As a high handicap golfer, it’s easy to grow frustrated when the game seemingly isn’t going your way. But there is no aspect of golf that induces more rage than on the short green stuff. Putting is arguably the most difficult part of golf and this comes down to the fact that a lot of your best putts come down to ‘feel’. And therein lies the problem for high handicappers, they don’t know what a good putt should feel like. This obviously doesn’t help their search when looking for the perfect putter to suit their game.
Many players will have the starter putter that came with their set when they first started the game, which is unlikely to be the one suited to their game.
Before we start looking for the best putter for a high handicapper, we need to consider that it comes down to a few different factors. You have to assess what needs to change in your current putting stroke to become more consistent and then ultimately slowly lower your score. The right putter should allow you to maintain perfect balance, reduce sway offline and provide great feedback in your hands after contact among many other things.
Why Trust a Seventee2 Review?
Seventee2 is made up of a group of mid-to-high handicappers with a passion for the game of golf. 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. 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.
We’ve been in the same exact position as you, looking for the putter that is going to make it all change for the better. 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.
Pair Your Putter with the Right Golf Ball
Once you’ve found the right putter for you, make sure you pair it with the golf ball that suits your game. Read our guide on the best golf balls for high handicappers today.
What Different Types of Putter Are There?
Truthfully, there are only 3 types of putter on the market today, but hundreds of slight variations that can make all (or none at all) the difference to your putting stroke. Your next putter is likely to be a variation of a blade putter, mallet putter or cavity-backed putter all boasting slightly different characteristics that can be an advantage depending on your putting stroke. You might prefer a lighter putter because you feel you have more control, or you prefer a heavier putter as you would rather the putter feels like it’s deviating less off line. It is all up to personal preference.
The best way to work out which type of putter suits your stroke is by heading to your local pro shop and trying out a few different models and working out which ‘feels’ best to you. Remember, a lot of putting can be attributed to confidence in the science, so make sure to choose the one that puts you at ease over the ball.
Best Blade Putters for High Handicappers
So you’ve tried out a few putters and you’ve settled on the blade shape being the one for you. Now you’ve got the small task of choosing one that suits your putting stroke. Here are our 3 favourite blade putters for high handicappers.
Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Premier 4
PRICE: Starting from $127.49 (£99.00)
PROS
- Light Clubhead (345g)
- Diamond CNC Milling Pattern
- Forgiving for Off-centre putts
CONS
- May deviate off-line if too light for preference
- May find you’re hitting harder than usual
The Huntington Beach Soft Premier 4 from Cleveland represents one of the best value blade putters on the market today. Its unique diamond CNC milling pattern is specially designed to increase friction between club face and ball for a pure roll and softer feel at impact. Cleveland didn’t just stop there when looking for ways to provide more consistent putting strokes, they have incorporated proprietary Speed Optimised Face Technology which allows regular and consistent ball speed across the entire face of the putter, even when striking the ball off-centre.
This particular blade model comes furnished with a slightly lighter than average club head, coming in 345 grams, so if you prefer a lighter putter in your hand, the Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Premier 4 could be spot on for you. The plumbers neck hosel equipped on this model will suit golfers with a more conventional putting stroke. It is the most popular hosel shape, commonly featuring on middle of the road putters. This means they’re great putters to experiment with your putting stroke, allowing for both straight and arc strokes.
Wilson Infinite Windy City
PRICE: Starting from $101.99 (£79.00)
PROS
- Decent Clubhead Weight (355g)
- Double-Milled Face
- Affordable
CONS
- Inconsistent mid-range performance
- Potentially too light for some high handicappers
Wilson as a brand often gets dismissed when high handicappers are looking for new clubs. Startled by the bright lights of some of the big brands, they settle on the most expensive option as they believe it’s the solution to their waning short game. However, the Infinite Windy City Putter from Wilson can go toe-to-toe with any mid-range blade putter on the market. Thanks to its double-milled face, you can expect solid contact and feel with a resulting smooth roll.
The Infinite Windy City putter currently comes in at 355 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Cleveland mentioned above, but this does come with an advantage. If you’re someone who struggles to take the putter back straight, or ‘on-line’, then the additional weight will help you avoid deviating off-line. Wilson didn’t stop there trying to help high handicappers, they incorporated a heavier grip to compliment this slightly oversized clubhead to create a counterbalanced feel. All in the name of creating a solid feel.
Odyssey White Hot Versa One CH
PRICE: Starting from $254.98 (£199.00)
PROS
- Decent Clubhead Weight (360g)
- White Hot Insert
- Light Shaft, Heavier Head
CONS
- Expensive in comparison
- Less feel than a milled putter
Before you even set the club down in front of you, the black and white finish on the Odyssey White Hot Versa One CH will be the first thing to stick out to you. It looks fantastic on the green with a ball set in front of it. As one of the more expensive blade putter options, you will be glad to know that the performance matches that of its own price tag. Pros and coaches around the world talk very highly of the Versa range from Odyssey, saying it helps players make vast improvements with alignment and as a result better putting.
