Best Putters 2018 – Choose Your Weapon To Knock Shots Off Your Game
Welcome to our Best Putters 2018 Review.
In this comprehensive guide we have sifted through the absolute best putters currently available on the market. The guide separates putters by category, price and features to help you find the best putter for your game.
We have tried to keep our selection pretty broad in terms of handicap suitability, but admittedly, most of the putters featured below are for low single figure to mid-teen handicaps.
If you are just beginning golf or are a high handicapper we recommend you check out our review of the Best Golf Clubs for Beginners.
Let’s jump into our Best Putters review and find out which is best for you and why!
Best Putters Review
Use the quicklinks to navigate our Best Putters Review.
- Editor’s Choice: Odyssey O-Works
- Best Overall Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Select
- Best Seller #1: Odyssey White Hot RX
- Best Seller #2: Ping Vault
- Best Seller #3: Ping Cadence TR
- Pro’s Choice: Cameron and Crown
- Worthy Competitors:Taylormade TP Red Collection, Cleveland TFI 2135, Seemore Original Milled Series, Mizuno MP A-Series
Top Golf Putters
Editor’s Choice: Odyssey O-Works
How on earth are they going to keep stock levels sufficient enough to fulfil demand? That’s the biggest headache Odyssey will have in store this year, because these putters are simply exceptional!
The Microhinge face insert defies the natural trade-off between feel/distance control and feedback. It’s the perfect combination of all three, yielding terrific consistency. There are plenty of putters to choose from within the range too, and each and every one exudes pure class and beauty. Get involved – as soon as you can! To read the full review click here.
- Cutting-edge Microhinge Insert Technology is surely the leader of its field to date
- Great control, soft feel yet still a solid, feedback-providing sound
- Classy, aesthetically-pleasing designs across all models
- For 220-odd bucks, you’ll struggle to beat this for value
- It doesn’t have… ha, just kidding. No holes to be poked here folks
Best Overall Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Select Putter
The ‘crème de la creme’ of golf equipment, a classy offering from a leading brand. In terms of feel, sound, weighting technology and roll off the putter face it’s full marks. To read the full review click here.
- Soft, but solid feel that provides exceptional feedback on putts hit out the center of the clubface.
- Heel-Toe weight technology that is matched to the length of putter providing optimal potential for the best strike and roll possible
- Efficient speed and roll off the putter face
- Only one model is offered in a left handed option, which is a pity
- It’s pricey – no messing around on that front, but if you are serious about the game and can afford it then it’s worth it
Best Seller #1: Odyssey White Hot RX Putter
The White Hot RX range has carefully and effectively changed their insert technology to produce more friction yet softer feel in order to optimize roll and ball speed at impact. At the price and with Odyssey’s quality guarantee this is indeed a Best Seller. To read the full review click here.
- World class leader in feel, the White Hot RX sets the standard especially due to the oval patterned insert
- Incredibly effective in terms of roll off the putter face at impact, which subsequently holds the ball on line from the get-go improving accuracy
- Offered in Mens, Ladies, Right, Left, Long, Short – options are plenty and you will find something that suits you
- The blue accent doesn’t quite do it for us – in the #2 head especially. There seems to be too much blue and detracts somewhat from it’s classiness
Best Seller #2: Ping Vault
In terms of milled putters, this is almost as good as you’ll find, and it’s good to see both platinum and slate finishes on offer. They don’t come cheap, but for quality like this, it still represents good value.
Overall, a resounding yes from us! To read the full review click here.
- Exudes style and class
- Tremendous consistency and feel across all four models
- Choice of blade and mallet heads – all needs catered for!
- Even at $300+, these high-end putters still represent decent value
- None that we can think of
Best Seller #3: Ping Cadence TR Anser 2
The Cadence TR Anser 2 is a world class offering. Enough options in terms of weight or face insert and the clean neat lines help your alignment beautifully! True Roll technology is what makes the difference in terms of ball speed consistency and accuracy. To read the full review click here.
