In a Rush? Here’s our pick for the best mallet putter
Scotty Cameron is a brand known for premium build putters and the Phantom X is one of the best. Constructed using aircraft-grade aluminum, it’s a putter that offers an amazing feel, high MOI, and beautiful detail. Serious about lowering your scores? This putter is too good to skip the practice green.
Mallet Putters Overview
You might be wondering why I spent so long making a list of great mallet putters… let me explain, cover your ears coach!
I never used to practice my putting… ever.
It’s not surprising that I sucked in competitive rounds. Every time I was paired with a new golfer, they’d say something like “you’d be dangerous if you could putt”.
One day I realized I didn’t hate putting, I HATED my putter.
I traded my old beat up blade for a mallet putter and fell in love with it. I couldn’t wait to hit the practice green. The next year my handicap dropped by 6 strokes from putting alone.
It’s amazing what some practice and a little extra MOI (moment of inertia) can do for your game. I decided to round up the best mallet putters to give people the help that I needed and share my insight.
Recommended reading: blades vs mallet putters
️ - What does MOI mean?
This is an acronym that gets used a lot in golf, it stands for “moment of inertia”, which is a measurement of how much resistance the putter head has to twisting. High MOI in your putter is a good thing, the greater the resistance the less it will rotate making it more forgiving.
️ - The Top 5 Mallet Putters
After spending hours and hours on research and testing, I’m pleased to bring you a list of putters with something to offer everyone.
Every recommendation has been carefully thought out and based around our readers’ needs. The putters vary in price, manufacturer, and visually but they all share common ground. They’re great quality putters and offer more forgiveness than blades.
With so many options available, cutting the list down to just five putters was not easy. With that said, It’s time to bring you the putters that made the final cut! Here’s my list of the best mallet putters available on the market right now.
1. Scotty Cameron Phantom X
First up, we’ve got a brand that’s known for making high-end putters. It's face milled with aircraft-grade aluminum, providing a superb feel. The clear alignment lines make you feel confident in your set up when standing over your putt.
Read Our Full Review2. Odyssey Stroke Lab
Odyssey putters are a popular choice with tour players and amateur golfers alike. The Odyssey Stroke Lab has shaft improvements that I think could benefit anyone with pace issues. They've combined graphite and steel to create a lighter shaft which encourages a smoother putting stroke.
Read Our Full Review3. Cleveland Huntington Beach
Not everyone wants to break the bank over a new putter. If you want something that offers excellent quality as well as bang for your buck - look no further. In my opinion, the Cleveland Huntington Beach is the best budget mallet putter around. You may be wondering how a putter that costs a third of the price of a Scotty Cameron could come anywhere close to other putters on this list...
Read Our Full Review4. Taylormade Spider X
The Taylormade Spider has been on the scene for some time, first introduced in 2008. If you’re a fan of the PGA tour, you might remember Jason Day becoming the world number 1 using a red Spider putter. I’m not saying that buying a Taylormade Spider X is going to win you a major any time soon, but hear me out.
Read Our Full Review5. Odyssey Triple Track
The final putter on the list is another popular model from Odyssey. Say hello to the Triple Track mallet. This putter is like being able to take a training aid out onto the golf course.
Read Our Full ReviewScotty Cameron Phantom X
First up, we’ve got a brand that’s known for making high-end putters. It's face milled with aircraft-grade aluminum, providing a superb feel. The clear alignment lines make you feel confident in your set up when standing over your putt.
Scotty Cameron putters are known for their classy looks, and I’m pleased to say the Phantom X fits the bill perfectly. from the slick Pistolero grip to the detailing on the sole, the design is a real eye-catcher. Although this is an outstanding putter looks-wise, it's not just a pretty face.
I’ve used it for around 8 months after asking the club pro to try out a few different mallets. I was sold on the Phantom X 12 immediately. I couldn’t believe how confident I felt standing over the ball. After hitting a few putts there was no going back. I was seeing a consistent roll and distance, even when I didn't find the sweet spot.
