Not all clubs are created eagle, as golf extraordinaire Harvey Penick once said: the most important clubs to have in your arsenal are the putter, driver, and wedge, respectively.
Investing in a good quality putter means you’ll be able to go fore-ther in your golfing career, and they’re a great club to practice with if you’re a beginner wanting to improve your handicap.
Finding a putter that’s perfect for you is the difference between an off-balance swing and club that performs so well, and sits so comfortably in your hand, that you won’t want to putt it down.
Sorry about all the puns, there were just too many opportuni-tees to pass up. I suppose it’s par for the course when you’re reading about golf.
Now we’ve got that out of our system, let’s get down to the serious stuff.
We’ve researched some the best golf putters for beginners and compiled a list of our 5 favorites for you to compare. Our buyer’s guide contains all you need to know about what makes a good beginner’s choice, as well as some of the things you should look out for when purchasing a new putter.
So come on, get reading, it’s time to find the perfect putting club for budding golfers – putter late than never!
OUR TOP PICK
Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter
EDITORS CHOICE
Wilson Staff Harmonized Golf Putter
BEST VALUE
Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Putter
OUR TOP PICK
Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter
Primemeadow is one of the more affordable brands featured in this list and they’re known for producing great quality clubs. Their men’s PGX putter demonstrates their commitment to value for money products, which is why it’s our top pick!
This putter has a heavy-duty mallet head that is designed for long-lasting use. The white finish is not only stunning, but also performs the practical function of standing out against the green as you take aim for impressive clarity.
However, to prevent scuffs or other marks on the white surface, it’s strongly recommended that you use a head cover which can be purchased separately.
There are contrasting dark alignment lines on the top of the putter head for additional guidance, which makes it a great choice for beginners. Even if you’re more experienced, this putter will help keep your focus on the target.
It’s 35 inches in length and weighs a total of 380g, 40g of which is ‘tour-weighted’ due to the mallet putter. This reduces the chances of the ball skidding to ensure a smooth, clean roll, even at high impact.
Pros
- White finish and stand-out alignment guides
- Tour-weighted for good grip
- Larger head
Cons
- Can scuff or mark if not protected by a head cover
- Designed for men
EDITORS CHOICE
Wilson Staff Harmonized Golf Putter
Next up on our list is this women’s putter by Wilson Staff, and the rest of the putters in this article are unisex. Wilson Gold has been manufacturing quality golf clubs for over 100 years, so they’ve had plenty of time to master the perfect putter!
The slim putter head on their Harmonized golf putter features a square heel and toe for even weight distribution which promotes a natural grip of the shaft. The large diameter grip size improves the feel of the putter in your hands which helps you keep a truer aim.
Even though the design of the putter head is smaller than a mallet head, it still features useful alignment lines in a bold, red color to improve the accuracy of your shots.
It’s 33 inches in length which is a standard size that most beginners will find comfortable, and the grip is extra soft which is exclusive to Wilson Staff clubs.
Pros
- Bright red alignment lines for easy aim
- Soft feel grip for added comfort
- Reasonably prices and good quality performance
- Equal weight placement in the putter
Cons
- Limited to right-handed use
- Smaller putter head
BEST VALUE
Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Putter
This Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 putter is 34 inches in length and has a sleek, polished finish and attractive design. The white hot insert has been re-engineered for improved performance and has a better sound and feel as a result.
It’s highly forgiving thanks to the heel and toe weight placement, and a laser milling insert cutting process means you’ll achieve more consistency in your swings.
There are stand-out alignment guidelines on the putter head to help you line your putter up with your ball as you take your shot, for repeated accuracy.
The jumbo grip is especially beneficial for beginners as it is easier to swing with reduced hand movement, although there is the option for standard grip as well. You can also choose between 5 different types of head designs to suit your preference and it’s available in either left or right orientation.
Pros
- Jumbo grip
- White hot inserts for improved sound and performance
- Contrast alignment lines
Cons
- Expensive
RUNNER UP
GoSports Classic Golf Putter
The timeless design of the GoSports Classic features a 2-way cast iron putter for either right or left-handed use and reinforced durability. It’s 35 inches in length so you can even practice your short game once you’ve mastered the basics.
Designed for both men and women, the perfect balance of this putter helps to keep your shots true and on target. The premium contoured grip provides extra stability and feels comfortable in your hand as you make your swing.
Its versatile use and affordable price point mean beginners can’t go wrong with this GoSports putter, and it’s a great choice for anyone who’s still not 100% confident but has improved beyond the complete novice stage.
