By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Sep 4, 2024
Here are the 5 Best Putters For Beginners that can help you improve your game. Choosing the right putter can make all the difference.
Key Takeaways – Best Beginner Putter
- Mallets are typically better beginner putters than blades
- Get something with an alignment line (most beginner putters struggle with alignment)
- Don’t worry too much about “feel” when starting out
- Get a standard length putter (around 34”) to start
Putting is the absolute easiest way for beginner golfers to get better quickly. It’s as simple as that, the better you get at putting, the better you get at golf. Part of this equation is ensuring you have one of the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
Not all putters are created equal, and although beginners tend to navigate towards the mallet putter, you may want to understand why that is and which blade putters would be best for the beginner golfer. I’ll show you some of my results from testing the best putters for beginners and which ones I would recommend putting in your golf bag.
5 Best putters for beginners
My Test Results and Rankings:
#1. Odyssey DFX Putter Seven
Head Style: Mallet Putter
Pros:
- Large and softer feeling sweet spot
- A stable putter that helps develop a consistent stroke
- Comes with an oversized grip option for the most stability
- Good ball speed coming off the face to keep the putter on line
Cons:
- No option to upgrade to a Stroke Lab style golf shaft
- Not the most premium golf club from the Odyssey brand
My Experience (with pictures):
The Odyssey DFX Seven putter is, in my opinion, made specifically for the beginner golfer. We all know Odyssey makes some of the best putters for beginners in the game. However, some of these are really advanced golf clubs with expensive technology that may or may not matter to beginner golfers.
The DFX mallet putters are designed to be one of the most forgiving putter options in the line, and they have a very soft feel. The DFX insert is a little different than the premium Odyssey insert, but I did not have any trouble learning to control the ball or have a consistent roll.
Mallet style putters like the DFX Seven also do a great job of helping you perfect distance control. I liked the performance here on both short and long putts.
The Bottom Line
I’m well aware that the Odyssey DFX line is not the premium option from Odyssey. However, when it comes to golf putters, I’m sold on the fact that consistency and a soft feel are a fit for the beginner golfer. If you are still using a cheap beginner’s option, invest a little in yourself and go with the DFX Seven to see a big difference in your game.
#2. Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 4 Blade Putter
Head Style: Blade Putter
Pros:
- Soft feel
- Very forgiving putter on off-center hits
- Traditional putter style with a large sweet spot
- Speed Optimized putter face allows for better speed control and distance control
Cons:
- Not as stable at impact as a mallet putter style
- Doesn’t feel quite as pure as something like a premium Odyssey, has more of a click at impact
My Experience (with pictures):
The Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 4 Blade putter is one of the best blade putters I tried for beginners. I like how forgiving and soft the putter is and the way the golf ball comes off the club face.
One of the most difficult concepts for beginners is creating a consistent roll.
However, when you have the combination of Precision Milled Face for pure roll and Speed Optimized Face Technology, you can get some impressive performance with the Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 4 Blade putter.
Cleveland makes some of the best putters with high enough quality that I can also recommend you keep this one in your bag for years to come.
The Bottom Line
If your putting style is a bit more of an arc type stroke, the best golf putter for your game will be a blade. The Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 4 Blade helps beginner golfers develop a better feel. I am always impressed with the short game technology from Cleveland, especially for the price it’s offered.
#3. TaylorMade Spider GTX
Head Style: Large Mallet
Pros:
- High MOI Spider shape
- A ton of stability at impact
- Several different putter head-to-shaft connection options
- True path alignment makes it easier to get and keep golf balls on the proper line
Cons:
- Tough to pick which color you want to get
- Priced a little higher than other cheap beginner options
My Experience (with pictures):
The Spider GTX putter was the most stable of the beginner putters I tested. This is a mallet style putter that has one of the best alignment aids on the market. I’ve seen so many beginners struggle with alignment lines, how they work, and how to get them lined up to the hole.
The Spider GTX allows you the True Path feature that ensures you are always lined up with your target.
Let’s face it, if you want to be a great putter, you have to first start your putter on the proper line.
In addition, the GTX comes in a few different colors, so you can find the perfect top down look that you need. Visualization and consistency are the name of the game with the Spider GTX. Although some consider this a great beginner putter, I don’t see why you would ever have to take this one out of the bag.
