Are you a beginner in the world of golf?
Confused about which putter to choose?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we will delve into the world of putters and help you determine the most suitable option for beginners in golf.
So, grab your clubs, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
ToggleII. Blade Putters
A. Description of blade putters
Blade putters, also known as traditional or classic putters, have been a staple in golf for many years. These putters typically have a simple, compact design with a thin, flat clubhead and a straight or slight toe-hang. The clubhead is usually made of stainless steel or a softer metal alloy, providing a solid feel on impact.
Blade putters often have a smaller sweet spot compared to other putter types, and their alignment aids are minimal. This design allows for utmost precision and control over the putting stroke.
Weight distribution and balance in blade putters are typically centered around the clubhead, with a slight emphasis towards the toe. This balance promotes a smooth and consistent stroke.
B. Advantages and disadvantages for beginners
- Precision control: advantage or disadvantage for beginners? Blade putters offer exceptional control and feel, making them a preferred choice for golfers with a consistent and repeatable stroke. For beginners who have already developed a steady putting stroke, the precision control provided by a blade putter can be a significant advantage. It allows them to focus on their technique and fine-tune their stroke to achieve accurate putts. However, for novice golfers who are still developing their putting stroke, the precision control of a blade putter can be challenging. The smaller sweet spot and minimal forgiveness can amplify minor errors in alignment and stroke, leading to inconsistent results.
- Requirement for a consistent stroke: a potential challenge for novices Blade putters require a consistent putting stroke to achieve optimal results. Due to their design, any variability in the stroke can be magnified, leading to inconsistent ball speeds and directions. Beginners who are still working on their stroke consistency may find it challenging to achieve the desired results with a blade putter. The lack of forgiveness in blade putters means that off-center strikes can result in poor distance control and accuracy.
C. Examples of popular blade putters for beginners
There are several blade putters available in the market that are suitable for beginners. Here are a few popular options:
- Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 #1: This blade putter from Odyssey features a classic design with a full shaft offset, providing a clear alignment aid for beginners. It has a soft-feeling insert that enhances feel and feedback on impact.
- TaylorMade TP Patina Del Monte: The TaylorMade TP Patina Del Monte combines a classic blade design with modern technology. It has a Pure Roll insert that promotes a smooth roll and consistent distance control. The contrast-colored alignment aid helps beginners line up their putts effectively.
- Ping Sigma 2 Anser: The Ping Sigma 2 Anser is a timeless blade putter that offers both adjustability and forgiveness. It features a dual-durometer face insert that provides a soft feel and improved ball speed consistency. The adjustable shaft length allows golfers to customize the putter’s length to suit their setup and stroke.
III. Mallet Putters
A. Description of mallet putters
Mallet putters are a type of golf putter known for their unique design and larger head size compared to blade putters. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of mallet putters can help beginners make an informed decision when choosing their ideal putter.
B. Advantages and disadvantages for beginners
- Forgiving nature: an advantage for beginners: Mallet putters are often favored by beginners due to their forgiving nature. The larger, more stable head of a mallet putter helps minimize the effects of mishits, providing better distance control and accuracy on off-center strikes. This forgiveness can boost a beginner’s confidence and reduce frustration on the green, making it easier to improve their putting skills.
- Larger size: may be a challenge for some beginners: While the larger head size of mallet putters contributes to their forgiveness, it can also present a challenge for some beginners. The increased size and weight of the head may require some adjustment to the feel and stroke compared to a traditional blade putter. Beginners who are used to smaller putter heads may initially find it harder to control the larger mallet putter, especially when it comes to delicate touch shots. However, with practice and adaptation, most beginners can successfully overcome this challenge.
C. Examples of popular mallet putters for beginners
Here are a few examples of popular mallet putters that are suitable for beginners:
- TaylorMade Spider X: The TaylorMade Spider X is a popular choice among beginners. It features a high-MOI (Moment of Inertia) design, which enhances forgiveness and stability. The mallet-shaped head with perimeter weighting helps to improve alignment and consistency in putting strokes.
- Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0: The Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 is known for its exceptional feel and balanced performance. The mallet design offers forgiveness and stability, while the White Hot insert provides a soft and responsive impact. The alignment aids on the top of the putter assist beginners in lining up their putts more accurately.
- Ping Sigma 2 Valor: The Ping Sigma 2 Valor is designed with a high-MOI mallet shape to enhance stability and forgiveness. Its adjustable shaft length allows beginners to customize the putter’s fit to their preferred posture and stroke. The multi-material construction and face pattern provide consistency and better distance control.
IV. Peripheral Weighted Putters
Description of peripheral weighted putters
Peripheral weighted putters are a type of putter that have additional weight concentrated around the perimeter of the clubhead. This design feature helps to increase the moment of inertia (MOI), which is the clubhead’s resistance to twisting upon impact. The main purpose of peripheral weighting is to enhance stability and forgiveness, which can be beneficial for golfers, especially beginners, who may struggle with consistency in their putting strokes.
Advantages and disadvantages for beginners
- Enhanced stability: One of the major advantages of peripheral weighted putters for beginners is their enhanced stability. The extra weight distributed on the outer edges of the clubhead helps to reduce twisting and off-center hits. This means that even if beginners mis-hit the ball slightly, the putter is more likely to deliver a straighter putt, increasing the chances of making accurate putts and improving overall confidence on the green.
- Requires practice to master: While peripheral weighted putters provide increased stability, they do require some practice to master. The design of these putters may have a slightly different feel compared to other types, and beginners may need some time to develop a consistent and effective putting stroke. The extra weight around the perimeter can influence the swing path and tempo, so it’s important for beginners to spend time on the putting green to build muscle memory and adapt to the specific characteristics of the peripheral weighted putter.
