It’s important for beginner golfers to play with the right equipment. When golfers ask what are the best putters for high handicappers a few things come to mind.
First off, golf is hard. So choosing the wrong clubs will make things even more difficult. Therefore, selecting a putter to match your game is important to get you off on the right foot!
It is possible to play with clubs that are beyond your capabilities. Contrary to what most think, this would NOT be helpful. Beginners should select clubs that are more forgiving than clubs low handicappers use. (See our top 10 brands here.)
Golfers that struggle to break 100, or 90 are oftentimes using the wrong clubs, making it tough for them to see progress.
If you fall into this category, it’s not impossible to think that scores could improve dramatically overnight by switching to the right club, including the putter.
Table of Contents
5 Things to Consider When Selecting the Right Putter
Forgiveness
ForgivenessForgiving drivers, woods, and irons get a lot of attention, but the flat-stick receives less.
This shouldn’t be the case because many brands make putters as forgiving as possible to aid us from six feet, particularly when we struggle to find the center of the face and our strokes become ragged.
But what characteristics distinguish the most forgiving putters? The best putters for forgiveness, on the other hand, are usually mallet designs.
As a result, they’re generally more prominent and have more weight in the clubface, which may be moved to various portions of the head to help stabilize your stroke.
In addition, the putter’s weight is distributed around the clubhead’s perimeter, which provides a better balance than a blade putter.
The best mallet putters also tend to have a more prominent sweet spot, which might be advantageous if you have trouble consistently striking putts in the middle of the face. The clubhead’s weight also assists here since it reduces the putter’s twisting throughout the stroke.
Mallets frequently feature some form of alignment aid, which can help with accuracy.
With that in mind, here are five of the most forgiving putters on the market, in various shapes and sizes, designed to send the ball going straight and true.
ODYSSEY 2-BALL TEN PUTTER MOST FORGIVING PUTTERS
While this putter does not swing by itself, it does most work. Odyssey’s 2-Ball Ten putters incorporate some extremely valuable alignment aids into a putter that is surprisingly light, easy to roll, and forgiving across the face.
AGERA PUTTER COBRA KING 3D PRINTED
The King 3D Printed Agera is one of the most futuristic-looking putters. Thanks to a multi-material composition, it offers the highest MOI of any Cobra putter that includes a 3D printed nylon insert, aluminum, and tungsten weights.
SCOTTY CAMERON PHANTOM X 11.5
Scotty Cameron is the putter of choice for individuals who desire a premium, handcrafted putter in their bag.
The Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11.5 is a wingback mallet intended for stability throughout the putting stroke and is the newest addition to the famed, high-tech Phantom series.
FETCH PUTTER PING 2021
Ping’s 2021 collection includes 12 blades, mid-mallets, and mallets, all of which have new degrees of forgiveness thanks to using at least three different materials in each head.
TRUSS TB1 PUTTER TAYLORMADE
Dustin Johnson is known for experimenting with putters, and he initially tested the Truss mallet before switching to the TB1 and winning at the Travelers in early 2021.
He grew up with a blade but preferred the advantages of a mallet, so this was excellent for him and provided more steadiness. However, even the Tour pros require putters as forgiving as possible.
INFINITE BUCKINGHAM PUTTER WILSON STAFF
This putter is part of Wilson Staff’s superb Infinite line of putters. It has a very recognizable head design that has been increasingly popular in mallet putters across the industry and is one of the most forgiving putters on the market.
Like the rest of the Infinite line, the Buckingham has counterbalance technology, which combines a heavier head and grip weights to move the balance point closer to the hands, resulting in a smoother and more controlled putting stroke.
Length
The putter’s length will be proportional to your height. You’ll need a 35-inch putter if you’re 6 feet or taller, a 34-inch putter if you’re 5’9′′ to 6′′ taller, and a 33-inch putter if you’re 5’6′′ to 5’9′′ taller.
For people over 6’4′′ and under 5’6′′, a customized putter is recommended.
The longer the putter you’ll require, the taller you are. Most folks grab a putter from the rack and start playing right away. The length of the putter is given very little thought.
The most common lengths for stock putters are 33, 34, and 35 inches. Custom putters are also available, with various lengths to choose from.
Although most players will fit into a standard putter length, some will require a bespoke putter.
Price
What do you think a reasonable price for a putter is?
A new putter can cost anything from $25 to $600. A putter is an essential tool for increasing your score but be honest with yourself about your abilities. If you’re beginning to start, don’t spend more than $150, and if you can’t, there are many possibilities in the $75-$100 area.
Style
Before we go through some of the features of the putters on the market, let’s go over the two basic putting styles. Most golfers use one of two putting strokes: straight or minor arc. The sort of stroke you use will assist you in choosing the right putter.
A golfer who uses the straight putting style tries to keep the club path straight back-and-through while keeping the putter’s face angle square to the target.
A golfer who putts with a slight arc will bring the club back slightly inside, square the ball, and finish on a slight angle to the left. The golfer will open the face on the backstroke, near to square at impact, and finish with a slightly closed putter face throughout the arc stroke.
