The 10 Best Putter For Beginners

In my experience, a solid short game helped me reach the ranks of a low-handicap player. My erratic long game forced me to master my chipping and putting stroke, which really worked for me.

Can one of the best putters for beginners help you take your game to the next level?

In this post, I review the best putter for beginners in 2023 to help you save strokes on the green.

These featured putters are predominantly mallet putters, as I feel they offer the best consistency, forgiveness, and topspin. These factors are vital for beginners to improve their putting stroke and reduce the quantity of unnecessary three putts on their scorecard.

These putters are only for men. If you want to learn about the best putters for women, check out that post.

Top 3 Best Beginner Putters

	Best Overall	Best Budget	Most Forgiving
	Odyssey White Hot OG Five	PowerBilt TPS RS-X M-200	Tour Edge Exotics Wingman 701
Pros	Superb feel on all strikes Optimal stability Encourages accurate roll	Exceptionally affordable Enlarged alignment aid Encourages greater distance control	Exceptional forgiveness on all strokes Prevents skidding off the face for maximum friction Crafted for players with a moderately arched stroke
Cons	Not suited to arched strokes The stock grip may cause excess wrist movement during your stroke.	The standard-size putter grip may cause added wrist movement in the stroke Not recommended for heavy arched strokes	Straight-putting strokes should steer clear Bulky design
Price Score	86.4	96.5	86.4
Accuracy	94.1	92.1	93.6
Roll	92.8	91.3	93.3
Feel	95.3	84.6	85.2
Rating	4.5 Stars	4.5 Stars	4.5 Stars

Read Next: The Best Putters for High Handicappers

The 10 Best Putters For Beginners In 2023

1. Odyssey White Hot OG Five  – Overall Best Beginner Putter

Pros

• Superb feel on all strikes
• Optimal stability
• Encourages accurate roll
• Built for golfers with a straight stroke
• Clean PVD milled finish

Cons

• Not suited to arched strokes
• The stock grip may cause excess wrist movement during your stroke.

Topping our list of the best beginner putters in 2023 is the Odyssey White Hot OG Five. This face-balanced putter helps golfers with a straight stroke keep the putter face square at contact for greater accuracy. In addition, I appreciate its soft feel, consistent roll, and attractive PVD finish.

Naturally, Odyssey stuck with a winning formula by including their famed two-part urethane insert. I noticed it delivered a soft feel across the putter face and muted acoustics for an optimal experience.

Besides the insert, the White Hot OG Five is a semi-mallet style putter, which contains perimeter weighting to expand the sweet spot and enhance stability. As a result, it helped me keep my putter square into impact to start the ball on the desired line.

While I was content with the midsize stock grip, most high handicappers will appreciate employing a jumbo grip. Otherwise, you may produce excess wrist movement and twist the face during your stroke.

Rating: 4.5

Read more: The Best Putters of All-Time

2. PowerBilt TPS RS-X M-200 – Best Budget Beginner’s Putter

Pros

• Exceptionally affordable
• Enlarged alignment aid
• Encourages greater distance control
• Generates consistent roll off the putter face
• Built for straight-arc strokes

Cons

• The standard-size putter grip may cause added wrist movement in the stroke
• Not the softest feeling putter

As a junior, PowerBilt clubs were popular and readily available. The story is different these days, and I am glad I found the TPS RS-X M-200. The king of our best budget putters for beginners is forgiving, accurate, and delivers consistent roll on all strokes.

This stable mallet putter is fitted with a plumbers-neck hosel and works for players with a combined straight-arch stroke. Its high MOI design helps you bring the putter face square to the target line at impact for superior accuracy.

A precisely designed groove face insert supports the high MOI construction to preserve topspin and forward roll on every touch. As a result, I produced impressive distance control with this putter to reduce three putts.

In addition, PowerBilt equipped the putter with an enlarged alignment aid that helps you frame the line into a narrow lane for improved accuracy. Finally, my biggest gripe is the standard-sized grip, which may cause beginners to increase wrist action and twist the putter face.

Rating: 4.5

3. Tour Edge Exotics Wingman 701 – Most Forgiving Good Putter For Beginners

Pros

• Exceptional forgiveness on all strokes
• Prevents skidding off the face for maximum friction
• Crafted for players with a moderately arched stroke
• Wider sweet spot
• Effective Lock-on alignment technology

Cons

• Straight-putting strokes should steer clear
• Bulky design

The Tour Edge Exotics putter is for beginners seeking forgiveness on heel and toe mishits. This extremely high MOI putter helps beginners produce greater accuracy while the face insert prompts a pure roll.

