Introducing Best in Class: Putters
Choosing a putter has always been part science, part gut feel, and part guesswork. Golfers rely on brand reputation, a quick roll on an indoor putting mat, a golf course putting green, or advice from a friend who swears by their latest model. We wanted to replace that guesswork with something more rigorous – so we built a testing process designed to find out, category by category, which putters genuinely perform best.
Data led rankings
Welcome to Best in Class, a new review series where we put equipment through structured, data-led testing to find the standout performers in each category. First up is putters.
We’ve tested 35 putters spanning blades, mallets, and zero-torque designs, and have evaluated them across nine categories: looks, adjustability, feel, technology, stability, sound, value, forgiveness, and consistency.
Each category carries its own weighting within a 100-point scoring system – forgiveness (20 points) and stability (15 points) carry the most weight, reflecting how much they influence on course putting, while adjustability (5 points) plays a smaller role. Every putter was scored individually against this system, giving us a best performer in each category, as well as an overall Best in Class winner.
Structured testing
Each putter faced the same structured test: 15 putts per putter, five each from short, mid, and long range. Rather than relying on a single scratch golfer, we used five testers spanning a range of handicaps to give us a fuller picture of how each putter performs for different strokes and skill levels.
That’s over 2,500 putts struck across the test. It was carried out on the same practice putting green at Alwoodley Golf Club, using a TaylorMade TP5 ball, to keep conditions consistent from putter to putter.
The winners
What follows is the result of that testing: the top 15 putters from our full rankings. The complete list of winners across all nine categories is available in the YouTube video below, where Nicola Slater goes through the full testing process and the results in more detail.
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This is the first entry in what we hope becomes a genuinely useful resource – a way of cutting through marketing claims and finding out what actually performs. Next we’ll be tackling Best in Class Wedges, so be sure to watch this space.
The Top 15 Putters 2026
Best Overall
LAB OZ.1
The LAB Golf OZ.1 was the standout performer in our 2026 NCG Best in Class putters testing. The zero-torque mallet delivered the complete blend of forgiveness, consistency and stability across our entire panel. While it didn’t score overly high in terms of looks, the D shaped mallet did rank highly in many other areas.
LAB use Lie Angle Balance technology to create a putter that naturally doesn’t want to rotate open or close during the stroke. This is done by weight that is perfectly balanced around the shaft. This helps to keep the face incredibly stable throughout the stroke, helping golfers return it square to impact with minimal manipulation.
This means that even if your stroke isn’t perfect each time, the putter helps to reduce inconsistent face angles at impact. The LAB OZ.1 scored high marks for consistency, with the ball more often starting on the intended line.
This putter sits in a premium price category due to its extensive customisation options. This won’t suit every golfer but if performance is your priority, the OZ.1 justified its position as our Best Overall Putter.
2nd Overall
TaylorMade Spider Tour X Torched
The TaylorMade Spider Tour X Torched secured second place in our 2026 NCG Best in Class Putters test. The replica of Rory McIlory’s putter offers impressive looks as well as being one of the strongest performers for forgiveness and stability, something the Spider franchise strives to deliver.
The Spider Tour X Torched creates this through a high MOI construction, where weight is distributed around the permitter of the head. This weighting helps to resist twisting on off centre strikes.
Feel was also highlighted as a strong area for the Tour X during testing. The Pure Roll face insert has been designed to create a soft feel that promotes a consistent forward roll.
Looks were another positive, with the bold True Path alignment system making it incredibly easy to aim, while the striking torched finish ensuring it stands out behind the ball. Equipment Editor Nicola Slater said: “I really love the alignment aid on it. I think it’s really easy to square the ball up at address, and I just really love the feel of it off the face.”
The Spider Tour X Torched is a premium mallet that backs up its striking appearance with exceptional all-round performance, making it one of the very best putters we’ve tested this year.
3rd Overall
Ping Scottsdale Anser
The Ping Scottsdale Anser claimed third place in our 2026 NCG Best in Class Putters test. The Anser was first released in 1966 and while there was been some refinement the iconic blade still has plenty to offer. The new lightweight PEBAX face insert was a hit among the panel, as well as creating a soft and smooth sound that was also highly rated.
The classic Ping Anser head shape is designed with perimeter weighting that helps to reduce twisting when you don’t strike the ball perfectly in the centre. While blades aren’t known for their forgiveness, the Ping Anser impressed the panel. It also proved to be very consistent from a range of distances.
