Best Putters 2026 - My 11 favorite models tested and reviewed

Few clubs are as personal as the putter. With such a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs available, finding the right one means considering your own putting stroke, the level of confidence it provides at address and of course, how it looks and feels. These preferences vary enormously between golfers, which explains why the humble flatstick comes in so many different forms. The best putters can be blades, mallets, mid-mallets and plenty more besides.

So where should you start? Ultimately there’s no replacement for getting your hands on a selection of putters and trying them for yourself, but narrowing down the options beforehand certainly helps. I’ve tested a huge number of models, ranging from traditional designs to larger, confidence-inspiring mallets and the increasingly popular zero-torque putters, which are designed to reduce twisting and make it easier to return the face square at impact.

From those tests I’ve selected my current favorites below. Each putter has impressed from a performance perspective, but they offer a variety of different characteristics, looks and technologies. The idea is to provide a broad selection that should help you identify the type of putter that best suits your stroke and preferences.

There isn’t a standard blade among my selections this time, but if you prefer the more traditional shape you’ll find plenty of options in our dedicated best blade putter guide. You can also broaden your search with our guides to the best mallet putters and most forgiving putters.

Sam De'Ath

Sam graduated from Webber International University in 2017 with a BSc Marketing Management degree while playing collegiate golf before stints on both the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tours. Now with over 14 years of experience within the industry under his belt, Sam heads up the testing and review team at Golf Monthly for fairway woods, hybrids, wedges and golf balls.

Best Putters 2026

The Quick List

Best overall

There are plenty of different head shapes and styles in the Phantom family but for me the 9.2R is the standout model and earns its place as my top pick in this guide. It combines the reassuring footprint of a modern mallet with a more refined shape, while still delivering the exceptional feel and build quality that you’d expect from a Scotty Cameron putter.

Visually, the 9.2R takes inspiration from the Phantom 9, a model used on tour by players including Cameron Young. However, player feedback has resulted in a rounder and softer profile here. I think it works extremely well, retaining the confidence-inspiring size you want from a mallet without looking overly bulky or cumbersome behind the ball.

Feel is another major strength. Like the rest of the Phantom range, the 9.2R uses a full-face insert milled from Studio Carbon Steel, complete with a chain-link pattern designed to reduce vibration. The result is a beautifully soft sensation and pleasing sound at impact, while still providing enough feedback and producing an excellent roll.

I particularly enjoyed the 9.2R on longer putts, where the combination of feel and roll helped me control pace and consistently lag the ball close to the hole. From shorter range the alignment features made it straightforward to aim the face and start the ball on my intended line. The plumber-style neck also provides an appealing middle ground, combining some of the familiar characteristics of a blade with the added stability of a mallet. This should work particularly well for golfers with a slight arc in their stroke.

The finishing touch is the traditional pistol-style grip found on many of the best Scotty Cameron putters. It suited me perfectly, allowing my hands to sit naturally and comfortably in a neutral position throughout the stroke.

• Read our full Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.2R review

Best for modularity

If Sausage Golf Design is a new name to you, it’s a boutique putter brand that designs and assembles its clubs on the Côte d'Azur in France. One of its defining features is its clever modular technology, which I previously enjoyed in the Boudin Noir mallet, and it returns here in the No.2.

The concept is relatively simple but gives the putter two very different personalities. In one configuration the No.2 is a center-shafted, face-balanced blade. Unscrew the shaft, reposition it and switch the accompanying modular component, however, and it becomes a heel-shafted putter with toe hang. Making the change is straightforward and I really enjoyed having the ability to alter the characteristics of the putter so easily. If you like experimenting with equipment or your putting stroke there’s plenty of appeal here.

Despite the innovative technology the appearance is pleasingly traditional. At address the No.2 has a beautifully flowing blade shape that should appeal to purists, while the small alignment marking on the flange provides useful assistance without dominating the view. It’s CNC-machined from a block of 303 stainless steel and features a milled groove face, resulting in a soft yet responsive impact sensation. I was also impressed with the quality of the roll, with the ball consistently starting and staying on my intended line.

There is one potential drawback though, and that’s the weight. The 360g head combined with a 120g steel shaft makes the No.2 noticeably heavier than some alternatives. It took me a couple of rounds to really dial in my distance control, particularly when using the heel-shafted configuration.

