What putting stroke do you operate with?

Holding the answer to this question simplifies finding your next putter. While I utilize a slight arc stroke and prefer minor toe hang, players with straight strokes excel with a face balanced putter for limited rotation.

In this post, I reveal the 7 best face balanced putters for 2023 to keep your putts on line. You will notice the mallet-style putter is the most common head design in this category, as the face balanced blade style putters are rare to find these days.

Pros and Cons of Face Balanced Putters

Pros

• Easier to keep square through the stroke
• Promotes greater accuracy
• Restricts face twisting during the stroke
• Highly forgiving
• Produces clean roll

Cons

• Not suited to extreme arched strokes
• The oversize profile mallets may not appeal to everyone

What to Look for In a Good Face Balanced Putter

Middle CG Position

Although face-balanced putters are best suited to straight strokes, Phil Kenyon explains how the center of gravity (CG) position impacts rotation. The further back and low you move CG, the more likely a clubface is to twist during the stroke and follow through.

Therefore, a face balanced putter with CG closer toward the heel may perform best for slight arc strokes. This is because the putter face opens on the backstroke and is not entirely square to the line as straight-stroke golfers would prefer.

Therefore, if you demand a true face balanced putter, I suggest searching for options with a centered CG that keeps the head square and stable throughout.

Double Bend or Center Shaft Hosel

Putter manufacturers typically employ four-hosel designs to cater to golfers with varying strokes. However, face balanced putters are often found with a double bend or center shaft hosel, which induces face balance and best suits straight strokes.

When you utilize a short hosel or plumber’s hosel, it prompts the blade open on the backstroke to adapt to an arched stroke. This hosel makes it challenging for straight-stroke putters to square the putter face at contact.

Perimeter Weighting

Most face balanced putters feature sizeable clubhead profiles, which produce exceptional forgiveness across the face. I suggest searching for a mallet putter with perimeter weighting to enhance stability, improve MOI and boost speed and forward roll.

When manufacturers employ perimeter weighting, it helps you square the putter face at contact to produce an accurate putt. Plus, the added support around the clubface preserves ball speed and topspin across a wider area of the putter.

Without the assistance of perimeter weighting, you will lose ball speed, spin, and accuracy on off-center strikes.

Shaft Length

Shaft length is the final factor to consider, as it impacts your posture, stroke path, and angle of attack. Most stock putter shafts are 34 inches which suits the average golfer. However, taller golfers may prefer the extra inch found on a 35-inch putter shaft.

Conversely, golfers with a shorter stature may stroke the ball better with a reduced 33-inch shaft. The predominant point is that you must be able to set up and stroke your ball easily for a smooth rolling putt. If your golf shaft is too long or short, it may prompt you to stroke the ball erratically, sending you left and right of the target.

7 Top Face Balanced Putters

1. Odyssey White Hot OG Seven – Best Overall Face-Balanced Putter

Pros

• Enhanced MOI
• Exceptional feedback
• Adjustable weights
• Clean milled finish
• Produces a smooth roll

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• The pistol grip may increase wrist action

In order to beat the best face balanced putters, a flat stick must produce a soft feel, muted acoustics, high MOI, and a pure roll. In my experience, the Odyssey White Hot OG Seven putter thrives in all these fields and delivers superb distance control and accuracy on the green.

To begin with, the two-part urethane White Hot Insert softened every touch for exceptional feedback on the dancefloor. This aided my performance on long putts to better gauge the power required for each strike.

Despite the White-Hot insert, Odyssey engineered expertly milled the rest of the face ensuring a rich, clean finish. In addition, the OG Seven possesses a 15 and 10-gram weight which is adjustable to achieve your preferred swing mass.

Next, the winged mallet-style putter contains perimeter weighting, which maximizes stability and MOI to keep your putter square to the target. Finally, the Odyssey White OG Seven putters are equipped with a Pistol size DRX grip, which may increase wrist movement for some golfers.

2. Wilson Infinite Buckingham – Best Budget Face Balanced Mallet Putter

Pros

• Affordable price point
• Double-milled face enhances friction
• Generates a clean roll
• Provides a soft feel
• Advanced alignment aid

Cons

• The flange is not the prettiest putter head.
• Not as cheap as their Harmonized putters, but for excellent reason.

With costs rising at every turn, our wallets could use a break in the form of an affordable, quality putter. Fortunately, the Wilson Infinite Buckingham tackles these challenges with a doubled-milled face, enhanced forgiveness, and a consistently smooth roll.

I enjoyed greater friction at impact because of the double-milled face, which prompted a clean, consistent roll with limited skidding. Plus, I appreciated the soft feel on all strikes, which enhanced my feedback for greater distance control on long-range efforts.

Wilson added a robust alignment aid, using perpendicular sight lines to better frame your ball at address. I felt this improved my awareness of my clubface aim, which helped me start my ball on the intended line for enhanced accuracy.

The Infinite Buckingham also features a glare-resistant finish that prevents distractions at address. Lastly, this putter included an oversized grip which limited wrist action during the stroke to keep the putter face square to the line.

3. TaylorMade Spider Tour Black 3 – Best Forgiving Face balanced Flat Stick

Pros

• Exceptional forgiveness
• Boosts friction
• Generates a pure roll
• Maximum MOI
• Glare resistant finish

Cons

• Underwhelming alignment aid
• Some golfers may prefer a thicker grip, although it worked for me.

Leniency is vital for the average golfer to deliver improved accuracy and speed control on the putting surface. I found the TaylorMade Spider Tour Black 3 offered superior forgiveness thanks to its high MOI design, consistent roll, and enhanced feedback at contact.

The companionship of a 6061 aluminum core and 304 stainless steel frame gifted me exceptional MOI and perimeter weighting. This increased the stability of the putter head at contact to preserve spin and velocity on off-center hits.

Added to its forgiveness was welcomed feedback, which made the strength of lag putts easier to gauge. Plus, the Pure Roll Insert elevated friction to preserve spin and ball speed across the clubface. As a result, I generated a clean roll with limited skidding.

I also appreciated the black finish, which eliminated the glare factor at address to keep me focused on putts. TaylorMade employed a SuperStroke GTR 1.0, a thicker grip to minimize wrist movement. Finally, the double bend hosel is the only option for a face-balanced setup.

4. Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 11 – Best Face Balanced Putter For Accuracy

Pros

• Boosts accuracy
• High MOI
• Prompts optimal forward roll on all strikes
• Soft feel
• Enhances friction

Cons

• I struggled with glare on occasion
• It may feel ultra soft for some golfers

Cleveland has the ability to craft smooth rolling, soft feeling, accurate putters for less than their competitors. It appears they have done it again, this time with the Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 11, which is the most accurate of the face balanced mallet putters this year.

Naturally, the Speed Optimized Face technology takes all the glory and deserves it for the forgiveness it provides. However, for me, it is all about perimeter weighting. The winged mallet design boosts stability and keeps the putter face square to the line at contact for supreme accuracy on the dancefloor.

Next, the Diamond CNC Milling pattern produced a delicate feel on all putts and increased friction for optimal forward roll. I understand some players may find the sensation excessively muted and prefer the consistency of a face insert, but I like it pure.

Cleveland opted for a single bend hosel, which works best for golfers with a straight back stroke. Furthermore, the stock grip is a Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft oversized, an excellent option for restricting wrist movement in your backswing and forward stroke.

5. Cobra King Vintage Nova – Best for Clean Roll

Pros

• Generates a clean, consistent roll
• Enhances friction across the putter face
• Stable design
• Wide grip restricts wrist action
• Glare resistant finish

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• The adjustable weights are sold separately

When your golf ball skids off the putter face, it loses forward roll and distance control. In my experience, the Cobra King Vintage Nova putter eradicates this challenge by prompting a clean roll across the putter face to increase your chance of draining a putt.

I generated a clean and consistent roll with the Vintage Nova thanks to its advanced SIK Face Insert, powered by Descending Loft Technology (DLT). 4 descending loft angles are featured to help every attack angle produce sufficient friction to maximize ball speed and topspin.

The engineers played out of their boots by stabilizing the putter head thanks to its classic Fang design and adjustable weight setup. The fangs stabilized the putter from the heel and the toe to balance the face on mishits, while the weighting complimented my stroke requirements.

Cobra employed a single-bend hosel for the King Vintage Nova to reinforce face balancing with an oversized SuperStroke Traxion Tour 2.0 as the grip of choice.

6. Ping Tomcat 14 – Best for Feel

Pros

• Smooth feel
• Enhances friction on all shots
• Boosts ball speed and topspin across the putter face
• Advanced alignment aid
• Maximum Forgiveness

Cons

• Expensive
• Not the most attractive design

Hot off the press is the Ping Tomcat 14, the brand’s highly forgiving and accurate mallet putter for 2023. A firm, milled face and mallet design combine with a runway-style alignment aid to keep you straight and close on every putt.

In addition to enhancing friction, the solid face produces a smooth feel and amplified acoustics for improved feedback. This helped me identify how hard I needed to strike each ball for superior distance judgment, giving me a greater chance of getting down in two on long putts.

Next, the balanced mallet head features perimeter weighting, which did wonders for stability and helped me keep the putter face square at contact. In addition, this allowed me to maintain ball speed and spin on all strikes for supreme forward roll and accuracy.

In addition, Ping engineers pushed the CG back and low to boost spin and accuracy forgiveness across the putter face.

Link to buy on Global Golf

7. Mizuno M-Craft III  – Best Milled Face Balanced Putter

Pros

• Produces a soft feel
• Increases friction
• Promotes a clean, smooth roll
• Adjustable weight system
• Glare resistant

Cons

• Expensive
• No shaft options for shorter golfers

Topping off our list of the best face balanced putters for 2023 is the Mizuno M-Craft III. In my experience, this expertly crafted flat stick takes the cake for the best-milled, face balanced putter in 2023. It offers a buttery-soft feel, clean roll, and glare resistance

Mizuno engineers constructed the M-Craft III from 1025 mild carbon steel for a durable and soft putter face. Every time I stroked the ball, it exuded a pleasant, smooth feeling for exceptional feedback on the dancefloor. Plus, it increased friction off the putter face to preserve ball zip and spin.

I also appreciated the forgiveness provided by this mid-mallet putter, which helped me produce satisfactory speed and accuracy. I generated a clean roll on all shots for optimal distance control on short and long-range strikes.

Mizuno constructed the M-Craft III with adjustable weights, which enable golfers to alter the swing weight setup of the putter. Finally, the grip of choice is a standard pistol grip which may cause some players to produce excess wrist action.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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Finding the ideal putter for your stroke is a complex task with several factors to consider before purchasing. Arguably the most important is your putting stroke and the type of hosel and weight bias it suits.

In this post, I discuss the best toe hang putter for players with minor, moderate, and extreme arch strokes. The putters featured below range from entry-level budget-friendly putters with a face insert to premium-priced flat sticks with a milled surface.

What Is A Toe Hang Putter?

A toe hang putter carries extra clubhead mass in the toe and is designed to open on your backstroke and lag behind on your forward stroke. This suits golfers with arched strokes who open the putter on the backstroke and close it on the forward stroke.

The TaylorMade tutorial below gives you a clearer picture of the stroke path:

Putters have varied levels of toe hang, starting with minor toe hang, which works for golfers with a straight-arch stroke. These golfers require minimal lag on the forward stroke and can straighten up on the way through.

Next, we deal with moderate toe hang, which usually features 20 degrees, like the Odyssey Eleven 2 Ball Tour Lined putter. Moderate toe hang works best for players with a medium arch stroke, requiring some lag assistance on the forward stroke.

Finally, a putter with 40 degrees of toe hang is considered too extreme and is built for golfers with exaggerated arched strokes. These golfers open the putter face excessively on the backstroke and snap the putter shut to square it up into impact.

An example of an extreme toe hang putter is the Odyssey White Hot OG Seven Nano, our top pick on this list below.

What to Look for In a Good Toe Hang Putter Head Shape

Your first port of call is to determine whether your personal preference is mallets or blades. Mallet-style putters feature an oversized head design with a wide active zone to deliver consistent spin, even on heel and toe mishits.

In addition, they offer a higher degree of moment of inertia (MOI) to help you square the clubface at contact.

Conversely, a blade putter head is compact, attractive to look down on, and delivers a superior feel and feedback. But, the reduced design leaves less mass in the club head for perimeter weighting and forgiveness.