Panel member Matt Chivers said “I was actually really surprised by the Ping Scottsdale putter. I love the feel of it off the face. I really enjoyed the sound and feel of it.”
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The Ping Scottsdale Anser was marked down for adjustability, with length being the only adjustable option. However, the panel felt it was very reasonably priced for its standout performance on the greens.
This putter might be the answer for a lot of golfers who like the blade design but desire a softer feel off the face with a little more forgiveness.
4th Overall
Odyssey Ai-Dual #7 DB
The Odyssey Ai-Dual #7 DB was the fourth highest ranked putter in our test. The familiar oversized winged back mallet shaping helps to provide a high MOI. This is reflected in our panel’s scoring with forgiveness being one of the Ai-Dual #7 DB’s biggest strengths.
Odyssey’s Ai-Dual face insert is a multi-layer construction. A softer outer layer covers the firmer inner which, paired with new forward roll design grooves, helps to improve forward roll alongside consistent ball speed across the face. This consistency was recognised by our panel with an impressive average of 42 out of 50 in this category. The face design also performed well in sound and feel.
The Ai-Dual #7 DB is a putter built around alignment, forgiveness and consistency. Its face balanced design generally suits those with a straighter stroke but it was a hit with our panel.
5th Overall
Mizuno M.Craft Nagoya
The Mizuno M.Craft Nagoya finished fifth in our 2026 NCG Best in Class Putters test. It’s fully milled from 1025 carbon steel, combining premium craftsmanship with a clean, elegant, design. The Nagoya was one of the highest scorers in the looks category.
Not only does the milling create a sleek look, but it also creates exceptional feel thanks to the deep CNC milled face pattern. One of the panel noted that “the Nagoya was very good. Not only did it instil confidence, but as soon as you hit the ball it was extremely soft – a lovely feel.”
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That soft feel was translated into a softer sound that also scored highly. The Nogoya has a compact mallet shaping that doesn’t allow for any head-weighting adjustability and that cost marks. But our testers were impressed with the levels of consistency and forgiveness it offered.
The Mizuno Naygoya is a premium putter, constructed for exceptional sound and feel, with a strong all round performance.
6th Overall
Odyssey Ai-DUAL Jailbird Mini ½ Ball
The Odyssey Ai-Dual Jailbird Mini ½ ball takes the popular mallet shaping and adds in a distinctive alignment-focus to help golfers with their aim. Its black and white striped colourway helps golfers frame the ball at address.
Much like the Ai-Dual #7 DB, the Jailbird mini uses the same Ai-DUAL face insert to create a much-loved soft sound and feel. The face design also helps with consistency of roll and ball speed regardless of strike location and that was reflected in the panel’s scoring.
The stability of the Ai-Dual Jailbird Mini ½ ball was also highly praised by our panel. The face balanced putter is great for players with a straighter stroke and less face rotation.
This a very popular shape on tour and proved a favourite with our testers. Its high MOI design is complimented with a bold alignment aid and a soft face insert, providing the golfer with plenty of confidence, stability and forgiveness – particularly on off-centre strikes.
Tied 7th Overall
Odysessy Ai-Dual DW
Tied in 7th place was another Odyssey putter: their wide blade Ai-DUAL DW. It is designed to blend the traditional blade shaping with a higher moi design for increased stability.
The two piece Ai-Dual face insert proved to be popular with our panel. The soft feel creates a quiet sound that scored well. The grooves are deeper than previous generations and helps to improve forward roll. For a blade style, the Ai-DUAL DW received high marks for forgiveness. That is not something you would typically expect.
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This putter is packed with Ai design features yet keeps a sleek look at address with a single sight line. At the sole, weights are found at the heel and toe which can be adjusted to suit the player. But at standard settings, this shaping works best for players with a straighter stroke and less face rotation.
The Odyssey Ai-DUAL DW is a putter that blends a traditional shape with modern forgiveness, stability and face technology. It’s a great option for golfers who prefer the look and feel of a blade but still want the added confidence and consistency that comes from a wider, more stable, head design.
Tied 7th Overall
Mizuno M.Craft Osaka
The Mizuno M.Craft Osaka is a classic blade shaping, with a modern square-back, wide, blade profile. Its milled 1025E carbon steel make up gives it a premium look that was highly praised by our panel. On top, there is a simple single sight alignment aid that helps with the sleek design.