The Bottom Line
The TaylorMade Spider GTX is a modern mallet putter designed to help with stability at impact and perfect alignment to the target.
If you are a new player dealing with heel and toe mishit putts, you will quickly realize the benefit of forgiving putters like the GTX.
I had a hard time not putting this one in my bag to stay!
#4. Odyssey Golf White Hot OG 2 Ball
Head Style: Mallet
Pros:
- Comes stock with the DFX Rubber Grip for a classic feel
- Helpful alignment aid with the 2 ball design
- More forgiving than a traditional blade style putter
- Silver PVD finish with fine milling holds up well over time
Cons:
- If you upgrade to the Stroke Lab shaft, the pricing goes up considerably
- A putter grip in a more oversized style would be a nice option
My Experience (with pictures):
The Odyssey Golf White Hot OG 2 Ball putter first came to the golf scene more than a decade ago. Golfers loved the two ball concept that allowed you to see how the ball is intended to travel toward the hole.
Regardless of your putting stroke (although straight back and straight through is a great fit), the Odyssey Golf White HOT OG 2 Ball is one of the best mallet putter designs you will find.
Odyssey makes the White Hot OG 2 Ball with their well-known two part urethane insert. If you care about feel at impact, this is a putter that will help check that box. I know I also recommend the DFX in addition to this Odyssey 2 Ball. Expect the 2 Ball to have a more premium feel and sound and perhaps a bit more ball speed on the initial forward roll.
Odyssey White Hot OG Putters feature the original White Hot formulation, feel, sound, and performance in one exceptional two-part urethane insert.
The Bottom Line
The Odyssey White Hot OG 2 Ball is an impressive piece of equipment. I love that this putter has done so well through the years, and then it came back to make another appearance with just slight modifications.
People that bought the original Odyssey 2 Ball still have it in their bag, and I think that says a lot about the overall performance.
#5. Wilson Golf Infinite Grant Park Putter
Head Style: Mallet
Pros:
- New grip with better feel and more stability
- The putter head is great looking and has no glare
- Counterbalanced for more control and smoother stroke
- Double-milled face for an impressive feel for a fair price
Cons:
- Not made with premium materials as you see from Scotty Cameron or Odyssey
My Experience (with pictures):
If you have been following along with my putter selections so far and think you aren’t sure if the blade or mallet might be best for you, the Wilson Golf INfinite Grant Park putter could be a great selection. The Wilson putters make getting a new putter a little less painful on your wallet.
This Wilson Golf Infinite Grant Park is a unique design that helped me to keep the putter face square as I was using it.
I like the counter balanced technology that helped the putter feel more smooth and create a pure roll. Wilson also did a great job with the anti-glare finish. It’s a dark PVD finish that reduces glare and makes it easier to see your lines.
The Bottom Line
I care about the feel of a putter, but I also care about confidence. The Wilson Golf INfinite Grant Park putter sets up really nicely to allow for better alignment and increased confidence as you putt the golf ball towards the hole. I think if you have been playing golf for a few months and find you are struggling with the current putter you have in place, this one will change things up a bit.
And the Best Putters for Beginners Are…
I know there are dozens of putters out there geared toward beginner golfers. Here are my favorites of the ones I tested included in the 5 Best Putters For Beginners list.
Best Putter for Beginner Overall: Odyssey DFX Seven
Did I surprise you with this one? Did you think I was going to go with the Odyssey White Hot OG 2 Ball? I love the 2 Ball and recommend it to a lot of golfers. However, the DFX is just such a great solution for a newer player. If you are buying 14 new golf clubs for yourself, the DFX has everything you need in a forgiving and high-quality design.
Best Value: Wilson Grant Park Infinite
The Wilson Grant Park Infinite putters are the best value putters for beginners. This partial mallet style, Grant Park, had a great feel and plenty of consistency which helped me incorporate a better feel into my golf game.
