Updated March 27, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
Center-shafted putters offer true roll and improved accuracy for amateur golfers looking to find a soft feel and more consistency to their putts.
These specially made putters typically have a mallet design and larger putter heads to balance and reduce impact twisting.
Each center-shafted putter on our list offers golfers the ability to improve their putting with a minimal learning curve, great for amateurs that want to spend their time on the course and not the practice green.
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Table of Contents
Best Center Shafted Putters in 2023
- Best Overall: Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa
- Best Budget Option: Ray Cook SR550
- Best for Beginning Golfers: Seemore FGP
- Best for Mid Handicappers: Tour Edge Wingman
Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa
Best Center Shafted Putter
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KEY FEATURES
- Excellent weight distribution for balanced stroke that offers ideal distance control
- Redesigned shaft saves weight that is moved to sides of putter for better distance control
- Wide alignment guide provides clean visualization of putting line
- Soft White Hot insert provides exceptional forward roll without skidding for first-rate accuracy
The Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa is our choice as the best option among the center-shafted putters on this list. Featuring a tip-heavy graphite and steel shaft, the Versa offers golfers a CNC milled face that boosts touch on long-distance putts and delivers smooth forward roll on moderate-length putts.
The Stroke Lab shaft shines on long putts, offering stability and control when working with the micro hinge face. Made from graphite and stainless steel, the shaft anchors the balanced head for a reliable feel and smooth putting stroke.
From moderate distances, the heft and high MOI of the putter’s head keep it from twisting in the golfer’s hand for better reliability over similar center-shafted putters.
The Versa is a wonderful center shafted putter with an outstanding Stroke Lab shaft, grip, and micro hinge face insert, well worth your consideration.
Like other well-made Stroke Lab putters on the market, the Versa from Odyssey is a true gem and well worth its price.
Ray Cook SR550
Best Budget Center Shafted Putter
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KEY FEATURES
- Clean black matte finish matches well with other clubs
- Milled hitting area offers softness and touch for longer lag putts
- Great for beginners that need consistency with putting performance
- Winged Mallet head provides balance throughout the stroke
Our top choice for golfers on a budget that need a center-shafted putter is the Ray Cook SR550. Known for their value-conscious putters, Ray Cook designed the SR550 to offer power with a deft touch on lag putts from distances over 50 feet.
On the face of the putter, Ray Cook milled the center for a better feel and response. The lack of an insert does disappoint, but it is not unexpected for a putter at this price point. If you value keeping the price low over high-tech features, then the Ray Cook SR550 remains a great place to start.
The face-balanced mallet putter offers strength from long distances with the softness and consistency that golfers of all skill levels crave. The SR550 provides a solid forward roll for mid-range putts that stays along your target line, allowing you to easily finish holes with short par efforts.
Accompanying the putter is a full head cover that protects the putter as you ride in the cart, a great accessory that keeps the nicks and scratches off the finish.
Made for high handicappers or the beginning golfer just getting started, the Ray Cook SR550 might not carry the sophistication of other center-shafted putters, but for the lower price, it remains difficult to find a better putter that meets these specifications.
Seemore FGP
Best Center Shafted Putter for Beginners
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KEY FEATURES
- Offering true roll from any distance, the Seemore FGP is a first-rate golf club
- Incredibly soft feel on long-range putts with a shaft that’s stiffer and lower torque than comparable models
- High-end blade-mallet hybrid with clear alignment guide that helps with visualization
- Available in four different lengths, accommodating all heights and arm lengths of golfers
The Seemore FGP putter offers outstanding roll with a soft feel that works extremely well from various distances on the putting surface. Easily a top choice among the best center-shafted putters for beginners, the Seemore is a no-frills, high-performance machine with a straight assassin from inside 15 feet.
The accuracy of the Seemore FGP is the highlight for golfers of all skill levels. The shaft enters the head just to the inside of the center alignment line, allowing the golfer a clear line of sight to the golf ball. A smooth stroke is all the golfer needs to find the target line.
Available in shaft lengths from 33-to 36-inches, the FGP comes in either a right or left-hand edition.
The face is connected to the upper section that the lips behind hold the shaft. With this unique setup, you won’t find a wobble as the putter delivers solid contact during our testing with unmatched repeatability.