Hosel

Next, your hosel personal preference should be guided by your putting stroke. Different shafts tip the weight balance in the putter, creating less or lots of toe hang. Toe hang putters suit golfers with an arched stroke, but there are different choices for the severity of your arch.

In my experience, a short or flow neck hosel performs best for players with a high arching stroke. However, a plumbers-neck design works for golfers with a hybrid arch-straight putting stroke.

Best Face Material

Once you have the nitty gritty out of the way, think about your preferred face material. My first choice is always a milled surface, as I appreciate the feel and friction it generates for a pure roll. Understandably, these putters often carry premium price tags and fall out of the budget of most golfers.

Alternatively, you can opt for a polyurethane face insert, which neutralizes vibrations on mishits, and encourages consistent topspin.

Grip Size

Your grip is the final factor to consider, with options ranging from a slim pistol design to a jumbo construction, which limits wrist movement. I find many average golfers perform best with the thicker grips because it limits face twisting and helps reduce grip pressure for a fluid stroke.

Top 5 Toe Hang Putters to Consider

1. Odyssey White Hot OG Seven Nano – Best Overall

Pros

• Excessive toe hang
• Forgiving
• Encourages greater distance control
• Durable
• Clean finish

Cons

• Moderately expensive putter
• It produces severe lag on your forward stroke, making it difficult to square up.

The White Hot OG Seven Nano packs a punch with 40 degrees of toe hang designed to perform for golfers with an extreme arching stroke. In addition, I appreciated the smooth feel on every touch and the consistent forward spin generated on all shots.

This is a challenging putter to square up at impact so only those with extreme arches should play with it. Besides its stroke preferences, you will enjoy the soft feel and amplified acoustics as the ball leaves the clubface en route to the cup.

Next, I produced consistent topspin off the rich PVD milled surface, which enhanced my distance control for fewer three-putts. This was a massive help on longer putts when I struck the ball off-center.

Finally, the mallet putter head possesses ample weight, which expands the sweet spot and provides superior forgiveness on all shots.

2. Wilson Harmonized M3 – Best Budget

Pros

• Rock bottom price tag
• Forgiving
• Provides consistent forward roll
• Enhances feedback
• Pleasing red and white finish

Cons

• Not the prettiest-looking putter head design
• The alignment aid is basic

Wilson has always impressed me with their forgiving, affordable golf clubs that add value to the average player’s game. The Harmonized M3 follows this mission, as it carries an entry-level price and delivers consistent results to high handicappers.

Granted, the M3 is not the best-looking putter in the world, but exceptionally toe-heavy and waiting for golfers with arched strokes to give it a go. I feel the alignment aid is simple, efficient and gave me a clear idea of where my ball was aiming at address.

I appreciated the work of the micro-injection polymer face insert, which boosted feel and improved feedback. Plus, it carries an attractive black and white pattern that is pleasing to the eye at address.

Finally, I felt the M3 did well encouraging forward roll and ensuring consistent distance control on all putts.

3. Odyssey Eleven 2 Ball Tour Lined – Most Forgiving

Pros

• Exceptional forgiveness
• Encourages a square face at contact for accurate roll
• Pure feel
• Preserves topspin on off-center strikes
• Glare resistant finish

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• Not the prettiest putter from the brand

The Odyssey Eleven 2 Ball Tour Lined putter offers the highest forgiveness among their toe hang counterparts in 2022. Odyssey employed 20 degrees of toe-hang for moderately arching strokes. Added to the forgiveness of these mallet putters are a glare-resistant finish and increased MOI to deliver more accurate putts.

Odyssey’s classic two-ball alignment aid is backed up by an additional line to give you a clearer picture of where your putter face is aiming. Plus, its enlarged head carries a high degree of MOI, which helped me square the face at impact for an accurate putt.

I welcomed the added leniency and tighter dispersion, onset by the placement of a forward center of gravity (CG), which maintained topspin on off-center misses.

Lastly, the Eleven 2 Ball Lines feature the famed Odyssey White Hot Insert for a pure feel and soft acoustics at contact.

4. TaylorMade Spider X HydroBlast – Most Consistent Topspin

Pros

• Produces consistent topspin on heel and toe mishits.
• Attractive finish and putter head design
• Soft feel on all putts
• Suits golfers with a slight arc stroke
• Expanded sweet spot
• Impressive alignment aid

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• Traditionalists may disapprove of the bulky clubhead design

I find the TaylorMade Spider X HydroBlast with a flow neck hosel offers golfers with arched strokes the most consistent rolling toe hang putter. In addition, this putter sports an advanced alignment aid to help golfers aim better.

I felt the Pure Roll insert did well to soften the feel of every contact and deliver a faint sound. Next, the expertly positioned 45-degree grooves helped maintain topspin across the face and provided consistent distance control.

TaylorMade engineers applied a HydroBlast finish to this putter, which issues it with a premium look at address. In addition, the club head is streamlined to help you deliver consistent topspin and accuracy on all strokes.

Finally, the Spider X HydroBlast carries a 320-gram steel frame and 15-gram sole for perimeter weighting. This increases the sweet spot and stability of the clubface at contact for superior distance control and accuracy.

5. Titleist Scotty Cameron Phantom X 11.5 – Best Premium

Pros

• Delivers a pure roll
• Buttery soft feel
• Elevated forgiveness
• Promotes straighter putts
• Built for a golfer with a moderate to high-arched stroke

Cons

• Premium price tag
• You need to purchase the adjustable swing weights separately

Scotty Cameron needs no introduction. They have been crafting soft-feeling and smooth rolling putters for as long as I have lived. The Phantom X 11.5 offers the buttery-soft feel enjoyed in their blade putters without sacrificing forgiveness.

I have always loved the feel and roll produced by a milled putter face, and this putter is no different. It is delightful to see the purity of the ball roll you generate as the ball glides swiftly across the dancefloor towards the cup.

The low bend shaft design suits players who produce excess face rotation during the stroke. However, an exceptional MOI setup guides you to square the clubface at contact for a straight putt.

Lastly, I felt the alignment aid provided a clear and concise view of my aim, thanks to the black back flange with a white stripe.

The Case for (and Against) Toe Hang Putters

What I Like About Them

Lag On Forward Stroke

The extra mass in the toe of the putter forces it open on the backstroke and maintains this position through to the golf ball. This suits players with an arched stroke, who tend to close the putter face at impact to square it up.