Once I became accustomed to that additional weight, however, I began to appreciate its benefits. The extra mass provides plenty of stability through impact and does a good job of limiting face rotation when contact moves away from the center. Combined with its clever modular design this makes the No.2 a genuinely distinctive take on the traditional blade putter.

• Read our full Sausage Golf No.2 Putter Review

Best for mid-handicappers

The Scottsdale TEC Ketsch Onset looks very different from the more traditional Ping putters you may be familiar with. It has a compact mallet shape but it’s the white finish and contrasting black Eye-Q alignment system across the top rail that immediately grab your attention.

Ping developed this ‘Quiet Eye’ technology using eye-tracking research. The system combines a long alignment line with a small dot positioned just behind the face, creating a visual anchor designed to help with aim and focus. I found this worked well in practice, as it gave me a clear reference point once I’d chosen my line. There’s also a new Onset hosel, which positions the shaft behind and close to the center of the top rail to provide an unobstructed view of the ball at address.

The construction also plays an important role in the Ketsch Onset’s performance. A milled 6061 aluminum body is paired with a 304 stainless steel sole plate, positioning weight low and around the perimeter to increase stability. It’s an approach commonly seen in the most forgiving putters, and I certainly noticed the benefits here. Heel and toe strikes produced very little unwanted face rotation, making this an appealing option for higher handicappers who don’t consistently find the center of the face.

Ping’s familiar Pebax insert provides a pleasingly soft impact sensation while retaining enough responsiveness to help judge pace. Combined with the Eye-Q alignment system, I found myself holing plenty of putts from inside the crucial 10-foot range.

Overall the Scottsdale TEC Ketsch Onset packs plenty of useful technology into its distinctive design. The looks may not appeal to everyone but its combination of alignment assistance, stability and soft feel could provide a significant confidence boost on the greens.

• Read our full Ping Scottsdale Tec Ketsch Onset Putter Review

Most underrated

Bettinardi might not have the profile of some of the biggest putter brands, but it’s one I’ve always rated highly. The quality of its products is consistently excellent, with beautifully milled faces and refined head shapes. The BB49 is another great example. It’s a compact mallet with a slant neck that produces slight toe hang and minimal offset, while the Savannah Blue finish, brushed nickel shaft and gray pistol grip combine to create a particularly classy look.

One of the attractions of a compact mallet is the ability to blend the reassurance and stability of a larger head with some of the characteristics associated with a blade. The BB49 does this extremely well. Its rounded shape frames the ball beautifully at address and the slight toe hang makes it particularly well suited to a stroke with a gentle arc. Milled from a single block of 303 stainless steel, it also delivers a wonderfully soft impact sensation without sacrificing useful feedback.

The Variable Depth Flymill face is another standout feature. It comprises nine precision-milled zones with deeper grooves in the center designed to improve control, and shallower grooves towards the heel and toe helping to maintain speed when contact moves away from the sweet spot.

I certainly noticed the benefits on the course. Ball speed and distance control remained impressively consistent, not only on shorter putts but also when putting from 30 or 40 feet where judging pace becomes even more important.

If you’re looking beyond the most familiar names for a premium, tour-proven putter, Bettinardi deserves serious consideration. And for golfers who want a timeless shape that successfully combines the feel of a blade with the added forgiveness of a mallet, the BB49 is an excellent option.

• Read our full Bettinardi BB-49 Putter Review

Best for alignment

Consistently aiming the putter along your intended target line is a fundamental part of good putting, but it’s an area where plenty of golfers benefit from some additional help. The Spider Tour combines TaylorMade’s familiar high-MOI Spider shape with its True Path Alignment system, designed to make setting the face square and starting the ball on the correct line easier. I found it very effective during testing and for me it represents a noticeable improvement over previous generations of the Spider.

There are two hosel configurations to choose from: double bend and short slant. The double-bend version is face balanced, while the short-slant option introduces some toe hang, allowing you to choose a setup that better complements your putting stroke. If you’re unsure which might suit you, our guide to face balanced and toe hang putters explains the differences.

Both versions feature TaylorMade’s TPU Pure Roll insert. It produces a softer impact sensation than the Pure Roll2 insert found in some other Spider models, and I really enjoyed the combination of feel and feedback it provided. The angled grooves also helped produce a consistent roll from the face.

Add in the generous footprint and there’s plenty about the Spider Tour to inspire confidence over the ball. I found myself locating the center of the face with impressive regularity and, combined with the excellent alignment system, that translated into plenty of success from around six feet. For golfers who want plenty of stability alongside some genuine assistance with aim, there’s lots to like here.

