Discover The 10 Types of Putters To Elevate Your Game

I’ll never forget the day I three-putted the last two holes, on what would’ve been the first time breaking 80.

My drives were accurate, hitting close to 50% of the fairways.

My approach shots were dialed in, although there were a few stray shots but I managed to save those.

But I knew from the first hole that my putting was “off”.

And instead of breaking 80 that day, I shot a respectable 83.

That struggle was the first time I thought of changing my putter.

Initially, I wielded a blade putter, thinking it was the way to go because it was the “traditional” style, and that some of my favorite golfers swore by them.

But after countless missed putts and frustration, I switched over to a mallet putter and noticed an immediate change.

Whether you’re drawn to the classic blade or the more forgiving mallet, each type has its strengths.

Let’s jump into the 8 types of putters and find the right one for you.

Types of Putters

I’d argue that your putter is the most important golf club you have in the golf bag.

Think about it, each hole has a green.

Putters also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each designed to suit different stroke types and player preferences.

Here’s a breakdown of each different type of putter, so you’re better equipped on the green.

1. Blade Putters

Blade putters are the OG of the putting world and offer a classic design that many golfers love.

These sleek, traditional putter design features a flat, straight, and thin blade-like shape that’s been around dating back to the 1700s.

Blade putters tend to be the go-to for golfers with a consistent stroke who crave precision and control.

Lightweight and nimble, blade putters are perfect for those fast greens that make you feel like you’re putting on a marble floor.

But here’s the kicker: they’re not just for straight-stroke players anymore.

With adjustable weights and balance options (think Scotty Cameron’s), even arc-strokers can get in on the blade action.

2. Mallet Putters

Mallet-style putters, on the other hand, boast a putter head that’s bulkier in design with a larger sweet spot.

If blade putters are the sports cars of the putting world, mallet putters are the SUVs.

Mallet putters are often heavier and are all about stability and forgiveness, making them ideal for less consistent strokes.

They help keep your hands steady and your ball on track, even if your stroke isn’t picture-perfect.

Don’t think mallet putters are just for beginners too.

In fact, not only is it one of the more popular putters on the market, it’s one of the most popular on Tour as well.

The extra weight behind the ball can give any golfer the confidence to nail those long eagle putts.

3. Peripheral Weighted Putters

Peripheral weighted putters have added weight that’s distributed around the edges of the clubhead.

This design enhances stability during the stroke and feels great for golfers looking for consistency.

These putters are known to be great for off-center hits. The unique weighting helps minimize the effect of those mishits, keeping your putts straighter.

If you’re aiming for better accuracy, this design might be what you need in your bag.

4. Face-Balanced Putters

Face-balanced putters are designed to align the center of gravity directly above the shaft, keeping the face square throughout your stroke.

These putters are ideal for golfers with a straight back-and-through putting stroke.

If your stroke is as straight as an arrow, a face-balanced putter will help keep it that way.

Unfortunately, if your natural putting path is an arcing stroke, a face-balanced putter might go against you.

5. Toe-Balanced Putters / Toe-Weighted Putters

Toe-balanced, or toe-weighted, putters are designed for those who favor an arc in their stroke.

The weight is shifted to the toe, encouraging a natural turning motion as you putt.

If you find yourself over-rotating or pulling your putts, or if your putting motion looks more like a gentle curve than a straight line, a toe-balanced putter will work with your natural movement, not against it.

These putters tend to be more blade-style, but don’t let that fool you. There are plenty of mallet-style toe-balanced putters out there too. 

6. Insert Putters

Insert putters feature a face made from a different material than the rest of the club head, usually made of polymer or aluminum, which often provides golfers a “velvet touch”.

This unique construction on the face of the putter creates a softer impact with the ball, giving you better control and a more consistent roll.

Plus, inserts can help with sound. Some golfers swear by that satisfying “click” at impact.

If you’re a golfer who’s sensitive to feedback and wants to fine-tune your short game, these putters might suit your needs perfectly.

7. Milled Putters

If blades are sports cars, mallets are SUVs, then milled putters are the luxury cars of the putting world. 

They’re precision-engineered from a solid block of metal, usually stainless steel or carbon steel, creating a high-quality finish.

It’s like the putter equivalent of carving a statue from a single piece of marble.

This precision translates to more consistent contact with the ball, which means more consistent distance control and accuracy.

Just ask the pros—many swear by them for those close-range battles on the green.

But be warned: all this precision comes at a price. Milled putters tend to be on the pricier side. But for many golfers, that buttery-smooth feel is worth every penny.