I feel the added open angle of the clubface prevents players with arched strokes from shutting the clubface violently at impact. Instead, the lag on the forward stroke causes resistance and promotes a more gentle closure at contact.

What I Dislike About Them

Difficult To Square The Putter Face

Putter toe hang increases the angle at which you open your clubface on the backstroke. In addition, it encourages lag on the forward stroke to resist snapping shut at impact. While this is golden for arched strokes, it causes players with a straight back and forward setup to leave the face open when impacting the ball.

Exacerbate Pushed Putts

Since a toe-hang putter is difficult to square at contact, some golfers may leave the face open and push putts to the right of the hole. If you struggle with sending your putts to the right, a toe hang design will only worsen the outcome.

Who I Think They Are Best for

In my experience, toe-hang putters best suit golfers who open the putter face on their backstroke and shut it closed at impact. However, the degree of toe hang depends on the intensity of your arched stroke.

For example, if you rotate the face excessively during the stroke, you need a lot of toe hang. Conversely, if you deliver an arch-straight combo stroke, you require minimal to moderate toe hang.

The added weight in the toe keeps the face open at the top of your backstroke and causes it to lag on the forward stroke. As a result, you enjoy greater control over the putter, and the putter face does not shut closed rapidly and cause your golf ball to hook left of the cup.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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If you are a mid or high handicapper, you should play a cavity back wedge for its forgiveness and consistency. Like cavity back irons, these golf wedges mitigate off-center strikes to keep you on target and in contention.

In this post, I break down the intricacies of a cavity back wedge and explain why you, as an average golfer, would perform better with one.

In addition, I’ll reveal my 3 favorite cavity back wedges which ensure optimal spin, crisp turf interaction, and an aggressive bite.

What is a Cavity Back Wedge?

A cavity back wedge is constructed using a cast, which enables engineers to create wided`r soles, perimeter weighting, and sharp grooves. This production technique is more affordable than the forging process used to craft blades.

You’ll notice that the wider sole prompts crisp turf interaction from any lie to prevent high handicappers from chunking short game shots. In addition, the perimeter weighting expands the sweet spot and halts spin drop-off for consistent results.

Furthermore, a cavity back wedge sports an advanced moment of inertia (MOI) to promote a square clubface through impact for straighter shots.

Pros of a Cavity Back Wedge

Prevents Spin Drop Off

The perimeter weighting on a cavity back lob, sand, or gap wedge expands the sweet spot to prevent spin drop-off across the face. As a result, you produce consistent revolutions per minute on all shots for consistent, accurate results.

When you play with blades, the sweet spot is set in the center of the clubface, and any off-center hits lead to a loss of spin and accuracy.

Straighter Shots

In addition to preventing spin drop-off, the perimeter weighting and broader clubhead sole combine to stabilize the clubface at contact, ensuring straighter strikes. You’ll find the increased MOI in the club prevents the face from twisting during your swing to keep it square into impact.

Crisp Turf Interaction

You’ll see that a cavity back wedge often contains a broader clubhead sole built to produce clean turf interaction. The wider sole glides over the grass with limited engagement to prevent amateurs from digging the clubhead into the turf and chunking your ship or pitch shot.

Eradicate Vibrations

The cavity back design on wedges allows engineers the space to employ vibration-dampening technology to protect your palms on the heel and toe mishits. Instead of nasty shocks running up your club shaft, the technology drowns them and ensures your hands enjoy a soft feel on every shot.

Suits A Wide Range Of Golfers

Finally, the forgiving, consistent performance of cavity-back wedges makes them an ideal club for a wide range of golfers. I feel middle to high-handicappers can benefit from its leniency to nail more up and downs.

Cons of a Cavity Back Wedge

Chunky Profile

The biggest drawback of a cavity back wedge is the chunky profile you look over at the address. These golf clubs are not the prettiest compared to a compact blade profile, but it was the only option to employ perimeter weighting to prevent spin drop-off.

Reduced Feel

In my experience, a cavity design gap, sand, or lob wedge produces limited feedback and feel at impact. I find this makes it difficult to judge the power of your strike to get the ball close to the cup.

Limited Workability

The final con of a cavity back wedge revolves around workability. Most wedges with this construction possess advanced MOI, which helps you square the face at impact for greater accuracy.

However, you’ll notice this restricts you from shaping your shots when you need to induce a draw or fade. This may not impact your shot plan as a high handicapper, but as you improve your game, you’ll want the freedom to work the ball around the golf course.

Who Should Use Cavity Back Wedges?

Mid and high-handicapper golfers should use cavity back wedges for their forgiveness, high MOI, consistent spin, and optimal turf interaction. You’ll appreciate the leniency of cavity back wedges when your rhythm and tempo is off and strike the ball in the heel or the toe.

A forgiving wedge with enhanced MOI combats the effects of off-center strikes to produce straight shots for superior accuracy. Although I feel most golfers can benefit from cavity back wedges, high handicappers stand to extract the most value.

Top 3 Cavity Back Wedge Recommendations

1. Cleveland CBX 2

Pros

• Produces consistent spin
• Enhanced MOI
• Forgiving
• Combats slices thanks to a toe bias profile
• Eradicates vibrations on off-center strikes

Cons

• The toe bias CG restricts workability
• It provides limited feedback

The Cleveland CBX 2 is among the best wedges with a cavity design that provides exceptional leniency and aggressive spin. In addition, my hands were protected by the Gelback technology, which eradicated vibrations from the heel and toe mishits.

Due to the hollow cavity design, Cleveland’s engineers distributed weight around the clubface’s perimeter for an expanded sweet spot. As a result, you’ll experience a limited spin drop-off and enhanced MOI for straighter shots.

Moreover, I appreciated the performance of the Enhanced Feel Balancing Technology, which prompted a toe bias to fight right misses. Finally, you’ll produce rampant spin off the 4th Generation Rotex Face technology due to its Tour zip grooves.

2. Callaway Mack Daddy CB

Pros

• Generates rampant spin
• Enhances traction
• Makes it easier for high handicappers to hit flop shots
• Smooth turf interaction
• Increased MOI

Cons

• Minimal bounce options
• Offers limited workability on full shots

The Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge is a high-spinning cavity back wedge that ensures advanced forgiveness, a satin chrome finish, and clean turf interaction. I find the average golfer can produce consistent chip and pitch shots for more ups and downs.

