Ten golf putters for beginners compared on head design, length and weight, each with a spec table and a buying checklist.
Every putter here is in stock on Amazon right now, and every spec below comes from the manufacturer. The field runs from a 25 dollar two-way practice club to a CNC-milled mallet from Cobra, and the choice comes down to two things: whether you want a blade or a mallet head, and whether the shaft length fits your posture over the ball.
Best golf putters for beginners: the ten picks at a glance
For a beginner, the useful differences between these ten are head shape, alignment aid and shaft length. A high-MOI mallet resists twisting when you catch the ball off the toe, which is what most new players do; a blade gives more feedback but punishes the same miss. Everything else, from headcovers to grip texture, is a comfort question rather than a scoring one.
Below you get the short version first: three picks for the most common cases, then the full table with all ten, then every putter in detail with specs, strengths and weaknesses.
- The forgiving mallet most beginners should start withOrlimar Tangent T1
- Best value on a full-size malletPowerbilt XRT Series 2
- Best blade if you want feedbackPOSSOT High MOI Blade
- The cheap one for the carpet and the mini courseGoSports Classic Putter
| Putter | Head | Length | Alignment aid | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlimar Tangent T1best overall | High MOI mallet | 35 in | Bi-color sightline | A first real putter for the course |
| Powerbilt XRT Series 2best value | Perimeter-weighted mallet | 35 in | Grooved face, single line | Mallet forgiveness on a budget |
| POSSOT High MOI Bladebest blade | CNC milled blade | 34 in | Built-in alignment line | Feedback on where you struck it |
| Wilson Harmonized X5big brand mallet | Large mallet | 34 in | Standard sightline | Buyers who want a known name |
| PGM Old Glorymost visible head | Oversized zinc alloy mallet | 34 in | Three contrasting lines | Players who struggle to aim |
| Aspire PRO-Xheel and toe weighted | High MOI mallet | Standard | Bold lines and sight aids | Off-center strikes |
| KOFULL Blade Putterlongest shaft | Zinc alloy blade | 35 in | Three aiming lines | Taller players and indoor practice |
| Asyxstar Two-Way Putterambidextrous | Two-way alloy head | 33 in | Single alignment line | Left and right handed use |
| GoSports Classic Puttercheapest | Two-way cast iron | 35 in | None | Home practice and mini golf |
| Cobra Classic Malletthe upgrade | CNC machined mallet | Standard | Single tour sightline | Beginners who will not upgrade again |
The ten beginner putters in detail
- Headhigh MOI mallet
- Length35 inches, right handed
- Hoselplumber's neck, offset
- Facesoft TPU insert
- Alignmentcontrasting bi-color sightline
- In the boxheadcover
Best for: A first putter for someone who will actually play nine or eighteen holes rather than practice on a carpet
This is the putter to buy if you do not want to research putters. Everything in it is aimed at the same problem: a beginner does not strike the middle of the face, and a high MOI mallet head loses the least distance and direction when that happens.
The rest of the specification is conventional in the way that helps. A plumber's neck hosel with offset puts the hands ahead of the ball at address, the TPU face insert keeps the sound and feel soft on fast greens, and the bi-color sightline gives you a line to set against the hole. At 35 inches it suits a taller player; shorter golfers should look at the 34 and 33 inch options further down.
Pros
- High MOI means the face stays squarer on the toe and heel strikes beginners make most
- The offset plumber's neck hosel sets your hands ahead of the ball, which is the position that starts a putt rolling instead of hopping
- The TPU insert softens impact, so long putts do not jump off the face
- A headcover is included, which is not a given under 50 dollars
Cons
- 35 inches is long for anyone under about 5 foot 9 and cannot be shortened without a new shaft
- Right handed only
- Orlimar publishes no head weight, so you cannot match it to a specific green speed
- Headmallet with perimeter weighting
- Length35 inches, right handed
- Hoselplumber's neck
- Facegrooved
- FinishNano white
- MOIraised by moving weight to the perimeter
Best for: Anyone who wants mallet forgiveness and does not want to spend more than about 30 dollars
The XRT Series 2 is the argument against spending more on your first putter. It has the two features that matter for a beginner, a perimeter-weighted mallet head and an offset plumber's neck, and it costs about the same as a dozen decent golf balls.