• Read our full TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter Review

Most premium

Toulon’s reputation received a considerable boost when Xander Schauffele used one of its putters during his two-major season in 2024. Looking at the new Las Vegas, it’s not difficult to understand why Schauffele and other tour professionals have been attracted to the brand. This is an undeniably premium-looking putter, with the Midnight Blue finish complementing its flowing lines beautifully, while the contrasting silver sole plates and weights add further refinement.

Those softer edges also help the head frame the ball nicely at address. There are prominent alignment markings too, which should provide plenty of assistance for golfers who struggle with aim. Personally I found them a little excessive and occasionally became too focused on the lines rather than the feel of the stroke, although that’s very much a matter of personal preference.

There was no such hesitation when it came to the feel off the face. Toulon’s Deep Diamond Mill pattern produces an exceptional impact sensation, combining softness with plenty of responsiveness through the hands. The resulting sound and roll are equally impressive and I found that feedback particularly useful when judging distance on longer lag putts.

Ball speed is relatively quick for a milled-face mallet, however, so it took me a little time to adjust and properly dial in my pace control. Once I had, I have to say that the Las Vegas proved extremely consistent.

It’s also impressively stable. The high-MOI construction does an excellent job of resisting unwanted movement through impact, with heel and toe strikes retaining plenty of performance. Combine that forgiveness with the superb feel and premium finish and the Las Vegas makes a compelling case as a high-end mallet.

• Read our full Toulon 2026 Collection Las Vegas H7 Putter review

Best for pace control

Cobra has already demonstrated what can be achieved with 3D printing through its impressive 3DP Tour irons and the same manufacturing approach is put to good use in the Agera RS putter.

Unlike the relatively understated irons there’s nothing subtle about the Agera RS. Its combination of gold detailing and matte carbon gives it a distinctly futuristic appearance that will inevitably divide opinion. If you like your putter to stand out though, it certainly achieves that. The larger mallet shape strikes a good balance, offering plenty of reassurance at address without looking overly cumbersome. This single-bend version is best suited to a fairly neutral stroke, although Cobra offers alternative neck configurations for golfers who require more toe hang or a counterbalanced setup.

The visible 3D-printed lattice structure is more than just an aesthetic feature. It allows Cobra to remove mass from certain areas and redistribute it around the head, creating a high-MOI design with excellent stability. I noticed this particularly from inside 15 feet, where the face resisted twisting impressively and helped keep poorly struck putts on their intended line. That consistency also made judging pace considerably easier.

Feel is another strength. The stainless steel face is milled and incorporates Cobra’s Descending Loft Technology, with four different lofts of 4°, 3°, 2° and 1° running from the top of the face to the bottom. The aim is to produce more consistent launch conditions regardless of shaft lean or how the head is delivered at impact, and I was impressed by the quality of the resulting roll.

There’s some useful adjustability too. Two interchangeable sole weights allow you to alter the setup, while additional weights ranging from 5g to 30g can be purchased separately. It all adds up to an innovative, extremely stable putter with plenty of scope for personalization.

• Read our full Cobra 3DP Tour Agera RS Putter Review

Best soft feel

Like the rest of the Jailbird family, the S2S Tri-Hot SB has a distinctive appearance. Odyssey has gone with a bold red and black colorway here, which is more striking than the white and navy finish used across the Ai-One range. I liked the contrast and found that it also helped me square the putter face at address.

With zero-torque putters becoming increasingly popular, the S2S Tri-Hot SB offers an interesting take on the concept. There’s no shaft lean, while the hosel enters directly into the top line, creating a setup that looks more like a conventional heel-shafted putter. For golfers intrigued by zero torque but who may be put off by some of the more unusual address positions, I feel this more familiar sightline could have plenty of appeal.

Odyssey’s Ai-Dual insert also plays an important role in the performance. It combines a firmer inner layer with a softer outer layer and uses variable face thickness to help maintain consistent ball speed when contact moves away from the center. It took me a little time to become accustomed to the putter, but once I did I really enjoyed the softer impact sensation and consistency across the face.

The Forward Roll Design groove pattern complements the insert nicely. Its sloped grooves are designed to encourage a consistent end-over-end roll and I found this particularly useful on longer putts, where predictable speed and roll are essential for good distance control.