You’ll see the Groove-in-Groove technology is the star of this wedge. The Callaway machine worked 4 micro positive ridges on the flat surfaces between the grooves, creating 84 contact points on the clubface. In my experience, this enhances friction on shots with an open face producing a high-flop chip shot that sits rapidly.

Moreover, the undercut cavity design enabled the engineers to position mass around the clubface’s perimeter to elevate MOI and forgiveness. Lastly, the satin chrome finish provides the wedge with an attractive satin chrome finish.

3. Tour Edge Launch Hot Launch E522

Pros 

• Incredibly affordable
• Limits turf friction by 35%
• It promotes straighter shots, thanks to a high MOI
• Increased spin
• Optimal forgiveness

Cons

• The oversized clubface may deter some players
• I experienced issues with a glare at address

The Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 wedge produces the best turf interaction for cavity back wedges, thanks to its exceptionally wide Houdini sole. Tour Edge suggests it limits turf friction by 35%, and although I cannot confirm that figure, I did notice a clean glide over the grass.

You’ll find that the clean turf interaction provided by the Houdini sole prevents you from digging your clubhead into the turf and chunking your shot. Instead, it promotes clean contact from any lie.

In addition, the super deep undercut cavity construction on the E522 wedge promotes a high launch on the flop and full shots for a soft, rapid landing. You’ll see this wedge features a gigantic clubface which boosts MOI for improved accuracy.

Finally, I admired the work of the full-face maximized grooves, which I felt provided maximum spin on all shots. Plus, it prevented spin drop-off on off-center strikes to ensure a consistent short-game performance.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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The very first time that I dabbled with the different stances was as a competitive junior golfer, trying to eliminate the natural fade resulting in numerous lost golf balls. Needless to say, my father wasn’t thrilled.

But after some tinkering, I figured out the right stance to improve my game.

So if you’re looking to add another setup to your repertoire, I detail the must-know pros and cons of a closed stance in this post.

I always suggest operating with a neutral stance for optimal posture, balance, and swing mechanics. However, a closed or open stance has its merits, as you will learn in this guide. First, we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of the closed setup before comparing the results to an open or square golf stance.

What is a Closed Stance in Golf?

In simple terms, a closed stance refers to a right-handed golfer who aims to the right of their target line. Naturally, the opposite applies to lefties. You will notice that this is the same stance you employ when setting up for a draw.

Your golf stance is similar to the one you adopt in baseball. It is the foundation with which a player finds balance, comfort, and efficiency in their swing. I learned about golf stances the hard way as a competitive junior.

I used to operate with the grip of death and produced an outside-in swing path on most shots. Sometimes, I got away with it, but when my left foot, hips, and knees opened up more, it aggravated the result.

Since my swing mechanics were too complex to tinker with on the golf course, I would close my stance slightly to compensate for the shape. This was not a permanent fix, but it did mitigate the effects and help me straighten out my ball flight.

The bottom line is that you can benefit from a closed stance in certain scenarios. However, you should not adopt this as your permanent setup because of the risk of erratic shots.

Pros of a Closed Stance

Corrects Fades and Slices

An extreme fade or slice is generally caused by a golfer swinging over the top and cutting across the ball. Just like a tennis player who uses that drop shot with a cut so that the ball stops rapidly.

Operating with a closed stance can encourage maximum rotation, prompting you to clear your waist and shoulders through impact. You’ll notice that this boosts power and helps you square your clubface at impact for straighter results.

My one buddy leads a “tough” life coaching in Phuket, Thailand, where all his students are beginners. He teaches them to hold the golf club the other way around and induce a baseball swing. His students find this awakens the rotation motion and helps them understand its importance in the swing.

You grab the clubhead and channel your inner Ted Williams, and feel how your hips and shoulders rotate.

 Encourages a Draw

A closed stance is required when you set up for a draw. This aligns you to the right of your target, anticipating the curve to the left.

A draw is handy for right-to-left doglegs for right-handers and left-to-right holes for lefties. Following the lay of the land shortens the hole and helps you position yourself optimally for a hassle-free approach.

Lowers Ball Flight

Closing your stance sets you up to produce a draw and strike the ball with a delofted clubface. You will find that this approach lowers your trajectory to restrict the impact of the elements. The uninterrupted flight leads to consistent distance and accuracy.

Low flight is highly beneficial when playing into the wind or when you are stuck under a canopy of trees. You will find that reduced flight in these conditions allows you to deliver ample yardage, despite the struggle.

Escape Trouble

We have all been there. The middle of a bush, behind a tree, and my latest achievement, behind a lamp post.

Closing the stance and clubface generated an in-to-out swing for a low hook when I was right behind a tree stump. The results were not always perfect. However, when my handicap dropped to single figures, and I practiced frequently, I had a successful record of escaping trouble.

Cons of a Closed Stance

Snap Hook

Unless you’re stuck behind a tree or bush, you only have to open or close your stance slightly. When players start to hook their shots, they aim further right of the target for a closed setup.

Increased Roll

The downside of the increased roll is the inability to control your distance. The low trajectory causes your golf ball to hit the ground hot and run like Usain Bolt, making it difficult to hold the green. As a result, you consistently sweat to get up and down. Instead of reading the line of a birdie putt.

Excessive Side Spin

I used to play with an excellent player in high school with a gentle draw that made me jealous. The only problem was that the bad days were terrible.

One day, I watched him miss every fairway because of the intense sidespin that sent his ball careering into the left rough. Luckily, he could escape trouble. Nevertheless, he lost so much confidence, and this specific round of golf traumatized his next ten games.

Other Types of Stances

Open Stance

An open stance is the opposite setup of a closed golf stance. In other words, your toeline will aim to the left of the target while the clubface is still square to the target.

Advantages of an open stance

Prompts A Natural Fade

As a youngster, I watched my older brother on the range. He could work the ball almost any way he wanted, and I wanted to do that. I thought I needed to change my grip or swing path, among other things. How naive I was.

All I had to do was open my stance and make a normal swing without changing much, and I noticed a slight fade. When you can work the ball any way you want, you have more in your artillery to achieve the best possible outcome for each shot.

A higher ball flight 

Every golf hole poses different challenges. I experienced this first hand at my home course littered with tall trees, water, and perplexing undulation. A higher ball flight helped me hit the ball over the trees hundreds of times.

