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OUR JOB IS YOUR GAME

Seldom do our test results make us do a double-take. But in the case of the 2020 Mallet Putter test, we not only rubbed our eyes and blinked to make sure we were seeing the numbers correctly but we triple checked the data. Sure enough, the 2020 winner blew out the competition and took Best Mallet Putter of 2020 in a landslide.

2020 isn’t just the year of extraordinary results but also the year of the boundary-pushing unique design. This year’s 2020 mallet putter field featured putters of every color, shape and size. Some were too big and some were too bright but the Odyssey Triple Track fits just right.

At MyGolfSpy, our job is to provide independent, unbiased and objective testing of products to help you make more confident purchasing decisions. We do this by employing consistent testing methodologies and advanced golf analytics inside our 100-percent independent test facility. You are then able to leverage the industry’s richest set of head-to-head data to help unlock your full potential. Our testing yields unparalleled data which equals unparalleled insight for the golfer.

For 2020, stop buying golf equipment you like and start buying equipment you want to keep. Don’t spend a dollar unless it improves on what’s already in the bag.

Most Wanted: ODYSSEY TRIPLE TRACK 2 BALL

Putter Buying Considerations

LENGTH

The length of your putter can affect both your ability to control distance and direction. Typical stock putters are either 34 or 35 inches in length. However, many golfers better fit into a shorter putter. You want to choose a putter that will allow you to have a relaxed set-up based on how you address the ball.

LOFT

Loft may affect the distance of your putt more than the direction and speed control is extremely important in putting. If you have too much or too little loft, your ball may either hop or dig into the ground, making distance control inconsistent. We always recommend getting fitted for a putter. A fitting specialist can help determine the proper loft for your putter.

BLADE vs. MALLET

Choosing between a blade and a mallet should come down to personal preference and your natural putting stroke tempo. According to PING, if you tend to have a quicker putting stroke, a lighter, blade-style putter might suit your game. Conversely, if your stroke is smoother and slower, a heavier, mallet-style putter might be for you.

As much as your tempo is a factor, so is the amount of arc in your stroke. If you tend to significantly open and close the face, consider a heel-shafted putter that allows for rotation. If you balance the putter on your two index fingers, the putter head should hang with the toe closer to 6 o’clock. On the other extreme, a face-balanced putter will have the face pointing to the sky when you balance it. This style is generally well suited for golfers who have more of a straight-back, straight-through stroke.

Aids Alignment - Bloodline RG-1

A common point of improvement in putting is a difficulty with alignment. The Bloodline RG-1 addresses this head on. The unique, groundbreaking design caught the attention of testers.Because of the unique weight distribution, the Bloodline can stand on its own while you take a step back and get a better vantage point on your alignment. But the stand alone feature isn't just a selling point gimmick, the Bloodline gained fractional margins from all three distances on its competitors and is one of a handful of putters in this year's test that performed positively from each distance.

FIELD NOTES

During each test, we look for trends that provide insight into where the market as a whole is moving as well as what noteworthy changes manufacturers have made to improve year-over-year performance. We also solicit feedback from our testers. We want to understand what they liked, what they didn’t like and why. While we do collect and share noteworthy portions of this subjective feedback, it does not factor in our rankings.

TRENDS AND TWEAKS

This is the largest putter test we’ve ever conducted and we’re seeing more unique — what some would call “wacky” — designs but they can be beneficial. The Wilson “L”, for example, has a distinctive club head but the putter took anything but an “L”. Data put the “L” in the winner column.
More technology, whether face tech, like what is featured in Sik Flo, or counterbalanced grips like EVNROLL, will make a difference in how a putter feels at impact and can influence your stroke type. Try before you buy.
Of the 44 models tested, we would categorize 11 as being slight arc, five as strong arc, 26 as straight-back straight-through (face-balanced) and two as torque-balanced (toe-up).
Twenty-seven of the 44 putters tested featured a mid-sized to oversized grip. We continue to see the trend of a traditional pistol grip or “pistol-like grip” being uncommon as a stock putter grip for most manufacturers. Super Stroke continues to be a leading choice due to the various styles of grips and size options. Additionally, their latest models come with a Tech-Port to utilize their CounterCore feature within the grip. EVNROLL’s Gravity Grip is a great example of a unique design for the putter grip, which has proven to be useful for golfers.
The number of Fang-style putters, like the PING Heppler Tyle 3, continues to rise.
The common theme with the larger-head mallets is to push weight to the perimeter of the head to increase MOI, thereby boosting forgiveness.

Green Speed and Putter Selection

While we don't recommend changing putters with course conditions, if you frequently play on slower greens, gravitate toward a heavier weighted putter. On faster greens, you want to use a lighter weighted putter to help with distance control

NOTES FROM THE 2020 MALLET PUTTER TESTING POOL

Testers enjoyed the color contrast of the Axis 1 Rose but found a slight vibration in the shaft after impact with the ball.
The Ping Heppler Ketsch generated favorable tester feedback. The shape of the head and the color contrast earned positive marks and helped with alignment. Testers gave it moderate reviews for feel.
Those looking to improve alignment struggled with the Taylormade Truss TM1. Though the roll was consistent, testers did not like how it looked.