- Beautiful clean, square lines to the Anser 2
- Variety in options in terms of insert or weight
- Feels and sounds soft, but still carries a fraction of firmness
- Be sure to know which of the two weighted putter heads will suit you best – our Ping Cadence TR Anser 2 Putter Review advises on which would suit you best
Pro’s Choice: Cameron and Crown Putter
Available in four models, the Cameron and Crown is designed for players whose setup demands a 33 inch putter – each with precise heel-toe weighting to allow for the most consistent and beautiful stroke. It is expensive – we’re not going to lie. But don’t let that deceive you into thinking it isn’t great value for money. Because it is.
Just a pity there is only one model available in a left-handed option, but then again you can’t please everyone! To read the full review click here.
- The multi-material technology that has been implemented provides superb feel and consistent weighting throughout each of the four models
- The shorter length hasn’t compromised the weight of the putter because of Scotty Cameron adding two 20g weights to each of the heel & toe to total 360g
- As always, each of the models look fantastic and the glare resistant finish is neat and handy
- It’s a fair sum to pay for a putter, but then again that isn’t an authentic con in our opinion – it’s fantastic
- Only one model head is available in left hand, all four could’ve been offered to left handers giving them a wider choice
Worthy Competitor #1: Taylormade TP Red Collection Putter
Undoubtedly, the design has unique benefits across the range providing players with differing strokes a specific putter that suits. Available in 6 different head styles all weighing in at 355 grams and with a lie angle of 70 degrees.
The Pure Roll provides phenomenal feel as well as end over end roll and consistent at that. To read the full review click here.
- The milled 304 stainless steel heads make it look even more beautiful
- The sole weights being adjustable make it easy to change putter head weight
- Whatever stroke you have, there is a model to suit due to the varied toe hangs, hosels and weighting
- The Pure Roll inserts really provide great feel and superb end over end roll – and consistently
- Slightly busy design particularly when looking over the ball at address
Worthy Competitor #2: Mizuno MP A Series
The roll on the ball is good and consistent, but alignment took a knock unfortunately. If you’re the avid traditionalist in terms of putter design then the MP A-Series ticks many boxes and will look good in your golf bag. To read the full review click here.
- Really beautiful and eye catching design, one of the best we’ve seen
- Superb distance control primarily due to the true end over end roll
- Nice soft grip that improves overall feel
- A forged putter head is just that much better than a cast alternative
- Only the sweetspot is milled, would have been nice to see the entire face the same way
- Not widely available in the USA, but if you look hard enough you’ll find it
Worthy Competitor #3: Cleveland TFI 2135 Putter
Available in 7 different models with four being modern mallets and three being traditional blades, there is something for everyone. The widened horizontal impact point has greatly improved off-center strikes making distance control a whole lot easier than you’re possibly used to (if you’re honest with yourself!).
At just short of $130 for the most effective model this is very good value for money and is suited to any handicap player. To read the full review click here.
- Beautifully soft in terms of feel and sound at impact making you look forward to each and every putt just that little bit more
- Distance control is outstanding with the widened horizontal impact zone on putter face enhancing off-center strikes
- Seven different models to choose from with four mallets and three blades – you will find one that suits your eye and game
- Not the most eye catching putter around, but then again that is what Cleveland wants and have focused on other aspects that are more important
Worthy Competitor #4: SeeMore Original Milled Series
But all in all, these putters represent very good value. And, as ever, SeeMore absolutely nail it when it comes to alignment – the Riflescope Technology is a winner. To read the full review click here.
- Crisp, consistent feel typical of milled putters, but with excellent feedback
- Chrome polished sole ensures smooth transaction with the turf
- Market-leading alignment technology
- Competitive price
- They just aren’t pretty. My opinion – take it or leave it!
Best Golf Putters Buying Guide
Build Quality
It’s interesting to observe the different approaches brands take when they are, essentially, all working towards the same end goals. There is a vast array of models out there – both mallets and blades, and even within that, there is much variety in terms of build, weight distribution and technology. Particularly with regards to alignment, there are some really innovative aids and features out there.