Tour Edge equipped the Exotics Wingman 701 with weight on the sides and back of the putter weight for optimal perimeter weighting. I noticed it improved stability through the stroke and promoted a square face at impact for a straighter roll.

Next, I found the exceptional MOI profile was supported by the precision molded micro-grooves to produce a clean roll. The ball left the face as planned on every strike, resulting in limited skid and superior topspin.

Besides forgiveness and distance control, the Exotics Wingman 701 contains a TPU face insert that soothed the feel and muted the acoustics. Finally, this mid-toe hang putter is geared toward players with a moderate arch stroke, and the standard grip works for those with minimal wrist action.

Rating: 4.5

4. TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast #9 – Best For Golfers With Arched Strokes

Pros

• Encourages straighter putts
• Generates a smooth roll off the clubface
• Soft feel
• The stock grip restricts wrist movement
• Created for golfers with an arched stroke.

Cons

• Expensive
• Not suitable for golfers with a straight stroke

If you possess an arched putting stroke, you require a putter with toe hang to mitigate face twisting. As a result, these putters help you keep the putter face square at contact to start your ball on the intended line. The TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast #9 is our top pick for arched strokes.

In my experience, this expertly crafted putter delivered superb MOI to help me produce accurate putts on all strikes. Admittedly, the 21-degree toe hang design was tricky for my straight stroke. On the other hand, I feel arched strokes will thrive off the leniency of this flat stick.

The White TPU Roll Insert deserves special mention as it softened the feel of my putts and delivered clean roll and muted acoustics. Even when I missed the center, I produced adequate forward roll to get my ball within range of the cup.

I also found it easy to line up each shot using the True Path alignment aid, which starts off on the correct path from address. Finally, the oversized SuperStroke GTR 1.0 did superbly to restrict wrist action during my stroke for minimal face twisting.

Rating: 4

5. Wilson Staff Infinite Buckingham – Best Beginner Golf Putter For Straight Strokes

Pros

• Its face-balanced design works for straight strokes
• Moderately affordable
• Enhanced MOI promotes greater accuracy
• Advanced alignment aid
• Crafted for straight strokes

Cons

• Not suited to arched strokes
• The bulky, futuristic design does not appeal to everyone

Wilson has long held my respect for their game-improvement golf clubs for an affordable price. I also enjoyed the smooth roll, glare resistance, and advanced three-line alignment aid. The Wilson Staff Infinite Buckingham earns its place on the list as the best putter for golfers with a straight stroke.

Starting with the aesthetics. The ultra-dark PVD finish looks attractive and reduces glare at address. This prevented distractions and allowed me to stay in the zone and execute my putts as intended. Plus, the counterbalanced design pushed me to produce a fluid stroke for improved distance control and accuracy.

For an affordable putter, I was impressed to see it carries a double-milled face for a soft feel and maximum friction. As a result, I produced a clean, consistent roll across the putter face for greater speed control.

Lastly, Wilson engineers opted for an oversize counterbalanced grip, which restricted wrist movement during my stroke. I twisted the face less during the stroke and generated accurate results.

Rating: 4

6. Cleveland Frontline Elevado – Best Golf Putter For Beginners With Straight-Arch Strokes

Pros

• Face balanced design is made for golfers with straight strokes
• Enhanced MOI encourages straight putts
• Produces consistent forward roll off the clubface
• Glare resistant finish
• Center alignment aid for an accurate setup

Cons

• Not advised for golfers with advanced arched strokes
• The pistol grip may cause excessive wrist action during your stroke.

Cleveland is well-versed in constructing consistent, forgiving, and moderately priced golf clubs for beginners and high handicappers. In my experience, their Frontline Elevado is the best tool for golfers with a combined straight-arch stroke.

The Elevado features a plumbers-neck hosel which thrives for golfers with a slight arch and straight stroke. In addition, the metal-injected tungsten weights repositioned the CG for higher MOI. I found this improved my dispersion rate on mishits, as it helped keep my putter square at contact for accurate results.

Cleveland engineers stuck with their successful Speed Optimized Face technology, which boosts friction across the putter face. This enabled me to deliver consistent topspin and forward roll on all strikes to get my ball close to the cup.

