Most Forgiving Putters 2023

Most Forgiving Putters

We hear a lot about forgiving drivers, woods and irons but less so with the flat-stick. This shouldn't be the case though because many brands construct extremely forgiving putters that will help your game. 

But what brands make the most forgiving putters? Well, the best putters for forgiveness are usually mallets designs. This is because they tend to be larger and there is more weight to them in the club-face, which can also be redistributed to other parts of the head which can help stabilize your stroke. The weight of the putter, in the perimeter of the club-head, offers better balance than what can be offered from a blade putter.

The best mallet putters also tend to have a larger sweet spot which can be beneficial if you are a player who struggles to consistently strike your putts out of the middle of the face. The weight in the club-head also helps here, because it diminishes the twisting of the putter throughout the stroke too.

Watch putter expert Martin Hopley pick his favorite models of 2022

Bearing all of this in mind, here are some of the most forgiving putters which feature in all shapes and sizes and are designed to get the ball rolling straight and true. Alternatively, if you are new to the game, you should also check out our guides on the best putters for beginners, or the best putters for high handicappers too.

Most Forgiving Putters

A very stable and high MOI putter with a good choice of hosels, the Odyssey is a must consider if you're a high handicapper who is looking to shave some shots off your round. The putter simply looks and feels the part. Its brushed-steel finish, sleek design and handy alignment tool all combine to make this club visually a very good-looking piece of kit. 

In terms of its performance, the putter boasts a traditional, White Hot face insert that provides an excellent feel and seems to suit mallet putters very well. Meanwhile, the clubhead features several heavyweight steel weights in each of its back corners, which aim to keep the center of gravity on the club forward, which helps to produce a smooth ball roll off the face of the club. 

The club's shaft joins a graphite top section with a steel tip to improve stroke consistency, accuracy and stability. That also means it is a lot lighter than a steel shaft and combines well with the Eleven clubhead to produce a fluid putting stroke. As one of the best Odyssey putters on the market, it is both a very forgiving and stylish club that high-handicappers can benefit from. 

• Read our full Odyssey Eleven Putter review 

One of two mallet shapes in Wilson's latest range of putters the TM22 boasts some excellent features which make it one of the best mallet putters on the market. And Wilson have surpassed themselves here, employing a clever use of milling lines to create visual differences for alignments. It is made from a 304 block of stainless steel and looks fantastic at the address, framing the ball against the club face thanks to the fangs and different milling patterns you'll notice on the club. 

The subtle alignment lines improve the overall aesthetic of this putter, making it a great tool to use if you're looking for more accuracy around the greens. It's also great for those who have a small arc in their swing, thanks to the slight overhang the club's hosel boasts. Combine that with the milling pattern on the club's 3º lofted face and you'll really feel the premium feedback it delivers, even when you hit your shot slightly off center. Not shown above is the premium leather pistol handle that also comes with the club which has some smart contouring around the upper part of the handle which will complement whatever grip style you employ. 

• Read our full Wilson Staff Model TM22 Putter Review

Continuing the mallet theme to this guide, another model to mention is the Agera from Cobra. As you can see above, it has a large footprint which is a key part of the design because it has been created to offer the highest MOI possible. It does this in part because of the 3D-printed inset and tungsten weights.

It is unquestionably one of the most forgiving putters on the market and this is further aided by SIK Face Technology which uses descending loft technology to produce consistent stroke through the ball. And we’ve found that technology to be a genuine asset in our testing. It certainly looks very futuristic with all the different components adding something unique to the design. We think it could take a bit of time to get used to but there are very few putters out there that help players as much as this model does.

• Read our full Cobra King 3D Printed Agera Putter Review

An update on the Evnroll ER11v model, the ER11vx putter is designed to increase the MOI of the ER11v, to provide greater stability, and make it more forgiving on off-centered hits. We found this club had one of the best faces on the market, with its 2º of loft providing a solid feel through impact and a smooth roll. It also features an Evnroll Sweet Face design, which uses variable width and depth of grooves on its clubface, to reduce the dispersion in distance and accuracy that can occur if you don't strike the ball on the sweet spot of the club. 

