You can make a strong case there is no more important club in your bag than your putter. The reason why is obvious: You use the putter more than any other club. Somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of your shots are putts.
Considering that, you should spend time when buying the right putter. There is a lot to consider, even if you are a beginner. Let’s take a look at the possible decisions you will need to make. Following that, you will be shown a clear winner in the question of which type of putter is the best putters for beginners.
Balance
Some putters are toe-balanced and some are face-balanced. There is a relatively straightforward method for determining which category a putter falls into.
Balance the club in one hand. If the putter’s face is pointing up, this is a face-balanced putter. If the toe is pointing down, that means it is a toe-balanced putter. So what is the practical difference?
Face-balanced putters are designed to go straight down the line when putting, meaning the face of the club stays square (mostly) with the direction of the putt. These putters mitigate the damage done on putts that are not hit in the center of the club.
Toe-balanced putters offer a greater feel. The toe carries more weight, thus the club’s face opens and closes slightly throughout the swing. On poor putts struck on the heel, this is not so bad. Putts struck on the toe can vary wildly off target.
Professionals sometimes strike the ball on the toe purposely on very speedy putts. This tactic takes a great deal of precision and ability and is not recommended for beginners.
Loft
If you look at a putter, it appears that its putter face is flat. Not so, as the putter does have some loft, albeit much less than any other club.
The reason a putter has loft is to get the ball rolling as soon as possible after impact. A putter with too much loft will make the ball airborne. A ball that bounces before rolling means you have lost control of the putt.
A putt with too little loft will dig into the ground at impact, causing a similar problem. More advanced players might deliberately choose putters with higher or lower than the normal loft. Beginners should stick with the average of 3 to 4 degrees of loft.
Weight
Some putters have additional weight in the head of the club. This is designed to create the perfect feel for the golfer wielding the club. Using a putter with the incorrect amount of weight for you may not cause as many problems with distance as it does with direction.
While you want to get the correct amount of weight in the head, it is more likely that you have too little club-head weight than too much. A weighted head on a putter helps facilitate the pendulum action you look for in a putting stroke. Beginners or high handicappers should err on the side of a heavier putter face for their putters. This will help improve your putting stroke over time.
Lie
When you place a putter on the ground behind your ball, its lie angle should fit your stroke. The lie angle could have the toe sticking up in the air, or it could have the heel higher than the toe. For most golfers, and beginners especially, neither of those is ideal. The toe and the heel should be aligned properly.
Length
Getting the correct length of your putter is perhaps the most overlooked decision to make. Getting a club that is too tall or too short can cause you to compensate in your stance or your swing, reducing your accuracy.
You should stand with your knees and waist slightly bent when making a putt. Your eyes should be directly over the ball. Right-handed golfers are left-eye dominant, meaning their dominant eye will be closest to the hole and can see the intended line perfectly.
Certainly, there have been great golfers who deviated from the stance described above. Jack Nicklaus may be the best golfer of all time, and he stands hunched over the golf ball with a slightly open stance. Phil Mickelson plays golf left-handed even though he is a natural right-hander. Keep in mind these are golfers who have spent almost their entire lives mastering their games.
As a beginner, you are much better off with a square stance and your eyes directly over the golf ball. If you are looking for an all-time great, consider the putting stance of Tiger Woods. It’s a great one to emulate.
So how do you know what is the right length for your putter? Take your stance and let your arms hang out in front of you. Wherever your hands are is where the putter grip should be when it is lying flat.
Getting this correct will improve your putting consistency. Putters are typically 34 or 35 inches in length. That may or may not be right for you.
Mallet or Blade?
While this is the final variable listed here, it is hardly the most inconsequential. Putter heads come in two distinct styles: mallet or blade.
A blade putter has a flat and narrow head. These offer a greater feel but sacrifice a bit in terms of consistency.
Mallet putters have a larger head, either round or square, with significant material behind the face of the club. These putters are more consistent but have less feel, than blade putters.
Both style putters could have the shaft enter the face in the middle or at the end.
Since mallet-style putters are more forgiving, these are the best choice for beginners. These putters have a larger sweet spot than do blade-style putters. Since beginners are far more likely to hit their putts off-center, mallets are the better choice.
Mallet putters are almost always bottom-heavy compared to blades. This improves the moment of inertia, a fancy term that refers to how much the club twists on off-center struck putts. That is a good trait in putters for beginners.
Before moving on to some select putters that could be good for beginning golfers, let’s take a look at a couple of other styles.
Until being banned by professional golf associations, belly putters were preferred by a decent percentage of golfers. You can still find these types of extra-long putters, but by rule you cannot rest the butt of the club against your body when putting. These putters are popular for people who have struggled with a conventional stroke or have some physical ailment that prevents them from making a regular stroke. Beginners should avoid these.
Many putters have soft inserts on the putter face where the club strikes the golf ball. This is a matter of preference but many golfers will prefer these inserts. More experienced golfers may prefer the feel or sound of metal striking ball.