Reliable at Short Distances-Sub70 Sycamore 002

The Sub70 Sycamore 002 features a traditional mid-mallet design that felt familiar to typical blade golfers. It performed exceptionally well from 5 feet and earned positive results from 20 feet. It fell off marginally at 10 feet, but recorded an overall quality performance. Testers said they felt very confident using it from short distances. The design is appealing and the balance and heavy feel impressed testers.

Best Mallet Putters 2020- Data

EXPERT TIP- Weight Kits

Some putters come with additional weight kits. Best leveraged by a competent fitter, they can be used to modify the increase or decrease weight, change the toe hang, increase MOI, and ultimately help with distance control and accuracy.

Top 12 Finisher-Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12.5

Tester feedback and data aligned when it came to the Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12.5. For golfers that like putters that sit low and square to the ground, the Phantom X 12.5 delivers. Despite both the alignment and top lines being black, it made its mark from 10 and 20 feet. To dial in your game even more, additional weight can be purchased to manipulate the putter to fit your stroke.

MORE BUYING TIPS

GET FITTED

Ninety-five percent of amateur golfers haven’t been fitted for a putter. Would it surprise you to know 85 percent of PGA of America professionals (the folks fitting you for a putter) haven’t been fitted, either? The bottom line is that you’re leaving strokes on the green if you’re playing the wrong equipment for your game. Don’t choose a putter just because it looks or feels good. Work with a fitter to find a putter that works with YOUR stroke to start making more putts.

FACE TECHNOLOGY

The face of the putter is one of the most critical parts of the club. After all, it is the contact point with the ball. Some face technologies are just there for show; however, EVNROLL’s variable grooves or a traditional milled face can make a significant impact on how the ball rolls off the face. Sometimes those lines on the face aren’t just for show.

GRIP STYLE

Pistol, counterbalance and oversize are just some of the many styles of putter grips available. A study conducted by PING showed that pistol grips often result in the club being delivered more closed relative to setup compared to straight grips. If you frequently miss right, a pistol grip may be the answer, while a straight grip could help mitigate a left miss.

HOW WE TEST

Our Mission is to help you find the best putter for your game.

We are 100% independent and unbiased, and always put the #ConsumerFirst

ABOUT OUR TESTERS

Our pool of testers consists of 20 golfers with handicaps ranging from plus to the mid-teens. As a group, they span a broad range of putting stroke characteristics.

Over the course of several sessions, each golfer is required to putt and finish 18 holes with each putter. Putter groupings and order are randomized on a per tester basis.

LIMITING VARIABLES AND GATHERING RELIABLE DATA

To minimize variables, all testers hit Bridgestone Tour B-X Golf Balls inside our dedicated Lab X testing facility located in Yorktown, Va.

While it doesn't affect the final results, subjective feedback on looks, feel and alignment is taken from each tester on every putter in the test.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

To determine the Best Mallet Putter, we test at 3 different distances (five, 10, and 20 feet). We calculate the strokes gained value for each putter relative to the average strokes for each tester. Those values are aggregated and totaled with the Most Wanted putter being the one that produced the highest average strokes gained value across the test pool.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