The pro told me it’s a highly popular putter for low handicap players. This is down to how much feel you get combined with the stability of the head. There's a distinct "ping" noise when you strike the ball, which doesn’t bother me but it’s worth noting.
The incredible feel, quality engineering, and forgiveness make this putter tough to beat. That's why it's my pick for the best mallet putter around right now.
I LIKE
- Clear alignment lines
- Amazing feel from the putter face
- Very forgiving for both consistent roll and distance
- Beautiful design
- Choice of 5 different head shapes
I DONT
- A very expensive putter
Odyssey Stroke Lab
Odyssey putters are a popular choice with tour players and amateur golfers alike. The Odyssey Stroke Lab has shaft improvements that I think could benefit anyone with pace issues. They've combined graphite and steel to create a lighter shaft which encourages a smoother putting stroke.
Odyssey cut about 40 grams off the shaft weight from the stroke lab putter compared to conventional stainless steel putters. They could then add 10 grams to the shaft and 30 grams to the grip, without making the putter any heavier.
So, how does this help? Right away, the balanced weighting made this putter feel like an extension of my arm. I felt a greater awareness of the connection between the grip and the putter head. This was a huge help to me with long-range putts. They stuck with the tried and tested White Hot face insert, which offers very little noise at impact and gives a buttery smooth feel.
The putters in the range look great, with 6 different mallet head shapes available. The seven and the black bird of prey being my personal favorites. Heads come in a color combination of black, white, or silver. White alignment lines are contrasted against a black background and stand out very nicely. I like that the shaft meets the putter head with a steel section, maintaining a classic look at address.
The Odyssey Stroke Lab is a great quality putter. The shaft technology surpassed my expectations considering the price, a great pick for anybody looking to dial in their putting stroke.
I LIKE
- Excellent distance control
- Plenty of head options
- Shaft helps with consistent roll and tempo
- Nice looking putter
I DONT
- Could take some golfers a while to get used to its weight distribution
Cleveland Huntington Beach
Not everyone wants to break the bank over a new putter. If you want something that offers excellent quality as well as bang for your buck - look no further. In my opinion, the Cleveland Huntington Beach is the best budget mallet putter around. You may be wondering how a putter that costs a third of the price of a Scotty Cameron could come anywhere close to other putters on this list...
It may not have the build quality of some of the more premium putters, but it's a great all-rounder. It’s made from 304 stainless steel and has a CNC-milled face. The milling pattern is called “Speed Optimized Face Technology”. This is designed to improve control over long-range putts, while still maintaining a soft face.
The technology sounds great, but how does that benefit your game? Well, it helps to counter face twist when you hit an off-centered putt. Giving you consistent improvements in both performance and feel, even when you don’t hit your best putt.
Despite the low price tag, you get 3 different mallet heads to choose from. Looks-wise they’re not the most detailed putters but I for one think the silver and blue finish looks pretty classy.
If you’re looking for a budget mallet putter that offers forgiveness and consistency with plenty of feel, the Huntington Beach mallet is the one for you. It’s proof that you can get a premium quality putter without the price tag.
I LIKE
- Great value for money
- Plenty of forgiveness
- Feels nice
I DONT
- Doesn’t look as nice as the other putters on the list
- Not as many head choices compared to other putters
Taylormade Spider X
The Taylormade Spider has been on the scene for some time, first introduced in 2008. If you’re a fan of the PGA tour, you might remember Jason Day becoming the world number 1 using a red Spider putter. I’m not saying that buying a Taylormade Spider X is going to win you a major any time soon, but hear me out.
The no-nonsense alignment is a great feature on this putter. The putter gives you a Y shaped sightline about half the size of a golf ball, with a clear line down the center. The contrast helps create an excellent alignment aid that gives you plenty of confidence when standing over a putt.
The research that’s gone into designing this putter is second to none. Taylormade found that golfers with +5 - 5 handicaps hit putts within a 29mm window on the face, while the higher handicappers work within a 39mm range. You’ll be pleased to hear that whatever your handicap, extensive research was used during design to improve your off-center hits.
