The 6 best putters to transform your mid-handicap into a low-handicap

Welcome to our comprehensive guide of the best putters for mid-handicappers. In this article, we highlight the most forgiving putters that might just help you move towards a single-figure handicap. Our review covers a wide variety of cutting-edge putters that cater for the golfer who is looking to take their putting to the next level. With our detailed insights, you’ll be well-equipped to make an informed choice in selecting the perfect putter to match your playing style and skill level.

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Best Putters for Mid-Handicappers

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Reviewed by Hannah Holden

This is a great putter which will suit a wide variety of golfers.

This is clearly a mallet offering, but I like that it is more compact and has high-end details and finishings.

I love the one long line across the middle of the putter as it makes me feel really confident when aiming the club head. I also found the more raised front and middle ‘T’ shaped structure frames the ball very nicely.

The Stingray model is a face-balanced mallet with a single bend shaft. This worked really well for my fairly straight back and through putting stroke, and I found it really easy to start the ball on line with the model. If you like this shape but have more of an arcing stroke the Stingray-30 offers the same head design but with a short slant neck hosel which adds more toe hang.

Overall, I really enjoyed testing this putter. I think Cobra has done a great job of balancing a more classic aesthetic (compared to the 3D Printed Series) and new technology to make a putter that looks great and delivers high-quality performance.

PROS

• Great alignment features
• Great sound
• Soft feel off the face

CONS

• Only offer 34 or 35 inch shaft lengths

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• RELATED: Read our full Cobra Stingray Vintage putter review

More information: Cobra website

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Reviewed by Nicola Slater

The new HB Soft 2 ‘Blade 1’ is one of nine new putters from Cleveland for 2024 as part of their new HB Soft 2 collection. Each putter in the range has been given a unique name or number with this classic blade shape being designated as number 1.

Despite looking like a simple blade putter, Cleveland has vamped up the technology since the previous HB Soft range.

The putter face on the Cleveland HB Soft 2, 1 is a thing of beauty and something that simply cannot be ignored when using it. The dynamic groove aggressive milling pattern is unique in every model of the putter in the range, and it’s there to help normalise the ball speed across the striking area. Doing this allows for more consistent ball speed so that player can better judge pace regardless of strike location.

Overall, if you’re a player with a slightly arched stroke who wants a putter that will provide ample forgiveness of the face regardless of strike location, this is a great option. Retailing at £139 it is a very reasonable price for a quality blade putter.

PROS

• Sleek design and shaping
• Feels nice off of the face
• Well priced

CONS

• Nothing really

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• RELATED: Read our full Cleveland HB Soft 2 Putter Review

More info: Cleveland Golf

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Reviewed by Matt Coles

Having played with some of the other putters in the Odyssey AI-One Milled Putter range, I had high hopes for the Six T. It did not disappoint.

Even before the putter comes out, the headcover is a piece of art. The navy, gold and white design screams quality, and with a magnetised lock and fur-lined inside, it is high-quality.

Then you see the putter itself, and it looks sublime. The dark navy finish is sleek and stylish, while the champagne-coloured milled insert is exquisitely designed and fitted. When you lie the putter behind a ball, the white line down the centre really helps to line the club in the centre of the ball. The line contrasts brilliantly against the navy setting of the putter itself.

Those who play with Odyssey putters already will certainly want to take a look at the new technology, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some people (including myself) finally jump on the Odyssey train.

I can safely say that I will be looking at putting an Odyssey Ai-One Milled Putter into my bag, and the Six T is high up the list of favourites for the role.

PROS

• Looks stunning
• Stroke Lab shaft
• Thick grip
• Lots of configurations

CONS

• Expensive

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• RELATED: Read our full Odyssey Ai-One Milled Six T Putter Review

More info: Odyssey UK / Odyssey US

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Reviewed by Jack Backhouse

With this putter, you get incredible stability and sound, as well as all of TaylorMade’s alignment aids that will help you make more putts on the golf course.