Best for Longevity: TaylorMade Spider GTX
If you want to invest money into your golf game today to have clubs for the next 10 years, I recommend the TaylorMade Spider GTX. This putter does a tremendous job on off-center strikes, works well for high handicappers down to lower handicappers, and has one of the most stable club head designs at impact. It’s one of the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
What To Look for in Good Putters for Beginners
If you purchased a beginner set of golf clubs, chances are you ended up with a budget putter that won’t last all that long. If you find that you need something a little more technologically advanced that takes your game to the next level, here is what you can look for in the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
Mallet vs. Blade
Most of the best beginner putters are mallet style. The mallet putters tend to help beginner players maintain ball speed and develop better distance control. In addition to the long alignment lines and impressive feel, the mallet putter can produce a more consistent roll. The 5 Best Putters For Beginners include a mix of both styles.
With that being said, I would not shy away from a blade if you are comfortable with it. Newer blade putters have higher MOI and have become some of the most forgiving putters in the game.
Putter Length
Choose the proper putter length based on your height. The taller you are, the longer your putter should be. The standard putter length is 34″. If you happen to be taller or shorter than that 5’7″ to 6’1″ range, you need to pay attention to putter length when choosing among the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
Pricing
When you choose a budget putter, expect to lose a bit of the feel you get from a premium putter. In addition, the grip style may be cheaper, or you may notice issues with the overall weighting of the putter. Expect to spend $100 or more on a good quality putter; the Wilson Golf Infinite Grant Park was our best budget putter included in the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
Insert vs. Milled
Some putters are milled out of one piece of metal; others have an insert. Insert putters tend to have a softer feel on the golf course. If you struggle feeling like you have “stone hands” or no feel on the greens, a soft feeling insert could be the solution. It’s a common feature in the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
The White Hot Insert in my Odyssey White Hot OG 2 Ball recommendation is one of the most well-known and high-performing inserts in the industry.
Alignment Lines
Aside from excess wrist movement and poor mechanics, most beginner golfers miss putts simply because they don’t have the golf ball lined up correctly. Some putters have a three-line alignment aid; others have a single line. The goal is to find something that helps you find your target line and stick to it! Incorporate the alignment lines effectively in any of the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
Shaft Technology
Putter shaft technology is constantly changing. If you go for a golf club fitting and they recommend a graphite premium shaft, that is your decision. However, most beginner putters can take a stable and straight stroke using a traditional steel-shafted putter. That’s why the 5 Best Putters For Beginners all feature reliable shaft technology.
FAQ
When it comes to choosing the best beginner putter, pick one that feels the best for you. In the beginning, it’s hard to determine whether your stroke will be more of an arc or a straight-back style. Therefore you should choose a putter that gives you confidence and an improved feel, and the rest will come.
A beginner can use a Scotty Cameron putter. Still, they may not know the difference between the feel and performance of a Scotty Cameron putter and a putter geared more toward a beginner.
Choose your putter length based on your height. Taller golfers should go with a 35-inch putter; shorter golfers should choose a 33-inch putter. A 34-inch putter is a standard length.
A high MOI putter is a putter with a high Moment of Inertia. Roughly translated in the golf world, the putter is a more forgiving design. Higher MOI putters are beneficial on both lag putts and more makeable putts.
Final Thoughts on the 5 Best Putters for Beginners
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for beginners to have the proper putter. You can save 5 or more shots off your round simply by making more putts. The Odyssey DFX Seven is affordable and has a great feel, and I found it to be the perfect choice for a beginner golfer trying to become a more consistent putter. Remember, these recommendations were based on comprehensive testing of the 5 Best Putters For Beginners.
About the Author
By Coach Erik Schjolberg – Last Updated Sep 4, 2024
Expertise:
Coach Erik actively coaches several PGA Tour Professionals. He’s the head golf instructor and writer here at Swing Yard, was voted the “#1 Golf Coach in Scottsdale, Arizona”, and has been coaching for over 20+ years. Erik also owns and operates his own online golf school, EJS Golf Academy. His other credentials include: Active PGA Coaches Membership, Titleist TPI Level 1 and 2, Trackman Certified Level 1, Dr. Kwon’s Biomechanics Level I and II, Scott Cowx Certified Level I Advanced, BodiTrack and V1 Sports Pressure Mat Certified, Titleist Club Fitting and Ball Fitting Certified, PGA Hope, and Sportsbox AI. Check out Erik’s full bio and certifications for more info.