The 5 Best Golf Putters

The famous golf saying of “drive for show and putt for dough” might sound like a cliche but it is a very accurate saying. The goal of golf is to get the golf ball in the hole and without good putting, you will have a difficult time achieving that goal.

The 5 Best Golf Putters:

A good putting stroke is key but without a putter to match your stroke, you will continue to have a hard time out on the greens. Below we will take a closer look at 5 of the best putters currently available on the market, and we will also delve deeper into the technicalities of putters in our buyer’s guide. 

1. Callaway Odyssey EXO Rossie Putter

ShapeMallet
DexterityRight & Left Handed
AdjustableNo
Length 33, 34 & 35 inches

Odyssey is a very well-known golf putter brand. Odyssey putters have been around for many years and they continue to impress with each new range that hits the shelves. The Odyssey Rossie was one of the first mallet putter designs that were widely used, PGA Tour professional Harold Varner still has the original Odyssey Rossie putter in his bag. 

Odyssey decided to give this classic mallet putter an overhaul, the EXO Rossie resembles the original Rossie but it is packed with all of their latest and greatest technology. 

The EXO Rossie features a multi-material construction with a weighting system that focuses the weight of the putter on its perimeter. The multi-material construction of the EXO Rossie features lightweight 6061 aluminum in the clubface and 17-4 stainless steel on the outside perimeter of the mallet shape. Perimeter weighting increases the MOI moment of inertia) which in return delivers consistent speed and exceptional accuracy. 

The face insert of the EXO Rossie is Callaway’s proprietary Microhinge insert. This unique insert produces a smooth roll and soft feel off of the putter face. The new look, face balanced EXO Rossie features a sleek black and red design with contrasting white alignment lines that are very easy to line up. 

The EXO Rossie is worthy of its name and it is set to continue the Rossie legacy for many more years to come. 

2. Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Putter

Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2 Putter
ShapeBlade
DexterityRight & Left Handed
AdjustableYes (Weights)
Length 33, 34 & 35 inches

Scotty Cameron is a renowned putter designer. Cameron revolutionized the putter industry and he remains one of the best in the business to this day. Scotty Cameron putters aren’t cheap, but these precision-engineered putters are worth the spend.

The 2018 Scotty Cameron Newport Select 2 is one of the best blade putters that money can buy. The Select Newport 2 features a blade putter head that resembles an old-school traditional putter but it is packed with all of the latest innovations from the Scotty Cameron putter studio. 

The Select Newport 2 features a topline that has slightly rounded edges which gives it a refined, contoured look at address. The face insert of the Select Newport 2 is designed to dampen vibrations which in return delivers exceptional feedback and feel at impact. 

The Scotty Cameron Select range of putters features a four-way balanced sole design. The purpose behind this design feature is to ensure that the weight of the grip and shaft in combination with the clubhead is balanced perfectly which guarantees a square clubface at address. 

Scotty Cameron putters have stood the test of time, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth have both had their trusted Scotty Cameron putters for many many years. Consider the purchase of the Newport Select 2 as an investment and not an expense. 

3. Bettinardi Queen B 5 Putter

Bettinardi Queen B 5 Putter
ShapeBlade
DexterityRight & Left Handed
AdjustableNo
Length 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5 & 35 inches

Bettinardi specializes in the design of high-end high-quality putters. The Queen B 5 putter by Bettinardi was named after royalty with good reason, it is without a doubt one of the best putters that money can buy. 

The Queen B 5 looks exceptional at address, it features a cleaner, tighter topline with rounded edges. The Queen B 5 offers great feel at impact thanks to its signature Micro Honeycomb milled face insert. 

Putter guru, Robert Bettinardi, did vast experimentation around the optimal weight configuration of a putter head and he is confident that he found the magic number. The putter head of the Queen B 5 is 362 grams and this weight ensures optimal balance and stability throughout the stroke. 

Queen B 5 is packed with industry-leading technology, but this putter is about more than just technology, it also leads the way with its dashing good looks. If you are looking to invest in your putting then look no further than the Queen B 5 from Bettinardi. 

* The Queen B is available in a wide variety of lie and loft options

4. EVNROLL ER2 Midblade Putter

EVNROLL ER2 Putter
ShapeMid Blade
DexterityRight & Left Handed
AdjustableNo
Length 33,34, & 35 inches

EVENROLL putters are designed and manufactured by putter genius, Guerin Rife. Rife made a name for himself with RIFE putters back in the late 2000s. Rife is renowned for his intricate use of grooves on the putter face. The ER2 mid-blade putter by Evenroll features Rife’s signature groove design with grooves that run across the face in a closely shaped formation.

The spacing and design of these grooves are designed to ensure exceptional distance control. The grooves are meticulously milled using CNC technology and they promote both exceptional feel and consistent roll which in return delivers good distance control. 

The putter head of the ER2 is manufactured out of 303 stainless steel which ensures both durability and stability. The ER2 is a mid-blade putter, it features a similar look to a traditional blade but it has a slightly wider sole profile. 