We also see inventive “roll technologies”, and there are also contrasting approaches when it comes to face inserts and head designs. It’s a lot to consider, but hugely important too. I’m not saying you need to keep a putter for 15 years like I did, but ideally you want it to be a long-term purchase if you’re sinking this kind of money into it.
Build quality is thus vital to both durability, and ensuring optimal results for the duration of your ‘relationship’ with your new Texas wedge.
Control and Performance
Golf is a simple game, but putting is even simpler. There are two components that you have to get right at the end of the day: alignment and speed. Yes?
It isn’t quite as simple as that though.
In order to get you on point with both of those elements, there’s a little bit of water that needs to go under the bridge first. Feel is vital to striking the balance, and this is underpinned by consistency. That means getting a true roll, with clear feedback on mishits, so that you can become a putting metronome. Doing so builds the kind of confidence whereby lining up your putt and nailing distance control eventually becomes a natural, instinctive occurrence, rather than something that requires agonizing thought and analysis beforehand.
The quality of the putter – and the technology that goes into it – has a huge role to play in this, and it can take a fair degree of testing to know which flatblades come to the party, and which don’t. We’ve done most of the heavy lifting for you, but at the end of the day, only you can make the call as to which putter will generate the best results for you.
Design and Appearance
Some of the best putters out there today are just absolute stunners. Honestly, it’s amazing what an aesthetically-pleasing design can do for confidence. It isn’t just about cool points either. I’m convinced there’s a link between looking/feeling the part and results.
But there is also more to it than beauty.
Putters come in many shapes and forms – even within the same series visual differences can be vast. The key is that all features and nuances must make for a clean, uncomplicated look that complements things like alignment aids, rather than distracting from them. Most of the big guns get this balance spot on, but not everyone!
Value for Money
One inevitable consequence of exponential improvements in technology is that variance in prices escalates. You can pay up to $500 for the very cream of the crop. We consider it to be a breathtaking amount of money to spend on a putter, but… if it does fall within budget, then there are some amazing benefits to be enjoyed.
Whatever your budget is though, you do not want to feel short-changed after, or suffer from the dreaded buyer’s remorse. The only way to avoid that is to ensure you get value for money – whether you’re paying $100 or $500.
Luckily for you, we’ve got fine-tuned nous when it comes to this sort of thing, so when it comes to a cost-benefit analysis, fear not: our word is good.
Putters – Assessment Criteria
The most challenging aspect we always have is choosing a comprehensive set of putters to review. We initially cast the net wide, but quickly whittled the list down to our view of the best putters available on the market at the moment.
Below you can find a side-by-side comparison of our list of best putters.
Our Best Putters were put to the test against our standard assessment model, where we looked at 4 key aspects: Build Quality, Control & Performance, Design & Appearance, and Value for Money. Individual scores of each of these aspects was then aggregated to give an overall assessment score, as follows:
| Overall Mark | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding A+ | 9.6 – 10 | Stop the clock and buy now. This piece of equipment will change your game. |
| Excellent A | 9.0 – 9.5 | Superb piece of gear. Amazing quality, performance and value for money. |
| Great B+ | 8.6 – 8.9 | Great offering. This piece of gear won’t let you down. |
| Good B | 8.0 – 8.5 | Solid piece of gear with only minor issues to criticise. |
| Average C+ | 7.6 – 7.9 | Adequate offering, but not the best value for money. |
| Average C | 7.0 – 7.5 | Not the most exciting piece of gear, seek alternatives. |
| Weak D+ | 6.6 – 6.9 | Leaves lots to be desired. You can do a lot better. |
| Weak D | 6.0 – 6.5 | Steer well clear of this gear. Not worth the money! |
Have Your Say!
We put this article of Best Putters together to help players, like yourself, find the best putter for their specific game, level and budget. By keeping this guide updated and via feedback from the GA community, we hope this article becomes a great resource for anyone looking to get a new putter. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
