Best Mallet Putters 2023
The best of the best! We roundup the best mallet putters of 2023
Welcome to our exhaustive review of the best mallet putters of 2023, a curated list showcasing the recent innovations and top performers in the golf world. The focus of our examination includes a diverse range of state-of-the-art putters that have piqued the interest of both professional and recreational golfers alike.
Our all-star lineup for today’s review comprises of the TaylorMade Spider GTX, the Evnroll EV5.2, the Odyssey White Hot Versa Twelve, the TaylorMade TP Reserve M47, the Cleveland Frontline Elite RHO, and the Ping Tyne G. Our in-depth analysis is designed to equip you, whether a seasoned golfer looking to enhance your play, or a beginner striving to invest in excellent gear, with the necessary insights to select the ideal putter for your needs.
Best Mallet Putters 2023
TaylorMade Spider GTX Putter
It’s hard to find fault in the aesthetics of the Spider GTX putter. It sits extremely square, and the contrasting colours make it super easy to line up. It won’t help you make more putts, but I love how the grip colour matches the head colour too.
Straight off the bat, I really like how the GTX putter looks. It has fairly soft edges, but the sharply contrasting colours make it really easy to point the putter at your desired start line. I certainly felt that inside 10ft, I could aim the putter much more accurately.
The big change from last season is the stability bar that TaylorMade has put on the back of the GTX. The 154-gram steel bar adds a ton of weight to the back of the putter, moving CoG backwards and making the putter much more forgiving.
This backwards weight position felt very different to me, almost like it made me add loft or hit up on the ball more. I did, however, notice how little the face rotates on misstrikes and how well the ball rolls out, which is a big win for golfers.
This is a great putter, and I had loads of fun testing it. After 5 minutes of using it, you almost relax as the sweet spot is so big you don’t have to worry about the strike and instead can focus more on line or speed. If you are a face-balanced fan, you should definitely have a go with one!
PROS
- Hugely forgiving
- Easy to line up
- Contact feels soft
CONS
- No thin grip standard options
- RELATED: Read our full TaylorMade Spider GTX Putter review
More information: Taylormade Website
Evnroll EV5.2 Putter
The lines on this putter are so clean. I couldn’t tell you if it’s the two-tone head, the standard single top sightline, the linear rear wing, or the two longer lines, but standing over this putter, there are so many ways to line up correctly it genuinely gives you the feeling you can’t miss.
As a blade putter die-hard, I don’t often get excited about mallet putters. Too big, too clunky, too face balanced, and often with giant grips mean I’ve not had many last long in my bag. Evnroll, however, allowed me the choice of head style, hosel style, alignment aids, and finish, which meant I was able to order a putter that really suits my eye and my putting style.
My initial feelings were brilliant, I find that often mallets feel closed to me, which emphasises the pull that upsets me greatly, but the Evnroll EV5.2 just sits so square and beautifully behind the ball. I love the line on the top of the head that runs directly into the ball.
Sweet face technology is what Evnroll have called their variable groove thickness technology, which means that putts from the heel and toe will roll the same distance to a putt hit out of the centre. This is a huge victory for golfers as they a) don’t practice their putting and b) don’t regularly hit the middle of the face as often as they believe.
If you’re a golf tech geek and are looking to swap out your flat stick for something new, or just looking to invest in a putter that will help your performance, you absolutely must give the Evnroll EV5.2 putter a go. It is a bit pricey at nearly £400, but it’s well worth the investment. The customisation alone is worth the cost; it really is a brilliant putter.
PROS
- Beautiful shape
- Loads of custom options
- High MOI means miss-hits perform really well.
CONS
- A bit pricey
- RELATED: Read our full Evnroll EV5.2 Putter Review
More info: Evnroll website
Odyssey White Hot Versa Twelve
The first thing that struck me about this putter was a huge white line that strikes through the middle of the head. This is a much larger putter than I’ve used before and so it was only fitting that there is a larger alignment aid. The thick white line on the black head is part of Odyssey’s high-contrast Versa alignment system that dominates the tours. I really liked how this looks and the smaller black line through the white line is also a great addition to help with alignment. From that, there is a small section of steel shaft, followed by the majority which is a red carbon shaft that looks great too.
Having used an Odyssey mallet putter for around 4 years I was very much familiar with the strike that this putter produced. The classic white hot face insert provided the much-loved sound and feel that you would expect from an Odyssey putter. The ball bounces off of that insert quite softly which I don’t mind but this is very much a personal feel thing and it won’t be for everyone.
The only real query that I have with this putter is the fact that Odyssey only offers it with one grip size. As someone who prefers a thicker grip, it’s a shame that there isn’t an upgrade option but nonetheless, this can be altered at any pro shop.
Overall, this is a great putter and I really enjoyed using it. If you’re someone who loves mallet putters and is looking for an upgrade this one is definitely worth a try and well if you’re not, maybe this one might sway your decision.
PROS
- Very square behind the ball
- Forward centre of gravity feels solid at impact
- High MOI means miss hits perform really well
CONS
- None!