A delightfully-made center-shafted putter, the Seemore FGP won’t disappoint golfers looking for a mid-range putter that gives golfers a smooth forward roll that doesn’t hop and stays along the intended putting path to the cup.
Tour Edge Wingman
Best Center Shafted Putter for Mid Handicappers
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KEY FEATURES
- Consistent roll with mallet design that offers a heavier feel for better stability
- Grooved hitting area provides softness with excellent distance control on long putts
- Also available in red, the Wingman offers a balanced weight with a smooth feel throughout the stroke
- Low price option with a black finish that stands out among center-shaft options
Tour Edge Wingman has long grabbed the attention of discerning golfers with their premium golf clubs, but they’ve really turned heads with their Wingman center-shafted putter. The Wingman also features two flared wings that anchor the head through the stroke, offering a wide milled hitting area.
Putter pros absolutely love it. The Wingman looks very sleek at address with a long alignment line that works through the length of the head for finding the right putting path.
The microgroove face has a soft yet very pure feel at impact. This first-rate insert makes the Wingman masterful when striking a golf ball, adding touch and control from various distances on the green.
Regardless of what quality of golf balls you use, the Wingman from Tour Edge will provide an exceptional forward roll behind the power of its advanced mallet design.
Additionally, when comparing the golf club to a heel-shafted putter, you’ll find that the Wingman offers more muscle on long putts.
Not only does the Wingman offer dynamic high MOI that reduces twisting at impact, but it also features interchangeable weighting for enhanced feel and balance, making it worth all the accolades.
TaylorMade Truss
Best Center Shafted Putter for Low Handicappers
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KEY FEATURES
- High MOI reduces twisting throughout the stroke for a balanced and square approach at impact
- Increased stability with a center shaft that delivers minimal offset for direct sightline to ball
- Cobalt Blue Pure Roll Insert delivers exceptional feel and dampened vibration with excellent sound
- High-end, luxury model made with military-grade aluminum and expertly milled face
From TaylorMade, the center-shafted Truss is a blade-style putter that provides exceptional performance with a compact face that features the patented and popular Cobalt Blue Pure Roll Insert.
As mentioned before, it starts and stops on the Truss putter with the advanced face insert. Although the insert isn’t nearly as wide as other inserts, it provides the sound, feel, and vibration dampening that we want from a cushioned insert.
Putts off the insert leave the face smoothly without bounce or skidding, making it a weapon that golfers love to deploy from long range.
The hosel is flush with the face for additional stability and high MOI. You won’t find that the Truss does much twisting during the stroke, offering a locked feel that increases confidence in struggling golfers.
Adjustable sole weights on the toe and heel provide more customization for golfers who like to tinker with their equipment.
An exciting center-shafted putter from one of our best golf equipment manufacturers, the TaylorMade Truss is a tremendous success that brings the goods with each putt.
Ping Heppler Piper C
Best Center Shafted Putter for Distance Control
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KEY FEATURES
- Speed optimized face is marvelous for distance control for better consistency
- For back and straight through putting style, the Heppler offers smooth roll
- Exceptional mallet putter with a clean black finish that offers a great alignment guide
- Wide sole that slides along the turf smoothly without snagging or catching during the stroke
From Ping, the Heppler putter offers sophistication with a sleek rounded head that is balanced to provide square contact with every putt. Like the Heppler, center-shafted putters give the golfer forgiveness with a firmness that powers golf balls on lengthy putts of over 35 feet.
On these longer putts, the Heppler excels by offering the best distance control we’ve seen in the best center shafted putter. With the goal of leaving a short par putt on long putts, the Heppler delivers an outstanding feel with an advanced sense of touch that advanced golfers adore from putters at this price point.
The Heppler comes in several different lengths from 32-to 36-inches, great for any golfer that needs a specific stainless steel shaft length. The best center shafted putter, like the Heppler, offers versatility in shaft length and grip options. The Heppler comes with four different grips to choose from.
All of the quality and performance that you’d expect from a Ping putter is here in the Heppler. It is a magnificent putter that meets the needs of all levels of golfers that are looking to upgrade their putter to a center-shafted version.
Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 CTR
Best Luxury Center Shafted Putter for Low Handicappers
KEY FEATURES
- F.I.T face milling technology provides outstanding touch anywhere on the green
- Soft face insert is one of the best on the market with exceptional feel and sound
- Winged mallet design gives golfers fantastic balance with a clear alignment line
- Available for right-hand golfers, better balanced than heel-shafted alternatives
The best center-shafted putter for golfers looking for a high-quality model is the Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 CTR. Ideal for advanced and professional golfers, the INOVAI 6.0 CTR is a classically built center-shafted putter that offers premium performance.
The best feature of the Bettinardi putter is the F.I.T. technology. The feature concerns the CNC milled face with the soft insert that provides an exceptional feel and touch.
The winged mallet design provides stability throughout the putting stroke. One of the big reasons the putter has a high MOI is the balanced winged mallet that keeps the putter square through the impact zone. Great for straight-back, straight-through strokes, the putter delivers smooth performance with impressive accuracy.
The putter features the company’s patented stainless steel shaft that fits well into the head for a seamless transition that doesn’t feel weak or rattled. Instead, golfers can expect that the craftsmanship shines through on each putt.
Yes, the putter is expensive, rivaling the cost of what you’d find with a Scotty Cameron model. But the price is justified by the performance. For a higher-end mallet putter, you’ll struggle to find a better-made putter than the INOVAI 6.0.
Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 10.5
Best Value Center Shafted Putter for Mid Handicappers
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KEY FEATURES
- Consistent roll even on off-center strikes makes putter one of the best for forgiveness
- Lower CG provides excellent weight dispersion in the head for better feel and added stability
- Center shafted design helps balance mallet putter for outstanding balance throughout putting stroke
- Diamond CNC milling pattern across the entire face is easily one of the best features of the putter
Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 10.5 putter is the best mallet option on our list. The center-shafted putter has a large sloped mallet-style head that offers stability and reliability on long and short putts.
The high MOI putter won’t twist in your hand, a great feature that too many golfers don’t seek out when buying a new center-shafted putter.
The Optimized Speed Face Technology delivers consistent distance, even on off-center strikes. One of the most forgiving putters you’ll find at this price point, the Huntington Beach Soft 10.5 features a stainless steel shaft that keeps your hands level with the face for smooth contact.
What’s wonderful about the Huntington Beach line of putters is how it offers exceptional value to weekend warriors. For a very affordable price, this putter will last years, providing dynamic performance.
The Huntington Beach putter line, including the Soft 10.5, also offers a soft CNC milled face that delivers incredible touch. From inside 20 feet, the putter’s stability shines by increasing accuracy and giving you the chance of making more putts that other golfers will miss with an inferior putter.
A great putter that makes putting easy, the Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 10.5 is a real winner.
How to Choose the Right Center Shafted Putter
Length
Most centers shafted putters offer lengths ranging from 33 to 35 inches. That may not seem like much of a difference for most golfers, but the length of a putter shaft can be a huge problem if it creates an out-of-sync stroke on the green.
A short putter could create a hunched-over stance for tall golfers that prevents the player from smoothly returning the flatstick to the golf ball.
Finding the right shaft length may take some trial and error, but finding a comfortable length that encourages a smooth stroke that provides consistency on the putting surface is crucial.
Price
Putters can vary wildly in price based upon the quality of the club and how it performs on the green.
Low price putters typically start around $30. These putters can provide consistent roll and touch, but golfers should expect that the club is made from cheap materials and may not last long.
Mid-range putters cost anywhere from $75-$200. These putters provide the most value for their performance. In this range, golfers will find well-made putters with an assortment of great features.
Most pros typically carry Scotty Cameron putters on the PGA Tour. These high-end putters routinely cost between $300-$500 but deliver outstanding performance.
Blade vs Mallet Putters
Blade putters offer an elongated face with a low profile that rarely rises above the midpoint of a golf ball. Blade putters are lightweight and offer premium control for golfers who like putting on an arc. A high-end blade putter provides consistent distance on lag putts with heel and toe balancing.
Mallet putters are larger and heavier than blade versions. Mallets offer more distance control and are great for golfers who like a straight-back, straight-forward putting stroke. A well-crafted mallet putter offers golfers premium performance with a smooth roll.
Both putters provide tour-proven shapes and designs that appeal to amateurs and professional golfers alike.
