Best Mallet Putters 2024
Looking for more help on the greens? Our guide to the best mallet putters is the ideal place to start
Best Mallet Putters: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Best value
3. Best high MOI
4. Best compact
5. How we test
6. How to choose
7. FAQs
Best Mallet Putters
Mallet putters tend to be much larger than blade putters and they come in all manner of shapes and sizes, which can help the golfer in a number of ways. Most of the weight in a mallet putter is often found in the club face, but because of its design, weight can then be redistributed to other parts of the head which helps to stabilize and create balance for your stroke. Mallet designs are also the most forgiving putters because they tend to have a larger sweet spot, whilst the extra weight in the head helps to diminish twisting throughout the strike. Additionally if you struggle with alignment, a mallet putter can really help with that.
Below we have the best mallets from our putter reviews, but we would also recommend checking out our specific guides on the best women's putters and best putters for beginners too.
The Quick List
There is much to like about this mallet from Cobra. It's forgiving, stylish looking and the Descending Loft Technology face design ensures a consistent roll even if you get your hands a little ahead or behind the ball at impact.
Compared to modern putters it may look quite simple, but if you like mallets with strong alignment lines then the AIT 1 offers quality design at a competitive price.
The Mizuno M.Craft OMOI 03 putter is a premium specialist putter that offers very good adjustability for those who prefer a heavier putter.
This performs on all lengths of putt while also providing a more refined look and solid feel. It’s no wonder Tour players started to put these in play.
The DF3 is a pleasure to use as its face really does square up through impact, making it easy to recommend to every ability of player.
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The Bettinardi INOVAI 6.5 is a premium build, highly forgiving mallet that would be a nice addition to the bag of a wide range of golfers of varying skill levels. It's a well-balanced putter that delivers a consistent roll and soft feel from anywhere on the green.
The Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 putter is a face balanced design that is light to use and provides excellent forgiveness in a high MOI shape.
The trusted shape of the TM22 putter is given premium treatment. The clever use of milling lines has created visual differences for alignments in a mallet design.
The Rossie S putter delivers on looks, performance, forgiveness and you even get a cool window underneath the head displaying the technology going on behind the brand's ground-breaking A.I. designed face insert.
Don't be put off by the 'gimmicky' shape. This versatile Cleveland putter offers a responsive feel and good forgiveness, and it will pick your ball out of the hole for you after knocking it in!
With the EV5, Evnroll gives golfers the opportunity to choose the visual cues and hosel design that works for them. It also has excellent stability and feel
One of the most impressive mallet head putters of 2023. Its unique finish and milled face provide the performance and the looks of a premium putter.
Best Mallet Putters
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Best Value Mallet Putters
There are some great value mallet putters from the main manufacturers that bring all the benefits of perimeter weighting and the latest face technology to a variety of putter head shapes such as these:
Cobra King Vintage Cuda Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Vintage Cuda features a new soft PEBAX face insert crafted from lightweight and responsive thermo-plastic elastomer, which produces a softer feel in comparison to the firmer aluminium face insert in Cobra's more premium 3D Printed putters. In truth though, after testing both we felt that the difference was minimal.
The Cuda features Descending Loft Technology (DLT) on the face, which uses four descending lofts (4°, 3°, 2°, 1°) to maintain a consistent loft through impact regardless of your angle of attack or ball position in your stance.
The Cuda impressed us in testing. The forgiveness was excellent, while the putter is responsive enough that you can feel when you've missed the sweet spot, but there is still a solidity about the strike that inspires confidence.
Interchangeable weights allow you to personalize your putter to find your desired feel and control, while additional weights (5g, 10g, 15g, 20g, 25g) can be purchased separately to match your preferred head weight. All Cobra's 2024 putters come with a KBS CT Tour shaft and a SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol grip to complete the premium look and feel. Additionally, these grips are equipped with Cobra Connect powered by Arccos, so you can track your stats if you use the app.
- Read our full Cobra King Vantage Cuda Putter review
Zebra AIT 1 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
An iconic design in the world of golf, Zebra has re-introduced the AIT 1 putter that older golfers will remember from the 80s and 90s when the Ram Zebra design was used by Ray Floyd and Nick Price to win Major titles. Compared to the original, the rebooted version has a deeper face with an insert, while the head is larger and rounder to create more forgiveness. In a cool nod to the past, the AIT 1 sole plate still features the Zebra turning its head and of course the distinctive alignment lines on the crown. We absolutely love this.
These are now grey on black instead of black on grey, which helps to make the central white line stand out more. The deeper head allows the lines to be longer and this combination creates an alignment aid at address with a strong visual look. While it knocked it out of the park in the looks department, we also enjoyed the performance on offer, as the roll and sound was very good. It is a reasonably forgiving putter too and Zebra has done an excellent job of reinventing the original mallet for the modern game.
