must be greater than the height. However, you don’t need to worry about this, as most trusted brands adhere to these requirements.
Q. Does a putter have to be a certain length?
A. The rules of golf say the putter must be at least 18 inches long, measured from the top of the grip to the sole of the putter head. The rules have no limitation on the maximum length of the putter.
Q. Why does the top of the putter head have so many designs and patterns?
A. Circles, squares, and lines are all standard designs on the top of the putter. You can see these designs as you address the ball and prepare to putt, looking down at the putter’s head. They’re made to help you line up the putter head with the ball on the putting line you want to use, and some golfers use them to visualize the path of the putting stroke.
Q. How do I know if I have the right putter length?
A. You have a good length as long as you can grip the putter and stand comfortably with your eyes directly over the ball. If you naturally feel like you want to grip the putter at the low end of the grip or below the grip, the putter is probably too long. If you feel discomfort in your back as you putt, the putter is perhaps too short.