Although smaller than other alignment aids, I felt the 2135 technology helped me center the ball and line it up with my target. Lastly, a Lamkin SinkFit Skinny Putter Pistol grip is your only stock option and advised for players with limited wrist movement in their stroke.

Rating: 4

7. PXG 0211 V-42 – Best Alignment Aid Putter For Beginner Golfers

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Pros

• Superb alignment aid
• Optimized face pattern increases friction for a clean roll
• High MOI helps you produce straighter putts
• Glare resistant finish
• Offers three hosel designs to suit all strokes

Cons

• The stock grips are thin and can cause increased wrist movement
• Moderately expensive

Compared to the legacy brands on the list, PXG is the new kid, but they are fast proving their worth as a competitor to industry giants. The PXG 0211 V-42 earns my pick for the beginner putter with the best alignment aid.

PXG employed their popular Runway Reticle alignment aid to simplify your setup and ensure the ball is facing the target. This technology provides an airport runway-style aid, which helps you frame your ball relative to the line.

Next, I appreciated the enhanced friction by the Optimized Pyramid Face Pattern, leading to a clean roll on all strikes. Plus, I found the milled face design prevented skid for a pure ball roll to the cup.

Unlike many beginner putters, the PXG -0211 V-42 offers three hosel options. Golfers with extremely arched strokes should stick to the heel-shafted hosel, while a double-bend hosel works for straight strokes. The plumbers-neck hosel is the final option and suits straight-arch strokes.

Lastly, the PXG 0211 V-42 carries a stock PXG Sink Fit pistol grip, which is ideal for golfers who deliver limited wrist action during the stroke.

Rating: 4

8. Ping Sigma 2 Tyne Stealth – Best Feedback Golf Putters For Beginners

Pros

• Optimal feedback on long and short putts
• Promotes accurate putts
• Generates consistent roll
• Works for players with a straight stroke
• Four stock grip choices

Cons

• Expensive
• The hosel does not suit players with an exaggerated arched stroke

Putting requires optimal feedback to help you better judge the power needed for each stroke. During testing, the Ping Sigma 2 Tyne waxed it in this category, producing a firm feel on long putts and a soft touch from close range.

The Dual-Durometer insert stood out for me as a key for feedback. The Pebax material offered solid feedback on long putts, helping me judge the power accurately. Conversely, it delivered a soft feel on short-range efforts for a delicate touch to let the ball roll to the cup.

In addition, I enjoyed excellent stability on all putts, which helped me bring the putter face square at impact. This improved my accuracy to prevent my ball from rolling significantly offline.

Besides feel and stability, the TR Face Technology worked hard to maintain friction on all strikes for consistent ball velocity and forward roll. Furthermore, the Sigma 2 Tyne Stealth features a face-balanced profile to thrive for straight strokes. Lastly, Ping offers four stock grips, ranging from a standard pistol to an oversized construction.

Rating: 4

9. Cleveland HB Soft 10.5 – Easiest Putter To Use For Beginners

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Pros

• Exceptional forgiveness
• Maintains ball speed on all strikes
• Delivers a soft feel
• Enhances friction at impact for a smooth roll
• Created for golfers with a straight stroke

Cons

• The face-balanced design does not suit arched strokes
• The oversized grip may prove uncomfortable for those used to thinner designs.

Our second Cleveland pick on our list of best putters for beginners is the HB Soft 10.5, the most effortless flat stick to stroke. I found it boosted ball speed and maintained topspin on every shot for a smooth roll and impressive distance control.

The single-bend hosel design generates a face-balanced profile that resists twisting to help straight strokes start the ball on line. Plus, it is fitted with perimeter weighting for improved stability and forgiveness on the dancefloor.

I appreciated the work of Cleveland’s famed Speed Optimized Face technology, which normalized velocity across the face. The technology is supported by a diamond-milled CNC pattern which softens each blow and enhances friction for superior topspin and a clean roll.

Cleveland applied a simple single-line alignment aid, which helped align the ball with your desired target line. Finally, the Huntington Beach Soft oversized grip is your only stock option, and this grip limits your wrist movement during the stroke.

Rating: 3.5

10. Cobra King Vintage Stingray – Smoothest Rolling Best Beginner Golf Putter

No products found.