Not only does the milled construction look good but it also topped the best sound category alongside the slimmer Mizuno M.Craft Kyoto blade. The soft, responsive, sensation through impact made it a particularly enjoyable putter to use, while its 41 points out 50 consistency score showed the performance matched the premium feel.
While blades aren’t always known for their forgiveness or stability, the Osaka’s wider profile helped it score very respectfully in these categories.
Overall, the M.Craft Osaka is a premium crafted putter that by no means is defined by looks.
9th Overall
TaylorMade Spider Tour F Torched
The TaylorMade Tour F is a new addition to the Spider line up for 2026. Its fanged mallet shaping, with the new PVD torched finish, looks great with a single alignment line. The Spider Tour F received a respectable score for looks from our panel.
Matt Chivers said: “I was really quite impressed with the fang design. It instilled confidence. It had great stability when I was testing from both long range and short range. The feel was great. The sound off the face was great.”
The Spider Tour F uses the same TaylorMade’s Pure Roll face insert as the 2nd place Tour X, which scored well in the feel category. Behind the face, the HYBRAR ECHO Damper works to refine the sound and feel at impact and was reflected in an average sound score of 39 out of 50.
10th Overall
Mizuno M.Craft Tokyo
The Mizuno M.Craft Toyko is another winged back mallet and was only just behind the TaylorMade Spider Tour F. The black milled profile is created, using Grain Flow Forging in Japan, from premium 1025E carbon steel. The outcome is sleek and highly recognised by the panel, who gave it an average 40 out of 50 for looks.
The advanced channel wing geometry pushes weight back and wide to help stop the head from twisting. Our panel found the stability and forgiveness of the M.Craft Toyko to be impressive.
They also praised its sound and feel. Mizuno has used vibration management engineering to dull the sound – creating a firmer sound at impact.
A copper underlay beneath the reinforced trim layer is also designed to deliver Mizuno’s softest feel at impact.
The Mizuno M.Craft Tokyo is a high-MOI mallet which combines impressive stability and forgiveness with the premium looks and feel expected from the M.Craft range. Its stability score of 64 out of 75 was the strongest of the Mizuno models tested. It’s a great option for golfers who want the looks of the sleek M.Craft but with added support.
11th Overall
Scotty Cameron Fastback 2
The Scotty Cameron Fastback 2 is a compact mid-mallet, which sits between a blade and mallet. The rounded profile is created using 303 stainless steel with a 6061 aircraft aluminium sole plate. Its premium craftsmanship was recognised by our panel with an average score of 38 of 50 for looks.
Our panel were also impressed by its sound – scoring an impressive 43 out of 50 and tied in that mallet category with the Toulon Alcatraz Mini H1 and Mizuno M.Craft Nagoya.
Scotty Cameron use a precision milled Studio Carbon Steel face insert with Chain-link face milling. Together these technologies work together to improve sound and roll characteristics.
They also contributed towards a high score of 84 out of 100 for forgiveness, with heel-toe inlay increasing perimeter weighting and contributing to both MOI and alignment.
The Scotty Cameron Fastback 2 high-contrast alignment system helps create a clear visual structure behind the ball, with the heel-toe inlay adding further framing at address. Its mid-mallet size delivers considerably more forgiveness and stability than its size might suggest. Yet its high price point makes it a considerable investment.
12th Overall
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Plus
Following on from the Fastback 2 is the Scotty Cameron Newport 2 plus. Based on the classic Newport 2 shaping loved by many, the Newport 2 plus has a wider back blade design.
Its looks are a standout feature and it scored an amazing 45 out of 50. It tied with the Toulon Boston H3 in the best looks category.
The wider profile gives the Newport 2 Plus a slightly more substantial appearance behind the ball without moving too far away from the classic blade shape.
Milled from 303 stainless steel the solid face, with engraved details, created a crisp sound that was very much enjoyed by our panel. It also scored 40 out of 50 for feel.
The wider blade profile helps increase MOI, which is something blade putters often lack. Our panel gave an impressive 75 out of 100 for forgiveness as well as 41 out of 50 for consistency.
The Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Plus is a beautifully crafted blade that cleverly adds forgiveness and stability without losing the traditional Newport 2 identity. Its standout looks, combined with enjoyable feel and strong consistency, make it a compelling choice for golfers who want classic blade aesthetics with a little more help on off-centre strikes.
13th Overall
Toulon Alcatraz Mini H1
The Toulon Alcatraz Mini H1 is another premium option. Formally a sub brand of Odyssey, the Alcatraz was our highest priced putter (without any upcharges). This lowered its value score but that is not to say it wasn’t a strong performer.
