The increased forgiveness and larger sweet spot offered by mallet putters has been a godsend for golfers worried about off-center hits.
Their popularity has exploded over the last 15 years and today there are countless mallet putter options to choose from. The vast choice can really make it hard to find the most suitable mallet putter for your putting stroke.
Fortunately, we’ve got you covered!
We have tested over 25 of the most-bought mallet putters before coming up with the best ones featured in our review below.
Our analysis covers all aspects of mallet putters, from the head weight to the consistent rolling, catering to low handicappers and beginners.
Continue reading to get deep insight into choosing the best mallet putters based on your preferences. If you’re in a hurry, our top five picks will get you sorted.
So, let’s roll into it!
Best Mallet Putter
Golfible Picks:
Editor’s Choice & Best Mallet Putter For High Handicappers: Odyssey Red Ball Putter (click to see)
Best Budget Mallet Putter: Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter (click to see)
Best Mallet Putter For Arc Stroke: TaylorMade Golf Spider Putters (click to see)
Best Mallet Putter With Plumber’s Neck: Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter (click to see on eBay)
Best Mid Mallet Putter: Cleveland Golf Huntington Beach (click to see)
Mallet Putter Specification Table Comparison
| Putter Name | Odyssey Red Ball Putter | Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter | TaylorMade Golf Spider Putters | Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter | Cleveland Golf Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 9/10 Editor’s Choice | 9/10 Best Budget Mallet Putter | 9/10 Best Putter For Arc Stroke | 9/10 Best Putter With Plumber’s Neck | 9/10 Best Mid Mallet Putter |
| Pricing | Jump To Pricing Section | Jump To Pricing Section | Jump To Pricing Section | Jump To Pricing Section | Jump To Pricing Section |
| Putter Type | Mallet | Mallet | Mallet | Mallet | Mid-Mallet |
| Hosel | No Hosel | No Hosel | Double Bend | Plumber Neck | Plumbers Neck |
| Weight Distribution | Face Balanced | Face Balanced | Face Balanced | Toe Hang | Face Balanced |
| Head Weight | 360g | 380g | 355g | 335g | 360g |
| Alignment | Red Ball Scope, Versa High Contrast Sight Line | Triple Sight Lines | Single Sightline | Bi-Color Sightline | Two Sight Lines |
| Grip | Odyssey DFX | Pinemeadow Spider | Superstroke GTR 1.0 | Stock Orlimar Grip | Cleaveland Blue Oversized grip |
| Standard Length | 33″-35″ | 34″ | 34″-35″ | 35″ | 33″-35″ |
| Loft | 3 degrees | 3 degrees | 3.5 degrees | 3 degrees | 3 degrees |
| Lie Angle | 70 degrees | 90 degrees | 70 degrees | 72 degrees | 70 degrees |
| Read Review | Jump To Odyssey Red Ball Putter Review | Jump To Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter Review | Jump To TaylorMade Golf Spider Putters Review | Jump To Orlimar Tangent T1 Review | Jump To Cleveland Golf Huntington Beach Review |
Our Guide To The Best Mallet Style Putters of 2023
Odyssey Red Ball Putter
Editor’s Choice
Rating: 9.5 /10
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$90.22
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Pros
- Highly forgiving mallet putter
- Potential for 360-degree alignment
- White Hot RX insert lends itself to greater control and consistency
- Pleasing sound and feedback
Cons
- The alignment and design will not suit all putting styles
- Somewhat pricey
Callaway has certainly made a name for themselves with their Odyssey family of putters.
They have something to suit all golfers of all abilities. Their Red Ball Putters are amongst the most popular of the range.
The standout features of this particular putter are the ease of alignment and the forgiveness of the head. These are features that will appeal to golfers at all skill levels.
Most players that use the Odyssey Red Ball Putter attest to the decent balance and feel.
The head shape of this putter might not appeal to all golfers but many find it inspires confidence and has a decent feel.
The light and dark color scheme also appeals to many players but might the staunch golf traditionalists might take a while to warm to it.
The red alignment “ball” can be highly effective once you are used to it. It offers a number of advantages, chiefly that you can align through 360-degrees.
Despite the need to learn to work with this it can be a powerful alignment aid and promote greater control and accuracy.
One of the legendary features of this Callaway range is the inserts. While these have been around for some time they are continuously advancing and improving.
The White Hot RX insert delivers control and consistency. They also offer a pleasant feel that most golfers appreciate.
Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter
Best Budget Mallet Putter
Rating: 8.7 /10
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$51.67
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Pros
- Very good value for money
- Great contrast
- Easy alignment
- Appealing look
- Tour weighted
Cons
- Not all golfers appreciate the look
- The white color is tricky to keep clean and is not highly durable
- Some higher handicap players find it a bit heavy
This is a budget putter that performs way above the price range. If you are not familiar with Pinemeadow, they are a well-established manufacturer that produces quality golf clubs that offer great value for money.
This is a popular and well-loved putter for many golfers.