- Read our full Zebra AIT 1 Putter Review
Mizuno M.Craft OMOI 03 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The OMOI 03 putter from Mizuno is the only mallet in their OMOI range. OMOI is a Japanese adjective for ‘heavy’ so it's no surprise that this putter is 383 grams. With the standard Mizuno M.Craft putter, Mizuno found that most users made their putters heavier by using the bigger weights from the supplied adjustable kit, so they took that on board to make a heavier putter. You can still adjust the weight on the M.Craft OMOI 03 as it comes with two 3g and 13g weights which can be used to replace the standard 8g weights in the sole, giving a variance range of 20g.
Visually, the mallet is quite compact and the blade length short. We thought the blue finish was very cool, but there is also Black Ion and Double Nickel finishes as well if the blue isn't to your taste. In our view the face balanced design creates a very stable, forgiving putter for those golfers who can get a little lively with their hands.
- Read our full Mizuno M.Craft OMOI 03 Putter Review
TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Bandon 3 mallet from TaylorMade has a short neck hosel, which provides a little more toe hang than the plumbers neck found on the Bandon 1. We found that it sits completely flush to the ground, which was nice, and while the alignment assistance on offer from the short black sight line is somewhat limited, on the plus side the winged shape helped us present it squarely to the ball.
The sandstone finish on the head looks fantastic and for something that looks so raw, it still manages to look elegant and premium. The one slight drawback is that it does reflect the sun more than we’d have liked.
Overall we felt it had a similar feel to a blade putter but in a mallet form which makes it a highly versatile club that may suit a wide range of players. The feel off the face was solid and it offered up a surprisingly firm and loud sound at impact given the deep grooves on the face insert.
- Read our full TaylorMade TP Hydro Blast Bandon 3 putter review
Best High MOI Mallet Putters
High MOI mallet putters have driven the shape of this sector for many years as the larger head size allows weight to be placed deep in the corners to maximise the resistance to twisting on off-centre hits. The latest designs take this to the next level with multi-material heads that mange the weight distribution more effectively, yet still keep the putter light and easy to use. Here are our favourites.
L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The L.A.B. Golf DF3 mallet is forgiving and stable, and “fully automatic” – meaning it feels as if it’s guiding itself on the correct path on the way back and through. That can be attributed to "Lie Angle Balance" technology which creates true zero-torque putters, which stay square by themselves.
It’s a center-shafted, flat-bottom model in which the shaft connects right behind the front flange and directly into an oddly shaped ring that’s hollow in the middle. That hole is referred to as a “Gimme Getter” as it’s a golf ball-shaped cutout designed to scoop a ball when you press it onto the ball.
Our testing backed up the brand's claims. The DF3 actually felt like it had a mind of its own: Just hold it lightly, aim, start your backstroke, and let gravity take over. The head looks huge, especially for those who typically use blades. Despite the size, the head was not a visual distraction in any way. In fact, we were extremely impressed with how easy it was to control putt speed. Putts within three feet felt like near-automatic, which really enhanced our confidence.
And it was surprisingly easy to get a quick feel from those over 20 feet. Off-center hits from the heel and toe still made it really close to the target and this is one of the most forgiving putters we've tried. Putts sounded rather solid and felt stable, while the sheer size of the head no doubt enhances the forgiveness while the grooves on the face to a good job of dampening the sound.
You can get this in a stock or custom model – with the latter, you can choose from standard-length or counterbalanced models in eight different colors, with a wide range of grip and upgraded shaft options. And you can also choose from 33 different alignment markings, as well as standard, heavy, or light head weights. For added measure, you can get an ArmLock or Broomstick version, as well.
- Read our full L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter Review
TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The TaylorMade Spider is an iconic design that is now one of the most recognisable putters out there. From leading tour pros to Sunday hackers, Spider putters are popular with golfers of all skill levels, Over the years TaylorMade has made lots of little tweaks and added plenty of wrinkles to its ever expanding range of Spiders, and its 2023 range included a reboot of the original classic design - the Spider Tour.
The Spider Tour putter comes into its own on off-center strikes, as it helps to maintain the direction and control of the putt. With its iconic head shape the Spider Tour is the epitome of high-MOI performance and delivers stability, consistency and forgiveness in abundance. The stable design of the Tour head is especially impactful with off-center strikes, as it helps to maintain the direction and control of the putt, making it one of the best TaylorMade putters we've tested.
