Whether you are a scratch golfer or among the majority, the high handicappers, it's no secret working on putting is one of the easiest ways to shave strokes off your round. But, how do you go about doing that? There are a multitude of ways, whether it be through swing lessons with a teaching pro, training aids, consistent and rigorous practice, or ensuring you have the right equipment.
Especially when it comes to the flat stick, choosing a putter that fits your eye, your game, and your stroke can be a very daunting task for the newly established golfer or high handicapper. There is so much information out there (much of it conflicting) about different brands and how quickly putter technology is evolving. Instructors are trying to pull you in with the newest quick fix to make more putts and the gadget or training aid they've developed to help you do so. For the high handicap golfers, let's do our best to keep it simple, so when you play golf you have fun while also getting better. It starts with a putter that works for you, not against you.
Does the Brand of Putter Really Matter?
This question depends on who you ask. To the die-hard Titleist loyalist, no other brand exists besides Scotty Cameron and their coveted Circle T putter. This is a tour issue only putter, made by Scotty Cameron and his team, just for the pros. While they make other putters, mere mortals aren't using a Circle T Scotty Cameron Putter.
You're more likely using a putter you bought at Play it Again Sports, Dicks Sporting Goods, eBay, a garage sale, second-hand shop, or online, direct from the product manufacturers. There is absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing a putter from any one of those places, as long as it's the right putter for you.
How Do You Know Which Brand to Choose?
How many brands are there? How do you know if it's the right putter for you? What factors need to be considered when looking for a putter? These are all great questions to ask yourself when you are on the hunt for a new putter.
Scotty Cameron may be the gold standard, but there are so many other well-known brands, and a few you may be sleeping on:
- Callaway Odyssey
- Taylormade
- PING
- Mizuno
- Bettinardi
- Scotty Cameron
- Seemore
- Cleveland
- Rife
- Kirk Currie
- Golden Bear
- Yes!
- Heavy Putter
- Adams
- Wilson
Determining what brand to use can be overwhelming. The secret is to find one you like the look and feel of, regardless of brand. For a high-handicap golfer, this will be the most important thing to pay attention to. Most golfers don't realize that if you don't like the look or feel of the putter in your hand, you aren't going to do well with it. After all, golf is just as much a mental game as a physical one.
If you can, go somewhere with an indoor putting green where you can try a variety of putters out. Get an understanding of whether you like the feel of a heavy or light putter. Do you like to stand more upright or bent over? There is no one size fits all. Truly, the best putter for you is the one you like the look and feel of the most, giving you confidence as you stand over the golf ball.
Mallet Putter or Blade Putter?
These are the only two styles of putters on the market. Don't let that fool you into thinking that choosing a putter is easy. Though there are only two general styles to choose from, they come in an exorbitant number of variations. Putter grip, putter head, and putter length vary drastically across clubs, even within the same overarching style category.
Without getting too deep in the weeds on the technique of the putting stroke, see if you can determine your stroke style. Does it move on a straight line back and through, like a ruler, or does it move on an arc, swinging like a door? Depending on which shape your putting stroke emulates will determine if you require a mallet putter or a blade putter.
Face-Balanced or Toe Hang?
Mallet Putters
Each style of putter has a different face balance. Understanding the difference between a face-balanced putter and a toe-hang putter will be your next task. Blade putters tend to have more toe hang, and mallet putters tend to have more face balance. The reason for this being, if you have a putting stroke that moves on a relatively straight line, you want to avoid a face that moves throughout the putting stroke. If your stroke moves on an arc, toe hang putters allow the club head to swing open and closed naturally, complimenting an arced putting stroke. If you don't have the correct putter that matches the style of stroke, it's nearly impossible to craft a consistent putting stroke.
A very common face-balanced putter is the Odyssey White Hot Two Ball Putter. It is both forgiving and affordable. If you are looking to spend a little more money, the Scotty Cameron Phantom is also one of the best putters for high handicappers. Both of these mallet putters are face balanced, but there are versions of each that come with a milder amount of toe hang.
Blade Putters
When looking for a blade putter with toe hang you may venture towards the classic PING putters. What is great about the PING website is they list the type of putting stroke each of their putters would pair best with. So, for ease of selection, PING takes the cake. They remove all the guesswork from the decision. As long as you know your stroke, they've got the rest covered.
I've Got My Putter, What's Next?
Once you've selected the best quality putter for you, it's time to put it to work. If you really want to shave some strokes off of that high handicap, think about investing in an indoor putting mat for at home or in the office. Consistent practice on tour-grade turf is the next best thing to having a putter that fits your putting stroke.
Being able to practice at home on a putting mat consistently will help give you the confidence you need the next time you step on the putting green. If being a good putter is your goal, practice and having the right equipment are surefire ways to get you there. Get a putter fit for you, then put in the practice so you can revoke your membership to the high handicappers club!
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about the best putters for high handicap golfers.
What is the best putter for a high handicapped golfer?
One that best matches their putting stroke. Any one of the big name brands will work as long as it is fit to your needs. Be sure to consider putter length, face balance, club head style and grip size.
What style of putter is most forgiving?
Mallet putters tend to be the most forgiving with a much more stable head and larger sweet spot in the center of the club face.
Are mallet putters better for high handicappers?
Mallet putters tend to be the most forgiving putters and offer characteristics like a more stable club face and less club face manipulation throughout the putting stroke offering a straighter roll, which are both beneficial to high handicap golfers.
How many putts should a 10 handicap have on average per round?
30 putts and below is what 10 handicap golfers and below should aim for. Anyone with a handicap of 11 and above should aim for less than 33.
Is a face-balanced or toe-hang putter better?
This depends on your putting stroke style. If you have more of an arc putting stroke you will want a putter with more face hang. If you have a more straight back and straight through putting stroke you will want a putter that is more face balanced.
Are heavier or lighter putters better?
The heavier putters tend to be more forgiving when it comes to off center contact on the putter face. For example hitting the ball off the toe or heel of the putter face.
Should my putter be flat on the ground?
Yes. When you address the golf ball your putter head should sit flush to the ground.
How often should you replace a putter?
It’s not so much the putter as it is the putter grip. You could use a putter for a lifetime if you wanted but you should get the grip changed about every two years.
How do I know if I need a new putter?
If you are experiencing inconsistency in speed control, off-center face contact or consistent miss tendencies it may be time to get fit for a putter that better suits your putting stroke.
Alexis Bennett
Alexis is a longtime student of the game. After playing careers both in college, at the Division 1 level, and 3 years as a touring professional on the developmental circuits, she most recently wrapped a 9-year stint as a collegiate Head Coach at two different universities. In that time, she led her teams to 8 top-4 finishes in conference championships and led one player to the NCAA Regionals as an at-large bid in 2021, capping the best individual playing career in program history.