The white finish is a practical detail rather than a styling one. Against grass, a white head shows the face angle clearly at address, which is exactly what a new player cannot yet feel. The grooved face is Powerbilt's answer to skidding, and the trade for the low price is feel: without an insert, impact is firm and loud compared with the TPU-faced putters here.
Pros
- Around 30 dollars for a full-size perimeter-weighted mallet, which is the cheapest real course putter here
- The grooved face is meant to get the ball rolling forward earlier instead of skidding
- A white head stands out against the green, which makes squaring the face easier to see
- Same plumber's neck hosel geometry as putters costing three times as much
Cons
- No face insert, so the feel is firmer than the Orlimar on long putts
- 35 inches only, with no shorter version
- No headcover in the box
- HeadCNC milled stainless steel blade
- Length34 inches, right handed
- Weightingperimeter weighted for higher MOI
- Alignmentbuilt-in alignment line
- Faceprecision milled for consistent roll
- Gripergonomic, balanced weighting
Best for: A beginner who prefers the smaller blade shape and wants to feel where on the face the ball came off
Blades are the traditional shape, and they are less forgiving than mallets, but they tell you more. The POSSOT is a compromise between the two: a blade profile with perimeter weighting, so the head twists less on off-center hits than a classic blade would.
The milled stainless face is the reason to pick it over the cheaper blades further down. It gives a consistent roll and a clear difference in feel between a center strike and a toe strike, which is how you find the center of the face without a coach. At 34 inches it suits average height, and the balanced weighting keeps the stroke steady without a heavy counterweight in the grip.
Pros
- A milled stainless face gives crisp, honest feedback, so you learn where you are striking it
- Perimeter weighting adds forgiveness that a traditional blade does not have
- 34 inches fits the majority of adult players without adjustment
- The alignment line squares the face at address, which is the main aiming problem beginners have
Cons
- Even a high MOI blade twists more on a mishit than any mallet in this list
- Right handed only
- A milled face feels firm, which takes getting used to on fast greens
- Headlarge mallet
- Length34 inches
- Handright
- Gripstandard
- SeriesHarmonized
- Shapeoversized head for stability
Best for: Buyers who want a putter from a golf brand they recognize and a 34 inch length
The Harmonized X5 is the recognizable-name option. The head is a large mallet, which is the most forgiving shape here, and the length is 34 inches, which suits more adults than the 35 inch clubs above.
What you do not get is information. Wilson lists the hand, the head shape and the grip, and nothing else, so if you want a published head weight or face material you should buy the Orlimar or the POSSOT instead. As a putter to pick up and use it is sound; as a spec sheet it is thin, and the price sits well above the cheaper mallets that do the same thing.
Pros
- A large mallet head is the most stable shape in this list on off-center strikes
- 34 inches fits average adult height without a shaft change
- Wilson putters are widely stocked, so grips and headcovers are easy to find
- The Harmonized line has been sold long enough that used and alternative lengths turn up regularly
Cons
- Wilson publishes very little detail on this model, so face material and head weight are unknown
- At around 70 dollars it costs twice the Powerbilt for a similar job
- Right handed only
- Headoversized zinc alloy mallet, high MOI
- Length34 inches, right handed
- Alignmentred, white and blue contrasting lines
- Shaftseamless stainless steel
- Gripdurable PU
- Usersmen and women
Best for: Players who cannot tell whether the face is square and need the strongest possible visual reference
The Old Glory exists to be seen. The head is an oversized zinc alloy mallet with red, white and blue lines running back from the face, and at address that gives you more visual information about face angle than anything else here.
Underneath the paint it is a conventional high MOI mallet with a stainless shaft and a PU grip. If aiming is your weak point rather than stroke length, the extra lines are worth more than a milled face would be. If you would rather not carry a patriotic putter, the Aspire and Wilson mallets below do the same job quietly.