I’ve got a feeling some people might not be a huge fan of the copper model, but I think the blue option goes down well with me. You’re also able to create a customized version if that’s your kind of thing.
The previous Spider was a huge hit, and the Spider X putter came with big expectations. The putter still looks great and feels even better, just with a sleek 5% smaller head. Additional weight balancing accompanies a highly forgiving design that’s helped to produce one of the best mallet putters on the market.
I LIKE
- Great alignment
- Reduced head size compared to previous models
- Nice detailing
- Designed to be forgiving
I DONT
- High cost
- Not a fan of the copper color
Odyssey Triple Track
The final putter on the list is another popular model from Odyssey. Say hello to the Triple Track mallet. This putter is like being able to take a training aid out onto the golf course.
You’ll notice three prominent lines on the putter head. These are designed to match up specifically to alignment lines printed on select Callaway balls (Chrome Soft and ERC Soft golf). This design is based on visual technology that lands planes on aircraft carriers. I’m no expert, but if the technology gets planes onto ships surely it could help my ball into the hole?
Although the aircraft technology sounds complex, it’s pretty simple. You line up the lines on your ball with your target line. Once you step up to make the putt, connect the lines on the putter head with the ones on your ball.
Lining up putts this way isn’t new, players on tour have been doing it for years. The benefit you get with this system is that everything feels nicely synchronized. With lines on the ball and putter matched up, you just need a good read and the right pace… easier said than done!
In terms of looks, the white stripe stands out against the black putter, with the three Triple Track lines clear to see. This makes alignment so easy, and Callaway says the technology improves directional aim by over 10%. Performance-wise it’s a great putter, and the face almost feels difficult to rotate. The insert feels a little firm, good for those of you who prefer a less of a soft face.
One downside of this putter is that for alignment, it’s reliant on you using a Callaway ball. This could be a coincidence or a clever marketing tactic. Also for beginners, it could encourage slower play. Being dependent on always aligning your ball perfectly is time consuming. This might not make you the most popular person on the putting green!
All in all this is a great feeling putter with an excellent alignment design. If you’re a golfer who worries they might not be setting up to putts correctly, this would be a massive help.
I LIKE
- Excellent alignment
- Good quality forgiving putter
- Discourages rushing putts
- Available in classic 2 ball design (a favorite of mine)
I DONT
- May encourage slow play for beginners
- Requires specific Callaway golf balls
Buying Guide
Mallets are by no means “new technology”, Odyssey 2 ball putters were getting wins on tour 20 years ago. If you couldn’t already tell, I’m a huge believer in the benefits they can bring to your game. Let’s take a look at a few features of mallet putters and what they mean.
Alignment Aids
Perhaps the most important part of your putting routine, aligning your ball and putter to the target gives you the best chance of making the putt. With so much choice on the market, make sure you find a putter with alignment that fits your eye.
I have a buddy who was using a beat-up hand me down putter from his grampa. The putter was so old that the alignment had worn and he couldn’t tell when his putts were lined up. He’s also one of the angriest golfers I’ve ever met, especially on the greens. His luck changed when he swapped his putter for an Odyssey mallet, and guess what? His putts started to drop, and he became a little more fun to play with!
The point of my story is it shows the importance of decent alignment. You could have the best putting stroke in the world but if you’re not lined up properly, you wont make putts. If you look at reviews for the Odyssey Triple Track putter you’ll notice how many people give great feedback. Many golfers mention how it feels like they’re cheating. They’re not cheating, they’re just lining up their putts correctly! This shows the power of proper alignment and the impact it can have on your scores.
Face Balanced VS Toe Hang?
These are two phrases you hear being used a lot when it comes to putters. The benefit of a face balanced putter is that it offers less rotation through the stroke. This helps if you try to bring the putter back straight.
Face balanced putters, will have the putter face pointing upwards when balanced between your fingers. If I was holding the putter above, and the toe (the side without the “X”) hung towards the floor, this would mean it’s a toe hang putter.
Should You Use a Face Balanced or Toe Hanging Putter?
