Edited by: Jordan Fuller
Reviewed by: John MarshallLast Update:
Mallet putters have grown in popularity among amateurs in recent years as weekend warriors look to find ways to stabilize their game on the green and lower their overall scores.
The PGA Tour’s website suggests that if your handicap ranges from 10-19, then you are putting on average around 31 times per round. That’s 1.72 putts per hole. To bring your scores down into the single-digit handicap range, your putts per hole average will have to lead that charge.
Putting is about trust. When you are on the green, you need to have faith in the line you take for the putt, confidence in the speed you need to get the ball to the cup, but most of all, you need to believe that your putter is up for the task at hand.
It is fairly common to see stories about professional golfers trying new putters to find the one that works best for them and more than a fair share are turning to mallet putters to bridge the gap between their faulty putting and restore their maximum level of play.
We’ve taken the time to find tens of models, across all levels of price points, to discover ten of the best mallet putters that can help improve your putting, while possibly saving you a little money to take your talents to the course you’ve always dreamed of playing.
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Table of Contents
Best Mallet Putters
Odyssey O-Works Marxman Putter
Best All-Around Mallet Putter
PROS
- Textured face insert helps with promoting excellent forward roll
- Solidly built to provide golfer with balanced approach throughout the stroke
- Clean line of sight to the ball with center flare behind for additional accuracy
CONS
- Longer mallet putter with additional size could scare off golfers looking for more compact flatstick
Odyssey came out recently with a stunning collection of Red Works putters that offer golfers a wide variety of mallet putters that are well-produced and are certain to add a quality to your game that has not been there previously.
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Our favorite of the group is the Odyssey Marxman, a forked putter with three prongs that act as a unit to give your putting game the balance and power that it needs for putts from a variety of distances.
The roll quality with the Marxman is outstanding due to the wonderfully innovative Microhinge Face Insert. The insert is textured to help grip the golf ball at impact to reduce skidding and promote a forward roll that is straight and true to your target line.
One of the biggest areas that mid to high handicappers need to improve upon is finding the right distance and speed on longer putts to set up shorter par putts. Mallet putters are quite helpful if this is an issue that you struggle with as the heft and weight of a putter like the Marxman, for example, can create more balance in your stroke.
With an exceptional feel and magnificent roll quality, the Marxman is our choice for the best all-around mallet putter.
Cleveland Huntington Beach #11 SOFT Putter
Best Mallet Putter for Low Handicappers
PROS
- Incredible feel through the innovative milling process
- Outrageously good forward roll with exceptional distance control
- Well balanced mallet putter that keeps putts straight on target line
CONS
- The unique design with the shaft in the middle may be distracting for golfers wanting a more traditional putter
Cleveland is well known for creating the best wedges on the market today, but did you know that they are also one of the best at mallet putters? Their Huntington Beach line was very well received and their #11 SOFT mallet putter is one of the best around if you are interested in a center connection with the shaft.
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Easily the best feature of the #11 is the milling of the putter’s face. The unique swirling design of the precision milling on the face promotes a feel that few other mallet putters can rival. If you look even closer at the face, you can tell that the center has been designated with additional milling to give the center even more grip.
The center of gravity has been redistributed in the Cleveland mallet putter to provide assistance to the golfer’s feel and stability throughout the stroke. The innovation helps golfers keep their putts straighter and far more consistent than an imbalanced mallet putter.
Distance control is another area where the Huntington Beach putter really excels. From long distance putts over 30 feet or more, the mallet is very adept at dialing in the right speed and providing a consistency that makes it one of the best putters for low handicappers.
Pinemeadow PGX Putter
Excellent Budget Mallet Putter for Beginning Golfers
PROS
- Very affordable entry-level putter tailored for beginners
- Nice contrasting white finish with black insert helps find accuracy
- Weighted to help with faster greens where the golfer needs more help with distance control
CONS
- The putter feels less solid and the forgiveness is distant from higher end models
Pinemeadow has captured the heart of the budget conscious golfer with their line of clubs and putters. One of their newest models is the Pinemeadow PGX mallet putter that comes in an all-white shell with black trim for a stylish look that certainly helps with alignment.