8. Counterbalanced Putters

Last but not least, we have counterbalanced putters.

They feature extra weight in the putter grip to counterbalance the weight of the clubhead and the idea is to create a more stable putting stroke, especially on those long putts.

It’s like having training wheels on your putter, helping to keep your stroke smooth and your nerves steady.

Counterbalanced putters come in all shapes and sizes, from blades to mallets.

They’re especially popular among golfers who struggle with the yips or who just want a little extra stability in their putting stroke.

Putter Considerations – How To Choose The Right Putter For Your Game

Choosing the right putter is crucial for improving your golf game.

Let’s jump into the key factors you’ll need to consider when selecting your new putter.

1. Putter Design / Putter Head

When it comes to putter head design, you’ve got two main options: blade putters and mallet putters.

Blade putters are often the classic choice, featuring a flat, straight, and thin profile. They’re perfect if you’ve got a consistent stroke and crave that precise feel.

Mallet putters, on the other hand, are the big boys on the block.

They’ve got a larger, more complex head design that offers extra stability and forgiveness, especially for those off-center hits.

These putters are usually packed with alignment aids too. It helps align the putter and the golf ball to ensure a perfect setup.

If you’re looking for a bit more help with alignment and off-center hits, a mallet might be your new best friend.

2. Hosel Design

The hosel is that little connector between your putter head and shaft.

You’ve got a few options here: offset and straight hosels, each catering to different strokes.

An offset hosel helps close the face at impact, which works well for players who tend to push the ball.

Straight hosels offer a more traditional feel, letting you see the ball and blade throughout the stroke.

3. Putter Length / Shaft Length

Size matters – especially when it comes to the putter’s shaft length.

The right length ensures you’re in the optimal position over the ball, promoting a consistent, repeatable stroke.

Standard putter lengths typically range from 33 to 35 inches, but there are some outliers that use belly putters or long putters. 

Here’s a pro tip: stand in your putting stance with your eyes over the ball.

Your arms should hang naturally, with your palms facing each other.

That’s your sweet spot.

Too long, and you’ll be reaching. Too short, and you’ll be hunched over like you’re trying to read fine print.

If you’re still unsure, or you still feel “off” about the length, a putter fitting from a pro might help.

4. Alignment Aids

Alignment aids are crucial for accuracy. 

From simple lines to elaborate sighting systems, these visual helpers can make a world of difference.

Some putters have a single line down the center, while others sport multiple lines, dots, or even contrasting colors to help you aim.

A well-aligned putter ensures your eyes, shoulders, and putter face all point in the same direction.

5. Weight & Balance

The weight and balance of your putter ultimately impacts your stroke.

Heavier putters can help smooth out your stroke and reduce the impact of shaky hands. 

Lighter putters are typically known for their flexibility, offering golfers more feel and control, perfect for those lightning-fast greens.

But it’s not just about overall weight.

The balance of the putter head is crucial too.

Face-balanced putters are great for straight-back-straight-through strokes, while toe-hang putters suit an arcing stroke.

6. Putter Grip

Putter grip affects your overall feel and control.

For starters, grip size matters.

Standard, midsize, and oversized options exist, and choosing the right one can reduce wrist action during your stroke.

Traditional slim grips offer great feel and feedback, but they might not be the best for shaky hands.

Oversized grips, on the other hand, can help quiet your hands and promote a pendulum-like stroke.

And let’s not forget about shape. Pistol grips, round grips, flat-front grips – each offers a unique feel and can influence your hand position.

Some grips even have alignment aids built right in.

7. Material and Face Insert

Material and face inserts influence how the putter interacts with the ball.

Putter faces come in all sorts of materials and different types of metals, from stainless steel to softer metals like copper, zinc, or aluminum.

Milled faces offer precision and a firm feel.

But, face inserts, like polymer or aluminum, can modify the feel and sound—some golfers love that soft, muted thwack.

8. Budget

Putters can range from budget-friendly options under $100 to high-end models that’ll set you back several hundred bucks.

But it’s important to note that a higher price tag doesn’t always mean better performance. It’s about finding the right putter that best suits your game and your wallet.

Sure, those fancy milled putters with exotic materials look great in the bag, but if they don’t suit your stroke, they’re just expensive paperweights. 

Best Type of Putter for Beginners

If you’re just starting out in golf, mallet putters are your best bet.

They have a larger, more forgiving head that’ll help you out when you don’t quite hit the sweet spot. 