Although very few people consider it, you should use a face balanced putter if you have a straight back and through putting stroke. If you have more of an arced putting stroke a toe hang putter would be best. Face balanced putters encourage less rotation through the stroke whereas toe hanging putters encourage the face to open and close.
Price
This is one of the key considerations for people looking to buy a new putter. Although putters are getting more expensive these days, I like to think of a putter as an investment in your game. Harvey Penick famously said in his book that the three most important clubs, in order, are putter, driver, and wedge. If you’re anything like me, taking pride in your putter will encourage you to practice more too. It’s a win-win!
People often have their priorities wrong with golf equipment. Some spend almost a thousand dollars on a driver, but think a couple of hundred bucks on a putter is expensive. Your putter is your most used club, and you easily get the most value for money from it. You hit a driver a maximum of 14 times per round. If you’re as bad as I was, you might use your putter 4 times on just a single hole!
With that said, everyone’s working to a different budget. You can still bag yourself an excellent putter without spending hundreds of dollars.
Length
The pain of using a putter that’s the wrong length is something I’ve experienced first hand. As a taller guy, the putter I was using ended up causing me some discomfort. Turns out the putter I was using was 33 inches, and I needed a 36 inch putter. This is an extreme case, with most putters being 34 inches as standard. If you’re an average build you won’t run into any trouble with a standard fit putter. If you’re worried you’re using the wrong sized putter, make sure you ask your club pro for some advice.
Club head size
The large club head is the first thing you’ll notice when using a mallet putter. When I first I remember thinking “oh boy”. After hitting a few you’ll realize how much you benefit from that increased MOI.
Despite their heads extending around four inches further back than a blade putter, for me mallets don’t feel awkward at all. This is down to perimeter weighting with weight dispersed around the grip and shaft. Remember, forgiveness is one of the major bonuses of a mallet putter. Their large head size is key to increasing MOI, improving alignment, and offering more overall forgiveness.
Milled face or face insert?
There are two different kinds of putter faces; face inserts or milled putters. Milled putters are usually a one-piece, whereas face inserts are multi material. When it comes to face insert, the clues in the name. A piece of soft material (often rubber) is inserted into the face of the putter. These produce a quiet sound off the face and provide a soft feel.
Recommended reading: milled vs. insert putters
Mid Mallet or Full Mallet: What’s the Difference?
Mid Mallet putters are an excellent middle ground between a blade and a full mallet head. Visually, they share the same mallet shape with a much smaller club head size. When I tested a few mid mallets out, I got the feel of a blade with some of the extra MOI a mallet offers. A mid-mallet is a good stepping stone, if you’re moving from a blade to a mallet and want something in between.
️ Frequently Asked Questions ️
With mallets being labeled forgiving, plenty of people wonder if pros use Mallet putters on tour. To answer the question, yes some of the best putters in the world use mallet putters. In March Last year, 60% of the best strokes gained putters on the PGA tours were using a mallet style putter.
It’s down to personal preference but it is common for golfers to see improvements when using a mallet putter. This is thanks to the technology that improves alignment, increases MOI (moment of inertia), and stabilizes your putting stroke. At one point, 9 of the top 10 players in the world were gaming mallet putters.
Mallet putters provide added forgiveness thanks to the weight distribution being pushed further back. The larger club head and increased weight mean mallets glide through the grass more easily too. This helps improve forgiveness and distance control when putting from the rough.
If you’re a player who strikes the center of the clubface consistently and values “feel” a bladed putter would work best. For golfers who favor reliability even when the strike isn’t perfect, mallet putters are ideal thanks to their extra forgiveness.
Due to their higher price tag, expensive putters benefit from extensive research during the design phase and are made from the best quality materials. Their advanced construction allows them to be more forgiving, provide a better feel, and allows them to produce optimal performance compared to budget putters on the market.
A putter fitting is a good option if you’re having real trouble with your putting. They can also be useful if you think you’re using the wrong sized putter. Most “off the rack” putters fit people with an average build so as long as you pick a putter that feels great and helps you hole putts, a putter fitting isn’t a necessity.