Another feature that is very common in putters is directional lines atop the putter face. These help with the alignment of your putts. Unless the putter is covered in these lines and causes you discomfort when looking at them, they are a plus.
You may also see an inexpensive two-way putter. These blade-style putters are the kind you typically rent for miniature golf. The only advantage to these putters, aside from the price, is that they can be used for lefties and righties. There is no advantage in putting in being ambidextrous. Pick a side to putt from and avoid these two-way putters.
Here then are some quality choices for putters for beginners.
Top Product Overview
 |
| See On Amazon → |
 |
| See On Amazon → |
 |
| See On Amazon → |
 |
| See On Amazon → |
 |
| See On Amazon → |
 |
| See On Amazon → |
 |
| See On Amazon → |
Best Putters for Beginners
Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX
This mallet-style putter has a lot going for it, starting with the price. It has all the features a beginner should want, but without the extravagant cost. This putter features a white club head that is intended to cut down on glare. Some might find that off-putting.
Alignment guides on top of the head and a soft insert help make this perhaps the best putter for beginners. This Pinemeadow golf putter also has more weight in the head than standard putters.
Pros
- Alignment guides make it easier to get correct direction
- Soft insert
- Extra weight in the head
Cons
- White finish may be a distraction
SeeMore FGP Black
The first thing you notice about this putter is its distinctive look. A normal steel shaft turns to black before entering the club head near its center.
Another aspect of this putter is its RifleScope Technology alignment system. This system is designed to both get the club head square and get the ball rolling on the intended lie.
The club naturally sits squarely on the ground, further improving the chances of a solid strike. Because this club has no offset in the face, it is designed with a slightly lower than average 2.5 degrees of loft.
Pros
- Alignment system
- Square club face
- Black finish is easy on the eyes
Cons
- Lower loft could mean an adjustment period
TaylorMade White Smoke MC-72
For those of you who may not be fully committed to a mallet putter, this could be a good choice for you. It is what is called a “mid-mallet,” which is to say the head is smaller than most mallet putters.
The matte black finish contrasts well with the white alignment lines atop the face. A surlyn insert, the same material of the cover of many golf balls, provides a soft impact. This club from TaylorMade Golf offers a bit more feel than full mallets.
It is counterbalanced, meaning it has weight added to both the grip and the head.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Great feel
- Counterbalanced
Cons
- Loses a bit of advantages of a full mallet
TaylorMade Interactive Spider
If you are willing to go all out to improve your game, this could be the choice for you. It’s got a big price tag, with big features to match.
It is truly interactive, with a free app to identify where you are going wrong (or right), and tips and drills to help you master the greens.
This putter has a distinctive look that is impossible to miss.
Pros
- App offer tips and drills
- Track your performance
- Distinctive look
Cons
- Price makes this one not for everybody
EVNROLL ER8 Tour Mallet
Another mid-mallet and another pricey option. This is a terrific putter, imparting just the right mix of control, feel, and consistency.
It has a sleek look with the requisite guidelines atop the head to help with alignment.
This company is known for its precision milling on the club face. That attention to detail is evident throughout this putter’s design. There’s a reason for the hefty price tag.
Pros
- Precision milled face
- Mid-mallet design gives greater feel
- Large sweet spot
Cons
- Price
Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Putter
Another entry from one of the best-known names in putters. There is no mistaking the bold design of the Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0.
Aside from the look of the Hot Pro, this putter is known for its insert. It gives the putter a unique sound and feel. And, it also makes it a great buy for beginners and high handicappers.
One of the other advantages of the Hot Pro is that it makes it easier to aim the putter, which is something that beginners are going to love.
Pros
- Distinctive design
- Great balance for mis-hits
- Unique insert
Cons
- Look may be distracting
Cleveland Huntington Beach SOFT #11
Cleveland is another trusted name in golf. This putter, which you can also get in blade style, is known for its diamond-pattern grooves perfected by machine milling.
Why is this important? Well, the CNC milling makes for a soft feel which is something that will help heigh handicappers make the shot and reduce your handicap over time. It is also well weighted, so helps you get a smooth stroke and hit that golf ball to the green just right!
This is a gorgeous putter with many people claiming it is one of the most stylish they have seen on the green. Not that looks are everything, but when you add them to the easy swing and soft feel, you know you have a winner.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Low center of gravity
- Milled face
Cons
- Not available beyond 35 inches long
As you can see, even if you restrict yourself to mallet-style putters that are a better fit for beginners, you have a wide range of options.
Don’t discount how you feel holding the putter. It is worth a visit to a local golf outlet to hold several options and see how comfortable you are.
Comfort leads to confidence. And confidence leads to more made putts. Once you’ve tried them out in the shop, come back here and shop online for great deals.
This list is hardly intended to be all-inclusive, although you cannot go wrong with any of these. For the best combination of price and performance, beginners might find the Pinemeadow PGX to be a great choice. Yes, it is not as well-known as some of the other manufacturers here, but that should not stop you from giving it a shot.