The toe balanced ER2 putter offers the perfect balance between a blade and a mallet putter, it delivers exceptional feel at impact, and thanks to its intricate face design every put stroked with the ER2 rolls optimally on the green. 

5. Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 6 Putter

Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 6 Putter
ShapeMallet
DexterityRight Handed
AdjustableNo
Length 33, 34, & 35 inches

Cleveland is renowned for their wedge designs, but they also design and manufacture high-quality, affordable putters. The Huntington Beach Soft 6 mallet putter by Cleveland is one of their high-quality, affordable offerings. 

The Soft 6 features a precision-milled putter face, this face design ensures both exceptional feel and distance control on both center and off-center strikes. The small mullet shape of the Beach Soft 6 looks very sleek at address and it encourages confidence over the golf ball. 

The 304 stainless steel putter head of the Soft 6 is durable, but it also ensures forgiveness at impact. This putter might seem simplistic but it offers a great balance between quality, technology, and affordability. 

Different Putter Head Styles 

Different Putter Head Styles

Blade Putters

Blade putter heads feature a traditional, minimalistic look. Blade putters have been around for many years and many golfers still prefer the simplicity of these traditional putters. 

Mallet Putter 

Mallet putters are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes, these oversized putters are easy to align and they offer exceptional forgiveness. Due to the size and shape option of these putters, designers can utilize different weighting configurations which in return alters the design in a variety of different ways. 

Toe Balanced vs Face Balanced Putters

Toe Balanced vs Face Balanced Putters

The balance of a putter refers to the positioning of the center of gravity in the design of the putter. 

The center of gravity in a face-balanced putter is situated directly below the axis of the putter shaft. If you were to balance a face-balanced putter on your finger the face of the putter will point up to the sky. Face balanced putters are designed to stay on the same path throughout the putting stroke, these putters are ideal for players that have putting strokes with a limited arc. 

The center of gravity in a toe balanced putter isn’t located below the shaft axis. If you balance a toe balanced putter on your finger the toe of the putter head will point down towards the ground. Toe balanced putters are ideal for players with arching putting strokes given the fact that toe balanced putters tend to open up on the backstroke and close on the follow-through. 

Putter Face Inserts 

Nearly every new putter that hits the market features a face insert. Face inserts are made from a variety of different materials, some promote softer and others hard feel at impact. In addition, to feel, face inserts also affect how your golf ball rolls on the green. Face inserts with grooves are designed to ensure that your golf ball rolls as smooth as possible. 

If you are in the market for a new putter pay attention to the face insert that it has, it is key to purchase a putter with a face insert that feels good to you and that promotes a smooth roll. For the golfers that want to get very technical softer inserts are recommended if you play on quick green and vice versa if you play on slow greens.   

Putters without inserts feature solid metal faces. Solid putter faces promote a harder/more solid feel at impact, similar to that of a hard insert.

The golf ball that you play with will also have a big impact on how a putter face or insert feels. A soft insert feels a lot different when you putt with a hard two-piece golf ball in comparison to when you play with a soft 4 or 5 piece golf ball. This is something to keep in mind when you try out different putters. 

At the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preference, if a putter doesn’t suit your eye you will have a hard time getting used to it even if it is supposed to be perfect for your putting strokes. Professional golfers change golf clubs all the time when new models hit the shelves, but when they find a putter that they like they will play with it for many years. 

Putter Hosel and Shaft

Putter Hosel and Shaft

Putters are available with a variety of different shaft and hosel designs. The shaft and hosel design play a big factor in the setup of a putter, finding the perfect putter head shaft and hosel combo is vital to ensure that you feel comfortable every time you look down at a putt. 

Heel shafted putters are designed with a shaft that enters the putter head in the heel section of the putter. In comparison center shafted putters feature a design where the shaft enters the putter head in the center of the putter. Putters with center-shafts feature straight shafts that don’t have a kink in the tip of the shaft. 

Hosel offset putters also feature straight shafts, but these putters feature a hosel design that is bent backward for the shaft to be positioned ahead of the putter face. Hosel offset putters force you to push your hands forward at the address to square up the putter face. 

The 3 shaft and hosel types described above will all promote a different look when you stand over the golf ball, make sure to test out these different designs before purchasing your next putter. 

Putter Grips 

Gone are the days where a putter grip is a putter grip. Putter grips have evolved tremendously over the last decade and SuperStroke has been at the forefront of the putter grip evolution. To learn more about how SuperStroke grips revolutionized the industry click here

Putter grips evolved in terms of grip weight, material, feel size, and shape. A new grip has the power to change the feel of your putter completely. Sometimes a new grip is all you need to revolutionize your putting stroke. 

Putter Length

Long putters and belly putters were common features on professional tours around the globe until the anchoring ban came into effect a few years ago. The USGA and the R&A might have changed the rules but that hasn’t stopped the use of these putters, golfers have found a way to use them effectively without anchoring. 

Standard putters are 35 inches long, some golfers however prefer shorter putters, others prefer slightly longer putters. For those that want to give the putting styles of Matt Kuchar and Bryson Dechambeau a go you probably need a putter that is roughly 40 inches long. 