The compact mallet shaping in the deep navy colourway was very impressive and our panel gave it 43 out of 50. The white single sight alignment design worked well and added to the premium look.
Performance was also strong, particularly when it came to consistency. The Alcatraz Mini H1 scored 42 out of 50, alongside 80 out of 100 for forgiveness. Its multi-material construction used a milled 6061 aluminium sole plate to help with weight disruption.
Sound was another high scoring category, something that Toulon have worked on with their Deep Tuna Face Mill. Front loaded weights help with ball speed consistency across the face as well as creating a satisfying sound and feel.
The Toulon Alcatraz Mini H1 is a compact mallet that delivers strong forgiveness, consistency and feel, but is at a premium price point.
Tied 14th Overall
Ping Scottsdale TEC Ketsch Putter
The Ping Scottsdale TEC Ketsch was a high performing zero-torque putter in our test. The design keeps the classic Ketsch shaping but adds a new white colourway and centre shaft. It scored respectably in terms of looks, with a contrasting black alignment line on the top.
Ping’s Eye Q technology – the single sight line combined with a dot – gives golfers a clear focal point at address. This worked well for our panel and the Scottsdale TEC Ketsch scored high marks for technology and consistency.
Feel and sound were other categories where this putter excelled. The lightweight PEBAX face insert offered a soft feel and quiet sound at impact. The milled 6061 aluminium body and 304 stainless steel sole allows mass to be positioned low and around the perimeter, providing great stability as well as a high MOI. That was reflected in the 85 out of 100 it scored for forgiveness from the panel.
If you’re a golfer looking for maximum forgiveness and stability from a zero-torque putter, the Ping Scottsdale TEC Ketsch is an excellent option. Its Eye Q alignment technology will benefit focus sand consistency for players.
Tied 14th Overall
Odyssey Square 2 Square Tri-Hot Jailbird
The Odyssey Square 2 Square Tri-Hot Jailbird oversized mallet shaping brings the popular Jailbird design to a zero-torque construction. It scored a respectable 33 out of 50 for looks but was not what our panel valued most about this putter.
The multi material construction, that uses aluminium, steel and over 140g of tungsten weights, means Odyssey has moved 80% of the under the topline.
This forward centre of gravity is closer to the face than other ZT putters and it’s designed to create a more natural position at address.
The AI Dual face insert created a sound and feel that was highly rated by the panel. Its dual layer design also aims to deliver consistent ball speed across the face. Consistency was one of the highest scoring categories for the Square 2 Square Tri-Hot Jailbird with an impressive 43 out of 50. This is down to the forward roll design grooves Odyssey use to improve roll quality.
The standout feature of the S2S was its forgiveness, where it scored 86 out of 100. The panel found this putter’s consistency to be very impressive.
If you’re a fan of the Jailbird range but want a zero-torque option, this is a strong performer with its high stability, consistency and forgiveness scores.
Notable shoutouts
Though the above are our top 15, there were other models which excelled in a number of areas. These included:
- Sausage Golf Boudin Noir: Scored full marks and was best for adjustability. The shaft can be secured into numerous positions and can be used right or left handed.
- Blade and Mallet RAM putters: Best for value with models priced at under £80.
- Wilson Zero Torque putters: Priced at just under £200 and best value for those looking to try a zero torque putter.
- Cobra 3DP Tour putters: The innovative 3D printing process ensured high marks in the technology category
- SeeMore SKx putter: The zero torque putter offered good consistency, as well as SeeMore’s trademark red dot on the club performance.
- TaylorMade ZT Max: This larger headed zero torque putter offered fantastic stability.
The Full List of putters tested
Best in Class Putters 2026
This is a new way for NCG to approach equipment testing, and one we’re excited to bring to golfers looking for real insight rather than unfounded claims. By stripping away brand bias and subjective impressions, and replacing them with structured, repeatable testing across hundreds of putts, we’re able to show which putters actually deliver where it counts – not just which ones look good in a pro shop or in store.
This is only the beginning. Putters are the first category in what will become an ongoing series, and we’re already planning how to apply the same rigour to other parts of the bag. If you’ve ever stood over a putter unsure whether it’s really the right fit, our aim is for Best in Class to give you a clearer, more confident answer.
As ever, there is no substitute for you to go and try for yourself and or get properly fitted. We hope you find the rankings useful, and we’d love to hear which putters you’d like to see us test next.
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