Choosing the right type of putter for your stroke is critical to consistently draining putts.
If you have a straight back and through putting stroke as I do, then using a face-balanced putter will produce consistently straight putts over a toe-balanced putter.
It will save you multiple shots per round and greatly reduce your frustration on the green (assuming the rest of your game isn’t distracting your putting game!).
Determining that a face-balanced putter suits your game is a great first step.
But there are many styles, brands, and even lengths of face-balanced models on the market today.
Because there are so many choices, it’s easy to choose the wrong model and continue making the same mistakes even with new equipment.
Luckily, our team has tested the top 20 face-balanced putters on the market and created a definitive buying guide.
If you’re in a hurry to find a new putter, check out the introductory table below with bullet points.
For more detailed info, scroll down for the full report and more info on the difference between face-balanced and toe-balanced putters.
Let’s get after it!
Best Face Balanced Putters 2023 Summary
Golfible Picks:
Editor’s Choice/Best Face Balanced Putter: Callaway Odyssey White Hot OG Double Wide Putter (click to see)
Best Face Balanced Putter For High Handicappers: TaylorMade Spider X Putter HydroBlast Single Bend (click to see)
Best Face Balanced Putter On A Budget: Pinemeadow Golf PGX MB Putter (click to see)
Short on Time? Here’s A Quick Product Synopsis
| Putter Name | Callaway Odyssey White Hot OG Double Wide Putter | TaylorMade Spider X HydroBlast Putter | Pinemeadow Golf PGX MB Putter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9.4/10 Editor’s Choice | 9.0/10 Best Face Balanced Putter For High Handicappers | 8.7/10 Best Face Balanced Putter On A Budget |
| Pricing | Jump To Pricing Section | Jump To Pricing Section | Jump To Pricing Section |
| Putter Type | Mallet | Mallet | Mallet |
| Hosel | Double Bend | Single Bend | Single Bend |
| Weight Distribution | Face Balanced | Face Balanced | Face Balanced |
| Head Weight | 360g | 355g | 380g |
| Alignment | Single Alignment Line | True Path | Triple Sight Lines |
| Grip | Pistol Grip | Superstroke GTR 1.0 | Pinemeadow Spider |
| Standard Length | 33″-35″ | 33″-35″ | 34″ |
| Loft | 3 degrees | 3 degrees | 3 degrees |
| Lie Angle | 70 degrees | 70 degrees | 90 degrees |
| Read Review | Jump To Callaway Odyssey White Hot OG Review | Jump To TaylorMade Spider X HydroBlast Review | Jump To Pinemeadow Golf PGX MB Review |
Callaway Odyssey White Hot OG Double Wide Putter
Editor’s Choice
Rating: 9.4 /10
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Pros
- This putter is one of the industry leading clubs on the market.
- The insert helps golfers maintain a good feel on their putts.
- Can be purchased and customized in multiple options.
Cons
- More expensive than most putters when purchased new.
- Doesn’t look as modern as other putters.
At Golfible we selected the Odyssey White Hot OG putter as our selection for editor’s choice for a face-balanced putter thanks to its advanced capabilities which include how it feels and sounds when you hit a putt.
The urethane two-part insert helps the ball roll smoothly and gives you a good feel for distance and lag putts. Odyssey is one of the premier putting brands on the market.
The brand is used by many PGA tour players including Phil Mickelson among the most notables.
There is a physical vapor deposition finish that is silver in appearance and looks very classy.
Milling was also added on the putter adding a nice touch. The club can be purchased with a multi-material Stroke Lab shaft or with a stepless steel shaft. You can select a “candy apple red” finish for the shaft as well.
The putter comes with a DFX Rubber Grip that allows golfers to hold it comfortably and secure which aids in keeping the face square at impact.
The insert used in Odyssey White Hot putters has been used for almost 20 years.
Consumers can buy the club from 33 to 35 inches. The primary color of the head is silver and is made from alloy steel with hints of red and black. The loft of the putter is three degrees.
A lower loft will cause the ball to go straight to the ground on impact on hard putts and a higher loft might cause the ball to get a little bit of air or less spin since it won’t be pulled down as fast.
On the white insert where contact is made, there is a red Odyssey logo. The alignment aid designed for the putter is a classic straight black line on the top of the head.
TaylorMade Spider X Putter HydroBlast Single Bend
Best Face Balanced Putter For High Handicappers
Rating: 9.0 /10
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Pros
- Available for righties or lefties.
- Has a sleek design and an easy-to-use alignment aid.
- The spider model has been used by professionals such as Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.
Cons
- Rather large so if you like face balanced blade putters, this may not be the ideal choice.
- Harder to scoop up the ball with the putter compared to others.
The TaylorMade Spider X is a sleek putter to look at and has a spaceship type of appearance to it. It is Golfible.com’s pick for the best face balanced mallet putter.
The color on the top is white and TaylorMade dubs it their White True Path technology. The company says that white is the best color that reflects which enables people to easily see the ball path when lining up a putt.
The club was created with a “Y” shape that helps golfers put the ball in the middle of the alignment aid and see a clear path to the cup.
This head shape has a claim to fame since it is the most sold model of the Spiders.
A white TPU Pure Roll insert was added to allow golfers to get a soft feel when the ball springs off the face.
There are Pure Roll grooves built in with a 45 degree angle that helps the ball roll forward smoothly and adds a desirable sound when struck. The shaft type style is a single bend.
TaylorMade’s Spider X can be purchased in either 34 or 35 inches in length. The loft of the club is three degrees and the head is made from titanium which prevents knicks and scratches.