Balancing the Head
The head balance of a putter is the first item to consider. Depending on whether your stroke is straight or has a slight arc, you’ll need a face-balanced putter or a toe-hang putter.
A face-balanced putter makes it easier for the golfer to keep the putter face square throughout the stroke. A golfer who uses a toe-hang putter will better put up with a consistent arc.
A simple test can determine if a putter is face-balanced or toe-hung. Allow the head to spin to its natural resting position by balancing the putter shaft horizontally on your open hand.
A face-balanced putter has a face that points directly to the sky. You have a toe-hang putter if the toe of the putter hangs down or to the side.
Weight and Head Shape
The next step is to consider the head shape and weight after deciding if you need a face-balanced or toe-hang putter. Some of this is a matter of personal taste, but it can also be influenced by the type of greens you play on and your level of play.
For example, if you consider a competent golfer who regularly hits the sweet spot with a putter, a blade-style putter may be right. These putters often have minor forgiveness, but they have a more classic appearance.
On the other hand, a mallet putter may be ideal if you need some help keeping your stroke consistent and striking your putts solidly.
Weight might vary depending on personal tastes, but it can also be tailored to the greens you regularly play on. But, if you putt on slower greens, a little heavier head should be considered.
Conversely, you should select a lighter putter if you putt it on faster greens and want to maintain some feel when putting.
Length of Shaft
A PGA professional should determine the length of your putter in the optimum situation. There is a simple test you can take to get an approximation of the ideal shaft length for you:
To begin, address a putt as you would ordinarily. Then, with your left eye closed, drop a golf ball. You might consider that your putter is the proper length if the dropped golf ball lands on the golf ball you’re about to hit (there are other factors involved).
Your putter may be too long if the dropped golf ball lands between the stationary golf ball and your feet (this is extremely common). So instead, the dropped golf ball should strike the stationary ball to keep your eyes on the ball.
Grip Styles
Finally, a grip adds the finishing touch. There are hundreds of various grip styles available now. Personal preference should play a significant role in deciding the grip on your putter. However, there are a few factors to think about:
To begin with, a larger grip will assist you in separating your hands on the golf club and may prevent wrist hinge/flicking during the putting stroke. A heavier grip will also provide the impression of lighter head weight. On the other hand, a lighter grip will create the appearance of more severe head weight.
You can choose the best putter for your game and start holing more putts with all of this knowledge! Cleveland Golf has a large selection of putters and the ability to custom order a putter to your requirements.
Alignment
There are many solutions available to help you improve your stroke consistency, including perimeter weighting and face inserts, and extended alignment aids in the back of the putter. Try a few and discover which one feels the most comfortable.
Ping Fetch Mallet Putter 2021
Ping Fetch putters have a hole in the back for alignment, similar to Odyssey’s two-ball putter system.
Of course, the Fetch differs in that it has a hole that contrasts the green grass with the metallic tones of the putter. It’s straightforward to line this putter, and if I weren’t putting with an EVNROLL, I’d be holding a Ping Fetch.
Like the Evnroll ER5 Hatchback Mallet Putter, Fang-type putters are helpful for alignment. Unfortunately, too much computer work causes a ciliary spasm in my eyes, making the alignment of the putter difficult on subsequent rounds.
Nevertheless, regardless of the manufacturer, these fang-shaped putters are among the easiest to align in the game.
The EVNROLL features a small dot on the top line, a white line that extends back, and a hollowed-out fang part, giving you three alignment tools to get ready for your putt. Because of the great contrast, EVNROLL black putters are easy to align.
Our Top 5: The Best Putters for High Handicappers
TaylorMade Golf Spider Tour Putter
When TaylorMade brought these to the market (about 10 years ago) they shook up the landscape for good. They have made some minor tweaks to improve quality over the years but those are minor.
The popularity of the putter soared when Jason Day was seen using the uber-friendly putter on tour. Today, it is one of the most popular putters in the game and is widely used by both professionals and amateurs.
There are currently several models in the Spider series, with slight variations. The main, most popular model is the MySpider X, which offers several options in regard to color and shaft bend.
TaylorMade Golf Spider Putter Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Easy to match to your style and game with the many options available.
- Carries good weight to help assist with distance control and lag putting.
- Equipped with standard black and white SuperStroke grip.
- Upgraded/Thickers insert for sweet sounds on impact
- Easy alignments with the “True Path Alignment” system.
- And many more…
Cons:
- Some reports state that chipping is possible making it hard to keep looking new.
Aside from that, this putter delivers on all levels and is a fantastic choice no matter what skill level you play at.
Titleist Scotty Cameron Phantom X Mallet
One of the top all-time putting names in golf is Scotty Cameron, and for good reason. While TaylorMade has exploded in popularity, don’t overlook Scotty Cameron putters.
These putters offer some of the best quality in all of golf. And don’t just take our word for it… If you are a fan of golf and have witnessed any of Tiger Woods major wins you might have noticed that in 14 of the 15, his flat stick of choice was Scotty Cameron.
Titleist offers a lot of blade putters. While many low handicappers prefer these putters, they are probably not the best choice for high handicappers, which is why we love the X Mallet.
Titleist Scotty Cameron Phantom X Mallet Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Multiple alignment options to assure a look you like.
