Best Putters 2022

Best Putters

There is always a debate on the best putters in the market. There are so many options and styles to choose from, finding the right one for you is imperative. Of course, there is still the choice to be made between different styles of putter and we will highlight the main contenders here. 

Starting with blade style putters, which will tend to suit ‘feel’ players who have a stronger arc to their putting stroke. Then there are mallets, which will suit golfers who require extra alignment assistance and/or have much less rotation in their putting stroke. 

Mid-mallets then sit somewhere in the middle of the two depending on how they've been designed. For more details choices check out our best blade putter guide (opens in new tab) and best mallet putter guide (opens in new tab).

The best putter for one player will obviously differ. However, the best models give the user the feel they want whether that be a soft face, or a firm one. Additionally, they need to suit the users eye and feel like a premium product. 

Acknowledging how personal a putter can be, our top tip when looking to buy is to go and try some models out. Place them in your hands to see if you like the feel, control, looks and so on. 

We’ve recently tested the leading putters currently available, and these are our picks of the best. All the putters here have been reviewed by our team (opens in new tab), which means testing over multiple rounds out on the course, and this guide is updated on a regular basis to make sure it includes the latest releases.

Watch putter expert Martin Hopley pick his favorite models of 2022

Additionally, we have also created specific guides on the most forgiving putters (opens in new tab), the best women's putters (opens in new tab) and if you are just starting in the game, the best putters for beginners (opens in new tab), should you be looking for something more specific.

Best Putters

Best Value For Money Putters

The TaylorMade (opens in new tab) TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3. It’s still as forgiving as some of the more funky shapes and this putter comes with clean, clear alignment aids and a flush fit to the ground.

Off the face, it feels solid and offers up a surprisingly firm and loud sound at impact given the deep grooves on the face insert. This remained consistent across its length, though, and the speed was enough to impart a short, controlled stroke and still get the ball to the hole.

The Bandon 3 has more of a toe hang so is ideal for players who want to have the forgiveness of a mallet and are perhaps moving from a blade. For those who prefer a face balanced putter, the Bandon 1 will be the perfect match, especially for those who want a cheap putter (opens in new tab) that doesn't compromise on performance.

• Read our full TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 Putter Review

Odyssey has brought the White Hot name and its legendary appeal back for 2021 with a range of putters that are made to feel, sound and perform like the White Hot putter of old, but with today’s technology.

The original feel and sound of the old insert has been maintained with the two-part urethane insert bringing the putter right into the 21st century. There is also a much more premium aesthetic on these putters thanks to the silver PVD finish.

The family is available in a blade style with the #1 and #1WS or a mallet style in the 2-Ball, #5 or #7 head. All come with the same fantastic insert so it's all about picking the head shape that works best for you.

• Read our full Odyssey White Hot OG Putters Review

The Cobra King Vintage putters come in a range of shapes with a 6061 aluminum face insert for better feel. The face features the Descending Loft Technology that SIK putters have to improve the roll of the ball however you strike the ball.

Weights in the heel and toe improve the MOI of this blade style putter to make it surprisingly stable for a blade style putter.

• Read our full Cobra King Vintage Sport-60 putter review

Best High MOI Mallet Putters

High MOI stands for Moment of Inertia, which is the resistance to twisting of the head when the ball is hit off centre. If this is high then the face will stay square to the target for longer which is more likely to keep your ball online to the hole. See our recommendations below and read our guide to the best mallet putters (opens in new tab).

The Odyssey Eleven putter, which made our comprehensive list of the best golf clubs (opens in new tab), has a composite head design made up of a steel crown with a lightweight TPU & aluminum under-body and heavyweight steel weights in each of the back corners. This gives it a very high MOI to improve forgiveness on off-centre hits.

The White Hot insert in the face improves the roll and the latest generation Stroke Lab shaft stimulates a better stroke tempo, all of which should contribute to you making more putts. There is also a choice of different alignment lines on the head and hosels for a straight or arc stroke.

• Read our full Odyssey Eleven Putter review

The Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 2022 putter is one of the most forgiving putters (opens in new tab) out there and has been updated for 2022. Like the rest of the high-tech Phantom range it is a wingback mallet, designed for stability throughout the putting stroke.

The Phantom X 12 is the largest head in the range and is the only one to feature the black aluminum face that is supported on the outside by the heavier silver steel wings. This maximizes the MOI and the forgiveness and you will find that the Phantom X 12 is a surprisingly light and easy putter to use.

• Read our full Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 2022 Putter Review

The extended version of the ER11v putter, the Evnroll ER11vx comprises of a large mallet head with additional 303 stainless steel weights in the rear corners of each side. This therefore increases the MOI further, making it more stable and forgiving on off centre hits.