Examples of popular peripheral weighted putters for beginners
Here are a few examples of popular peripheral weighted putters that are suitable for beginners:
- Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 #1: This putter features a classic blade-style design with perimeter weighting for improved stability. It has a soft, responsive feel and a White Hot insert that enhances feedback and distance control.
- TaylorMade Spider Tour Platinum Putter: The Spider Tour Platinum putter is a mallet-style putter with a high MOI design and perimeter weighting. It provides excellent stability and forgiveness, making it a popular choice for beginners and professionals alike.
- Ping Sigma 2 Valor Putter: The Ping Sigma 2 Valor putter features a mallet design with a multi-material construction that optimizes forgiveness and feel. It has a perimeter-weighted design for added stability and consistency on off-center hits.
V. Two-Bar Putters
A. Description of two-bar putters
Two-bar putters, also known as dual-line putters, feature a unique design that sets them apart from other putters. They typically have two parallel bars on the top of the putter head, which aids in alignment and stability during the putting stroke. Let’s delve into the features, design, weight distribution, and balance of two-bar putters.
B. Advantages and disadvantages for beginners
- Alignment help: a major advantage for beginners
- Unusual design: might be off-putting for some beginners
The primary advantage of two-bar putters for beginners is the alignment assistance they provide. The two parallel bars on the top of the putter head create a visual reference line that helps golfers line up their putts more accurately. This alignment aid can be particularly beneficial for beginners who are still developing their putting skills and struggle with consistent alignment. The clear visual cue helps beginners establish a square target line and align their putter face correctly, increasing the chances of making more accurate putts.
Despite the alignment benefits, the unusual design of two-bar putters may not appeal to all beginners. The aesthetic of the dual-line design can be seen as unconventional and may take some getting used to. Golfers who prefer a more traditional or classic putter design might find the appearance of two-bar putters distracting or unappealing. It’s important for beginners to feel confident and comfortable with their putter, so if the design doesn’t resonate with their personal preferences, it could potentially impact their overall putting performance.
C. Examples of popular two-bar putters for beginners
- 1. TaylorMade Spider X
- 2. Odyssey Stroke Lab Ten
- 3. PING Heppler Tomcat 14
The TaylorMade Spider X is a well-known two-bar putter that has gained popularity among beginners and professionals alike. It features a high MOI (Moment of Inertia) design with two bars on the top, providing excellent stability and alignment aid. The Spider X putter also incorporates a lightweight aluminum frame and a composite core for optimal weight distribution and balance.
The Odyssey Stroke Lab Ten is another notable two-bar putter for beginners. It combines a multi-material shaft with a microhinge face insert for enhanced feel and roll. The dual-line design on the top of the putter head helps golfers align their putts accurately, while the weighting system ensures a well-balanced stroke.
The PING Heppler Tomcat 14 is a two-bar putter that offers excellent forgiveness and alignment assistance for beginners. Its unique mallet shape and precision milled face provide a high MOI and consistent roll. The dual-bar design assists in lining up putts and encourages a square face at impact, helping beginners improve their alignment and accuracy.
Putter Type | Key Attributes | ||
---|---|---|---|
Forgiveness | Alignment Help | Stability | |
Blade Putters | Less forgiving due to small sweet spot | Minimal alignment aids | May lack stability due to smaller size and weight distribution |
Mallet Putters | Highly forgiving due to larger sweet spot and perimeter weighting | Usually feature alignment lines or dots for improved aim | Greater stability due to larger size and weight distribution |
Peripheral Weighted Putters | Offer moderate forgiveness with weight distributed towards the edges | Alignment aids vary depending on the model | Provide good stability with weight distribution towards the perimeter |
Two-Bar Putters | Generally forgiving with weight distribution on the heel and toe | Usually feature alignment lines or bars for improved aim | Offer good stability due to the weight distribution |
When comparing the key attributes of each putter type for beginners, several factors stand out. In terms of forgiveness, mallet putters are the most forgiving option for beginners. Their larger sweet spot and perimeter weighting help minimize the impact of off-center hits, reducing the chances of the ball veering off course. On the other hand, blade putters tend to have a smaller sweet spot, making them less forgiving for beginners.
In terms of alignment help, two-bar putters and mallet putters stand out. Two-bar putters often feature alignment lines or bars that can guide beginners in lining up their putts. Mallet putters, too, often have alignment aids such as lines or dots on the top of the clubhead, helping beginners with their aim. Blade putters generally offer minimal alignment help.
When it comes to stability, mallet putters and peripheral weighted putters are the winners. Mallet putters, with their larger size and weight distribution, provide excellent stability throughout the stroke. Peripheral weighted putters, with weight distributed towards the edges, also offer good stability.
Based on these comparisons, the most suitable putter for beginners would be a mallet putter. Its forgiveness, alignment help, and stability make it a great choice for novice golfers who are looking for consistency and confidence on the greens.
Putting It All Together
Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of putters available for beginners in golf, you can confidently make an informed decision that suits your needs and preferences.
So, which type of putter are you leaning towards? Are you enticed by the forgiveness of a mallet putter or the simplicity of a blade putter? Let us know in the comments below!
Remember, the right putter can make a significant difference in your game, so take your time to try out different options and find the one that feels comfortable and helps you sink more putts. Happy golfing!

John Cardon is a seasoned golfer with a passion for the sport that extends beyond the greens. His expertise in golf is showcased through this popular blog, where he dives deep into the world of golf clubs. With years of experience swinging various clubs on courses around the world, John brings a unique perspective to his readers.