Putting is often considered one of the most crucial aspects of golf. It’s the part of the game where precision and control matter most. For beginners, finding the right putter can significantly improve their performance on the greens. In this article, we will discuss the best putters for beginners, considering their design, features, and affordability.
1. Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Putter
Design: The Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 putter is known for its classic design with a white-hot insert that enhances feel and control. It comes in various head shapes and alignment aids, catering to different putting styles.
Features: This putter features a highly responsive White Hot insert that provides consistent ball speeds and better distance control, even on off-center hits. The mallet-style heads offer excellent stability and forgiveness, making it ideal for beginners.
Affordability: While not the cheapest option on the market, the Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 putter offers good value for its performance and durability.
2. TaylorMade Spider X Putter
Design: The TaylorMade Spider X putter has a modern, high-MOI (Moment of Inertia) design with a large, forgiving head. Its alignment features are designed to help beginners line up their putts accurately.
Features: The Spider X putter utilizes a multi-material construction that enhances stability and forgiveness. Its True Path alignment system assists golfers in setting up putts correctly. The insert technology provides a soft feel and consistent roll.
Affordability: TaylorMade putters are generally on the higher end of the price spectrum, but the Spider X offers a high-quality experience that justifies the cost for many golfers.
3. Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Putter
Design: The Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft putter is known for its classic, no-frills design. It offers a clean and traditional look that appeals to beginners and experienced golfers alike.
Features: This putter features a precision-milled face that provides a soft and consistent feel upon impact. It comes in various head shapes and hosel configurations to suit different stroke types. The affordability of this putter is a significant selling point.
Affordability: The Huntington Beach Soft putter is one of the most budget-friendly options on the market, making it an attractive choice for beginners looking for quality without breaking the bank.
4. Wilson Staff Infinite Putter
Design: The Wilson Staff Infinite putter series features classic head shapes with timeless designs. They come in various options, including blade and mallet styles, to suit different preferences.
Features: These putters have a double-milled face that promotes consistent ball speeds and improved control. The counterbalanced technology in some models enhances stability and reduces wrist movement, which can be beneficial for beginners.
Affordability: Wilson Staff putters are reasonably priced, making them an excellent choice for beginners on a budget.
5. Ping Sigma 2 Anser Putter
Design: The Ping Sigma 2 Anser putter is a modern take on a classic design. It features a clean and traditional Anser-style head with several alignment options to help beginners with their setup.
Features: One of the standout features of the Sigma 2 putter series is the adjustable shaft length. Golfers can easily customize the shaft length to find their optimal putting stance, which is particularly helpful for beginners still discovering their preferred setup. The dual-durometer insert provides a soft feel and consistent roll across the face.
Affordability: While not the cheapest option, the Ping Sigma 2 Anser putter offers excellent quality and customization options for golfers willing to invest in their game.
6. Odyssey Stroke Lab Putter
Design: The Odyssey Stroke Lab putter series combines modern design elements with a focus on weight distribution. These putters have a sleek and futuristic appearance, appealing to golfers seeking both performance and aesthetics.
Features: The Stroke Lab putters feature a unique shaft design that redistributes weight to improve the putter’s stability and feel. The Microhinge face insert enhances top-spin, resulting in a smoother roll and improved distance control. Various head shapes and alignment aids cater to different preferences.
Affordability: While not the most affordable putters, the Odyssey Stroke Lab series provides advanced technology that can help beginners improve their putting performance over time.
7. Scotty Cameron Select Newport Putter
Design: Scotty Cameron putters are renowned for their craftsmanship and iconic designs. The Select Newport putter has a classic blade-style head with precision milling and clean aesthetics.
Features: The Select Newport putter boasts a solid milled face for exceptional feel and feedback. Scotty Cameron’s attention to detail ensures consistency in craftsmanship, making this putter a reliable choice for golfers seeking top-tier performance. It comes with various customization options.
Affordability: Scotty Cameron putters are considered premium options and are on the higher end of the price scale. While they may not be the most budget-friendly choice, they are often considered an investment in precision and quality.