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One of the details that we noticed immediately is that the club is heavier than we expected. The company says that it is tour-weighted to assist in helping golfers on faster greens find the speed they need to keep scores low.
A black and rigid insert covers the face of the putter and improves the quality of contact over other Pinemeadow models.
During our testing, we definitely gave the PGX more room for error considering the price point. For less than $40, you have to be able to accept certain imperfections that you won’t find on a more name-brand putter.
Our major complaints about the PGX is that it feels far less solid throughout the stroke when compared to the higher end models and on off-center strikes, your penalty is far more severe with less speed and accuracy.
If you are a beginning golfer looking for a low priced mallet putter, then the PGX is worth a look as long as you keep your expectations in check.
Ray Cook SR500 Putter
Solid Mallet Putter for High Handicappers
PROS
- Nicely balanced despite the size of the mallet putter
- Clear alignment tool makes finding the center of the face easy
- Soft grip works well to enhance stability and distance control
CONS
- Designed like TaylorMade Spider putter without the performance or quality
The Ray Cook SR500 Putter may look a little familiar at first glance as it is a direct rip-off of the design of the TaylorMade Spider line. Putting that disappointment aside, the mallet putter does have a few nice features such as the balance of the head, the soft grip that helps golfers establish stability and the contrast of the alignment tool that helps find the center of the face.
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During our time with SR500 we found the roll quality a bit clunky with too much skidding. This problem has more to do with the lack of soft insert that allows the putter to absorb the impact while reducing the bouncing that plagues cheaper putters.
Our biggest beef with this Ray Cook model is that it is obviously trying too hard to be a cheaper version of the Spider but without the quality or performance of that particular model. Although we noted earlier that the balance is solid with this putter, it does still lean a bit on the heavy side, making it hard to gauge when first handling on the green.
Although the putter is inexpensive, you do get what you pay for as the Ray Cook SR500 is a solid option for high handicappers that want a bulky putter without the high price tag.
Pinemeadow PGX SL Putter
Best Budget Putter for High Handicappers
PROS
- Soft face insert helps buffer the impact with the golf ball and promotes solid roll
- The color design of the clubface helps with alignment
- Offset at address gives clean line to the golf ball
CONS
- Designed as an alternative to Odyssey 2-ball but lacking in execution and construction
Pinemeadow has borrowed heavily from Odyssey to create their newest mallet putter as they use the popular 2-ball design as inspiration for the PGX SL mallet putter.
The club does boast a flashy contrast with the golf ball, a well-designed alignment tool on top of the head, and a soft insert that definitely improves roll when compared to other similar models.
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The PGX SL has an offset hosel that offers a clear line of sight to the golf ball. The “plumber neck” as they like to call it, helps with alignment and accuracy. When coupled with the alignment art on top of the head, the golfer shouldn’t have a problem finding the center of the face.
Another feature worth mentioning is the face insert on the PGX SL. Designed to cushion the impact and promote a smooth roll off the face, the insert is a feature that we didn’t expect would work as well as it did on moderate putts from 10-15 feet.
If you are searching for a budget-level mallet putter with a strong contrast to the golf ball at address and a soft roll after impact, you can do much worse than the Pinemeadow PGX SL mallet putter.
Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter
Quality Budget Putter for Junior Golfers
PROS
- Plumber’s neck hosel gives direct line of sight to the golf ball at address
- Soft TPU face insert helps prevent skidding and bouncing
- Improved alignment line directly behind the center of the face
CONS
- Plain mallet putter with little in the way of exciting features, great for a junior golfer
The Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter is a straightforward mallet putter with all the features that you would expect from a low price flatstick. Features include a plumber’s neck hosel, a soft TPU face insert, and a bi-color sightline to help the golfer find the center of the face at address.
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When you hold the T1 putter, it does not have the feel of a heavy mallet, like others at this price point. Instead, it is lighter, and while that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, most high handicappers respond well to a heavier mallet putter for stability and consistency.
At impact, we approve of the performance of the soft TPU insert. The center of the face doesn’t have the texture like we prefer, but it does keep the ball from skidding and bouncing too much after impact.
