7 Best Golf Putters of 2026

The Cleveland Golf HB Soft 2 Putter delivers a game-changing blend of consistency and control, engineered for golfers who demand predictable roll and pinpoint distance control. At its core is the Speed Optimized Face Technology—featuring a dynamic groove milling pattern that normalizes ball speed across a larger sweet spot, making off-center hits feel nearly as pure as dead-center strikes. Paired with stroke-specific designs tailored for straight or slight arc strokes, this putter offers a personalized fit that syncs hosel, toe hang, and alignment to your natural motion, eliminating guesswork in setup.

In real-world testing on fast Bermuda and smooth bentgrass greens, the HB Soft 2 shines with its stable, balanced swing feel, thanks to a 20g counterweight in the butt end of 35”+ models that ensures consistent tempo and stroke rhythm. The oversized grip promotes quiet hands and reduced wrist breakdown, leading to a more repeatable stroke—especially under pressure. While it performs admirably on lag putts, extremely soft swingers may find the face slightly less responsive on ultra-short taps, where touch matters more than tech.

Compared to the PGM Budget Blade, the HB Soft 2 is a clear upgrade in engineering and feedback, offering tour-inspired performance without the premium price tag of models like the Odyssey Jailbird. It’s ideal for mid-to-low handicap players seeking tour-proven consistency and a putter that performs across green speeds and conditions. With its refined blend of forgiveness, feel, and fit, it outperforms many putters twice its cost.

The PGM Anti-Twist Mallet Putter punches far above its price class with a high-MOI mallet head that resists twisting on mishits, delivering remarkable stability for a budget-friendly option. Its stepped steel shaft is a standout—engineered to minimize torque and enhance face control, giving players a crisp, connected feel at impact. Combined with a low center of gravity design, this putter promotes an early roll with minimal skid, helping golfers sink more putts even when contact isn’t perfect.

On the course, the PGM mallet proves reliable across varied green conditions. The bold single-line alignment system makes it easy to square the face at setup, reducing misreads and boosting confidence on straight putts. During testing, it excelled on mid-range putts (10–20 feet), where its forgiveness kept balls on line despite slight off-center strikes. However, players with strong arc strokes may find the plumber’s neck hosel less compatible, and the feedback on very short putts lacks the refined nuance of higher-end inserts.

When stacked against the Orlimar Tangent T1, the PGM offers better visual alignment and MOI, though it doesn’t match the TPU insert’s soft feel. It’s a smart pick for beginners or casual players who want mallet stability and clean looks without overspending. For the price, it delivers performance that feels anything but budget.

The Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter stands out with its soft TPU face insert, delivering a buttery, dampened impact sensation that’s rare at this price point—perfect for golfers who prioritize feel over flash. The bi-color sightline offers strong visual contrast, making alignment intuitive, while the plumber’s neck hosel encourages proper hand positioning ahead of the ball, promoting a forward press and solid roll. Its high-MOI design adds a layer of forgiveness, making it a dependable choice for weekend players battling inconsistency.

On the greens, the T1 shines in calm, controlled strokes, where the TPU insert enhances touch and reduces vibration on off-center hits. The putter performs well on slower greens where a soft release is key, and the included headcover adds value without inflating cost. However, it struggles slightly on faster slopes where precise distance control is critical—its weighting doesn’t inspire the same level of feedback as more advanced models like the Cleveland HB Soft 2.

Compared to the PGM mallet, the Tangent T1 trades some visual alignment clarity for superior feel, making it better suited for players with straight-back-straight-through strokes. It’s a no-frills, feel-first performer that delivers where it counts: at impact. For those who want soft feedback and classic looks without breaking the bank, it’s a strong contender.

The Odyssey Jailbird ZT OS 35 is a technological masterpiece, blending AI-driven design with tour-proven materials to deliver unmatched consistency across the face. The Ai-ONE insert uses algorithm-optimized contours on the aluminum backer, co-molded with a grooved White Hot urethane layer, to normalize ball speed no matter where you strike—making it one of the most forgiving putters on the market. Its modern center-shafted design with a built-in forward press encourages hands-ahead positioning, promoting a square face through impact and reducing unwanted rotation.

