BEST CHEAP PUTTERS: QUICK MENU
1. The list in brief
2. Best for feel
3. Best for versatility
4. Best for beginners
5. Best high MOI Mallet
6. Best for forgiveness
7. Best value
8. How we test
9. How to choose
10. FAQs
It’s not just the latest drivers or the best golf irons that can put a fairly sizeable dent in a golfer’s pocket nowadays. Most clubs that make it to market - whether online or in-store - have had plenty of resources dedicated to their design and manufacture, and can often be reflected in their price.
Cost can be one of the big deterrents for first-time players looking to get into the game. But we think golf should be accessible for everyone and that’s why we’ve created this guide to the best cheap putters that won't break the bank but will deliver plenty of performance. While the models included won’t come with all the bells and whistles you might see in some of the options on our guide to the best putters, what you will find on the list below is a range of clubs that will do exactly what you need them to.
As you improve and start to play more golf, the option to upgrade will always be available. For that, we have guides to the best Scotty Cameron putters as well as the most forgiving putters, or even a guide on the best putters for high handicappers. If you're completely new to golf, you may also want to take a look at our guide on the best putters for beginner golfers.
The Quick List
A modern take a on a classic, offering up easy alignment, simple looks and a strong roll.
This putter certainly performs on all lengths of putt while also providing a more refined look and solid feel.
The Cleveland Frontline Elevado putter doesn’t look particularly flashy but it delivers a very solid performance.
The clear alignment system offers lots of options and the feel and balance was very good for a putter at this price.
If you’re an inconsistent putter that usually employs a face-balanced design, we’d urge you to give this a go.
This is a putter that is easy to align and undoubtedly improves the quality of results regardless of how consistent your stroke is.
Best cheap putters
Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best for Feel
Paying homage to the much-loved putter series that launched nearly 20 years ago, the Odyssey White Hot OG 5 putter is an update on a classic that certainly can help you perform on the greens. It is one of the best Odyssey putters for beginner golfers and is also one of the most stylish putters on this list. It features a stunning red shaft that contrasts against the silver steel finish on the clubhead, which has a half-moon crescent shape that makes it a very forgiving putter.
The OG 5 putter is very stable through impact and suits golfers with a slight arc or straight stroke thanks to its face-balanced clubhead. That also makes it a very forgiving club that can control miss-hits and shots going awry, thanks to the bigger sweet spot on its face. That makes it an excellent putter for beginner golfers that can both help you look good on the course and sync more putts.
- Read our full Odyssey White Hot OG 5 Putter Review
Best for Versatility
Off the face, TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 feels solid and offers up a surprisingly firm and loud sound at impact given the deep grooves on the face insert. This remained consistent across its length, though, and the speed was enough to impart a short, controlled stroke and still get the ball to the hole.
The Bandon 3 has more of a toe hang so is ideal for players who want to have the forgiveness of a mallet and are perhaps moving from a blade. Indeed the putter sits flush to the ground and the winged shape helps players square the club to the golf ball at impact too. Overall I felt it had a similar feel to a blade putter but in a mallet form which means it may suit a wide range of players. Off the face, it feels solid and offers up a surprisingly firm and loud sound at impact given the deep grooves on the face insert. For those who prefer a face-balanced putter, the Bandon 1 will be the perfect match and is one of the best TaylorMade putters for beginners.
- Read our full TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 Putter Review
Best for Beginners
The Frontline Elevado is the mid-mallet in the Frontline family, with the looks at address looking quite compact. What's more, there is also a sufficient amount of weight which helps with maintaining the rhythm and tempo of the stroke.
There are also fangs that extend back and frame the ball nicely, with a short white line marking the centre of the clubface. One big bonus is that the putter naturally sits very square at address, with the simpler look appealing to someone who likes their putters to look more traditional.
- Read our full Cleveland Frontline Elevado Putter Review
Best High MOI Putter
The Inesis High MOI putter is the top spec model from Decathlon’s range of own brand putters. It's a visually excellent putter that is a great value option, akin to many of the excellent Inesis lasers on our best golf rangefinders guide. At just under £150 it is £50 more than the blade versions in the range, it still great value as you get more putter in a multi-material head.
Featuring a high Moment of Inertia, it means the putter is less likely to twist if hit off centre and this makes it more forgiving. The deep head also enables weight to be positioned back in each of the corners to make this possible and the Inesis High MOI is a very stable putter. That makes it great for those who are relatively new to the game and are looking for something that'll help them nail more putts.
- Read our full Inesis High MOI Putter Review
Best for Forgiveness
The Cobra King Agera is about as futuristic as mallet putters come. At address, the shape is very square and you can see the 3D Printed lattice structure poking out the sides. Whilst the sight line could've be clearer to see, the contrasting colors do help you to set the face square. In testing we immediately noticed how surprisingly lightweight it was for such a large head. We then noticed how incredibly solid and stable it felt, to the point where we barely felt anything when making contact with the ball, although the sound was fairly loud relatively speaking.
Overall this is an extremely forgiving putter, to the point where we also included it in our guides on the best putters for beginners, and best putters for high handicappers. These players, who aren't as consistent in terms of strike, will really benefit from the forgiveness across the face and high MOI.