BEST MALLET PUTTERS FOR 2020 - PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Product	Loft	Lie	Length	Swing Weight	Head Weight	Toe Hang Tested
AXIS1 Rose Check Price	N/A	N/A	34	D7.6	355G	Toe Up
Bettinardi BB45 Check Price	2.5	70.3	34	D9.8	350G	Straight
Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 CTR Check Price	2.8	69.6	34	E1.5	358G	Straight
Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 S Check Price	2.6	70.4	34.25	E0.2	358G	Slight
Ben Hogan BHMO1 Check Price	2.3	70.7	35	F3.5	370G	Straight
Bloodline RG-1 Check Price	3.2	69.5	34.5	-0.5661	395G	Straight*
Cleveland Frontline Cero Check Price	2.4	68.3	34	D9.5	370G	Straight*
Cleveland Frontline Elevado Check Price	2.2	69.9	34	D9.4	370G	Slight*
Cleveland Frontline ISO Check Price	2.6	70.7	34	D7.7	370G	Straight*
Cleveland HB Soft 11 Check Price	2.3	71.5	34	E8.1	370G	Straight*
Cleveland HB Soft 12 Check Price	1.8	70.7	34	E8.3	370G	Straight
Cleveland HB Soft 6 Check Price	1.9	71.5	34.25	E6.0	365G	Slight
EDEL EAS 4.0 Check Price	4.2	68.9	34	C6.4	340-360G	Toe Up
EVNROLL ER10 Check Price	3.4	70.2	34	E2.2	N/A	Straight
EVNROLL ER7 Check Price	2.1	70.2	33.75	E2.1	N/A	Slight
Mizuno M Craft 3 Check Price	3.3	70.9	34.25	D9.5	N/A	Straight
Odyssey Stroke Lab R Line Arrow Check Price	2.6	71.1	34	D6.6	365G	Straight
Odyssey Stroke Lab Rossie Check Price	3.9	71	35	E5.0	365G	Straight
Odyssey Triple Track 2 Ball Check Price	1.3	71.3	34.75	E0.8	365G	Straight
Odyssey Triple Track 2 Ball Blade Check Price	4.5	70.6	33.75	D3.3	365G	Slight
Odyssey Triple Track Ten Check Price	4.1	71.1	34	D7.3	365G	Straight
Ping Heppler Floki Check Price	3.6	69.8	33.75	D7.9	365G	Strong
Ping Heppler Ketsch Check Price	5	70.5	34	E2.5	370G	Straight*
Ping Heppler Piper C Check Price	3.2	70.6	34	D4.4	365G	Straight
Ping Heppler Tom Cat 14 Check Price	3.3	69.5	34	D9.3	370G	Straight*
Ping Heppler Tyne 3 Check Price	2.8	70.6	34	D0.7	360G	Slight
PXG Bat Attack GEN2 Check Price	3.4	69.8	34.25	E7.8	360*	Straight*
PXG Operator GEN2 Check Price	2.6	70.5	34	F5.4	365G*	Straight*
PXG Spitfire GEN2 Check Price	2.8	71.1	34	F1.8	360*	Straight*
Scotty Cameron Phantom X 12.5 Check Price	3.6	70.4	34	D9.1	N/A	Slight
Scotty Cameron Phantom X 8.5 Check Price	2.8	69.9	34	D8.4	N/A	Slight
Scotty Cameron Select Fastback 1.5 Check Price	3.6	70.6	33.75	D5.4	N/A	Strong
Sik Flo Check Price	2	71	34	-0.5677	N/A	Slight*
Sub 70 Sycamore 002 Check Price	3.6	73.6	34.25	-0.5452	390G	Straight
Taylormade Spider S Check Price	1.7	71.1	34	D8.8	357G	Straight
Taylormade Truss TM1 Check Price	5.3	71.1	34	D6.4	355G	Slight
Tommy Armour Datil Check Price	3.8	71.2	34.25	D8.0	N/A	Slight
Tommy Armour Serrano Check Price	3.2	71.1	34.5	E6.3	N/A	Straight
Tour Edge Exotics Wingman 01 Check Price	2.4	69.8	34	E1.8	355G	Strong
Tour Edge Exotics Wingman 03 Check Price	2.5	70.8	34	E1.5	355G	Straight
Wilson Staff Infinite The "L" Check Price	4	71	34	D8.9	360G	Strong
Wilson Staff Infinite Bucktown Check Price	2.6	71.3	34	D5.3	360G	Straight
Wilson Staff Infinite Grant Park Check Price	3.5	72.2	34	D3.0	N/A	Strong
Wilson Staff Infinite The Bean Check Price	2.4	69.7	34	D4.3	360G	Straight

THE BEST MALLET PUTTERS 2020 – FAQ

Buying a Putter

Q: Should I get fitted for a putter?

A: Without a doubt. Don’t just go to the putting corral at your local golf store and choose the putter that feels the best. Do your research, know the facts and take your knowledge to your local course or store with the intention of being fitted for the right putter for YOUR stroke.

Q: Can I fit myself for a putter?

A: To a degree, yes. PING developed an app that pairs with an attachable sleeve to your current putter shaft to determine your stroke type, lie and loft to help you understand what to look for in your next putter.

GET FIT FOR YOUR GAME WITH TRUEGOLFFIT

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SEE MY RESULTS

Q: How do I find the right length of putter for me?

A: A quick test would be to take a comfortable putting stance with a putter. If the putter is too short, it likely will sit too upright (the heel of the putter will be off the ground). On the flip side, if it’s too long, you’ll feel as though you’re crowding the ball and the putter and the toe will be pointing up slightly.

Q: What is the price range for a typical putter?

A: Most putters range in price from $50 into the thousands; however most average between $100 and $500. Ultimately, it’s about finding the best putter for YOUR game. Price may always be a factor but don’t assume the best putters are the most expensive.

EXPERT TIP- Toe Hang

Keep missing it right? Try a putter with more toe hang to help straighten out your putts. If getting fit isn't an option, moving the ball back and your stance can sometimes change the angle of the face at impact.

Best Mallet Putter

Q: How is the Best Mallet Putter Winner determined?

A: To determine the Best Mallet Putter, we test at 3 different distances (five, 10, and 20 feet). We calculate the strokes gained value for each putter relative to the average strokes for each tester. Those values are aggregated and totaled with the Most Wanted putter being the one that produced the highest average strokes gained value across the test pool.

Q: How are the best putters for stroke type determined?

A: At the beginning of the test, each putter is classified by its toe hang/stroke type. The best within each designation are those that finished highest overall with respect to toe hang/stroke type.

Q: How much does subjective feedback like looks, sound and feel factor into your rankings?

A: ZERO. Our rankings are based purely on total putt counts and quantifiable performance metrics. We include subjective notes only because readers have asked for more feedback directly from the testers.