Furthermore, the higher ball flight allows us to land the ball much softer, which is necessary for long par 3 tee shots and par 4 approach shots.

Disadvantages of an open stance

Loss of distance

The open stance encourages a left-to-right ball shape with a higher ball flight. Unfortunately, this can lead to a loss of distance, something exceptional players like Rory Mcilroy may disagree with. But, we are not him and must play to our strengths and abilities.

The more you open the stance and the larger the fade becomes, the more distance we will lose. This sets you up for tricky approach shots requiring hybrids or long irons, which reduces your chances of attacking the flag.

Heavy wind conditions 

I spent most of the last decade living in Cape Town, where wind is a permanent feature, and I am well versed in its torturous tactics. When I first set up shop in the Mother City, I played with a natural fade and got smashed all over the place by the breeze.

In addition, my open stance and clubface increased my apex, and the wind took hold of my ball and killed my yardage. I corrected this by closing my stance slightly and operating with a forward press setup.

Square stance

The square stance is when the left front foot is parallel to the back right foot and aimed at the target line. Your feet need to be shoulder-width apart, and the clubface has to be square to pull off this most common stance.

For example, you can have a neutral stance, perfect back position, hips, and knees in line, but when you play your shot, you have the ball in the center of your stance. This will make you push the ball to the right, even with the perfect swing.

Advantages of a Square Stance

Promotes Straight Flight

The greatest advantage of a neutral stance is that it prompts straight ball flight to boost your accuracy around the golf course. You will find that this balanced position encourages a fluid swing line with minimal deviation for a square clubface leading into impact.

Disadvantages of a Square stance

No Shape

The downside of constantly operating with a square stance is that it prohibits your ability to shape golf shots. This is particularly annoying on dog leg holes, where a draw or fade can nip you around the curve and give a short, direct approach to the dancefloor.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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For some golfers, the fact that the driver is so long can lead to trouble with control of the ball and ensuring that the shots stay in play.

This is why some players start choking down on their driver, and they almost immediately notice the impact it has on their game.

I’ve tried this concept, especially when I was younger (and even shorter). The results are… interesting and not necessary for everyone. Some amateurs can do well with choking down on the driver, while others should think twice before using this strategy.

Let’s take a look at what choking down on your driver will do for your game.

The Pros of Choking Down on Your Driver

There are a few reasons that golfers will choke down on a driver. The first and most obvious is that the club is long, and this can be hard for some players to adjust to. However, the main reason why golfers choke down is to establish control with the club.

Better Contact with The Center of The Club Head

If you want to make consistent contact with the center of the club head, it’s easiest to do it with a shorter club.

Have you ever noticed that you can hit your pitching wedge more consistently than you can hit your 4 iron? The main reason behind this is that the 4 iron is considerably longer, and it makes it more difficult to find the sweet spot.

When something is further away, it’s harder to be accurate; when it’s closer, you have more control. If you find that you make contact with the heel, toe, upper face, or bottom of the club head, it may be time to consider choking down on the driver to see if you can hit the sweet spot.

Lower Trajectory

Interestingly I put lower trajectory as both a pro and a con.

Sometimes hitting the ball lower is a great thing. If the wind is in your face and you are playing in the colder weather and want just to get the ball to advance down the fairway, this lower trajectory makes a big difference.

A lower trajectory won’t necessarily make you hit the ball further, but it does play well to the accuracy of the shot, and you should be able to hit it a bit straighter. Choking down on the club makes the club a little stiffer and therefore lowers the trajectory.

Less Spin

For some players, spin can be hard to keep in check with the driver in the hands. If you want to try and create a little less backspin or side spin on your golf driver, then choking down can help. Some golfers find that they get a bit more forward roll and spin when swinging with a driver they have choked down on.

Drivers today are lower in spin than they ever have been. So the technology will already be on your side here; it’s just a matter of combining it with the correct swing and setup.

Better Control of The Club

Control is the name of the game from the tee box. I have played with so many great players that can hit the ball a mile, but if you can’t keep it in play, what is the point of hitting it straight?

If you can learn to control the golf club, there is so much you can do on the golf course. For those trying to hit a fade or a draw, I highly recommend choking down as you learn. You will find it much easier to complete the process with a club in your hands that is slightly shorter in length.

The Cons of Choking Down on Your Driver

Unfortunately, choking down on a driver is not a perfect solution. There are issues with total distance, tempo, and lower ball flight that can be a problem for some players. Let’s face the facts here if this was a perfect solution, all golfers would do it, but that is not the case.

Less Distance

When you choke down on your driver, expect to get a little less distance. The difference in distance should be astronomical, but nobody really likes to lose distance on their drives. Expect about 5 to 15 years of loss on a driver.

The total length of most standard drivers is around 45 or 46 inches. When you choke down, you are effectively shortening the club, making it more difficult to get distance from the shots you are trying to hit.

It’s almost like hitting a 3 wood with a driver’s head on it. On an easy hole with no trouble in front of you, don’t worry about choking down on the driver. Get all the distance you can and play the wider fairway.

Slower Club Head Speed

Another problem with choking down on the driver is that it can slow down your club head speed. Of course, you may think that choking up on the club makes it shorter and easier to swing faster, but this isn’t the case.

Since the club swing weight is a bit higher and the shaft is stiffer from choking down, some players will actually lose some speed. This won’t be the case for all golfers, but it’s something to consider and think about when deciding if this is a good method for you to use on the course.

Lower Ball Flight

As I mentioned, lower ball flight is both positive and negative.

Keeping the ball in the air for a long time is good. You will get tremendous carry and the best possible results. However, a lower trajectory and a lower launch lead to less total distance.

If you want that big high, flying driver that heads down the center of the fairway, choking up is not the way to get it done.

Stiffer Shaft

If you have ever thought of cutting down an old golf driver shaft to make it a good choice for a younger player, you are doing them quite a disservice. When you adjust the shaft length like this by cutting it down, you make the club considerably stiffer.

The stiffer shaft will be hard for slower swing speed players to deal with. Professional golfers don’t seem too affected by this, as this minor adjustment doesn’t counteract their fast speeds.

Tempo Concerns

Sometimes the tempo of your golf swing can get thrown off when you choke down on your driver. Players will inadvertently increase grip pressure, forget to make a complete backswing, and sometimes lose balance when trying to choke down on the golf club.

