Golf is an expensive game. It’s the way it is, and always has been. But over the last decade or two, golf club manufacturers have embraced the idea of creating clubs at a price point that is accessible to everyone, typically those new to the game. This means there is a greater variety of clubs to choose from and it can be difficult to know which is the best. This guide is designed to help you weigh up your options and decide on the best budget putter for high handicappers.
Throughout this guide we will have putters to suit all budgets. Whether you only want to spend $150 or less, or you’re happy to make an investment up to $300, you’ll find your best options here. Join us as we run through the best budget putters for high handicappers.
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With our years of experience attempting to master this game coupled with extensive research, we are able to form some of the best-quality guides, reviews and how-to’s to help you improve your game. Here at Seventee2, we’re here to help you improve your game through well-informed decisions. We were all, or still are, beginners at one point, so we know exact questions folks new to the game might be asking, so trust us when we say you’re in good hands with our advice.
Buying anything “budget” can be a risk, but when you pick the right one, the value you get in return for your investment is unmatchable. So getting it right is vital. But when we started out, there was no one pointing us in the right direction, which is why we put together this buying guide for all you high handicappers out there.
Find the Best Golf Ball for Your Game
It’s just as important to find a golf ball that suits your game. Some are designed to help you claw back more control of your shots. Read our guide on the best golf balls for high handicappers today.
Best Budget Putters for High Handicappers Under $150
Wilson Infinite Bucktown Golf Putter
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Light Club head (365g)
- Double Milled Face
- Anti-glare finish
CONS
- Not suited for putting strokes with arcs
- Alignment lines do not go far enough back for some preferences
The Bucktown golf putter from Wilson follows the same strong showing that many of the other Infinite models do. If you’re looking for a great value putter that delivers exceptional performance, the Infinite Bucktown putter is one for you to consider. With a soft face and tacky grip, this putter is perfect for high handicappers in desperate need of some consistency on the putting greens. Being a mallet design means it is pleasant to look down at when addressing the ball.
At a touch under $150, this is the perfect putter for a high handicapper who is just starting out. The Wilson Infinite Bucktown Golf Putter is also a great option for those looking for a performance upgrade. When you get your starter set, not everyone is going to enjoy using the putter supplied, which is why this seems like a low risk investment. The Bucktown boasts counterbalance technology, meaning Wilson has managed to shift the weight close to the front, where your hands come into play. This allows for a smoother, more controlled putting stroke.
Cleveland HB Soft 11 Putter
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Heavy Clubhead Weight (370g)
- Diamond CNC Milling Pattern
- Forgiving for Off-centre putts
CONS
- Inconsistent mid-range performance
- Potentially too light for some high handicappers
Very similar to the Cleveland HB Soft Premier 4 we reviewed in our complete guide, except the HB Soft 11 is in the form of a mallet putter. This mallet putter club head comes in at 370 grams, making it the heaviest club head in this guide. At $127.49, this exceptionally priced putter is suited to high handicap players who prefer a heavy putter that can ‘swing itself’. Featuring the same Diamond CNC Milled face as the HB Soft Premier 4, this putter produces pure roll as well as a soft feel at impact.
Odyssey White Ice 1 Blade
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Multi Layered Insert
- Designed for Pure feel
- Firmer Core helping with distance control
CONS
- Outdated technology
- Only available second hand
The cheapest putter in this guide comes from the good folks over at Odyssey. If you’re looking for a reliable blade putter that you can keep in the bag for years to come, you can’t go too far wrong with the White Ice 1. It also happens to be the oldest in the collection, so in order to get your hands on one of these, you’re going to need to go second hand hunting. We mention later on in this guide that second hand putters shouldn’t be ignored. You can get what was a previously top-of-the-range putter for a fraction of the original retail price.
The insert present in this model of Odyssey is the one that would go on to inspire the White Hot insert that is loved by golfers around the world. The technology may be slightly outdated, but the performance can’t be denied. Truthfully, how much can they really change a putter?
Best Budget Putters for High Handicappers Under $200
Odyssey White Hot OG #7 Nano 22
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Decent club head weight (350g)
- White Hot Insert
- Toe hang design
CONS
- Not suited to those who tend to push putts
- Grip may require upgrading
The name Odyssey is usually a byword for putting excellence, and that is absolutely no different when it comes to the White Hot OG #7. With this particular putter you get the experience of playing the revered white hot insert that Callaway claims pros and amateurs love alike. This insert is designed to improve consistency of roll whilst simultaneously improving the feel of contact as well as sound.
The OG #7 is a toe hang putter, so it is suited to high handicappers with arc putting strokes, or those who struggle with pulling their putts. And at 350g, the mallet club head of this putter will help those struggle to produce consistent putting strokes.
COBRA King Vintage Sport-45
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Adjustable weights
- Toe hand design
- High tech club face for consistent roll
CONS
- Grip may be too thick for some
- Blade style might not help high handicappers who struggle with alignment
The King Vintage Sport-45 is an underrated putter in our opinion. Due to not being a Scotty Cameron, Odyssey or PING, the Cobra flies under the radar as one of the best budget putters under $200. Not just for high handicappers, but also mid-handicappers and those getting towards single digits.
Designed to suit those with a slight arc in their putting stroke, the King Vintage Sport-45 also takes into account not every golfer has a preference when it comes to the weight of their putter. With adjustable weights installed within the putter, golfers can fine-tune the club head to suit their preferred weight balance. The tech doesn’t stop there. Cobra have worked with the likes of major winner Bryson DeChambeau to engineer a club face insert that is designed to improve the consistency of roll. So not only will the club feel great in your hands, it will also roll great off the face. An absolute steal under $200.