The shaft style is a single bend and the putter can be bought for both right and left-handed golfers.
The primary colors of the putter head are silver, white and black. The alignment aid is a long black straight line that goes between the white portion of the top of the club.
A black and white TaylorMade Spider cover is included upon purchase.
Pinemeadow Golf PGX MB Putter
Best Face Balanced Putter On A Budget
Rating: 8.7 /10
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Pros
- Available for both men and women.
- Matte black gives it a classy look.
- Added weight helps with feel.
Cons
- The total of four alignment lines can cause confusion for some golfers.
- Not as high-end as other putters on the market.
- The company doesn’t provide as many details regarding the technology compared to other brands.
This putter was our selection for golfers looking to buy on a budget.
It has an all matte-black finish which stands out nicely compared to classic looking putters. Its appearance is extremely modern with touches of lime green and white.
Pinemeadow claims that the dark black helps on green grass when trying to focus on the white alignment lines. This helps you get the ball to your target on the correct line as intended.
The club is 380 grams and is “tour-weighted” thanks to its extra 40 grams of weight added on. Tour-weighted means it is comparable in weight to putters that professionals use on the PGA Tour.
This mallet putter helps when putting on fast greens. The weight also helps the ball roll forward nicely with front spin that inspires confidence after getting comfortable with the green speeds on a course.
A Pinemeadow Spider grip is included, which helps golfers grip the club comfortably and allows them to keep the face straight when putting.
A PGX black headcover comes with the club when bought to prevent it from getting dinked by other clubs in the golf bag.
There are three white alignment aids on the top of the club in the very front right above the face. There is also a fourth straight white line directly behind the three lines. It is surrounded and enclosed by a white outline.
The club head also has two holes on the back end which add a nice look and allow you to scoop the ball up with.
The loft of the club is three degrees and the lie is 90. It is 34 inches in length for men and 33 inches for women.
Pinemeadow designed the club very similar to the TaylorMade Rossa Ghost mallet putter.
What Is A Face Balanced Putter?
If you place a face balanced putter straight on the ground, the club face will lay flat and face upwards straight towards the sky while being parallel to the floor.
If you placed the putter down to where the shaft is parallel to the floor and you moved it back and forth you should be able to balance it with your finger. This is common with face weighted putters.
These putters are less open when you take the club back and close less through the forward motion while putting. The face moves less when hitting the ball than compared to other types of putters.
Who Should Use A Face Balanced Putter?
A face balanced putter is a putter that is designed for golfers who employ a straight-back-and-through style of putting stroke. This is due to how it opens and closes less while hitting the putt.
If you’re using the same line in your putting motion it is a good choice.
Face Balanced Putters vs Toe Balanced Putters: Key Differences
Toe-balanced putters face in the direction of the ground. The center of gravity on a toe balanced putter is not as low as the axis such as a face balanced putter.
Toe balanced putters open more during a putting sequence compared to a face balanced that closes a little more. They are designed for golfers who use a swinging gate style putt which arcs during their motion.
Face Balanced Or Blade Putters: Which Is Better?
Are face balanced putters better? It depends on the golfer and their personal game whether they should opt for a face balanced mallet putter or a blade putter instead. Both types of clubs have their benefits. It ultimately comes down to personal preference.
It’s a good idea to head down to your local golf store and try out both types of putters. Consulting a professional is also a good idea to see which works better for you.
Face balanced mallet and blade putters can be found online or in person at countless golf retail stores.
Tour Pros Who Use Face Balanced Putters
Many PGA Tour players play face balanced putters.
Different pros experiment and change putters, but some of the most famous ones who use face balanced putters on tour are Rory McIlroy, who recently won the Wells Fargo Championship, current No. 1 in the world Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Jason Day.
Are Scotty Cameron Face Balanced Putters?
Scotty Cameron putters, often a topic of discussion when comparing toe balanced vs face balanced putters, are technically not face balanced. If you’re wondering about face balanced Scotty Cameron putters, the Phantom X model is the closest you are going to get.
Cameron makes his putters ranging from minimum toe flow, near minimum toe flow, medium toe flow, to maximum toe flow.
The legendary club maker explains on his website how important toe flow is.
“In order for the putter head to move squarely along the proper arcing path, the toe of the putter must “flow” throughout the stroke. How and where the neck or shaft of the putter joins the head determines its toe flow.
Be sure to choose a putter that either flows naturally along the proper arching path, or helps to correct it.
This will reduce the tendency to manipulate the putter face with your hands.”
Cameron says to find the right toe flow for your motion you should hit flat, straight putts from 20 feet.
Conclusion
Face balanced putters are great putters for golfers who have the straight back and straight forward putting motion. The Odyssey White OG was our pick for best face balanced putter thanks to its alloy steel build, easy to use alignment aid and its white hot insert which is globally renowned. If you’re unsure of what type of putting stroke you have, head to your local golf store or course and speak with a professional. Be sure to share your comments.
FAQ
Do any pros use a face balanced putter?
Yes, some professional golfers use face balanced putters. Many players believe that face balanced putters are more accurate, especially on shorter putts. Some of the world’s top golfers such as Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, have used face balanced putters to win major championships.
Are TaylorMade Spider putters’ faces balanced?
Yes, the faces on TaylorMade Spider putters are balanced. This means that they are designed to provide consistent ball striking and help improve your accuracy on the greens. If you’re looking for a top-quality putter, then a TaylorMade Spider putter may be just what you need.