Of course, you can improve your golf tempo by practicing on the driving range and learning how not to change your swing when you choke down on the club. Just keep this one in mind in case you choke down and feel like your swing is not the same.

How to Decide If You Should Choke Down on Your Driver

Sometimes the playing conditions on the course or some features of our golf swing will help you decide if it makes sense to choke down on your driver. Here are the factors that you should be thinking about.

Weather Conditions

When it is cold, windy, and wet, you will want to keep your dispersion rates down. The golf course is hard enough. Make sure you are hitting these accurate drives that get plenty of roll and can penetrate through the rough conditions.

On nice weather days when your swing feels fluid, and you aren’t as concerned with control and a lower launch, choking down on the driver is likely not necessary.

Trouble on The Hole

Golfers who are good at golf course management can accurately assess a hole and decide if it’s wise to swing away or keep things a bit more under control. Of course, when there is less trouble on a hole, you can look for increased clubhead speed and more distance.

When the golf hole has water hazards, sand traps, or even out-of-bounds, it could pay to choke down on your driver and get the ball in play. Some golfers will also consider using a 3 wood for a hole like this.

Player Height

The player’s height is another important consideration. If you are a taller golfer, it makes sense to hold your club at the very top. For shorter golfers, sometimes a longer driver feels challenging to control. If this is the case, simply hold the club a bit further down.

If you find yourself doing this continually, it may make sense to consider a shorter driver. Purchase this type of golf driver direct from the manufacturer instead of having it custom-fitted after the fact.

When you purchase direct, the club weighting and stiffness of the shaft can be double-checked before it’s put into your hands.

How Far You Should Choke Down

Golfers are often unsure of exactly how far down the shaft they should be choking down on a driver. You will have to play around with this based on what feels comfortable and what produces the proper results.

Generally speaking, choking down about one inch from the top of the driver is the perfect amount for most players. This small amount still has a great impact on the overall length of the shot and the ability to get the ball in the center of the fairway.

Remember that most golf grips have a taper to them. This means that the further you choke down, the smaller the club is going to feel in your hands. This can impact your ability to turn the club over, and some players hit the ball left because of it.

The next time you’re at the driving range, try a few swings choking down on your driver and see how it works out.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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The flow neck putter has always been what has worked best for my game.

However, not until I started studying the difference between different types of putter head and shaft connections did I realize why this was the case.

A flow neck putter is not perfect, and not every golfer should use one, but understanding what it is and how it can help your game is quite important.

So to kick this article off, let’s discuss the pros and cons of this type of putter…

Pros of Flow Neck Putters

• It can help golfers with an arc-style putting stroke
• Helps with better feel as opposed to a mechanical type stroke
• Lots of toe hang
• Helps players stand a little further from the ball
• Can ensure the putter is more square at impact

Cons of Flow Neck Putters

• Not ideal for straight back and straight through putting stroke
• Won’t work well for a golfer that is more mechanical and less feel oriented
• Requires a more upright stance

Who a Flow Neck Putter is Best Suited For

As we mentioned, there is no such thing as a perfect putter, so finding a flow neck putter that will work for your needs requires understanding both the benefits of the flow neck and the type of golfer you are. Here are a few reasons why you would want to consider a flow neck putter for your game.

Golfers That Stand a Bit Further from The Ball

Some players feel that to get better stability and an optimal forward roll, they need to stand slightly further away from the golf ball. If this describes you, then the flow neck could be a great solution to consider.

When you stand too close to the golf ball, it’s sometimes hard to feel where the elbows should be moving in your stroke, and that can cause miss hits.

The general rule of thumb is to try and get your eyes over the golf ball, but it’s not a fit for all players and certainly not mandatory to be a great putter.

Feel Players

If you are a feel player, you are more of an artist on the course. Feel players look for putters that have better sound, better symmetry, and pure roll. In addition, these players tend to be a bit less mechanical in the way they swing the club.

If you’ve watched Bryson DeChambeau putt, chances are you have seen what a mechanical putting stroke looks like. Bryson is a golfer that they have nicknamed “the scientist.”

He likes math and making sure the putter is on a specific path back and forth to the hole. Measuring the length of his putting stroke and speed is common for Bryson.

Therefore a flow neck putter would not be the best thing for him. The club has too much toe hang, and he’s more of a face balanced kind of guy.

Inside to Inside Putting Stroke

Take a look at your standard putting stroke. Do you take the club back on an inside path and then take it back on an inside path on the follow through?

If this is the case, then you will benefit from a flow neck putter. The inside to inside putting stroke makes it considerably easier to square up the putter face and ensure the ball is headed towards the target.

With the toe hang on the flow neck putters, it will be considerably more square as you come into the impact position.

Players That Miss Putts to The Right

Does it feel like you are always missing your putts to the right?

It turns out this could be related to the putter itself and not just you! The toe hang on the flow neck putters allows the putter head to open slightly, move to a square position, and then rotate closed after the putt is made.

If you struggle to do this naturally with your stroke than it makes sense to look and see how the putter shaft and clubhead are connected.

Our Top 3 Flow Neck Putters

There are various types of flow neck putters on the market. Some companies will make a standard model and then let you choose the clubhead to shaft connection that works best for your game. Here are 3 of our favorite flow neck putters.

Cleveland Golf Frontline 2.0

The Cleveland Golf Frontline features the 2135 technology combined with forward tungsten weighting and impressive speed control across the face. Those that need a bit more stability and consistency through impact will do well with the Cleveland Frontline 2.0 flow neck.

Odyssey Stroke Lab Double Wide Flow Neck

The Triple Track design on the Odyssey Stroke Lab putters does not have to only be used in the large mallet head golf clubs. This Double Wide Flow Neck putter provides a firm feel at impact, improved sound, and a White Hot Microhine insert for some of the best feel in the game.

TaylorMade Spider SR Flowneck #9

The TaylorMade Spider SR Flowneck is a multi-material design golf putter with a combination of both steel and tungsten materials. The club has a white TPU Pure Roll Insert to help it be a bit softer at impact. In addition, the TaylorMade Spider line is one of the most stable at impact.

Other Types of Putter Necks

The flow neck is not the only type of putter neck in the game. Golf manufacturers will continually play around with the putter shaft and head connection to ensure that golfers have options for their game. Here are the other types of putter necks to know.