The bigger head means more weight distributed around the perimeter, which helps keep the putter face square at impact. This translates to straighter putts, even when you don’t make perfect contact.

You might be thinking, “But I see pros using blade putters all the time!”

Sure, but remember, those pros have spent years honing their skills. As a beginner, you need all the help you can get.

Here’s a quick breakdown of why mallet putters are a beginner’s best friend:

1. Forgiveness: Off-center hits won’t punish you as much.
2. Stability: The heavier head resists twisting, keeping your putts on line.
3. Alignment: Many mallet putters come with helpful alignment aids.
4. Confidence: The larger head can boost your confidence on the green.

But don’t just take my word for it. A study by Golf Digest found that 65% of golfers with handicaps over 15 performed better with mallet putters compared to blade putters.

Putter Type	Performance Improvement for High Handicappers
Mallet	65%
Blade	35%

So, as a beginner, do yourself a favor and grab a mallet putter. It’ll help you build confidence and consistency in your putting stroke.

And who knows? Once you’ve mastered the basics, you might find yourself eyeing those sleek blade putters. But for now, stick with the mallet. Your scorecard will thank you.

Best Type of Putter for Intermediate and Advanced Players

When searching for the best putter, you want one that enhances your skill level and matches your unique style.

Intermediate and advanced players often benefit from specialized putters that accommodate their more refined putting style.

Blade Putters: Precision in Simplicity

You might find that blade putters, with their classic design, offer unmatched precision.

They excel for golfers who possess a consistent putting stroke. Their toe-weighted balance helps with smooth arcs, enabling better ball control on the green.

Mallet Putters: Stability Meets Forgiveness

Mallet putters are the go-to for golfers seeking stability and forgiveness, especially if you’re not consistently hitting that sweet spot.

It’s no wonder why they’re gaining popularity among intermediate and advanced players.

Just look at the top 3 players in the world: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy (as of September 28, 2024). They all use a mallet-style putter.

The larger heads enhance alignment, which can help zero in on the target, and make every putt less stressful.

Think about it: more weight behind the ball translates to a steadier stroke.

Pro tip: Don’t just go by what looks good or what your favorite pro uses. Get out there and try the different putters available.

Feel the weight, the balance, the way the ball comes off the face.

Because at the end of the day, the best putter for your golf game is the one that gives you confidence on the greens.

Popular Putters Used By Professional Golfers

Professional golfers gravitate towards specific putter types based on their playing style.

Blade putters lead the pack, renowned for their classic design and precision control.

Consider names like Scotty Cameron Newport 2 or Ping Anser, which you’ll find in many pros’ bags. These putters excel with straight putting strokes, giving you immediate feedback on each stroke.

Mallet putters, on the other hand, have surged in popularity with the weekend warriors as well as pros. Think of TaylorMade Spider X and Odyssey White Hot OG.

Why? 

They provide stability and alignment aids that enhance confidence on the green.

Pros like Rory McIlroy rely on them to promote a consistent roll. Mallet putters’ larger heads help minimize twisting on off-center hits. 

Peripheral weighted putters are also gaining traction. This design moves weight to the edges, which offers enhanced forgiveness. It’s perfect for those moments when your stroke doesn’t quite connect.

Just look at how Justin Rose performs with his choice; it’s a testament to the power of this design.

Face-balanced putters feature a design where the weight distribution keeps the face square, ideal for straight-back-and-through strokes. Golfers like Jason Day trust these in high-pressure situations. The stability gives you the edge when it counts.

Toe-balanced putters, in contrast, assist players with an arcing putting stroke. Many golfers, like Phil Mickelson, achieve incredible results by embracing this style. The toe hang offers more feel, allowing you to control the ball as it rolls towards the hole.

No matter the choice, today’s golfer has a lot of putting options.

As I said in the beginning, don’t just choose a putter because your favorite golfer uses the. It’s all about what works for you.

Which putter style fits your game?

Remember, each club in your bag plays a role in shaping your outdoor moments on the green. Find your fit, trust your instincts, and see improvements in your short game.

Before You Go

There are various types of putters available for the average golfer, but it’s just one piece of your game.

If you really want to dial in your short game, I suggest you read my other posts to help lower your scores:

• How To Break 100 In Golf – 15 Ways to Achieve Your Dream Score
• 60 Degree Wedge – 10 Things To Know About Your Lob Wedge
• 52 Degree Wedge: A Beginner’s Guide to Improving Your Short Game

Cheers!