Putter Models
| Putter Model | Brand | Length (inches) | Head Shape | Price ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 | Callaway | 34 | Blade | 129 |
| TaylorMade Spider Tour | TaylorMade | 35 | Mallet | 199 |
| Ping Sigma 2 Tyne | Ping | 33 | Blade | 169 |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Premier 11 | Cleveland | 34 | Mallet | 109 |
| Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2.5 | Scotty Cameron | 35 | Blade | 349 |
| Wilson Harmonized M1 | Wilson | 34 | Blade | 49 |
| Odyssey Stroke Lab Triple Track Ten | Callaway | 35 | Mallet | 299 |
| TaylorMade TP Collection Soto | TaylorMade | 34 | Blade | 179 |
| Odyssey Triple Track 2-Ball Blade | Callaway | 35 | Blade | 249 |
| Cleveland Frontline Elevado | Cleveland | 34 | Mallet | 139 |
Putter Material
| Putter Model | Material | Shaft Material | Face Insert Material | Grip Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 | Stainless Steel | Steel | White Hot Urethane | SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0 |
| TaylorMade Spider Tour | 6061 Aluminum | Steel | Pure Roll | SuperStroke Traxion Pistol GT 1.0 |
| Ping Sigma 2 Tyne | 17-4 Stainless Steel | Steel | Dual-Durometer Insert | PP60 Pistol |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Premier 11 | 304 Stainless Steel | Steel | Precision Milled Face | Lamkin SINK Pistol |
| Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2.5 | Stainless Steel | Steel | Performance Balanced | Matador Midsize 11″ |
| Wilson Harmonized M1 | Zinc | Steel | Mallet | Vertical Seam |
| Odyssey Stroke Lab Triple Track Ten | Stainless Steel | Steel | White Hot Microhinge | Oversize Odyssey Pistol |
| TaylorMade TP Collection Soto | 303 Stainless Steel | Steel | Pure Roll | SuperStroke Pistol GT 1.0 |
| Odyssey Triple Track 2-Ball Blade | Stainless Steel | Steel | White Hot Microhinge | Oversize Odyssey Pistol |
| Cleveland Frontline Elevado | 304 Stainless Steel | Steel | Speed Optimized Face | Lamkin SINK Pistol |
Putter Weight
| Putter Model | Head Weight (g) | Shaft Weight (g) | Total Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 | 350 | 115 | 465 |
| TaylorMade Spider Tour | 355 | 120 | 475 |
| Ping Sigma 2 Tyne | 365 | 120 | 485 |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Premier 11 | 370 | 110 | 480 |
| Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2.5 | 350 | 120 | 470 |
| Wilson Harmonized M1 | 345 | 115 | 460 |
| Odyssey Stroke Lab Triple Track Ten | 365 | 120 | 485 |
| TaylorMade TP Collection Soto | 350 | 115 | 465 |
| Odyssey Triple Track 2-Ball Blade | 355 | 120 | 475 |
| Cleveland Frontline Elevado | 365 | 115 | 480 |
Putter Alignment Aid
| Putter Model | Alignment Aid | Hosel Style | Toe Hang | Offset (Shaft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 | Single White Line | Heel-Shafted | Face-Balanced | Full Offset |
| TaylorMade Spider Tour | Sightline | Face-Balanced | Toe Hang | No Offset |
| Ping Sigma 2 Tyne | Dual Alignment Lines | Plumber’s Neck | Slight Toe Hang | Half Shaft Offset |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Premier 11 | Single Dot Alignment | Center Shaft | Face-Balanced | No Offset |
| Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2.5 | Sightline | Flow Neck | Slight Toe Hang | Full Offset |
| Wilson Harmonized M1 | Single Alignment Line | Heel-Shafted | Face-Balanced | Full Offset |
| Odyssey Stroke Lab Triple Track Ten | Triple Track Alignment | Double Bend | Slight Toe Hang | Full Offset |
| TaylorMade TP Collection Soto | Single Sightline | Heel-Shafted | Face-Balanced | No Offset |
| Odyssey Triple Track 2-Ball Blade | Triple Track Alignment | Double Bend | Slight Toe Hang | Full Offset |
| Cleveland Frontline Elevado | Single Dot Alignment | Single Bend | Slight Toe Hang | No Offset |
User Ratings (Out of 5)
| Putter Model | Golf Digest Rating | Golf Magazine Rating | User Rating | GolfWRX Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| TaylorMade Spider Tour | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Ping Sigma 2 Tyne | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Premier 11 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| Wilson Harmonized M1 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| Odyssey Stroke Lab Triple Track Ten | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 |
Conclusion
When selecting the best putter for beginners, it’s essential to consider design, features, and budget. The Ping Sigma 2 Anser, Odyssey Stroke Lab, and Scotty Cameron Select Newport putters offer distinct advantages and cater to golfers with different preferences. Beginners should try out different putters to determine which one suits their putting style and provides the feel and consistency they need to improve their putting game. Remember that investing in the right putter can make a significant difference in your overall golf performance.