As a blade putter user, at first glance, most mallet putters look pretty big and chunky to me, but the longer I hold the TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter in my hand, the more attractive it becomes to me. The gun-metal PVD finish gives it a space travel feel, and I absolutely love the optically engineered alignment aids. The white True Path alignment system on the top of the head makes it basically impossible to aim the putter badly, which gives you loads of confidence on the greens.

I really enjoyed the feel of the putter on impact, it is a lot softer than the TP reserve putter I am using that doesn’t have a face insert, and it also has a good sound too. In testing I was quickly able to get used to the softer launch speed and control distance nicely. The Spider Tour X is so stable on miss strikes so you do generally get good distance regardless of contact point, which is the help we all need.

If you are looking for a putter change-up or are simply a Spider Tour putter fan, you should get out and roll a few with the new Spider Tour X. You will not be disappointed.

PROS

• Used by loads of top players
• Very forgiving
• Great sound
• Soft feel off the face

CONS

• Stock models only available with SuperStroke grip (other grips available in customs)

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• RELATED: Read our full TaylorMade Spider Tour X putter review

More information: TaylorMade website

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Reviewed by Nicola Slater

The M47 is the smallest mallet in the TP Reserve range. For those who don’t want a big and heavy mallet, this is a great alternative.

Straight away, I loved the way this putter sat behind the ball. For me, this style and shape really suited my eye, which helps.

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.

While the milling on the face may look similar to the pure roll insert grooves we see on other TaylorMade putters, it isn’t there for the purpose of improving ball roll. This milling is designed to control the sound and feel, which certainly works as this putter felt extremely soft off the face.

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.

Each putter in the TP Reserve line comes with a premium leather headcover, with a soft fleece lining.

PROS

• Amazing detail
• Classic sleek design
• Premium leather headcover
• Soft feel off the face

CONS

• No alignment aid on the top line

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• RELATED: Read our full TaylorMade TP Reserve M47 putter review

More info: TaylorMade website

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Reviewed by Jack Backhouse

The first big change Zebra made with the new generation of putters is changing the head colour from S silver to black, and it was a brilliant decision. The grey and white alignment lines contrast really well against the black, and it makes it really easy to point the putter in the direction you want to hit it.

I tested this putter out on the course, first thing in the morning straight after the greens had been cut and ironed, perfect conditions for a putter testing. What I noticed straight away is that it felt so easy to keep the putter face square throughout the whole stroke. The AIT 3 is a face-balanced model with adjustable weights on the sole, which help the putter swing in balance.

I know when you’re putting you’re not supposed to take any notice of what the putter is doing in the stroke, but throughout the swing, out of the corner of your eye, you can see that the Zebra stripes are still pointing towards the hole and this gives you loads of confidence that you are going to hit more putts on line. It almost feels like the putter is locked in on a train track.

Everything about this putter feels to be built towards helping you aim better and hit more putts online, one of the essential 3 skills you need to be good at to be a great putter.

PROS

• Hugely forgiving
• Easy to line up
• Contact feels soft

CONS

• No thin grip standard options

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• RELATED: Read our full Zebra AIT 3 putter review

More information: Zebra UK / Zebra US

Best Putters For Mid-Handicappers

As we conclude our in-depth review of the best putters for mid-handicappers, it’s evident that the top contenders – Cobra Stingray Vintage, Cleveland HB Soft 2, Odyssey Ai-One Milled Six T, TaylorMade Spider Tour X, TaylorMade TP Reserve M47, Zebra AIT 3 – offer a wealth of options tailored to meet the diverse needs of golfers. Each of these innovative putters boasts distinctive features and outstanding performance, catering to various putting styles and individual preferences.

Ultimately, your final choice should reflect your personal comfort, playing style, and budget. We encourage you to try out these putters first-hand whenever possible to see which one resonates with you the most.

Regardless of which model you choose, each of these putters highlights the exciting advancements in golfing technology, which hopefully will result in you taking fewer putts and not more. Will one of the 6 best putters to help go from mid-handicap into a low-handicap hold the key?

Here’s to steady strokes and the near elimination of 3 putts!