- RELATED: Read our full Odyssey White Hot Versa Twelve Putter review
More info: Odyssey Golf
TaylorMade TP Reserve M47 putter
The M47 is the smallest mallet putter in the new TP Reserve line and offers that hybrid between a blade and a mallet for those players who want a little more forgiveness than a blade without having a hefty mallet. The M47 also has the widest topline of the three mallet heads.
Initially, I was unsure about the lack of alignment line on the top line but I actually found it really easy to start the ball on line without this. I think the deeper cavity in the middle section of the putter helps with this as it allows you to frame the golf ball nicely.
The new TP Reserve putters are milled from 303 stainless steel, and feel more art than science. Each putter is individually milled, which takes around forty-five minutes for one engineer to complete, this is a very labour-intensive process to deliver the detail and finish you expect from this type of putter. Some of the detailing is so fine that you can’t actually see it with the human eye alone.
Overall, I think that the TP Reserve M47 is a great putter and definitely something that I am considering putting in play. If you are after a classic looking mid-mallet design this is a really good option.
PROS
- Amazing detail
- Classic sleek design
- Premium leather headcover
- Soft feel off the face
CONS
- No alignment aid on the top line
- RELATED: Read our full TaylorMade TP Reserve M47 putter review
More information: Taylormade Website
Cleveland Frontline Elite RHO putter
As putters go, this one looks pretty good. The black head mallet head certainly suited my eye, and the large white alignment strip seems a great addition for golfers of all abilities.
Cleveland has seriously gone to town with the technology in this putter. One of the first major changes Cleveland has made is the upgraded Tungsten SOFT face plate. This face weight moves the putter’s centre of gravity forward. Doing this allows the putter to move along a smaller arch, meaning those mishits are more controlled. Additional weights are at the base of the putter, they can be removed or changed, and counterbalance weights beneath the grip have been added.
The Cleveland Frontline Elite RHO is offered in two different variations, the Slant Neck and this one which is the Single Bend. The difference is that this putter favours those with straighter strokes. As I fall into this category of golfer, I really got on with this putter. In addition, a Lampkin Sinkfit Pistol grip is used, which being oversized, helps to keep the hands quiet yet maintain stability in the stroke.
Overall, look no further if you’re a golfer with a fairly straight back and through stroke looking for a little bit more forgiveness from a putter. The Cleveland Frontline Elite RHO Single Bend certainly offers plenty of tech for its price tag!
PROS
- Looks great
- Easy to line up
- Hardwearing grip
CONS
- Headcover not overly secure
- RELATED: Read our full Cleveland Frontline Elite RHO putter review
More information: Cleveland Golf
Ping Tyne G putter
Straight away this has a unique, stand-put design due to the ball pickup cutout feature in the centre of the putter head. Although this may just seem like a ease of use feature it also helps add forgiveness by moving more weight to the perimeter for added stability.
I got the chance to test this at a couple of different courses. The first being a typical parkland course in the heart of Cumbria. The greens were firm but a tad on the slow side, and I naturally found myself having to swing the putter a little like a driver at times. I hit a couple of comparison putts to see the difference between the Tyne G and my current putter, and the Ping certainly came off a little softer than my Cleveland.
This is due to the new Pebax insert with a shallow milled surround, you can see the insert is actually very small compared to the width of the face. As per the Ping website, they have swayed away from the previously used milled face inserts that have a firmer feel.
Due to the single bend shaft this putter is tailored towards those straighter stroke golfers. I would definitely put myself in this category, and I very much enjoyed using it. If however you are someone who requires more toe hang you may be better at looking at some other heads in the range with different hosel options.
PROS
- Feels nice off of the face
- Unique design
- Easy-to-use alignment
CONS
- Pricey
- RELATED: Read our full Ping Tyne G Putter review
More info: PING
As we wrap up our thorough review of the best mallet putters of 2023, it’s clear that these top-rated golf products – TaylorMade Spider GTX, the Evnroll EV5.2, the Odyssey White Hot Versa Twelve, the TaylorMade TP Reserve M47, the Cleveland Frontline Elite RHO, and the Ping Tyne G – offer a vast range of options to cater to diverse golfer needs. Each of these game-changing putters brings unique features and exceptional performance to the golf course, accommodating a wide array of playstyles and preferences.
The final selection, of course, hinges on your personal comfort, playing style, and budget considerations. We suggest you get a hands-on experience with these putters, if possible, to understand what works best for you. One thing is certain though, regardless of your choice, each of these putters manifests the exciting technological strides being made in golf gear, making it a thrilling time to be involved in the sport. May your strokes be steady, and your game ever improving!
Nicola Slater
Nicola recently graduated from Stirling University where she studied Sports Studies, she wrote her dissertation on barriers to participation for women in golf.
Nicola plays her golf at Hickleton and she currently plays off +3. Having played for Yorkshire Ladies and has represented England at junior and senior level, she will soon be beginning her professional career on LETAS.