You'll also notice the putter has a hollow circle on its bottom that not only helps to move the weight of the club head to its extremities but is a way to pick up the ball without bending down. For that reason, it would be a great putter for senior golfers or anyone struggling with a sore back to help reduce the amount you're bending over on the course. Overall, it is certainly one of the most forgiving putters on the market and is a great tool for golfers looking to improve their consistency and accuracy around the greens. 

• Read our full Evnroll ER11vx Putter Review

The flagship model of their 2022 range of putters, the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 putter is one of the highest MOI clubs on this list. While this is one of the best Scotty Cameron putters in recent memory, if you're keen to check out some of the other putters the brand has on sale, take a look at our guide on the best Scotty Cameron putters on the market. As you can see from the image above, the putter has a star-shaped design that features a black aluminum face that is supported by heavier stainless steel sections on either side. This distributes the weight of the club out to its extremities, moving the center of gravity away from its center, providing superb forgiveness and a superb feeling on impact. 

That combination of brushed steel and black metal also gives the club a very crisp and stylish finish. The putter also has a very clear alignment tool stretching right the way down its back and that can be used in conjunction with its T-shaped aluminum body to help strike more square through the ball. Overall this is one of the best-looking mallet putters on the market that provides exceptional forgiveness and a brilliant feel of the clubface. 

• Read our full Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 review  

There's no doubt that the PXG Battle Ready Blackjack Putter will split opinions on its loud style, but looks aside, this is a very good putter that will help you save shots on the greens. It comes with a host of customization options that help to really dial in your stroke. There are four sole weights on the club's back that can be adjusted to fine-tune the head. They draw the putter's weight to the back to increase forgiveness of the roll of the club. That means you can hit some very sweet putts with this club. 

The variable-sized diamond pattern of the grooves on the face aims to create more speed consistency across a wider area. This works by providing more points of contact away from the center than in the middle, which in turn ensures that the initial velocity of the ball is more consistent. The feel from the face is very good and if you like the sound of golf ball on metal then you won’t be disappointed. 

• Read our full PXG Battle Ready Blackjack Putter Review

This club is one of the best TaylorMade putters on the market and is designed to help you hit clean shots through its 'Stability Roll Bar' which is situated around the rear of its head. This moves the center of gravity back, creating a more forgiving club that doesn't twist if you strike the ball off-center. With the weight being around the back there is not as much stability support through the stroke as the other mallet in the range, the TaylorMade Spider GT Notchback putter. But this club is a very forgiving offering that also features some very clear alignment lines on the back of its head. 

While it features the same Pure Roll face insert as the Spider X putter, you'll notice this ball does feel slightly firmer and sounds a pitch higher on impact. Interestingly though, the head is the same weight as the other Spider GT putters but does play a little lighter and that could be more beneficial for those who need more forgiveness or prefer a simple clean mallet putter. 

• Read our full TaylorMade Spider GT Rollback Putter Review

Offering excellent value for a milled face mallet putter, this is an exciting addition to this list, designed by master golf manufacturers Cleveland. The HB Soft Milled 14 putter delivers excellent balance and clear alignment lines, making it a fantastic putter for any mid-handicap golfer looking to save shots on the greens. 

Boasting a 3º face loft, Cleveland have added their Speed Optimised Face Technology to this putter which ensures a consistent speed off the clubface when you strike the ball. It does feel a little heavier than the other putters in the HB range and for that reason, has a solid feel. But that also makes it quite forgiving, and if anything, confidence inspiring, and the excellent alignment lines on the back of the clubhead help to frame the ball nicely on the green. 

• Read our full Cleveland HB Soft Milled14 Putter Review

Continuing on from the design of the Ping Heppler Tomcat putter, the 2022 Tomcat 14 builds on the success of Heppler, as a very forgiving high MOI putter that we thought was excellent on the greens. The silver 304 stainless steel sole plate sits below a black aluminum body, continuing the sleek black and silver look used throughout the 2022 range. 

Like the 2022 Ancer, this putter does have a very premium look but is a lot heavier, weighing the same as some of the best mallet putters on the market. The Tomcat also has a low center of gravity and pushes the weight of the club back to the corners of the clubhead. That helps to maximize the MOI of the club by reducing the amount that it twists through impact and ensures you strike the ball firmly in the center of the clubface. 