Like all Evnroll putters there is a choice of hosel options, with the latest addition of a short slant hosel creating 15° of toe hang which, combined with the high MOI head that is made from black anodized 6061 aluminum, and the ER11vx has one of the highest MOI's on the market, giving it a worthy spot in our 2022 Editor's Choice Awards.

• Read our full Evnroll ER11vx Putter review

Best Compact Mallet Putters

A developing trend lately has been for smaller mallet shaped heads that combine the forgiveness of a high MOI mallet with a mid-sized head. Typically they come with short hosels to create a toe hang putter and therefore appeal to better players. 

The latest generation of the Spider family is designed to be one of the most stable compact mallet putters. The Spider GT has a Pure Roll 2 face insert of aluminum and TPU for a soft feel with consistent roll allowing golfers to maximize their pace control on the greens.

The 'wings' on each side are made from heavier steel and the centre section from lighter aluminum to raise the MOI and with a choice of different GT head shapes and hosels you are sure to find the right one for your game.

• Read our full TaylorMade Spider GT putter review

The Odyssey #7 shape has become a modern classic and the White Hot OG Nano #7 putter combines the distinctive shape with a white hot insert in a compact head. Don't be fooled by its size and short offset hosel, as this is a very well balanced putter than packs in a lot of forgiveness.

The new Odyssey pistol grip is worthy of a special mention as the oval shape with the wider pistol top section really fits your hand well and looks durable enough to stand the test of time.

• Read our full Odyssey White Hot OG #7 Nano putter review

Offering excellent value for a milled face mallet putter, this is an exciting addition to this list, designed by master golf manufacturers Cleveland. The HB Soft Milled 14 putter delivers excellent balance and clear alignment lines, making it a fantastic putter for any mid-handicap golfer looking to save shots on the greens. 

Boasting a 3º face loft, Cleveland have added their Speed Optimised Face Technology to this putter which ensures a consistent speed off the clubface when you strike the ball. It does feel a little heavier than the other putters in the HB range and for that reason, has a solid feel. But that also makes it quite forgiving, and if anything, confidence inspiring, and the excellent alignment lines on the back of the clubhead help to frame the ball nicely on the green. 

• Read our full Cleveland HB Soft Milled14 Putter Review (opens in new tab)

Best Blade Putters

Blade putters have longer heads and typically feature a heavier heel section where the shaft attaches, which means that the toe hangs down when you balance the shaft in your hand. This suits players with an arc in their stroke and is also a classic style preferred by better players. Check out the putters below and read our guide to the best blade putters (opens in new tab).

Evnroll has determined that golfers can significantly improve their putting by simply having a putter with the correct hosel to create optimized offset, toe hang and visual setup behind the ball at address. Armed with this knowledge, Evnroll has created the V-Series to offer golfers their preferred hosel on their preferred Evnroll head design in order to customize toe hang to match their stroke arc.

This was our favorite overall putter of 2021, making it a compelling option should you be looking to upgrade. Within the range there are three models each in four neck options, so you should be able to find one that suits your stroke. Do that and you're certain to enjoy the roll and consistency of these putters.

• Read our full Evnroll ER2V putter review

The Odyssey (opens in new tab) Tri-Hot 5K putter is so named because the MOI of the head is over 5000 g/cm2, which makes it very forgiving for a blade putter. This is due to tungsten weights in the heel and toe of the traditional blade putter shape so that it still creates a putter suited to an arc stroke.

There are a choice of other head styles available and they all come with the renowned White Hot insert for better roll and the latest version Stroke Lab shaft that promotes a more consistent tempo.

• Read our full Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K Putter Review

Technology is at the heart of the putter brand used by Bryson DeChambeau. The Pro C is a traditional blade-style profile with a raw-looking finish that doesn’t have the premium look you expect given the price tag.

The descending loft on the face helps to produce more consistent launch angles and consequent roll on different lengths of putt. SIK putters are premium priced, but deliver the performance to match. The adjustable shaft/hosel option plus the big focus on custom fitting means golfers can get more dialed in with what suits their stroke.

• Read our full SIK Pro C Putter Review

Best Premium Milled Putters

For those who like a premium look and feel and are willing to pay the price for it, there are many manufacturers who will oblige. Taking classic putter shapes and making them works of art, the following premium milled putters are not only great to look at, but lovely to putt with too.

The Ping (opens in new tab) PLD Anser is the premium re-incarnation of the classic original blade putter. Milled from 303 Forged Stainless Steel to give a high premium feel and finish to match the high premium price. 

The face uses Ping’s Deep AMP aggressive milling pattern to give the putter a softer feel and the dark looks are topped off by a matching shaft and grip. There are no alignment markings on this version, but the silver PLD Anser 2 version has them to point you in the right direction.