This putter is a semi-mallet style that works for a wide range of golfers. It plays relatively fast but offers decent control and consistency.
Semi or mid-mallet style putters are growing in popularity and offer a combination of the features of a blade putter and a regular mallet putter. They are toe weighted and have decent sightlines.
The PGX putter has a good weight balance which further enhances the control and aids in accuracy and consistency. It is relatively forgiving.
The putter has a tour weight which most golfers enjoy but beginners might find it a bit on the heavy side.
The outstanding benefit of the Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter is the low price. It really is great value for money.
TaylorMade Golf Spider Putters
Best Putter For Arc Stroke
Rating: 9.2 /10
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Pros
- Inserts and groves deliver good ball roll and consistency
- Moveable weights
- Hosel options
- Slight toe hang for putters with an arc style
- Forgiving putter
Cons
- Pricey
- Some players were disappointed with the shaft durability
While a number of leading pros have made this putter famous it is favored by a wide range of golfers at all levels.
The technology comes at a price but this is a popular choice and most players are happy with their investment.
The Pure Role inserts are the outstanding feature of this putter.
The soft Surlyn insert improves control and consistency by getting the ball off to a good roll with minimal vibration or skidding. This results in a smooth shot with accuracy and distance control.
The perimeter weighting gives the Taylormade Spider Putters forgiveness when you do not play a perfect dead center strike.
It has a mild toe hang which makes this an ideal choice for players that putt with arc style stroke. There are movable weights so you can set it up to compliment your style.
The polymer insert works well with the 45-degree grooves for enhanced topspin and also improves the sound and feel of the putter.
The putter has a unique high-tech look that players either love or hate. The square design does help with alignment which should improve accuracy.
The steel shaft has a black finish and a Superstroke gtr 1.0 grip. There are a number of hosel options some of which will suit the arc stroke players very well.
Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter
Best Putter With Plumber’s Neck
Rating: 8.8 /10
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$29.21
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$72.46
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Pros
- Benefits players with a combination putting style
- Excellent value for money
- Highly forgiving and accurate
- TPU face inserts give a good feel
- Effective sightlines
Cons
- Will take a while to get used to if you are not familiar with the hosel style
- No option for left-handers
- Only one length available, 35-inch
Apart from great value for money, the outstanding feature of this putter is the plumber neck hosel.
This rather unique putter design will suit golfers with a putting motion that combines the straight-back and arc style. This offset design has some toe hang and keeps your hands ahead of the putter at impact.
The Orlimar Tangent T1 also has a high MOI for a good amount of forgiveness.
The TPU polymer face inserts produce a pleasant feel and deliver a high moment of inertia (MOI). This means that the putter is less likely to twist if you happen to strike the ball slightly off center.
The sightlines are in contrasting colors for easy alignment. All of these features increase the accuracy and consistency of this putter.
The slightly unusual design might take a bit of getting used to if you are not familiar with the plumber neck hosel but it is a popular and well-loved putter.
Despite the low price, this is a well-balanced and well-constructed putter that is a top seller.
Cleveland Golf Huntington Beach Putter
Best Mid Mallet Putter
Rating: 9.0 /10
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Pros
- Soft feel
- Consistent roll
- Good looks
- Affordable
Cons
- Some golfers find the head too light
This mid-mallet putter from Cleveland Golf also features the plumber’s neck design. The face is made from a soft feel 304 Stainless Steel.
What helps to give this putter a good consistent roll is the precision milled diamond-shaped pattern of the face.
The shape, look and feel of this putter appeal to most golfers and this is also a popular choice for a wide range of golfers.
A few players found the head to be a bit light but most enjoyed the soft feel and consistent roll the 2017 Huntington Beach #10 Putter delivers.
You have a choice of a pistol grip or an oversize grip with this putter according to your preference. It is face balanced with no toe hang.
Blade vs Mallet Putter: Which is the better putter style for your golf game?
As with all golf equipment, putters have seen many changes over the years.
While more traditional blade style putters are still favored by many the mallet putter has grown in popularity over the years.
It is not just golf beginners or mid-handicappers that appreciate them, but mallet putters are extremely popular among the pros.
Just to briefly explain the difference between blade style and mallet style putters, here is the low down:
Blade Putters
Blade putters are the traditional putters with a simple design and a straight blade. Modern blades are much more technologically advanced than those of the past. These putters use a range of materials, inserts, face finishes, weight options, and other refinements.
The sweet spot is relatively close to the heel and the putter is toe-weighted. They suit players with an arc style of putting.
Mallet putters
Mallet putters are a more recent development that have become extremely popular with a wide range of players.
These putters have a much larger and more elaborate head design.
Much of the same technology used in blades is also available in mallet putters but the weight distribution is different.
They generally give more stability and forgiveness and have a very different feel. This style of putter works better for golfers that prefer a straight-back, straight-through putting style.
So, which option is better?
There is no simple answer to which putter is better. It will differ from player to player. It comes down to what style of putter feels comfortable and works for you and your putting style and pace.