This putter comes equipped with a single alignment notch on the top of the clubhead, making lining up your putts as easy as ever. Thanks to the colour scheme of this putter, it is easier to set up and concentrate, ultimately in a bid to make more putts. What makes this putter different to the previous two is the fact that it is furnished with a White Hot Insert as opposed to a milled face. This means this putter is designed to offer more forgiveness, while sacrificing a bit of feel. If you’re a high handicapper that prefers a putter that feels softer off the face, a putter with an insert is the right choice for you.
Best Mallet Putters for High Handicappers
Maybe you tried a few blade putters and couldn’t get along with them. You’ve decided you prefer the mallet shape and the heavier clubhead. Now it’s time to choose the right putter for your game. Here are our 3 favourite mallet putters for high handicappers.
Odyssey Eleven 2 Ball Triple Track DB Putter
PRICE: Starting from $318.73 (£249.00)
PROS
- Decent Clubhead Weight (365g)
- Easy to align putts with tracking balls
- Incredibly Forgiving for Off-centre putts
CONS
- Expensive compared to other models
- May cause reliance on alignment aids – still requires picking the right line
The Eleven 2 Ball Triple Track DB Putter from Odyssey is one of the best offerings to date. The classic 2-ball alignment aid has helped high handicap golfers around the world line up their putts better for years. This particular putter was designed with high handicappers in mind as this isn’t where the assistance stops. Odyssey designed this particular model with a multi-material design that means the centre of gravity is almost one quarter of an inch further forward than other models, whilst maintaining high MOI (moments of inertia – how much the face twists upon off-centre impact).
For high handicapper golfers that struggle with consistent ball striking on the green, this is certainly a putter to consider. This putter is best suited for golfers with strokes with minimal face rotation and arc. With a clubhead weight of 365 grams, high MOI and improved centre of gravity, there is a lot to like about this mallet putter. It provides enough weight for golfers who prefer heavier putters, whilst also offering some of the best aspects of blade putters.
Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie Putter
PRICE: Starting from $229.48 (£179.00)
PROS
- Decent Clubhead Weight (355g)
- Ultra-premium look & finish
- Alignment assistance
CONS
- Small Mallet Clubhead can be off-putting
- Stock grip may not suit golfers who prefer thicker grip
If you’re looking for a premium putter that provides great value for money when pitted against the likes of the TaylorMade Spider putter, the White Hot OG Rossie Putter from Odyssey is the one for you. Boasting the world-famous ‘White Hot’ tag means this putter comes with the incredibly popular milled insert that so many pros and amateurs love. This putter is perfect for those high handicappers who have been playing the game for a while and are now finally looking to make some real progress.
Slightly lighter clubhead (355 grams) than the model mentioned above, but that may suit some golfers. When looking for the best mallet putter for high handicappers, it is important to try different weights which is what makes the Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie Putter a fantastic option.
Wilson Buckingham Infinite Putter
PRICE: Starting from $115.00 (£89.99)
PROS
- Decent Clubhead Weight (365g)
- Feels like the putter can ‘swing itself’
- Great value for money
CONS
- Less technologically advanced than other models
- Can sometimes feel ‘harsh’ off the face
If you’re a high handicapper that struggles with regularly hitting the ball off-centre, as well as controlling the distance of your putts, the Buckingham Infinite Putter from Wilson could be the perfect one for you. Equipped with 3 alignment guides along with the ability to lay the clubhead flat on the ground means you will find stroking the ball end-over-end easier than ever.
What makes this Wilson putter particularly suitable for high handicappers is the fact that they are unlikely to have established their preferred putting stroke. Thanks to the slant neck hosel on the Buckingham Infinite, this putter is good for “Arc” or “Straight” shaped putting strokes. The double-milled face, and striking resemblance of the TaylorMade Spyder, will inspire confidence and consistency when you step over your ball.
Best Budget Putters for High Handicappers (Under $150)
We get it, putters (and golf clubs in general) can be incredibly expensive. With so many pros on tour playing the latest clubs, it can be easy to think you can improve your game by throwing money at it. But that doesn’t have to be the case. Here are our 3 favourite budget putters for high handicappers.
For a full budget breakdown guide, read our best budget putters for high handicappers ($150-$300) guide.
Wilson Infinite Bucktown Golf Putter
PRICE: Starting from $147.00 (£114.99)
PROS
- Light Clubhead (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 Infinite Bucktown golf putter from Wilson follows the same strong showing that many of the other Infinite models do. Providing great value for money whilst delivering exceptional performance. With a soft face and tacky grip, this putter is perfect for high handicappers in desperate need of some consistency on the putting greens. Its mallet design means it is pleasant to look down at when addressing the ball.
If you only play a handful of times per month, you’re unlikely to want to break the bank when buying a new putter. The Wilson Infinite Bucktown Golf Putter is a great option for those looking for a performance upgrade. 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
PRICE: Starting from $127.49 (£99.00)
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 mentioned before, except it 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. Exceptionally priced putter for high handicapper 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 Putter
PRICE: Starting from $89.24 (£69.99)
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 secondhand hunting.
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?