Pros
- Three contrasting alignment lines are the clearest aiming aid in this list
- The oversized zinc alloy head raises MOI, so distance control holds up on mishits
- A seamless stainless shaft with a PU grip is a step up from the rubber grips on the budget clubs
- 34 inches suits average height
Cons
- The flag-themed finish is loud and will not suit everyone
- Zinc alloy is heavier and softer than the milled steel used on the more expensive heads
- At 75 dollars it is priced against putters from bigger brands
- Headhigh MOI mallet with perimeter weighting
- Weightingheel and toe weights for stroke stability
- Alignmentbold lines with contrasting sight aids
- Faceengineered for a soft, responsive feel
- In the boxmatching headcover
- Finishblack
Best for: A beginner whose strike wanders across the face and who wants the head to fight the twist
The PRO-X is a mallet built around one idea: keep the face square when you miss the middle. Perimeter weighting raises MOI generally, and the heel and toe weights push that further by putting mass at the two points a twisting head rotates around.
The rest is a tidy package for around 70 dollars: bold alignment aids, a face tuned for a softer impact than the budget mallets manage, and a headcover in the box. The catch is availability, since this listing runs down to a handful of units, so check stock before you set your heart on it.
Pros
- Heel and toe weights specifically target twisting on off-center strikes, which is the beginner miss
- Bold contrasting sight aids make setup easier than a single thin line
- The face is tuned for a soft feel, so it is gentler than the bare grooved faces here
- A matching headcover is included
Cons
- Stock is thin and the listing has run down to single-digit quantities
- Aspire does not publish a length or head weight for this model
- The black finish shows scuffs from the bottom of a bag
- Headzinc alloy blade, 350 g
- Shaftstainless steel, 113 g
- Length35 inches, right handed
- Alignmentthree aiming lines with an aiming channel
- Gripnatural rubber, textured grooves
- Useindoor and outdoor
Best for: Taller players and anyone who mostly practices indoors on a mat
The KOFULL is the practice-room blade. At 35 inches with a 350 g head, it is built for a taller player, and the three aiming lines and channel on the crown give a clear reference when you are lining up on a mat rather than a green.
It is honest about what it is. The zinc alloy head will not survive being thrown in a cart bag without a cover, and the feel is firmer and duller than a milled face. For 30 dollars, with published weights and a proper stainless shaft, it is a reasonable first blade for someone who is still deciding whether blades suit them.
Pros
- One of the few putters here with published head and shaft weights, 350 g and 113 g
- Three aiming lines plus an aiming channel is a lot of alignment help for a blade
- The natural rubber grip is textured and odorless, which matters for indoor use
- Around 30 dollars, the cheapest blade in this list with a steel shaft
Cons
- 35 inches is too long for most players under 5 foot 9
- Zinc alloy is softer than milled steel and marks more easily
- No headcover, so the face rubs against everything else in the bag
- Headtwo-way alloy, usable from either side
- Length33 inches
- Shaftaluminum alloy, thick coating
- Griptextured non-slip rubber
- Assemblybreaks down into four parts
- Extraspractice balls included
Best for: Left handed beginners, shared households, and anyone who wants a club that fits in a suitcase
The Asyxstar solves a different problem than the mallets above. It has a symmetrical head you can putt with from either side, so a left handed player, a right handed player and a child can share it, and it comes apart into four pieces for travel.
That symmetry is also its limit. Without offset and with a light aluminum shaft, it does not set up the way a course putter does, and the feel is thin. As a first club for a hallway carpet, a hotel room or a putting green session with mixed-handed friends it is 20 dollars well spent; as your putter for a scored round it is not enough.