The two things that always stand out with Spider putters are the soft feel and the high forgiveness and our testing confirmed this to still be the case with this new model. The soft feel comes from the white TPU Pure Roll insert, which is a throwback to the original model, while the face features grooves angled at 45° for optimal forward roll. The white insert provides a nice symmetry with the white True Path Alignment aid on the top of the crown, which we loved as it is a definite upgrade on the alignment aid we've seen on some previous Spider models.
There are four head shapes in the 2023 Spider family. The Tour, The Tour X, the Tour V and the Tour Z.
- Read our full TaylorMade Spider Tour Putter Review
Bettinardi Inovai 6.5 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The 6.5 had previously only been a limited-run putter until it was added to the 2024 INOVAI range. The hexagonal shape and fangs are designed to optimize the putter’s MOI (Moment of Inertia) thanks to triangular vents that save weight, which is then distributed to the perimeter to help provide stability and forgiveness.
The head itself is comprised of two parts; a 303 Stainless Steel front piece and a 6061 Military Grade Aluminium back piece. The Midnight Armor and Titan Grey color scheme combined with the blend of different metals offers a nice visual contrast while also providing important performance benefits. The steel front features Bettinardi’s Roll Control face milling, which is a groove design that offers a soft feel and is designed to quickly get the ball into a true roll.
It performed very well in our testing. It sits nice and square at address and the visuals really inspire confidence over the ball. We liked the contrasting colors, which in tandem with the dual alignment lines really made it easy to frame the ball and start it on line.
We found it to be very stable throughout the stroke, with a soft feel and a sound which is more muted than we expected. There wasn't a great difference in roll between our well struck putts and the mishits, making the INOVAI 6.5 one of the most forgiving putters on the market this year. We would even go as far as to say it is one of the best putters for high-handicap golfers, even if that isn’t necessarily who it is aimed at.
- Read our full Bettinardi Inovai 6.5 Putter review
Scotty Cameron Phantom X12 2022 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
In our view this is one of the best Scotty Cameron putters. The Phantom X range is ideal for those who want a premium mallet putter with a strong brand name. The Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 putter is the highest MOI mallet and is now the only one with a black aluminum face. Combining this lighter material in the face with the heavier silver steel wings means that more weight is around the perimeter of the head which improves the forgiveness, while the contrasting color scheme aids with framing the ball.
We have found that from long range occasionally these high MOI putters can struggle as the head struggles to rotate with the longer stroke, but with the Phantom X12 we thought it was easier than most to get the pace and direction right. We were also pleased with the results from short and mid-range as well. With a long alignment line and excellent Pistolero grip the Phantom X 12 is light to use and very stable through impact, making it ideal for those who want a face balanced putter with more margin for error.
- Read our full Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12 Putter 2022 Review
Wilson Staff Model TM22 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The TM22 is one of two mallet shapes in Wilson's latest line of putters and it boasts some excellent features which make it one of the most forgiving putters on the market. It looks fantastic too, Wilson have surpassed themselves here by 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.
These alignment lines improve the overall aesthetic of this putter, while it's also great for those who have a small arc in their swing because of 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
Best Compact Mallet Putters
Odyssey Ai-One Rossie S Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
With their Ai-One and and Ai-One Milled line of putters for 2024 Odyssey has used a super computer to create what it is calling “the most advanced insert in golf”.
The back of the insert is made out of aluminium while Odyssey added a White Hot Urethane to the striking surface for their iconic White Hot feel that has proved so popular with golfers down the years. The unique contours on the back of the face minimise ball speed losses on off-center hits and greatly increase the sweet spot to such a degree that Odyssey claims that the Ai-One insert leaves off center hits up to 21 percent closer to the hole. No wonder this putter is in the bag of Jon Rahm this season.
In testing we really loved the feel off the face, particularly when used with a softer golf ball. It was a little firm when putting with a Callaway Chrome Soft golf ball but with slightly lower compression golf balls we couldn’t get enough of that buttery contact and how responsive the feel is. You get a smooth, true roll and we found distance control to be excellent.
The Rossie design is not as big and bulky as some mallets but there is enough depth at the back of the head to provide confidence at address. All of the putters in both the Ai-One and Ai-One Milled ranges really have that ‘wow factor' you associate with the best Odyssey putters and the navy PVD finish gives them a very premium look.
- Read our full Odyssey Ai-One Rossie S Putter Review
Cleveland HB Soft 2 Retreve Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Retreve is Cleveland’s first putter with the ability to pick the ball out of the hole, so it should certainly appeal to any golfer that has difficult bending. Although Cleveland hasn’t produced a putter like this before, Ping have been churning out putters of this nature for years, such as the Sigma 2 Fetch from 2018. Having tested several of these kind of putters we definitely feel there is a market for them, especially with senior golfers.