Pros

• Produces a clean roll on all strokes
• A high MOI design encourages straighter putts
• Adjustable weight system to improve your stroke
• Fits golfers with a straight stroke
• Glare resistant finish

Cons

• The stock hosel does not suit arched strokes
• Expensive putter for beginners

As a beginner, the chances are that you frequently catch the ball off-center, losing ball speed and topspin. That is why a forgiving putter face that produces a clean roll on all strikes is vital for your distance control. The Cobra King Vintage Stingray excelled in this department for a consistent roll.

The Stingray contains their popular SIK Face Insert, driven by Descending Loft Technology (DLT). I produced a smooth roll on mishits and different angles of attack, thanks to the presence of four descending lofts.

In my experience, the oversized mallet head on this putter provided ample MOI to resist twisting during my stroke. I feel this feature works best for players with straight strokes looking for a back-and-through action.

Cobra engineers created an adjustable weight system for you to optimize your putting stroke weights. While handy to alter it to your personal preference, the club head weights are sold separately, besides the mandatory 10-gram mass.

Next, all Cobra Stingray putter options contain a single bend KBS 120 putter shaft, which creates face balance. Finally, the Cobra Lamkin Sink Fit Straight Connect and the SuperStroke Traxion Tour 2.0. These thicker grips helped me reduce wrist action in my stroke for limited face twisting.

Rating: 3.5

What To Consider When Purchasing Good Putters For Beginners

Putter Head Design

The preferred head design is the first factor to contemplate when searching for a good beginner putter. Mallets and blade-style putters are your two head options, with average golfers generally opting for the high MOI head design of the former.

Mallet putters generally contain perimeter weighting and expand the sweet spot to help you maintain ball speed and spin on mishits. However, blade-style putters are better known for their appealing feel and acoustics. Overall, I feel mallets are the best type of putter for beginners.

Putter Face Material

A putter face either contains a polyurethane insert or a milled finish to soften the feel, mute the acoustics and enhance friction. I am a sucker for a milled putter face, as I appreciate the looks, craftsmanship, and consistent topspin it produces.

Previously, putters with milled faces fetched premium prices, but the Cleveland HB Soft 10.5 shows those days are gone. The average golfer can now own a milled face for an affordable total.

Conversely, you have the option of a polyurethane face insert, which softens the touch of each shot and improves the acoustics.

Hosel

The ideal hosel for your game is dictated by your putting stroke, not your specific preference. Four hosels are found on putters, which suit straight, arched, and combination strokes.

For example, I operate with a straight and slight arch stroke combination, which thrives with a plumbers-neck hosel. Conversely, golfers with an exaggerated arch stroke are better built for a short hosel. In addition, straight strokes have the option of a center or double bend shaft.

High Moment of Inertia (MOI)

Finally, beginners require maximum forgiveness on all shots for greater consistency on the dancefloor. I suggest searching for a putter with optimal MOI to help you bring your putter face square at contact. Failure to achieve this leads to erratic strokes and wasted shots.

In my experience, mallet-style putters offer the highest MOI for beginners to improve accuracy on the green.

FAQ

What Kind Of Putter Should A Beginner Use?

A beginner should use a high MOI mallet putter with a forgiving face that produces consistent roll and accuracy on all putts. These putters are lenient and easy to strike, which is one less factor to worry about.

How Much Should A Beginner Spend On A Putter?

As a rule of thumb, beginners should spend no more than $200 on a putter. However, if you intend on playing the game frequently in the long run, you may require a more expensive option that you can use as a mid-handicapper.

Can Beginners Use Blade Putters?

Yes, beginners can use blade putters. I grew up playing with a two-sided Spalding Cash In putter, which provided limited leniency. These days, there are numerous blade putters with a high MOI and elevated forgiveness for beginners.

Conclusion

Those are your top ten best golf putters for beginners in 2023. As you saw, most of these flat sticks carry a mallet head, which offers perimeter weighting, enhanced MOI, and stability at contact.

These game improvement putters feature uniquely milled faces or polyurethane inserts to improve your feel and acoustics. Plus, they do well to generate a smooth roll for superb distance control on the dancefloor.

The Odyssey White Hot OG 5, claimed the title as our overall best putter for beginners in 2023. I appreciated its soft feel, muted acoustics, and increased forgiveness.

Next, the Powerbilt TPS RS-X M-200 is my top pick for the best budget putter for beginners for its entry-level price, forgiveness, and distance control.

Finally, the Tour Edge Exotics Wingman 701, earned the title as the most forgiving putter for beginners, thanks to its high MOI, smooth roll, and optimal forgiveness.

Read More: Blade vs Mallet Putters