The equipment side of golf has changed quite a bit in the last couple of decades, leaving the beginner golfer with multiple options in terms of what clubs to put in their bags. These options include many different styles, brands, and models of putters. There are the Odyssey White Hot and DFX lines, Cleveland Golf putters like the Huntington Beach series, as well as popular models from brands such as TaylorMade, Mizuno, Tour Edge, Scotty Cameron, and more. You get the picture—if you wanted something to be overwhelmed with, here it is! Putting is already complicated enough, so I believe a bit of simplification would be nice, right?

If you answered yes, keep reading, because this is exactly what we are hoping to provide: a simplified guide of the best golf putters for beginners or high-handicappers that will help you and your golf game, and should lead to more made putts. Who doesn’t want that? Let’s clear up some of that confusion and keep it simple!

Blade vs. Mallet

One simplification we can provide right away is to make a clear distinction between a mallet and a blade putter. You might be thinking, “there is a difference in putters too?” and yes there is. I won’t go into too much detail on this other than to touch on the main points.

Generally speaking, a traditional blade putter will look like this, and a mallet putter will be designed like this. If you compare both of the putters, you will notice right away a distinct difference between the putter head of the blade versus the putter head of the mallet. The blade style is a more traditional design of a putter, as you will see in this video featuring Tiger Woods. The putter that he uses there is a traditional blade-style putter that does not offer as much forgiveness as a mallet-style putter, like the one Jason Day is using in this video. J Day made this Taylormade Spider putter famous due to his putting dominance, as Tiger did with his Scotty Cameron. While seeing the difference between the putters that Tiger and Jason use in those videos, you can also learn some pro tips to implement into your golf game!

In terms of the technology behind these two types of putters, the mallet and the blade are different not only visually but also from a performance standpoint. The blade putter will generally offer less forgiveness and stability than a mallet putter can offer you. The reason is that a mallet putter features a bigger clubhead that typically has a high “Moment of Inertia” (MOI), which is a fancy golf term to say that it will be a more stable and forgiving putter. A mallet putter is especially useful for the beginner who is still learning to play golf because it isn’t easy to make a consistent putting stroke each time. Why not take advantage of the existing technology and forgiveness on the market right now?

However, don’t worry if you’ve already bought a blade putter! You can still learn with it, though it might be a little more difficult to find consistency. However, I would recommend that anyone just starting out should go with a mallet putter over a blade. As I mentioned earlier, the mallet putter offers more MOI as well as a larger sweet spot. This will allow the golfer to learn the fundamentals while receiving the extra benefits in forgiveness, accuracy, and stability.

Once the beginner golfer has the key fundamentals down to creating a solid putting stroke, they can then decide if a blade style or mallet style is best for them. After all, you aren’t married to the putter you first get! I would still recommend that you explore your options because there are many out there. You might find your perfect putter in the very first putter you buy and keep in the bag for several years! But if you decide to make a change, you can trade that old putter in when you buy the new one by contacting a Golf Expert like myself here on Curated.

So, let’s get into the options of the best putters for beginners! As we do, note that there will be a difference between the less expensive putters and the more expensive putters in terms of technology.

1. Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball Putter

The Odyssey White Hot OG 2-Ball Putter is a great option in a mallet putter for beginners, from a trusted name in Odyssey Golf. The putter face insert (the white finish you see on the putter face) is the patented “White Hot” face insert by Odyssey. This putter face technology has been trusted by pros and amateurs alike for its awesome feel and performance abilities. This classic putter has been upgraded with the most recent technological advancements to give you the best version of the 2-Ball Putter.

2. Taylormade TP Hydro Blast Putter Chaska

The TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Putter Chaska is a great option when starting out and is a solid option for a mallet putter that you can learn on and play for many years to come. TaylorMade offers their Pure Roll face insert with this high-performing MOI putter, and the technology behind the face insert will lead to an optimal roll of the golf ball for more consistency. In addition, the 45-degree designed grooves will increase the topspin of the golf ball, which is something we want to have! This will help the ball roll end-over-end for greater consistency.

3. Tour Edge Biarritz Pure Feel Template Putter

The Tour Edge Biarritz Pure Feel Template Putter is an excellent budget putter that provides great value for a mallet putter. Though it might not be as well known as the Odyssey, it doesn’t sacrifice performance. This putter is designed with Pure Feel technology that will deliver a soft feel while providing great consistency.

The mill pattern, which is made possible by CNC milling, makes for a soft-feeling putter. Anytime you see that a putter is milled, it will be softer and provide more feel in comparison to a non-milled putter face. Typically there will be a mark on the putter that will say milled or CNC milled to know for certain. This allows for reduced drag when the putter face hits the ball, leading to a more reliable roll each time.

This putter also features a clear-cut alignment line to make it easier to line putts up—a nice option to give more confidence to the beginner/high-handicapper. In addition, it comes equipped with a jumbo/oversize grip to minimize using too much wrist in the putting stroke, another factor that will help develop consistent putting strokes.

4. Cleveland HB SOFT Milled #1

The Cleveland HB SOFT Milled #1 putter is a well-made, traditional-looking putter that is available at a very reasonable price. This putter is designed for a wide range of golfers and provides a level of smoothness and consistency that is as valuable to high-handicappers as it is to low-scoring players.

This putter's key feature is its face milling technology which helps control the speed of the ball at impact. Cleveland incorporates its SOFT (Speed Optimized Face Technology) in this putter, and the result is consistent speed control not only from the sweet spot, but also on off-center hits from the toe or heel of the face.

5. Cobra King Vintage Widesport

The Cobra King Vintage Widesport putter is a larger version of the standard-sized blade putter. It comes with a bigger footprint but is still a balanced putter that suits those whose putting style is straight back and through the ball.

The King Vintage Widesport has clean lines at address and a sleek black finish that contrasts sharply with its white alignment aid. This makes it easier to line up putts—a must-have for beginner golfers. The SIK technology incorporated in this putter's construction also works to compensate for mishits and offer more forgiveness. So even when missing the sweet spot, the ball will still keep a straight trajectory.

I hope this information helps you in finding your perfect putter! If you are still in need of more help or want to get the putter even better fit to your needs, feel free to reach out to a Golf Expert so we can get your brand new putter to your doorstep as quickly as possible! Happy golfing!