The HB SOFT 2 family of putters look a lot more premium than their price suggests. The milling on the face combined with the luxurious Pistol Grips scream out premium product and that look is matched by the sound and feel when you strike a putt. We could just as easily have included this putter in the best value section, but its performance warrants a spot in this section.
We loved the feel from the milled face although we did feel that the Retreve was a little firmer than other putters in the SOFT 2 family, possibly due to the ball shaped hole behind the face. Nevertheless, it was a pleasing feel when we found the sweet spot.
There is something to be said for not having to bend and pick the ball out of the hole, and if there’s little to choose between two putters then this little extra feature may sway it for some golfers, and not just senior players either.
- Read our full Cleveland HB Soft Milled14 Putter Review
Evnroll EV5 2023 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This year has seen an expansion of the V-Series, within which the flagship model is the EV5 due to its ‘3x3 versatility’. This refers to the fact that it is available in various color combinations via three rear interchangeable chassis designs. Customisation oiptions are varied with this club and there is even a choice of six hosel options, so every visual preference and stroke type is well catered for. This impressive customization on offer was enough to earn this putter a spot in our 2023 Editor's Choice awards.
The EV5 is undoubtedly one of the most forgiving putters we've tested in recent times. Despite being a compact mallet, the head feels more stable than previous Evnroll putters of a similar size and it is definitely helped by the special grooves on the face. In testing we were able to regularly knock putts to within gimmie range from long distance and scare the hole frequently from 20 feet and in. Evnroll putters probably should be more widely known than they are as the quality on offer stands comparison with any of the more well established big name golf brands.
- Read our full Evnroll EV5 2023 Putter Review
Bettinardi Queen B 11 Putter
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The Bettinardi Queen B 11 Putter is one of the best looking putters on the market with its excellent bronze clubhead. It looks stunning behind the ball with its Caramel Copper PVD finish giving it a cool, rustic look that really makes it stand out from the competition. Its shelf appeal and elegance is a real seller but we loved how Bettinardi have also thought ahead, putting a glare-resistant finish on the clubhead which really came in useful when we took it out on the course on a sunny day. The putter is slightly toe-heavy so it is great for the golfer who struggles to close the face through impact.
The half-moon shape gives a very inviting feeling behind the ball while also offering an excellent feel on impact. Bettinardi has paid a lot of attention to the putter's club face and the new mini honeycomb milling is eight percent smaller than that which you will find on some of the best Bettinardi golf putters. We found that this helped us achieve greater connection on the golf ball, providing a soft, responsive feel on each shot. During testing we felt it delivered particularly well from distance, with the single sight line on the crown being a great alignment aid which helped us maintain our accuracy even on longer putts.
- Read our full Bettinardi Queen B 11 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 David Usher, while other members of the Golf Monthly team regularly 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.
How to choose a new putter
When trying to find one of the best mallet putters, there are several things to consider...
Price
In our guide to the best putters on the market right now, we featured 18 putters that range in price. This tells you a little bit about the range of putters there are out there today but this can also help you narrow your search down a bit further. Why is there so much difference in price? This comes down to factors like technology, craftsmanship and the brand.
Size
So you want a mallet putter right? Well it is up to you what size of mallet you want because some of the models above are large to aid MOI and forgiveness, whilst some others are more mid-mallet in shape and have smaller footprints.
Looks
The putter has to inspire confidence so you have to enjoy looking down on it that's for sure. Manufacturers are aware of this and so have designed a wide range of looks to choose from and therefore you just need to look at the designs you like the aesthetics of.
Feel
This is a really important factor to consider because on the market right now are a wide range of firm and soft feeling putters to choose from. One thing we do recommend is how fast or slow are the greens you play on? If you typically putt on slow greens, a firmer feeling face will suit you more whereas if you putt on ultra-fast greens a softer feel will work more efficiently and help you control distance.
Arc Strength
For some players, their stroke tends to be fairly straight back and through whereas some golfers tend to putt more in an arc. Finding out what kind of arc you have is vital to picking the right putter for your stroke.
FAQs
Are Mallet Putters Good?
Mallet putters are designed to be forgiving due to their large head shape and they come in a variety of shapes with good alignment options so are good for types of golfer.
Are Mallet Putters Better For High Handicappers?
Mallet putters are better for players who don't consistently hit the middle of the face with their putts. The larger size helps with alignment and forgiveness so that could be players of any handicap, but they will suit higher handicappers more.
How Do You Line Up A Mallet Putter?
If your mallet putters has an alignment line on the top, then place this behind the ball and aim at your target. Sometimes golf balls have lines on them that you can align with the design on the putter to provide a visual aid for your stroke. See our guide for How To Practise Putting.
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A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.
Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel.
He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five.
Sam's What's In The Bag:
Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees)
Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees)
Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5
Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond
Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer
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