Also, if you are wondering about the alignment line, the Tangent T1 has a large bi-color line that flows seamlessly on the rear of the putter head.
If you are in the market for a budget putter that performs admirably without the bells and whistles of a more expensive mallet, then the Orlimar Tangent T1 putter is a worthwhile option.
Pinemeadow Site 4 Putter
Outstanding Budget Putter for Mid Handicappers
PROS
- Strong face promotes outstanding forward roll and less skidding
- Well balanced mallet putter with clear alignment tool for improved accuracy
- Soft face insert helps grip the golf ball at impact to reduce bouncing
CONS
- The quality of the materials and construction leave a lot to be desired at times with this putter
The Pinemeadow Site 4 mallet putter takes a modern approach to providing a dependable flatstick that works well mainly because of its soft insert that helps create dynamic forward roll without the popping that plagues other putters.
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The Site 4 features an oversized plate that helps the golfer find the center of the face, while an offset hosel assists by providing a clear line to the golf ball. The Consistent Face technology has a softness that helps cushion the impact and really does well at reducing the skipping that can throw your putts offline.
Another feature worth noting is that the grip on the Site 4 is made from a polyurethane. While it does not have the size of the larger grips we prefer on heavier putters such as this one, if you prefer a more slender grip, the stock one does perform well.
During our time with the Site 4, we noted how the weight of the clubhead is evenly distributed, creating a forgiveness that helps on off-center strikes.
For a budget mallet putter, the Pinemeadow Site 4 putter provides a clean design, clear alignment, and a balance that creates dependable putts that find their line more often than not.
TaylorMade Spider X Putter
Best Adjustable Mallet Putter for Low Handicappers
PROS
- Rear weighting allows golfers to create a smooth stroke
- Wide alignment stripe on top of the head allow for consistent strikes
- Heavier putter head promotes stability throughout the stroke
CONS
- Expensive putter that probably is best suited for low handicappers looking to improve their game on the green.
The TaylorMade Spider X mallet putter is a flatstick that offers more adjustable features than you’ll ever see on a mallet. The X line of putters is TaylorMade’s luxury model line and one that professional golfers on the PGA Tour routinely play.
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The reason you see this putter on television on Sunday is because the putter delivers an exceptionally well-made alignment tool called True Path, forgiveness that helps keep the ball on the target line and stability that provides quality contact on each putt.
The X design of the putter isn’t just for looks as it serves the purpose of providing more reliability and better alignment with the perimeter-weighted head. On top of the head is the True Path alignment line that makes it simple to align your putt for improved accuracy.
The Pure Roll insert on the face is grooved to help with absorption at impact and increase the top spin after the ball starts moving forward. From a variety of distances, we were delighted at the Spider X’s performance as the ability to control the speed of the putting is second to none.
For low handicappers, it doesn’t get much better than playing with a professional putter like the TaylorMade Spider X.
TaylorMade Spider Tour
Best Mallet Putter for Mid Handicappers
PROS
- Outstanding forgiveness on off-center strikes due to balanced weightier head
- Vibration dampening foam throughout the head for higher quality of contact
- Stainless steel frame is heavy to keep putter on-line longer for better accuracy
CONS
- Wider clubhead may leave beginning golfers and high handicappers frustrated
The TaylorMade Spider Tour is a simpler version of their most popular mallet putter line as the flatstick features the Pure Roll insert, multiple hosel options, and the perimeter-weighted head.
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The putter head in the Spider Tour is filled with a damping foam that allows for better feel and a more solid sound at impact. The square shape of the Spider Tour head helps with the alignment, especially when used in unison with the single line that trails behind the center of the face.
When we got the Spider Tour onto the practice green, we loved how we could stand the putter up and leave it upright behind the golf ball. If you are taking lessons or are wanting to learn more about alignment, having the ability to walk behind the putter and see where your target line is for the putt is a great resource to have, regardless of skill level.
Boosted by a lightweight aluminum body that is bolstered by a stainless steel frame, the TaylorMade Spider Tour is trusted by some of the best golfers in the world and for a very affordable price, weekend warriors can take one of the best putters on the market to their local club to tackle the greens.