How To Choose A New Putter as a High Handicapper
Now you’ve been given your options, it’s time to work out how to choose your next putter. There are four factors to take into account when picking your next putter, all of them worth testing at your local pro shop. It is important to remember that unlike choosing your new driver or irons, a lot of choosing a putter comes down to ‘feel’. We understand that can be slightly vague as a statement, but it all relies on you trying out a few putters and it’s almost trial and error until you find the one that feels best in your hands.
At the end of the day, you want a putter that inspires confidence when you address your ball. You want to be confident that you’re doing the right things in order to get the best results. The best putters for high handicappers are whatever gives you the best feeling when operating on the green.
Clubhead Design
This has formed the basis of our guide. Sectioning it into Blades and Mallets. Ultimately these are the two designs you will choose from, with some manufacturers offering hybrids on these two clubhead shapes. Both have different characteristics to suit different types of putting strokes, so it is important to find one that suits how you currently stroke the ball.
Feel
There are a couple aspects of ‘feel’ that you will want to take into account when you try out a few different putters. And again, this is all purely down to your personal preference. We can break it down into top, middle and bottom.
Firstly, how do you want the putter to feel in your hands? Do you prefer thicker grips like a SuperStroke or a thinner more tacky grip? The thickness of your grip can play a part in things such as distance control which is vital when putting. Try a few different grips.
Secondly, the shafts can vary from putter to putter. Unlike with your irons, there is no industry standard for a stiff or flex shaft. Some manufacturers such as Odyssey have stiffer shafts to create a more solid feel upon impact.
Lastly, the putter head is arguably the biggest ‘feel’ factor on the putter. You will obviously have decided which of the clubhead shapes you prefer, both with different characteristics when it comes to feel, but this isn’t where it ends. You will have a choice over things such as whether you want to play a milled face putter, or one with an insert. Both have their advantages and will produce different types of feel. As we’ve said throughout this guide, it is all down to preference after you’ve tested a few different options.
Alignment
Most putters nowadays have some sort of alignment line on them, with the hope of helping you set up properly. But these lines do vary in design. Some alignment lines are short and small notches on the top of the club head, which is suited to someone who is confident on the green. The best putter for high handicappers when it comes to alignment is the one with extended lines, making alignment the least of your worries. These tend to be mallet putters, due to their size.
Price
Of course price plays a big part in which putter you choose. While we could never stop you from splashing the cash on your new club, we would firstly advise you establish what your preferred putting stroke is and pair one with that. As a high handicapper, you’re unlikely to have entirely worked out what your preferred stroke is, so we would recommend airing on the side of caution when you’re tempted to go all in on a Scotty Cameron.
Of course, if you’re working on a budget, specifically $150-$300, you’ll need guidance. Which is why we put together our Best Budget Putters for High Handicappers guide, specifically for you. Take a look and see what you think.
High Handicapper Putter FAQs
When choosing the best putter for a high handicapper, you’re likely to have a few questions. Don’t worry though, we’ve answered some of the most commonly asked questions, which will hopefully give you some clarity.
Do I Need a 34 or 35 Putter?
For those who don’t know what the numbers are in reference to, they are the length of shaft in inches. As a general rule of thumb, your putter shaft length should be decided by your height. We would advise:
- 33 inch = 5’2 – 5’4
- 34 inch = 5’6 – 5’8
- 35 Inch = 6’0 – 6’2
If you happen to be caught in between ranges, most club fitters will be able to cut the shafts to .5 increments should that suit you. This also applies to people who fall under and over these ranges.
How Do I Know What Putter Is Right For Me?
The right putter for you is the one that gives you the most confidence that you’re going to make a putt. We’ve gone into detail further up in the guide which should give you the basis of your search.
What Is The Best Putter For Seniors?
The best putter for seniors is likely to be the one that is most forgiving to misshits as well as provides them with the distance they may not be able to achieve anymore. An honourable mention for the PING Fetch putter that didn’t make this guide. What makes the PING so good is the ability to pick up the ball without having to bend down to grab it. This is likely to be a big selling point for senior golfers.
What Makes Scotty Cameron Putters Good?
This is a fairly common question, especially as industry leaders. While the first thing people notice is the price tag, they soon realise the price is justified by the premium materials and the sheer craftsmanship that goes into creating their putters. Someone likened their pull to that of a Rolex. You know they’re expensive, but the more you dig into what it takes to make them, you understand why they’re priced the way they are.
What Putter Design Is Best For High Handicappers?
As a result of all our research, we would say a mallet putter with sufficient alignment lines is the best putter design for high handicappers. This gives you every chance to set up the putt properly and with a bit of luck, drop it in the hole. Our pick of the bunch would be the Odyssey Eleven 2 Ball Triple Track DB Putter. In the premium price range, but certainly worth it. For a cheaper option, we would recommend the Wilson Buckingham Infinite Putter.
What is MOI?
MOI when it comes to putting stands for Moments of Inertia. In simpler terms, this is a club’s resistance to twisting in your hand upon impact, making the ball striking purer. When it comes to putting, high MOI means your putter is incredibly forgiving to off centre putts, making your stroke more consistent.
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