Pros
- Affordable option
- Putter head is made of solid cast metal
- Ergonomic design
- Suitable for both right and left-handed use
Cons
- Smaller putter head
RUNNER UP
S7K Standing Putter
The last putter we chose to include in our list is the S7K standing putter, available for both right and left-handed use. It features a built-in impact position for harder shots, as well as a strike dot for enhanced accuracy as you line your putter up with the ball.
As the name suggests, one of the unique advantages to this putter is that it can stand up by itself thanks to its flat, square putter head design.
This allows you to make full use of the alignment guidelines that are featured on the putter head, as you can take a step back and consider your shot from all angels if needed, which is a hugely helpful feature for beginners.
The ultra-light grip makes the S7K standing putter easy to wield and feels incredible in your hand for improved speed and control in your swing.
Pros
- Suitable for right or left-handed use
- Stands by itself
- Ultra-light grip
- 1-year manufacturers warranty
Cons
- Expensive option
Best Golf Putters for Beginners Buying Guide
They say only a bad sportsman blames his tools, and to a certain extent, it’s true. The only way to really improve your putting strokes is to put in the hard graft, and practice, practice, practice.
With that being said, having a good quality putting club that’s a good fit for you will only enhance your performance, so we’ve explored some of the key aspects you may want to consider when purchasing a new putter.
So what makes a putter suitable for beginners?
What’s a golfer’s worst nightmare? No, not the Bogeyman. We maxed out our pun quota in the introduction. The worst thing a golfer has to contend with is choosing the wrong club. It’s size, weight, and the level of grip it has to offer all affect your swing, so you need one that’s going to sit comfortably in your hand.
Stainless steel is the preferred material for putters, especially beginners, as it’s a lightweight choice that glides through the air with minimal resistance which can improve your overall swing.
Many putting clubs also feature various alignment guidelines, crosses, or visual aids of some kind which is extremely beneficial for beginners who may need a hand lining their club up with the ball. Some can be more distracting than helpful, however, so it’s important to choose a design that isn’t going to take your eye off the ball.
That’s how you roll
In order to get the ball from A-Z, that is, into the hole, you’ll need a putter that will help you send it smoothly on its way.
Some putting clubs have a sneaky habit of causing the ball to skid or bounce along the ground before rolling to a more graceful stop, and the type of putter head design you choose will impact the speed and accuracy of your shot.
The three main putter head types are blade, peripheral-weighted, and mallet. The latter option is best suited to beginners due to its forgiving nature and larger surface. Typically a half-circle or square in shape, their deep heads mean they have a lower center of gravity and they can feature different alignment aids for precise aim.
Blade putters are commonly used by more seasoned golfers, although they are suitable for anyone with gentle hands and a skill for hitting the center of the putter head into the ball. They tend to be smaller which leaves less room for visual aids, so if you find alignment lines overwhelming a blade will be less distracting.
It’s all in the grip
You should grip your shaft with equally weighted hands and maintain a natural hold of your putter while you swing. Different types of clubs offer various levels of grip, however, and this can affect the way your putter sits in your hands.
In earlier years, you’d find the same level grip on the majority of putters: skinny and flat-topped with a narrower shaft that got thicker towards the top. But today you have lots more choice! There’s pistol, square, slim, mid-slim, mid-fat, super-fat… we could go on.
More experienced golfers may choose to putt with a club that is slimmer to hold in their hands, but most beginners actually benefit from having a thicker girth to grip. There should be very little, if any hand and wrist action in your swing which is enabled by a fatter grip.
Length
A standard putter will generally be between 31 and 35 inches, whereas a belly putter usually measures anywhere from 38-47 inches. Long putter guidelines are the longest of them all, with a range of 46-53 inches in length.
So how do you choose a length that you can comfortably swing with?
It all depends on your height, as this will determine the correlating putter length that you should opt for. Belly putters also tend to be a good choice for beginners, or for anyone who hasn’t quite mastered their wrist control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the putter length measured?
Putter length is usually measured from the top of the grip to the bottom of the club’s head.
How often do you need to replace your clubs?
Most people won’t think about replacing their clubs until at least the 4 years after purchase, although this will largely depend on how well you’ve taken care of them. Some can last up to 10 years after they were originally bought!
How do you keep your golf clubs in good condition?
Store your golf clubs in an appropriate location and ensure they are dry before you put them away. You can also purchase head covers which will protect the bottom of your club, as this is what takes the most hits.
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