Wilson Staff Harmonized Putter
Versatile Mallet Putter for High Handicappers
PROS
- Face insert improves feel upon impact and assists with better accuracy
- Offset hosel helps give the golfer a cleaner look at golf ball
- Long flared clubhead gives heft for better balance and stability
CONS
- The lack of a soft insert does hamper feel and response at times
The Wilson Staff Harmonized Putter is another budget mallet putter that features an polymer injected insert, a vertical seam grip that helps with feel and response and an easy alignment design that helps with accuracy.
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One of the cooler features we’ve seen in a mallet putter at this price point is the vertical seam grip that enhances the feel that the golfer has over the flatstick.
Rather than the popular bulky putter grip that you see becoming more and more popular these days, the Harmonized has a grip that allows for improved tension throughout the stroke.
The flared rear of the sole creates a balanced head that is evenly weighted and produces putting that is often controlled and dependable.
Once we got the putter to the course, we were a bit disappointed with the softness of the insert. Instead of a softness, like with other budget mallet putters on this list, the polymer had a tendency to register differing speeds and distances at times.
For high handicappers search for a versatile mallet putter that is well designed and provides an accurate roll, the Wilson Harmonized Putter is a solid entry-level club that will improve your game on the greens.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1: Value
When we talk about the value of the putter, we are referring specifically to its performance against the cost of the club. Well known golf equipment companies are known to charge far more than smaller companies, but many golfers ask themselves if the additional cost is worth it in the long term.
Most of the time, the answer isn’t black or white. Golfers respond differently to putters. Some love the weight and control of a mallet putter, while other amateurs love the feel of a blade model. Although value is in the eye of the beholder, or golfer in this instance, we’ll give you our best judgment on what the putter offers to you on the course.
Criteria #2: Appearance
Although you may scoff at the notion that appearance isn’t that big of a deal when talking about a putter, we can assure that everything noted here feeds back into the confidence and trust that you have in your flatstick.
If a putter is oddly shaped or has a different look, that certainly can become distracting and ultimately lead to a club that you lose faith in on the green. When we take a look at the appearance of a putter, we want to note how it looks at address as well as in your bag. The better the appearance, the more belief you’ll have when you need to sink that important putt.
Criteria #3: Roll Quality
This criteria is one of the most important criteria we’ll judge when looking at putters. The roll quality of a putter is vital to getting the ball along the target line with minimal skidding and hopping.
Golfers want to get the ball off the clubface and begin the roll forward as soon as possible. If you were to look at a slow-motion video of the point where the ball comes off the face, you’d notice that it skids and hops before it rolls forward.
Bad putters will enhance this deficiency, while first-rate putters will reduce the ill effects to provide a more pure roll that you can count on when faced with an important putt.
Criteria #4: Feel
The feel of a putter is another factor that feeds into the assurances and reliance that you’ll have with the flatstick. So many books talk about how golf is very much a mental game. That goes double with putting and having the knowledge that your putter is well-constructed and can get the job done to lower your scores is an advantage most golfers do not possess.
When we discuss feel in our reviews, we are talking about everything that happens after your hands first touch the putter. From the first grip to how the ball comes off the clubface, feel is involved in every aspect of how the putter responds and, ultimately, how much conviction you have with the club on the course.
Criteria #5: Forgiveness
We all understand that every shot we hit will not be perfect. Just like an iron shot or drive that finds the face of the club more towards the toe and loses accuracy and distance, anything hit away from the center of the clubface of the putter can also cause you to lose speed and your target line.
But all putters are not built the same when it comes to forgiveness. When looking at this specific criteria, we want to put the putter through a test that sees how the club responds when the putts are not hit with the center of the club.
Questions & Answers
What makes a great putter?
Head Shape
Putter heads usually come in one of two options: a blade-style or mallet-style. A blade is perfect for the golfer looking for more control with their putting stroke. Mallets are more balanced, heavier and ideal for the straight-back and straight-through swing.
Length of Shaft
Finding the perfect length of a putter shaft is crucial for maintaining a consistent putting stroke. If you buy one that is too long, it could create problems with the shortening of your arms. Shafts that are too small have the opposite effect of reaching with the arms through the putt.