There are, however, advantages and disadvantages to both putter options.
Mallet putter advantages
- High moment of inertia (MOI) and therefore more forgiving
- Easier to keep square
- Easy to align and aim
Mallet putter disadvantages
- Some golfers find the heads too bulky
- Does not suit players that arc their putts
Blade putter advantages
- Most golfers prefer the traditional look
- They have a better feel
- Allows the player to arc the ball
Blade putter disadvantages
- More inclined to twist or turn as you strike the ball
- Less forgiving
- Sometimes more difficult to align
Mid-mallet putters
Mid-mallet putters have become very popular and, as the name suggests, they are a compromise between the blade and the mallet putter.
The mallet putters are quite versatile and are toe weighted (more on that later) to allow for an arc style or a straight-back, straight-through putting motion.
They have enough space for decent sight lines and are more forgiving than the average blade putter.
There are only a limited number of mid-mallet putter options but as they increase in popularity new models of this putter are coming onto the market.
They also tend to be slightly more expensive than other putter options.
Stroke Differences
Your putting stroke is one of the main factors to consider when deciding between a blade or a mallet putter to add to your golf club set.
A square-to-square or straight-back, straight-through stroke is better suited to a mallet putter.
The mallet putters also suit people with a slow and steady putting tempo.
Many players putt with an arc style where the face of the putter opens and closes in relation to the target and the stroke has an arc. These players need to use a blade style putter. Blades are also better suited to golfers with a faster putting tempo.
Are mallet putters more forgiving?
Mallet putters have a larger sweet spot and a higher moment of inertia (MOI). Good MOI prevents twisting as you strike the ball. This means overall, a mallet putter is more forgiving than the average blade putter. Not a feature of forgiveness but the larger and more prominent sight lines also makes mallet putters easier to align and more accurate for the average golfer.
Remember that you still need the putter that works best with your stroke style otherwise, the forgiveness will be of little consequence.
Do mallets help the yips?
Many golfers experience the yips from time to time, there is no easy cure. There is, however, a lot of evidence to suggest that mallet putters help many golfers due to their weight distribution, heavier weight, and larger sweet spot.
Face Balance vs Toe Balance
The most important aspect of putter selection is that your choice needs to match your putting style. It is all in the balance. There are two main options, face balanced or a mallet putter with toe hang (toe balance). The distinction is fairly simple when you hold the putter horizontally.
Generally speaking, face balanced mallet putters’ work best for golfers with a straight back – straight through style. A toe balanced putter works better for putters with more of an arc style.
Putting tempo is another considerations but on average, arc style putters should go for a putter with a fair amount of toe hang. Heel shafted putters allow for rotation and opening and closing of the face.
At the end of the day, it comes down to tempo, stroke and what feels most comfortable in your hands. Putting is as much about your confidence as it is about skills and ability.
Alignment Aids
One of the major advantages of mallet putters is there is a lot more space to provide quality sight lines.
There is a range of putter designs and not all will work for all golfers so consider this when making your selection. You want putters to inspire confidence without distracting you.
Grip
There is much debate around the best grip for a putter. Again, it comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for you and your putting style.
Many players find that a larger grip works better for them than a traditional narrow or pistol style grip.
The benefit of a larger grip is that is can reduce the wrist and hand motion as you putt but this is not the case for everyone. Try a few putter grip styles to see what works best for you.
Professional Fitting
Fitting is not only for drivers and irons, but it is also just as important with your putter. Many golf outlets and Pro Shops offer this service and it is a worthwhile idea.
Our Final Thoughts on Mallet Putters
Putting is, without a doubt, one of the most important aspects of your game.
Using the right equipment is essential and a mallet putter could well be the answer for you.
We have given you some insights into the benefits of mallet putters and what to look for when selecting one. We then highlighted some of the best options of mallet putter available.
While they are all great options, the Odyssey Red Ball Putter is our top mallet putter pick for 2023. This putter highly forgiving and the White Hot RX inserts provide impressive consistency and control.
Consider your putting style and personal preferences and select the best putter for your needs.
FAQ
Who are mallet putters best for?
For players who don’t have a consistent putting stroke, a mallet is a better choice. The bigger clubhead makes it more forgiving and easier to line up putts. It’s ideal for golfers with higher handicaps.
Do pros use mallet putters?
Yes, pros do use mallet putters. Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas both play with mallets. McIlroy uses the TaylorMade Spider X and Thomas uses the Titleist Scotty Cameron X 5.5 Tour Prototype.
What is the advantage of a mallet putter?
The advantage of a mallet according to many players, is that it improves their stroke and keeps them more stable. It can also help them perform better on lengthier putts. There are various sizes and shapes for mallets, and they are larger than blade putters.
Are mallet putters more forgiving than blades?
Yes, mallets are more forgiving than blade putters. The bigger head on a mallet enables it to be more forgiving. This means that there is more room for error when it comes to hitting well-stroked putts. If you miss the center of the putter you can still have a desirable outcome.
