Golf is a game of small margins, and no club tests those margins quite like your putter. You can smash your drives and recover all day, but if that flat stick lets you down when it matters most, none of it counts for much when it comes to your scorecard.
With more putter styles, lengths and price points out there than ever before, choosing a new putter can feel more complicated than it should. But don’t worry, Clarkes Golf is here to help. So here’s our complete guide to everything worth thinking about before you part with your hard-earned cash.
Blade putter vs mallet putter
Blade putters are the traditionalist's choice (and a personal favourite): slim, compact heads that suit an arcing stroke and reward a clean strike with excellent feel.
Mallets take the opposite approach, with bigger heads and more perimeter weighting, making them the go-to for golfers who want a helping hand on off-centre hits.
Neither is objectively better, though - it comes down to your natural stroke. Full breakdown here: Blade vs Mallet Putter: Which is best for your game?
Finding the right putter length for your game
Putter length might be the most underrated fitting variable in the bag. Standard putters run between 33 and 35 inches, and getting this right affects your posture and eye position at address - too long and you’ll stand too upright, too short and you’re hunching over the ball.
As a rough guide, golfers up to around 5'10" tend to suit 34 inches, with taller players leaning towards 35. You can find our full lowdown here: What Length Putter Do I Need?
What makes premium putters worth the investment?
Browse putters for long enough and the price gap between entry-level models and the likes of Scotty Cameron putters can be eye-watering. In Scotty’s case, it’s precision: every putter is CNC-milled to extremely tight tolerances, with weighting refined across decades of tour feedback - which is why so many of the best players in the world reach for one.
You don’t need to spend big to putt well, but if you want a putter that feels like a genuine investment, browse our Scotty Cameron putters, or read What Makes Scotty Cameron Putters So Special?
What the pros are putting with right now
Want to know where putter technology is heading? Look at what’s in the bags on tour.
Rory McIlroy has used a TaylorMade Spider Tour X throughout his recent form, including his 2025 Masters win, and Spider-style mallets have become a tour fixture thanks to their stability and forgiveness.
Find out exactly which model Rory relies on in Which TaylorMade Spider Putter Does Rory McIlroy Use?, or browse our TaylorMade Spider putters.
How two of the most popular putters compare
The Ping Kushin 4 and Odyssey 2-Ball Ten S Stroke Lab are two of our most popular putters, aimed at slightly different strokes - the Odyssey a toe-hang mallet built for forgiveness, the Ping prized for how customisable it is.
See the full comparison in Ping 2021 Kushin 4 Golf Putter vs Odyssey 2-Ball Ten S Stroke Lab Golf Putter. Since then, Odyssey has pushed things further with its Square 2 Square line, designed to keep the clubface square throughout the stroke - read more in Are the New Odyssey Square 2 Square Putters What Your Short Game Is Missing?
Improving your putting without changing your putter
A new putter can only take you so far - if your technique needs work, no amount of milled steel will fix it alone. Simple drills, like the "gate drill" popularised by Tiger Woods, sharpen up your stroke path fast. Find five of our favourites in 5 Putting Drills That Can Instantly Reduce Your Scores. Uphill putts especially catch golfers out, tempting an overly firm, jabby stroke - if sloping greens have been costing you strokes, read The Secrets to Putting Uphill Every Golfer Should Know
Our top putter picks for beginners
Mallet putters tend to be the more forgiving option for new players thanks to their larger sweet spot, so something like an Odyssey Square 2 Square Max is a great place to start. That said, plenty of beginners prefer the simplicity of a blade putter - the smaller head feels far less intimidating while you're still finding your stroke. Browse our full range of blade putters, or pop into store and let our team point you the right direction.
Our top putter picks for mid-handicappers
Mid-handicappers tend to benefit from putters that blend forgiveness with more feel and customisation - think TaylorMade Spider mallets for tour-proven stability, a Ping Kushin if your stroke has some natural arc, or the latest Odyssey Square 2 Square range if face rotation has been an issue. At this stage it's less about beginner versus advanced and more about matching the putter to your stroke, so a quick fitting session can make a real difference.
Find your perfect putter at Clarkes Golf
Choosing the right putter comes down to understanding your stroke, your stance and what gives you the most confidence over the ball. Take a look at our full range of golf putters, or get in touch with our team for personalised recommendations.