In testing, the Jailbird excelled on all putt lengths, especially on off-center hits, where the high MOI and intelligent insert kept the ball on line with minimal speed loss. The SL 180 shaft is perfectly balanced to the head, offering a smooth, pendulum-like stroke, while the oversized Square 2 Square grip enhances control and reduces hand movement. Even in low-light conditions, the navy blue PVD finish stands out with a premium, non-glare look that aids focus.

When compared to the TaylorMade Kalea Spider, the Jailbird offers superior insert tech and face consistency, though it lacks the multi-material visual appeal. It’s the ideal choice for serious golfers who want cutting-edge performance, elite feel, and tour-level precision in one striking package. With build quality and innovation that rival putters well over $400, it justifies its premium status.

The PGM Blade Putter brings classic blade aesthetics to budget-conscious golfers without sacrificing performance, offering a clean, milled face and notched groove design that enhances ball interaction for a more stable roll. At 35 inches with a 350g head weight, it’s well-balanced for most players, delivering a neutral swing feel that works for both men and women. The straight tapered shaft aids in precise alignment, making it easy to set up square—critical for players refining their stroke mechanics.

On the course, this putter performs reliably on flat, well-maintained greens where a traditional blade feel is preferred. The milled face delivers consistent contact, and the notched grooves help reduce skid, though it lacks the forgiveness of mallet designs on mis-hits. It’s best suited for players with a smooth, straight-back-straight-through stroke who value classic feedback and simplicity. However, those with inconsistent strikes may find it less forgiving than higher-MOI options.

Against the Cleveland HB Soft 2, the PGM blade is far more affordable and lightweight, but it doesn’t offer stroke-specific tuning or counterbalancing. It’s a solid entry-level option for beginners or high-handicappers wanting a legal, tournament-ready blade that looks and feels more expensive than it is. For the price, it’s a smart gateway into blade putting.

The Callaway Odyssey DFX Putter strikes a rare balance between luxury feel and accessible performance, anchored by the DFX insert—the softest in Odyssey’s lineup—delivering a plush, damped sensation at impact that’s ideal for players who value touch and smooth roll. Its all-black premium finish, from head to grip, gives it a sleek, stealthy look that reduces visual distraction and enhances focus at address. With both pistol and oversized grip options, it caters to different hand sizes and stroke preferences without compromising control.

In real-world use, the DFX shines on short to mid-range putts, where its soft roll helps the ball transition quickly from skid to roll, increasing predictability on tricky breaks. The 34-inch model tested offers a balanced, neutral swing weight, making it easy to repeat the stroke under pressure. However, players with strong arc strokes may find the center-shafted design less intuitive, and the lack of advanced weighting tech limits its edge on very fast greens.

Compared to the Cleveland HB Soft 2, the DFX trades some adjustability and stroke-specific tuning for a more refined aesthetic and softer feel. It’s the best choice for golfers who want premium branding, tour-inspired looks, and plush feedback without stepping into ultra-expensive territory. It delivers near-premium performance at a mid-tier cost, making it a standout value.

The TaylorMade Kalea Spider Putter is a confidence-inspiring mallet built specifically for the modern woman golfer, combining a multi-material chassis with high MOI stability to deliver exceptional forgiveness and alignment clarity. Its design focuses on visual and physical balance, with a wide back cavity and clean top line that make it easy to align and keep square through the stroke. The Kalea’s weighting system enhances stability, reducing face twist on off-center hits and helping maintain line and distance control.

On the greens, the putter performs exceptionally well for players with a slight arc or straight stroke, offering a smooth, stable roll and consistent feedback. The 33-inch length suits compact stances, and the lightweight build makes it easy to control tempo. However, advanced players seeking maximum feel may find the feedback somewhat muted compared to insert-driven models like the Odyssey Jailbird. It also lacks the advanced face technology seen in higher-end Odysseys.

When compared to the PGM mallet, the Kalea Spider offers superior design and brand engineering, but at a significantly higher cost. It’s ideal for women golfers or players with slower swing tempos who want aerodynamic stability, elegant looks, and performance-tuned balance. It’s not the most technologically advanced, but it delivers where it matters: consistency and confidence.