Putter Grip
Finding the right putting grip is generally about finding the grip that fits your hands. Larger hands with long fingers seem to like the thick SuperStroke grip that helps prevent twisting through the stroke. Smaller hands should seek out the thinner, more traditional putting grip for stability.
Hosel
The location of the hosel can be significant for a golfer looking to improve their putting game. Most blade putters have the hosel located to the inside of the club, closer to the golfer’s body. Some mallets, however, located the hosel in the center of the club head to improve contract and location of the contact.
Materials Used
Carbon steel is commonly chosen as the best material for a putter head. Coupled with face inserts that are milled and created from softer compounds, the head of a high-quality putter will be balanced and prevent the skidding of a golf ball for truer roll and more online putts.
What are the different putting strokes?
Straight Back Straight Through
The straight-back and straight-through putting stroke are made when the golfer brings the putter back on a straight line and then moves the putter forward on the same line to the golf ball. The center of the putter face and the contact spot on the golf ball are aligned with this stroke.
Arc Stroke
An arc-stroke is made when the golfer brings the putter inside the golf ball on the takeaway, then returns the putter to the center of the golf ball on the follow through. Most golfers use blade putters for this stroke as they are toe balanced and therefore, easier to control for the arc-stroke.
Inside Down the Line
The inside-down-the-line stroke is a variation of both the arc and the straight back-straight through stroke. On the takeaway, the putter moves slightly inside the golf ball then comes back online and stays online through the putting stroke. For shorter putts, the inside-down stroke has gained popularity due to its improvement in accuracy.
Should my putter be face balanced vs. toe balanced?
A face-balanced putter is manufactured in a way that makes it hard for the golfer to twist the clubface through the putting stroke. By preventing the opening or closing of the club face, the golfer can keep the putter on path by taking the putter straight-back and straight-through the golf ball.
Mallet putters are typically face balanced to aid the golfer in keeping their putts on the correct putting line.
A toe-balanced putter is the preferred choice for golfers who like to make an arc-style stroke. To help you understand the path of an arc stroke, imagine that you are standing over the golf ball and the point of impact is the peak of a very wide yet shallow arch. The center of the putter face will come inside the golf ball on the backswing and then return to the square position when contact is made.
Professional golfers prefer the arc method with their putts because it allows for more control. Many find the straight-back and straight-through method to be less forgiving and void of taking into account what works best for the golfer.
One of the main things that amateurs overlook when buying a putter is to take into consideration how the specifications of the club will affect their swing. Putters are offered in a variety of heights, weights, and lofts. It is crucial that the amateur take those factors into account when settling on the putter that is right for them.
Should I use a mallet or a blade putter?
Golfers looking to improve their putting have typically settled on trying to choose between a mallet and blade putter.
When you closely look at both versions, there are many similarities despite the difference in shape. The face of both putters are short in height, and the majority of mallet putters have a hosel located on the inside of the club, close to the golfer’s body, like blade putters.
The differences between the two clubs start with the difference in the shape of the putter heads. Mallet putters have heads that are typically square or block-like in style. Newer mallet putters have taken on a new dimension with a stylish flared look. In contrast, blade putters are long and thin, much like the blade of a knife.
With the larger club head, mallet putters have more weight to utilize when establishing the balance of the putting stroke. Amateur golfers love the stability of the mallet putter for a straight-back and straight-through putting stroke. Manufacturers have included adjustable weights on the sole of the latest mallet putters to help the golfer get the exact feel they want when striking the ball.
Another feature that excels with the mallet putter is alignment when addressing the golf ball. With the large head, golfers have a clear path to seeing the ball with the enhanced lines provided by the extra area behind the putter’s face.
Compared to the mallet putter, blade putters need more touch and precision. The lighter weight, as well as the lack of a substantial alignment guide, makes the margin of error smaller for blade users.
Golfers that use a blade putter must master an arc stroke to see consistent results from their putting game due to the face being toe balanced. For this reason, most professional golfers that prefer a blade putter do so for their advantage with the arc putting stroke.