- High-quality craftsmanship. Standard milled with 60601 aircraft-grade aluminum. Provided feedback and feel.
- Wide range of grip options.
- Great range of shaft options to choose from.
Cons:
- Not many, but if we want to nitpick…
- A little heavier than other putters.
That’s about it. Far too many positives to even find much bad to say about these putters. They are a household name for a reason.
Odyssey 2-Ball Ten Putter
Odyssey has emerged as a rock-solid choice when it comes to the best golf putters for high handicappers. Not only that, a lot of sticks (low handicappers) opt to play them as well.
They won’t swing themselves, but they come about as close as a putter can. Users rave about the alignment tools and also find the lightweight, forgiving, and easy-to-roll features a major factor in its’ high ratings.
Odyssey 2-Ball Ten Putter Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Ingenious alignment aids make it simple to square clubface at impact.
- Soft but powerful feel during the putting stroke.
- Consistency of roll.
Cons:
- Looks can be a turn-off for the traditionalist.
- Lightweight feel might not be suitable for all strokes.
Odyssey Triple-Track Putters
Odyssey pegs two notches in our top 5 because they simply make great, affordable putters.
Made by household golf brand Callaway, Odyssey putters popularity has been on the rise since the early days of their White Hot series, along with 2-ball putters which shook the mallet-style putting world up.
Now, Odyssey has taken things up a notch with their Triple-Track series. They offer classic Odyssey golf design features but added their triple-track alignment features. The end result here is an amazing line of putters.
If you use triple-track golf balls as well, it will take things even further and compliment the alignment features of the putter itself.
Odyssey Triple-Track Putter Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Stellar alignment. If you struggle to get the ball rolling on your line this putter is as good as it gets for making it easy to get a square impact.
- Loads of options. They have putters that jive with every style.
- Amazing weight distribution
- Impact mimics the feel of the ever-popular White Hot series.
- Plus many others…
Cons:
- Limited shaft options.
- For traditionalists, perhaps a little too much alignment aid.
Another putter with hard-to-find flaws. This is a great choice for high handicappers.
Evnroll ER10 Outback Putter
Evnroll and their “Sweet Face” technology is pretty impressive. These putters offer some of the most consistent rolls out there, which is a major bonus for high handicappers seeking stability.
These putters are becoming more and more popular by the year, and are always a great choice when looking for a reliable, quality, putter that can help you get the feel you are looking for.
Evnroll ER10 Outback Putter Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Offers their patented Sweet Face technology.
- Many options for toe-hang and facer balance.
- Varying head weights to match up with shaft lengths.
- Great feel.
- High MOI body.
- Consistency in results.
- And more…
Cons:
- Head might seem a little large for some golfers.
Putter FAQs
Q: When Do You Use A Putter?
A: It may sound self-evident, but only use your putter on the green. Many handicapped golfers, on the other hand, can benefit from using their putters outside the greens. Also, for strokes around the green, don’t be scared to try using your putter from the short grasses and bushes.
Q: How do I choose the right putter for me?
A: Your putting arc style and visual preferences are essential in determining which putter is best for you. Putters with more toe flow are needed by players with solid and mild arcs, whereas putters with straighter arcs require putters with little toe flow.
Visiting a local golf retail store or speaking with a PGA professional can help you determine your stroke type and which models are appropriate for you.
Q: When choosing a putter, what is the most crucial element?
A: When picking a putter, the length and toe hang are the most significant factors. More consistent putting outcomes can be achieved by aligning your eyes appropriately and matching the toe hang of your putter head to your natural stroke.
All variables are crucial when making a purchasing decision, but putting these two items first might help you get the most out of your new club.
Q: Should I use my putter while I’m off the green?
A: You should use your putter whenever you believe you can get the ball closer to the hole than you can with a wedge. A terrible putt will be significantly closer to the hole for many golfers than a poor chip shot.
Experimenting with your putter from various locations around the greens will help you lower your scores in the coming season.
Q: Should I change putters if I’m having trouble putting?
A: Your ability and stroke are the most critical factors in determining your putting success. Putting with a club that does not match your arc type, on the other hand, might make the game more challenging.
A putter switch could be the jolt that propels players to reduce scores who have worked hard on their stroke but have yet to see their putting improve. If you’re considering adding a new club to your bag, be sure it’s better than the one it’s replacing and well fitted for your game.
Best Putters for High Handicappers: Closing Thoughts
That was a lot to digest, we know. But equipping yourself with the right equipment for your game and skill level is a huge deal.
Our hopes were not to confuse you here but to lay out all of the details on the subject, as well as make a few suggestions as potential putters for your own bag.
The thing is… You can go out to most golf stores and a knowledgeable associate will likely be able to point you in the right direction. Just make sure they aren’t trying to only sell you the most expensive club, because many of them are urged by their bosses to start with the highest priced clubs even if they are not best suited for your game.
As your understanding of the game evolves, and your skills progress I would stick with the top brands. If tour pros are out there playing for millions of dollars with them then they are certainly good enough to be in your bag!
There you have it. Thanks for sticking around! Now go out and find the perfect putter for you! 💪
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