• Read our full Odyssey S2S Tri-Hot SB Jailbird Putter Review

Most forgiving

The Hot Rod ZT marks PXG’s first venture into the zero-torque category and it has already gained plenty of attention after finding its way into the bag of Marco Penge. There are two versions available; the SL1 and SL2, with the latter featuring a longer sightline. This is the model I tested.

One thing you’ll notice immediately is how far forward your hands sit at address. A forward press is built into the grip, effectively reducing the measured 6° of loft to a more conventional 3° in the playing position. Personally I found the setup a little too extreme and the grip wasn’t especially comfortable in my hands, although in fairness PXG does offer customization options that will help address this.

Once I got onto the greens, however, the benefits of the design became clear. The head is exceptionally stable through the stroke. Combined with the prominent alignment system, it gave me tremendous confidence on shorter putts. Four interchangeable sole weights work alongside concealed tungsten weighting to create a high-MOI design that does an excellent job of maintaining stability when contact moves away from the center.

The feel and sound are equally impressive. PXG’s milled face reduces the amount of surface area making contact with the ball, creating the softer sensation you might associate with an insert while retaining the feedback of a fully milled putter.

For me, that combination is one of the Hot Rod ZT’s greatest strengths. The forward-press setup won’t suit everybody but its stability, forgiveness and excellent feel make this an impressive first zero-torque putter from PXG.

• Read our full PXG Hot Rod ZT Putter Review

Best firm feel

The DF3 became one of the most recognizable putters in the zero-torque category, helped considerably by J.J. Spaun and his remarkable 64-foot putt to seal the 2025 U.S. Open. The DF3i retains much of the technology that made the original so distinctive but introduces a fly-milled stainless steel insert designed to produce a livelier impact sensation.

The difference off the face is immediately noticeable. There’s more pop and additional ball speed than with the original DF3, along with plenty of feedback through the hands. Golfers accustomed to a milled-face putter should feel comfortable with the sensation, and I found the extra responsiveness particularly useful when judging pace.

L.A.B.’s Lie Angle Balance technology remains the star of the show, however. On straighter putts, I found that little more than a simple rocking of the shoulders was required, with the head remaining impressively square throughout the stroke and through impact. That level of stability can be particularly reassuring on those nervy putts from inside 10 feet.

There is a potential trade-off. On longer breaking putts I found it more difficult to manipulate the face and judge the stroke compared with a traditional blade, where you can typically feel the putter opening and closing more naturally. It required some adjustment, particularly when trying to marry pace and line on more severe breaks.

Of course golfers considering a zero-torque putter are generally doing so because they want greater stability and less face rotation, and that’s exactly what the DF3i delivers. Combine that with the faster, more responsive feel of the new insert and you have a putter capable of producing extremely consistent results.

• Read our full L.A.B. Golf DF3i Putter Review

Best looking

After spending a couple of years perfecting the design and gathering feedback from PGA and LPGA Tour players, Odyssey released the limited-edition Damascus Milled collection. I tested the One Wide SB and it's right up there with the best-looking putters I've ever seen.

The build process is fascinating. The Damascus steel starts with 61 sheets of two different steels - one softer and one firmer - which are pressed and rolled at extremely high temperatures, before being cut and twisted. This creates the mesmerizing layered pattern on the face, which looks stunning in the sunlight. Where the layers are cut dictates the pattern, meaning no two inserts are the same and therefore every putter is unique.

The premium aesthetics are matched by an unbelievable feel. Tour players wanted something louder, firmer and more solid than recent releases such as the Ai-One Milled range, and combining softer and higher-strength steels delivers the firmer feel traditionalists love from a milled putter.

The One Wide SB is a shape I particularly love, providing the feel of a blade with extra forgiveness from a footprint closer to a mallet putter. The widened profile frames the ball beautifully, while the single sight dot makes alignment simple.

Behind the Damascus face is Odyssey's Ai topology, designed to maintain ball speed across the insert and improve pace control. This really shone on long lag putts, producing a pure roll even on off-center strikes and regularly leaving me within gimmee range.

The SL90 steel shaft features a 20-gram counterbalance weight, which noticeably smoothed out my tempo and kept the stroke balanced under pressure. The new Rubber Tour Pistol Grip, developed with Golf Pride, also feels incredibly secure in the hands.

Yes, it's a significant investment at its lofty pricepoint, but given the craftsmanship and Tour-validated performance, it feels justified. The Damascus One Wide SB is easily one of the standout putter releases of the year.