Pros
- A two-way head means one club works for left and right handed players, which no other putter here does
- 33 inches suits shorter adults and teenagers
- It disassembles into four parts and fits in a bag or a case
- Practice balls are included, so it works out of the box on a carpet
Cons
- A symmetrical two-way head cannot have offset or a real hosel, so the geometry is a compromise
- The aluminum shaft is light and flexes more than steel
- This is a practice club, not something to take on a course
- Headtwo-way cast iron, blade or two-way option
- Length35 inches
- Griptwo-way ambidextrous rubberized grip
- Usersmen and women
- Designdesigned in the USA
- Useindoor greens, mini golf, club practice
Best for: A knockaround putter for the office, the garage or a putt-putt course
The GoSports Classic is the cheapest club here and it is not pretending otherwise. It is a two-way cast iron head on a 35 inch shaft with an ambidextrous rubber grip, built the way basic putters were built decades ago.
Cast iron is the reason it is worth mentioning at all: at 25 dollars most putters use thin zinc, and this one has enough mass to roll a ball properly on carpet or on a practice green. There is no sightline, no insert and no offset, so treat it as an indoor and mini golf club and buy one of the mallets above for actual rounds.
Pros
- Cast iron rather than the cheap zinc used on most putters at this price
- The ambidextrous grip and two-way head work for either hand
- 35 inches is full adult length, so the stroke matches the one you use on a course
- Cheap enough to leave somewhere permanently, which is the point
Cons
- No alignment line at all, so you aim by eye
- Cast iron with no face treatment gives a hard, loud impact
- The two-way head has no offset and does not mirror a course putter's setup
- Headclassic mallet
- FaceCNC machined for a soft feel and consistent roll
- Alignmentclean topline with a single tour-style sightline
- Shafttraditional steel
- Feelsoft with a clean sound at impact
- BrandCobra Golf
Best for: A beginner who knows they will keep playing and would rather buy one putter than two
This is the one putter here that a beginner will not outgrow. The face is CNC machined rather than cast, which is what keeps roll consistent across the face and keeps the sound clean, and the head is a classic mallet with a plain topline and one sightline.
The reasoning behind buying it early is simple: the aiming picture is the one used at the top of the game, so if you start with it you never have to relearn a setup. The reasoning against it is equally simple. If you are not yet sure you will keep playing, the Orlimar at a third of the price does most of the same work.
Pros
- A CNC machined face is the most consistent surface in this list and does not wear like cast heads
- The single sightline and clean topline are the setup most tour players use, so nothing has to be unlearned later
- A traditional steel shaft keeps the head steady through impact
- Cobra is a full golf brand, with grips, covers and service to match
Cons
- At around 130 dollars it costs four times the budget mallets here
- Cobra publishes no length or head weight for this listing
- The plain single sightline gives less aiming help than the PGM or Aspire heads
Checklist: What Makes a Great Golf Putter for Beginners
- Design Adaptability: A beginner's putter should ideally cater to both left and right-handed players, offering ambidextrous capabilities to accommodate individual playing styles and preferences.
- Club Length: An optimal length for a beginner's putter typically ranges from 33-35 inches, which is suitable for the average height, ensuring a comfortable posture and swing mechanics.
- Weight Balance: The putter should have a balanced weight to provide stability and control during the putt. A weight of around 350-380 grams is favorable for steady and consistent ball striking.
- Alignment Assistance: Look for putters featuring alignment aids, such as lines or markers, which help beginners accurately aim and improve their overall putting accuracy.
- Comfortable Grip: A non-slip grip material is essential, as it allows new players to hold the club confidently and minimizes the risk of inconsistent strokes due to slippage.
- Disassembly Feature: A putter that can be disassembled into parts promotes easy transportation and storage, particularly beneficial for beginners who may utilize various practice locations.
FAQ
What should beginners look for in a golf putter?
Beginners should look for a putter with ambidextrous capabilities, alignment aids, a comfortable non-slip grip, and a balanced weight suitable for consistent ball striking.
Is club length important when choosing a putter?
Yes, club length is important for a putter, with a range of 33-35 inches being ideal to ensure a comfortable posture and swing mechanics for beginners.
Can a putter's design influence a beginner golfer's performance?
A putter's design, including its weight balance and alignment assistance, can significantly aid a beginner in accurately aiming and providing stability during their putt.