Looking down at the putter, you'll see that the ball is framed very nicely by two aluminum bars on the back of the clubhead. They feature two cool dotted alignment lines that helped us visualize the ball's direction. The one drawback of the Tomcat 14 was the sound it made on impact, which we thought gave off a slightly tinny sound thanks to the aluminum top on the club. But that is only a minor issue with what is a very forgiving club that is perfect for anyone struggling with the yips around the greens. 

• Read our full Ping 2022 Tomcat 14 Putter Review

The Evnroll Zero Putter has a lot going on, both visually and technically. The putter itself has a very quirky design that moves its weight out to its extremities to help improve its stability and reduce any head twist on any off-center hits. The club features four stainless steel weights in each corner of its sole, and also has a hole in its center, which increases the MOI of the club. 

The club also features Evnroll's Sweet face design that features variable grooves that create a much more consistent roll, ensuring there is no loss of energy on off-center hits. On impact, the putter feels great and produces a smooth roll on the ball. Interestingly the hosel of the putter is placed towards the rear of the club. This is what Evnroll call their FaceForward balancing, which aims to keep your putting path more consistent. This is a great club for those who need assistance with putter alignment, with the club featuring an excellent alignment tool on its back, which can help improve your focus on the golf ball and hit more accurate putting strokes. 

• Read our full Evnroll Zero Putter Review

Odyssey’s 2-Ball Ten has added some incredibly useful alignment tools to a putter that is surprisingly lightweight, easy to roll and forgiving across the face. The new 2-Ball Ten comes with Odyssey’s famous 2-Ball alignment and it really helped us to make sure sure the ball was lined up correctly and the face came in square at impact. It is a very useful tool for those who tend to push or pull lots of putts.

Being a mallet, the club is a very forgiving putter and mishits aren’t too punishing, making it ideal for the golfer who struggles with consistent strikes. The feel off the face is nice and soft too and that feel is mirrored in the sound it makes. The 2-Ball Ten is also available with Odyssey’s Triple-Track alignment and this works very well with Callaway’s Triple Track balls if you're looking for even more help with alignment. If you're interested in finding out more about what putters Odyssey have on sale, take a look at our guide on the best Odyssey putters on the market. 

• Read our full Cobra King 3D Printed Agera Putter Review

This putter is an addition to the excellent Wilson Staff Infinite range of putters 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.

• Read our full Wilson Staff Infinite Buckingham Putter review  

When this was launched it was said to be the world’s first ‘Perfect balance/Torque free’ mallet putter. This was done by placing the centre of gravity exactly in the centre of the face and in line with the axis of the shaft which is said to create a perfectly balanced putter.

Justin Rose said of the putter: “I’d been wanting to use Axis 1 for a couple of years but hadn’t been able to. That was a big part of my decision and why I changed equipment (from TaylorMade to Honma).”  The putter remains in the bag, unlike Rose’s association with Honma.

• Read our full Axis1 Rose Putter Review

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. For those who prefer a face-balanced putter, the Bandon 1 will be the perfect match.

• Read our full TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 Putter Review

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 as well, 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 the 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, see how Golf Monthly tests products in our guide. 

What to consider when buying a new putter?

The putter is probably the most important club in the bag because it can save so many shots off your scorecard. Therefore there are several factors you need to consider before purchasing a new putter, which we will go into below.

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 high handicap 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 the MOI of the club. 

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. 

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, for example, think about how much vibration you get from the shaft, whether you like the feel of the ball reverberating along the shaft, or prefer that to be nerfed. 

Looks

You have to like what you are putting with because this will give you confidence when you're standing over the ball. In terms of left-handed putters, there are loads of classic and futuristic designs above so it is purely a case of finding a model you like the look of. 

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 seriously 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. 

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.

But if you're still stuck on what putter to choose, why not take a look at what some different brands have to offer and check out our best Ping putters buying guide or our best Scotty Cameron putters guide for more information on the types of clubs different manufacturers can offer. 

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