• Read our full Odyssey Damascus Milled One Wide putter

How we test putters

When it comes to product testing, every review and buying guide we produce is underpinned by a thorough testing process, combined with the experience and knowledge of the Golf Monthly test team.

Our putter testing is headed up by former collegiate and mini-tour player Sam De'Ath, who is supported by other experienced members of the Golf Monthly team. Together they have tested a huge variety of putters and understand the key characteristics that separate the best models from the rest.

Our testing isn’t limited to a single round or practice session. Each putter is used extensively over time and, wherever possible, across different types of golf course, including parkland, heathland and links layouts. We also test in varying weather and green conditions to build a more complete picture of how each model performs when the circumstances change.

Testing continues away from the course too. As well as heading up our putter reviews, Sam also tests many of the best putting mats, which provides plenty of opportunity to spend additional time with each putter at home. As a result, every model receives a thorough workout both on the course and in a more controlled indoor environment before we reach our conclusions.

Ultimately our aim is to provide honest, informative reviews that help golfers make better buying decisions. No manufacturer can pay for a positive review, nor does any brand receive preferential treatment. Our verdicts are based entirely on what we experience during testing, supported by the team’s knowledge of equipment and passion for the game.

How to choose a new putter

1. Head Design

Putters generally fall into three categories: blade, mid-mallet and mallet. Each has its own characteristics and there’s no single design that will suit every golfer, while most manufacturers now incorporate their latest face and weighting technologies across a variety of head shapes.

Mallet putters are typically larger than blades, which gives designers more freedom to redistribute weight around the head. By positioning more mass towards the perimeter, they can increase stability and reduce unwanted twisting through the stroke and at impact. This can make mallets particularly useful for golfers who struggle to consistently find the center of the face.

Their larger footprint also provides more space for prominent alignment features. Longer sightlines and contrasting markings can make it easier to aim the face correctly and provide additional confidence over the ball, which is why many golfers who struggle with alignment gravitate towards a mallet.

Blade putters offer a far more traditional appearance and will generally appeal to golfers who prefer a cleaner, more compact look at address. They also commonly feature more toe hang, making them well suited to players with greater face rotation and a more pronounced arc in their putting stroke.

Ultimately, choosing between a blade, mid-mallet and mallet comes down to finding the shape, weighting and alignment setup that best complements your stroke and inspires the most confidence on the greens.

2. Feel

When considering feel, it’s not just about the sensation and sound created when the ball leaves the face. How the putter feels in your hands, its overall weight and the grip all play an important role too.

Sound and impact sensation are closely linked. A quieter strike will generally be perceived as softer, while a louder impact tends to feel firmer. Face construction can influence this considerably, with shallow grooves or an ungrooved face typically producing a firmer response. Your choice of golf ball matters too as firmer putters can pair nicely with softer-feeling golf balls, while a softer putter face may complement a firmer ball.

Head weight is another consideration. Some putters feature adjustable sole weights which allow you to alter how the club feels and behaves through the stroke. A heavier setup can encourage a smoother tempo, while some golfers may prefer the sensation and control provided by a lighter head. There’s no universal answer though, so experimenting with different weights can help determine what works best for your stroke.

Finally, don’t overlook the grip. Choosing one of the best putter grips that sits naturally and comfortably in your hands can significantly improve confidence. Ideally it should help you control the face and return it square to the ball as consistently as possible.

3. Looks

Never underestimate the importance of choosing a putter that looks good to your eye. Confidence plays a huge role on the greens and if you feel comfortable standing over the ball, you’re more likely to make a positive stroke.

Blade putters typically offer less alignment assistance than larger designs but their clean, traditional appearance remains hugely popular and modern versions are becoming increasingly forgiving. At the other end of the scale, mallets have considerably more space for longer sightlines and other alignment features that can help you square the face to your target. Mid-mallets provide something of a compromise, offering additional assistance without the larger footprint of a full mallet.

4. Value

Price should also factor into your decision. There are some beautifully made premium putters available but spending more doesn’t automatically mean you’ll hole more putts. Plenty of less expensive models deliver excellent performance and could prove a better match for your stroke.

Ultimately, every putter is designed to achieve the same basic goal but each goes about it differently. If outright performance matters more to you than premium materials, aesthetics or a particular feel, there are some excellent value options available that could also leave you with more money to spend elsewhere in your bag.

For more advice on getting the right putter for your needs as a golfer, why not also check out our guides to the best left handed putters, best putters for beginners and best arm lock putters.

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