TaylorMade Spider Tour Black
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Perimeter weighting
- Short slant hosel
- Putting stroke versatility
CONS
- No alignment aid
- Likely to be secondhand
The Spider Tour putter from TaylorMade was one of the most highly thought of putters when it was released. Every tour pro and their nan seemed to don the black spider putter for a period of time – and it was for good reason. It comes engineered with perimeter weighting with the idea of making it more stable going back and coming through. It possesses high MOI which means this perimeter weighting has had its intended effect. You can expect a pure roll with this putter too. The insert is made up of 45-degree grooves with a softer polymer designed to increase topspin and improve forward roll.
The Spider Tour putter is furnished with a short slant hosel, which if you’re unaware, is highly beneficial for high handicappers. It is a relatively new type of hosel, but what has made it so popular with amateurs and pros alike is its versatility. The slant hosel is the perfect middle ground for different types of putting strokes. With a slight toe hand, it suits both arched and straight back and forward putting strokes. Definitely one to consider if you’re still working out what your preferred stroke is, but still want a high quality putter.
Best Budget Putters for High Handicappers Under $300
Cleveland 2024 Frontline Elite Single Bend
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Very high MOI
- Exceptional launch for a mallet putter
- Very forgiving
CONS
- None to note at this price
The Frontline Elite putter from Cleveland provides an interesting talking point for when you’re considering which putter to choose under $300. What makes it so interesting is the fact that it can be considered the perfect middle ground between a blade putter and a mallet putter. With all the benefits of course. This model plays with the concept of having the centre of gravity further forward than conventional putters – and for good reason. Cleveland says the science behind it is, with the centre of gravity closer to the front the rotation arc is smaller, deviation is tighter and therefore means when mishit, they don’t travel as far offline.
This putter is suited to strokes that have a slight arc or straight line – which is something to consider before spending this much on a putter. Make sure you’ve established what your stroke is before pulling the trigger. With that being said. If you’re looking for a putter that blends the launch and feel of a blade putter with the forgiveness and compactness of a mallet putter, the Cleveland 2024 Frontline Elite Single Putter is one to consider.
Odyssey Ai-One
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- Variable thickness insert
- Removable weights
- Looks fantastic
CONS
- Most expensive within the $300 category
It feels like Odyssey has a say at all price points when it comes to putters. And like we mentioned earlier, it is for good reason. The Ai-One is designed to take brunt of mishits and produce consistent speed and roll regardless of where you strike the ball on the face. The urethane insert is made up of variable thickness which aids Odyssey’s mission to create a mallet-like blade putter.
The entire Ai-One range comes with choice when it comes to putter head weight. With 5-20 gram removable weights, you can tweak your setup to suit your stroke. So whatever your preference when it comes to weight, you can choose the one that suits your game best. We’ve highlighted the blade version as it pushes the boundaries of what a blade is capable of – creeping into mallet territory.
COBRA King Agera Centre Shaft
Prices Starting from:
PROS
- High MOI
- Very forgiving
- Looks fantastic
CONS
- Lightweight head may not suit everyone
The second COBRA putter in this guide, and for good reason. The King Agera is a 3D printed mallet putter perfect for high handicappers looking to make an investment and hang onto a putter for years. As to be expected with a mallet putter, the forgiveness for the King Agera is off the scale. It inspires so much confidence which is absolutely critical for not only high handicappers, but every golfer.
What makes the King Agera any interesting putter is how light the clubhead is, despite being a mallet. While most mallets are heavier and that is what appeals to golfers, some may prefer a lighter option. The design, along with the weight difference, means this putter may take some time to get used to. But it will certainly bear fruit if you persist.
Best Putters for High Handicappers: The Complete Guide
If you’re in the market for a putter as a high handicapper and want a bit more guidance, be sure to check out our guide. The Best Putters for High Handicappers complete guide covers everything you need to know before you pull the trigger on your new putter.
Budget Putters FAQs
Whether you’re new to the game or just a high handicapper, you’re likely to have a lot of questions when it comes to choosing the right putter for your game (and budget). We’ve collated a selection of commonly asked questions which should hopefully ease any apprehension you might have around buying a budget putter.
Does a Cheap Putter Make a Difference?
The putter is arguably the most important club you have in your bag. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune on it though. It just means you should pay the most attention to choosing the right one. With some much of putting down to feel and preference when you’re on the green, it really is up to you how much you spend. If you feel you make consistent contact with the ball and feel like you can control the distance well, then it doesn’t matter if it’s $400 or $150.
Is There Such a Thing as a Forgiving Putter?
There is no such thing as a ‘forgiving putter’ but there are definitely putters with more forgiveness than others. The phrase most commonly used in the world of golf is MOI. This stands for Moments of Inertia. When it comes to any golf club, especially putters, you want ones that possess high MOI. What this essential means is how much resistance the club has to twisting at impact. Putters with high MOI are considered forgiving as you can strike the ball off centre and get similar roll and performance as if you’d struck the middle of the face.
Does Buying a Second Hand Putter Make a Difference?
When you’re a high handicapper looking for the best putter for your game and skillset, a second hand putter is encouraged. It allows you to try out different types of putters, including shape and weights, so you can work out what your preference is without costing a fortune. As you get progressively better at golf, you may find some joy in changing/upgrading your putter. As the technology improves, it is possible that switching to a brand new putter from a 10-year-old model could help improve your game on the greens.
How Much Should I Spend on a Putter?
This really is up to you. If you’re reading this guide, you’re likely to be a high handicapper so your game will evolve over time. With this in mind, dropping $400+ on a state of the art Scotty Cameron could be deemed a risky move. You might not have yet worked out what your putting stroke looks/feels like and in-turn, you don’t know if your new Scotty will suit your final stroke.
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