- Read our full Cobra King 3D Printed Agera Putter Review
Best Value
This putter is an addition to the excellent Wilson Staff range of clubs and a very recognizable head shape that has become increasingly popular in mallet putters across the market, and one of the most forgiving putters too. As with all the Infinite range, the Buckingham features counterbalance technology which combines a heavier head and grip weights, moving the balance point closer to the hands for a smoother and more controlled putting stroke.
The Buckingham also comes with an oversize grip as standard which is great for golfers who use a claw grip, or golfers who find themselves gripping too hard on a thin grip and want a softer feel. At a very competitive retail price with a premium look and feel, the Wilson Staff Infinite Buckingham is a great option at an excellent price.
How we test putters
When it comes to product testing, our reviews and buyers' guides are built upon a rigorous testing procedure as well as the knowledge and experience of the test team. The putter section is headed up by Martin Hopley, one of the foremost UK equipment reviewers with over 20 years of experience. Other members of the Golf Monthly team contribute to the putter tests too and all writers are able to efficiently test the vast majority of the biggest product releases and convey the pros and cons eloquently.
Getting into specifics, we test putters outdoors on real greens with premium golf balls to get a thorough understanding of design features, feel, sound and looks. Ultimately, we aim to be as insightful and honest as possible in our reviews so it is important to acknowledge that no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our team tells it how it is. To learn more about our methodology, take look at our guide on how Golf Monthly tests products.
How to choose a new putter
While golf is one of the most expensive sports to play, cheap putters are not hard to come by. There are plenty of great putters on this list for those who are just getting into the game or are looking for a slightly less expensive alternative to the flagship flatsticks that some of the big golfing brands produce. If you are looking for a cheap putter, there are a few things to consider before purchasing that club. As the putter is one of the most important clubs in your bag that can save the most shots off your round, you will need to think carefully about what you're purchasing before you go ahead and buy that club. For that reason, we have set out below a list of five considerations you need to keep in mind when purchasing your next putter.
1. Head Design
Putters come in lots of different head designs whether that be blade, mallet, or mid-mallet and all have their positives and negatives. For beginner golfers, we recommend using a mallet putter because they tend to be much larger which helps to improve the forgiveness of the club. That is done through redistribution of the club's weight to the extremities of the clubhead, which stabilizes the club and increases its MOI.
MOI stands for 'moment of inertia' and the higher the MOI, the less your club head will turn through impact, creating a more smooth and even stroke. For that reason, mallet putters typically offer better balance compared to blade putters and are therefore more suitable for less experienced players or those looking for more forgiveness in their club. Additionally, because of this size, mallet putters tend to offer larger sweet spots which are beneficial for players who may struggle to consistently strike the ball.
Blade putters, meanwhile, are better for those putters who have an arc in their stroke. Players who like to feel how the ball reacts off the face may opt to use a blade putter over a mallet to give them greater responsivity. Some argue that blade putters provide slightly better control over distance, but ultimately, that varies from player to player and putter that works best for you.
2. Feel
This is a very important factor to consider because when putting, feel is everything. Some putters offer a firmer feel off the face whilst others are soft, some are heavier than others too so you need to find a model that fits well in your hands. The putter grip plays a huge part in the confidence you feel with a putter. Get a putter with a grip that feels right and sits comfortably in your hands while allowing you to return the putter back to the ball squarely and consistently. You may also want to think about the shaft too and how much vibration you get from the club, for example, if you prefer that to be nerfed or you prefer to feel good feedback from the ball on the clubface.
3. Looks
You have to like what you are putting with because this will give you confidence when you're standing over the ball. Confidence is king on the putting greens, so get a club that is going to boost your confidence levels. In terms of mallets, there are loads of classic and futuristic designs above so it is purely a case of finding a model you like the look of.
4. Alignment tools
It's also worth thinking about the alignment tools the putter can offer you. While some golfers may not prefer to have any aiming guides on the back of their putters, most players can benefit from having an aiming line on the back of their putter which can also help to improve your focus on the ball and help you strike through the shot more square.
5. Price
Our final tip is to think about price because while there are some premium designs out there, there are also some models which offer excellent value, as the selections above show. Sometimes less experienced players should steer clear of the more expensive offerings currently on the market which may actually not be very forgiving and may not be suitable for your swing style.
If you're a beginner golfer looking at purchasing more equipment that wont cost you an arm and a leg, take a look at our guides on the best budget golf drivers, the best golf irons for beginners and the best cheap golf balls.
FAQs
How much does a good putter cost?
Putters are the most important club in your bag because as many golfers will know, they can help you save shots on the greens. While we would say a good putter is priceless, you can pick up deals on putters for as little as $20 dollars but spend more than $400 on a top of the range club.
What type of putter should a beginner use?
Beginners should use a putter that offers a high degree of forgiveness and stability. For that reason mallet putters are generally the best putters for beginners as the offer higher MOI's and have larger sweet spots on their club face.
Why should I buy a new putter?
Generally, the greens are where golfers lose the most shots during their rounds. Three-putting is the bane of every golfer and it is the one area on every player's scorecard where they can save shots. For that reason it's important to have the right equipment that can help you hit sweeter, much more accurate putting strokes. That's why it may be more beneficial for a golfer to invest in a new putter over any other type of club.