How To Hole More Putts

Speed 

Speed is arguably the most important aspect of putting. A putt that doesn’t have enough speed won’t reach the hole and a putt with too much speed will race right over the hole. Golfers tend to get very caught up with the line of a but, but the correct line is of no use unless it is accompanied by the perfect speed. 

But don’t take my word for it, listen to what PGA Tour star Jason Day has to say about the importance of speed on the greens. 

Alignment 

To hole more putts both your line and speed need to match up perfectly. Amateur golfers in particular struggle with their alignment on their putts. Focus on aligning your putter exactly on the line that you want the putt to start on, if the ball starts on line you will have a good chance of making the putt. For those players that need an extra bit of help with aligning their putts take a look at this easy to use putting alignment aid

Green Reading 

Green reading is both an art and a science. Some golfers are better than others when it comes to green reading. One of the most important aspects of green-reading is awareness. Look around you at your surroundings, observe the break when someone else in your group is putting, with a little bit of extra awareness your green reading abilities will improve almost overnight. 

Golf Putting Drills

Amateur golfers don’t always have time to practice their golf games, and when they do have the time they prefer to bash drivers on the driving range instead of spending time on the putting green. Here are two easy to do drills that will improve your putting stroke. 

Train Tracks Drill 

Take two alignment sticks, or golf clubs, and align them in the shape of train tracks on your carpet at home or on the practice green, set up the train tracks about 6 feet away from a target, an empty plastic cup is a good substitute for a hole. The width of the tracks have to be slightly wider than your putter’s width, it is important that your putter can move freely between the tracks, but don’t allow yourself too much room for error. 

The train track drill is a great drill to ensure that your putting stroke has a good straight back straight through path. 10 mins of this drill regularly will contribute a great deal to your putting. 

Prayer Grip Drill

Good rhythm is very important for a good putting stroke and to achieve that your shoulders must rock the putter back and through. Gripping the putter with 2 fingers only is a great putting drill that will force you to use your shoulders to stroke the putt. 

Open your hands up, place your hands on either side of your grip, the hands will resemble hands that are in the prayer position, line the grip up so that your middle fingers are the only 2 fingers that are touching the putter grip. 

At first, it will feel nearly impossible to putt the ball, but your body will figure out that you need to use your shoulders to generate enough speed to make a putting stroke. This is a great putting drill that will train a good shoulder turn in your putting stroke, and as a byproduct of a good shoulder turn, you will have improved rhythm.  

FAQs

What golf putter is right for me? 

This is a complex question with many different answers, all of which can either be right or wrong depending on your personal preferences and needs as a golfer. But to simplify it to answer this question for yourself and to figure out what putter is right for you consider the following. 

First of all, do you prefer a mallet shape or a blade shape putter? When it comes to shape you have to look beyond just personal preference. The shape of the putter head needs to match your stroke tendencies and it needs to be easy for you to align. 

In addition to the putter head style, length and weight of the putter is another important factor that will determine if a putter is right for you. Last but not least elements like the grip will also play a role. For players with overactive wrists a thick, counterbalanced SuperStroke grip will be your best option and it will help with keeping your hands quiet in your putting stroke.

Must I play with a mallet putter if I am a beginner?

There is no rule that says that a beginner should play with a mallet putter. However, the design of mallet putters are better suited for beginners for a variety of different reasons. Mallet putters with their oversized putter heads allow for weight to be distributed around the perimeter of the putter head. This distribution of weight gives beginners the best chance of having a smooth putting stroke with a straight back straight through path. 

Mallet putters also feature advanced alignment systems that are very easy to use when lining up a putt. Beginners tend to struggle with their alignment on the greens and an easy to align putter will go a long way in improving your performance on the greens.

How often should I replace my putter? 

If you find a putter that you like, stick with it. With other golf club designs and with drivers in particular technology changes with every new release that hits the market. Putter technology also continues to evolve, but at a much slower pace. Pros like Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods have used the same putter for over a decade. 

Sometimes a new putter might be the change that your golf game needs but you shouldn’t feel like you need a new putter simply because you’ve had your current putter for 2 or 3 years.

What putter length do I need?

Putter lengths vary by player’s height. The best way to find the right length is to stand over your putter and then rotate your body around it until you are facing the ball. Your arms should be at a 90-degree angle with your hands on top of the handle. This is the optimal putting position and will give you a better feel for where your arms should be when you putt.

Which putter shaft should I use?

Choosing the right putter shaft can be tricky, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. There are a lot of options to consider. If you’re looking for overall performance, the best option is usually a mallet putter with a soft grip. If you need extra stability, consider using an aluminum shaft.

Are putter weights universal?

Putter weights are not universal. Some putters are designed to fit a certain diameter of the shaft while others are not. This is an important consideration when shopping for new golf clubs.

Conclusion 

Putters are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The one size fits all approach doesn’t apply to puttings. Putting is a very important part of the golf game, make sure to buy a putter that matches both your stroke and your eye. 

With so many different options to choose from that perfect putter is out there, it is just a matter of finding it. 

This article was last updated on January 18, 2023 .

Bertine Strauss
Written by
Bertine Strauss
The Golf Blog