• Read our full Ping PLD Anser putter review

The PXG Battle Ready Brandon is another milled stainless steel putter based on the Anser style, but it is a little large than average with some tech built in. In the heel are toe are tungsten weights to increase the MOI and this increases the stability of the head. 

Combine this with the variable groove Pyramid face pattern to ensure consistent speed and you have a high quality putter in a worn dark look ready for battle on the greens

• Read our full PXG Battle Ready Brandon putter review

One of the best Scotty Cameron putters (opens in new tab) out right now, the Fastback 1.5 is one of eight classic, tour-inspired shapes in the milled Special Select range.

The mid-mallet shape has a long black sightline that helps with alignment very well. The topline had become thicker over the years to incorporate the weight but the tour stars wanted the putter to sit flatter on the ground and be thinner looking and this is the result.

• Read our full Scotty Cameron Special Select Fastback 1.5 putter review

The Toulon Design range is milled from premium steel and feature Odyssey’s Stroke Lab technology for more consistent tempo. There are several shapes and the Las Vegas takes inspiration from the Odyssey #7 to create a premium milled mallet putter.

The new deep diamond face grooves create a soft feel and a lovely roll while the midnight black finish gives a premium look to the Toulon Design family. 

• Read our full Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas 2022 putter review

How We Test Putters

When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. 

The putter section is headed up by Martin Hopley, one of the foremost UK equipment reviewers with over 20 years' experience. Other members of the Golf Monthly team contribute to the putter tests as well, and all writers are able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.

Getting into specifics, we test the putters outdoors on real greens with premium golf balls to get a thorough understanding of design features, feel, sound and looks.  Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is. To learn more on our methodology, see how Golf Monthly tests products (opens in new tab) in our guide. 

How to choose a new putter

When it comes to arguably the most important golf club in the bag, you need to think about what you want and what you like to use when it comes to the putter. A confidence-inspiring design that suits your eye and suits your stroke can save countless shots on the greens and a good flatstick is often a quick way of bringing the handicap down. So then what are the things you need to mull over before purchasing?

Head Design

Putters come in a traditional blade, mid-mallet or a mallet design. All three styles have positives and negatives to them for every player and luckily lots of brands implement technologies across all three.

Mallet putters tend to be much larger than blades and they usually come in various shapes and sizes. This helps in a number of ways. A lot of the time most of the weight in a mallet putter can be found in the club face however because of its design, weight can then be redistributed to other parts of the head which can help stabilize your stroke. The weight of the putter in the perimeter of the club-head offers better balance than what can be offered from a blade putter.

Mallet putters tend to also have a larger sweet spot which can be beneficial if you are a player who struggles to consistently strike your putts out of the middle of the face. The weight in the club-head also helps here because it diminishes the twisting of the putter throughout the stroke too.

Additionally if you struggle with alignment, a mallet putter could be the way to go as they usually have longer alignment lines. Alignment plays a crucial part in putting because it is all about accuracy and a mallet putter can be beneficial here by helping your eyes line up the putt.

A blade putter is a lot simpler in terms of design and will suit the traditionalists among you a lot more than some of the mallet putters pictured above. Blade putters also tend to suit players with an arc in their putting stroke because of the toe-weighted nature of the club-head.

Feel

Here, we're talking not just about the feel and sound the ball makes coming off the face, but how the putter feels in your hands.

A quieter sound contributes to a softer feel, whereas a louder sound usually translates into a firmer feel. A firmer feel is often the product of shallow grooves or no grooves at all on the face, where sound can't be dissipated as effectively. They work better with softer feeling golf balls, where as soft-feeling putters work best with firmer golf balls.

You can get putters with adjustable weights in the sole that will alter the feel of the putter. For example, if your stroke is quite smooth and slow, a heavier putter will encourage that more. Jerky putters may prefer a lighter putter, although opting for more weight may reduce it, depending on what your goals are.

The putter grip plays a huge roll in the confidence you feel with a putter. Get one that feels right and sits in your hands comfortably while allowing you to return the putter back to the ball squarely and consistently.

Looks

You should get a putter that you like the look of as the aesthetics can play a role in inspiring or diminishing confidence on the greens.

Blades won't offer as much alignment assistance, but are still popular because of how they feel and the levels of forgiveness are increasing every year.

Mallet putters have more real estate, and can therefore provide more help to set the face squarely. Mid mallets are somewhere in the middle, offering a decent level of assistance without looking too cumbersome.

Value

Our final tip is to think about price because while there are some premium designs out there, there are also some models which offer excellent value. All putters will propel the ball towards the hole, but they do it in different ways. If performance is more important than looks or feel, there are lots of cut-price options out there that will do a good job and you can spend more money on other areas of your bag.

Best Putters FAQ