Milled or Insert
Another big choice golfers must make is between a milled face or face insert-driven hitting area.
A milled face means the company used a machine to mill the face, creating a textured surface that offers softness and distance control. In addition, a milled face will have a crisscrossed look that increases friction on the golf ball for a better roll.
A face insert is typically made from a composite material that is added to the face as a strip directly onto the center of the hitting area of the putter. Benefits of face inserts include enhanced softness and improved feel with excellent distance control.
Offset
Every putter offers an offset to help the golfer get a clean line of sight on the golf ball. Golfers can misread a putt due to visual perception issues caused by the putter’s face. The hope of offset is to remove those perception faults by providing a clear view of the golf ball so that golfers can visualize the putting line.
Some golfers prefer more offset with their putter, typically playing with a gooseneck putting shaft. The curved shaft allows the face to be behind the shaft’s path to the golf ball, allowing better consistency with a straight-back, straight-forward putting stroke.
Check our detailed guide: How to Choose a Putter
Questions & Answers
Why choose a center shafted putter?
A center shafted putter provides many benefits to golfers struggling with consistency in their putting game.
A center-shaft putter works best with a straight-back, straight-forward stroke with the head moving as if it is on a pendulum. Golfers who prefer to be directly over the golf ball at the address will also find a center-shafted putter to provide a pleasing experience.
By not putting with an arc motion, the golfer reduces the possibility of not returning the putter to square at impact. Golfers offer a better chance of the putter staying on the intended putting line by going straight back and straight through.
Who should play a center shafted putter?
Center-shafted putters are ideal for golfers who need to simplify their stroke. Since the straight-back, straight-forward stroke works best with these putters, golfers struggling to find consistency with an arc stroke should try this putter with the straight stroke.
With a broader, rounded head, a center-shafted putter is great for beginners and high handicappers that lack distance control on longer lag putts. This style of mallet putter is heavier, providing consistent distance that helps make sure you minimize the length of par putts.
A center-shafted putter should be considered by any level of golfer looking for a forward-facing center of gravity that delivers solid impact.
What does a putter offset do?
Offset is when the leading edge of a putter’s shaft is ahead of the face when the golfer addresses the golf ball. With the ball sitting further back in the stance, the golfer’s hands must stay ahead of the golf ball during the putting stroke. Most pros feel the forward press of the hands helps provide stability throughout the stroke.
Center-shafted putters offer very little offset. Since the shaft goes into the center of the head near the face, there’s no room for offset. This design could turn away golfers who prefer offset to their putters, but the clean approach could offer unseen benefits for golfers needing serious help on the greens.
What is a face balanced putter?
A face-balanced putter has a head that is balanced from heel to toe. This means that if you held the putter in your hand, it would balance flat on your palm with the shaft sticking at an angle, like at address.
The face of a face balanced putter is parallel to the ground to help the golfer prevent skidding and skipping after impact is made onto the golf ball. The face of this style putter closes and opens far less when a golfer uses a straight-back, straight-forward putting stroke. Golfers who like to putt with an arc that moves inside and finishes square should avoid a putter balanced along the face.
How often do I replace putter technology?
Golfers usually keep their putters for many years. Replacing a putter is generally done because the golfer has lost confidence in the club. While new putters offer new technology, there’s not as big a difference from old to new, like woods and irons.
That said, a new putter, like a Ray Cook model, can work wonders for golfers struggling to find consistency on the green. A new center-shafted putter that’s face-balanced can provide golfers a tool to unlock their struggles on the green. This style of high-end, high-quality putter offers clean weight distribution and lie angle for a direct line of sight to the golf ball.
Conclusion
Center-shafted putters offer better balance across the face for putts that don’t go offline. Whether it is a value line of center-shaft putters, like the Pinemeadow Golf Site 2 Putter or Ray Cook putter, or a luxury line, like the Odyssey Stroke Lab putters, golfers will find that these unique putters provide terrific performance.
Our choice for the best center-shafted putter, the Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa, offers a soft insert, excellent distance control, high moment of inertia (MOI) that reduces twisting, and is the kind of putter pros love to play.
An excellent alternative to heel-shafted putters, the best center-shafted putter can improve any golfer’s game on the green.