Plumber Neck: a horizontal bend just below where the shaft and hosel meet; this putter is known for having plenty of forgiveness

Flare Tip: The shaft covers the top of the hosel where the shaft and club head connect, best for an arc-style stroke

No Hosel: this will look like an S bend shaft that falls into the putter head directly

Slant Neck: the slant neck looks similar to the plumber’s neck but has even more offset; this is great for golfers who like a forward press in their stroke

Center Shaft: a center shafted putter moves the shaft away from the heel and creates a ton of stability and high MOI in the putter head

One of the best ways to know what type of putter neck to use is to go for a custom putter fitting. These putter fittings can tell you about your misses, the putts you strike well, and what equipment matches your style.

The great thing about golf putters is the technology does not change as often as clubs like drivers or irons, so you can find a match that stays in your bag for a long time!

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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The putter is one of the last clubs in the bag that you can still get a great deal on. Finding a driver or a fairway wood under $100 is a bit of a challenge, but there are still some great putters out there that can help you improve your scoring and become a better player.

One of the most important keys to finding a great putter is paying attention to the type of putting stroke you have and the parts of the game that matter the most to you. If you’re good at alignment but struggle with feel, keep that in mind as you shop for the best inexpensive putters.

Here are the top 10 best putters under $100.

For golfers that just need a quick recommendation, here are our top choices:

Pinemeadow Golf PGX MB

Pinemeadow is known for helping golfers get started in the game because of its low pricing and ease of use. What I love about the Pinemeadow Golf PGX MB putter is the fact that it has plenty of weight in the head. A heavy headed putter is great for fast greens and added control.

Each of the Pinemeadow Golf PGX MB putters comes with a Pindemadow Spider grip which is a little thicker than standard, has a soft feel, and will have good durability.

The black putter head makes it easier to see even on sunny days, or if you struggle to see whether or not it’s aligned properly, the Pinemeadow PGX MB is a perfect choice.

Pros

• Has good distance control
• Easy alignment
• Soft grip that stays steady in the hands

Cons

• Use headcover as paint from the club head is known to chip

Mazel Tour GS

Mazel Golf has started to put some great options on the market for golfers that are interested in a fairly priced upgrade to their game. The Mazel Tour GS putter is a mallet type golf club with a low center of gravity, high performance grip, and an impressive feel for the pricing.

One of the things that helps this putter stand out is the easy alignment. There are top lines that make it very easy to square up the club head and have it positioned towards your target.

In addition, the club has a high MOI, so it will work for mid to high handicappers as well as beginners. The Mazel Tour GS does come with a headcover, and it’s standard at 34 inches.

Pros

• Does not skip off the clubface, smooth roll
• Low center of gravity
• More consistent speed coming off the face of the club

Cons

• Only comes in one length
• The bat and blade style putters are not as good as the Tour GS Black Upgraded

Pinemeadow Golf Site 4

The Pinemeadow Golf Site 4 is a very easy-to-use mallet putter with an offset hosel and fair pricing. Don’t be surprised to see the Pinemeadow name on our list more than once. The technology from this brand is perfect for the budget putter shopper.

With the offset hosel found in the Golf Site 4, the putter head is quite forgiving and allows for a good option for straight back and straight through putting strokes. In addition, the putter face was made to be smooth and minimize skipping or jumping off the face.

Whether you are new to the game or need to change up the equipment this year, the Golf Site 4 should be on the list for mallet putter golfers.

Pros

• Offset hosel
• Site Plate technology for better alignment
• Smooth and consistent face

Cons

• Has a bit of a “ting” noise when you putt, not as smooth as PGX MB

Powerbilt RS X

The Powerbilt RS X is a mallet putter with impressive forgiveness and alignment. With the Powerbilt RS X, you will get considerable stability at impact and be able to keep the ball on a straight and true line.

Some putters that look really similar to the Powerbilt RS X retail for hundreds of dollars. This club has a plumbers neck hosel making it a little easier to get your hands into the correct position.

One thing to be sure of when purchasing a lower priced golf putter is that the weighting is a good fit for your golf game. Keep in mind that if the weight is not the right fit for your putting stroke, you can always add a bit of lead tape.

However, for those with some erratic putts, the Powerbilt RS X is an excellent option to consider.

Pros

• More forgiveness on off enter hits
• Plumbers neck hosel
• Face insert with a soft feel

Cons

• Headcover does not come with it

Ray Cook Silver Ray Select SR 595

So far, almost all of the putters I’ve recommended are from manufacturers with a good history in the game. For the best cheap putters, it’s best to choose a brand that has a few successful models. The history of the Ray Cook putters stands out as being quite impressive.

With a few professional wins and plenty of professional appearances over the years, the mallet putters from Ray Cook stand out as some of the best. This is a high MOI putter that looks quite like the TaylorMade Spider.

With this face-balanced putter design, a straight back and straight through golf putter will find that the precision and accuracy are quite impressive. In addition, the feel is stable and solid with the SR 595 in your hands.

Pros

• A unique looking putter head
• Typically available in a few colors
• Heavy enough for faster greens

Cons

• Only comes standard in 35 inches

Tour Edge Golf Bazooka Pro 7

One of the first companies I recommend to golfers on a budget is Tour Edge. This brand does such an excellent job of making clubs perform and react like high end golf clubs for a price that is considerably more fair than average.

This club has seven different head styles, but the Pro 7 stands out as one of the best. The high MOI design helps golfers create a more pure and fluid putting stroke. Keeping the ball on the proper line will be considerably easier to do.

In addition, the thick jumbo putting grip will keep your hands out of the putting stroke and allow the larger muscles to handle the majority of the putting stroke. Expect very little head rotation with this putter and a softer touch.

Pros

• Effortless alignment
• Face insert with micro grooves
• High MOI design
• A thick grip keeps wrists from breaking

Cons

• Larger club head can take some time to get used to

Wilson Harmonized M1

Wilson Harmonized wedges have always been one of our favorite choices for a value-priced wedge. It turns out that the Harmonized M1 putters also offer some really great performance for the higher handicap players and beginners.

If you are looking for a semi-mallet head shape, stability at impact, and impressive consistency, the Harmonize M1 could be a good option for you.

This putter does have a face insert to help improve the soft feel at impact. And the balanced feel will make off center hits much less noticeable. I like this option best for high handicappers and beginners looking for a more classic style putter.

Pros

• Semi mallet head shape is not too large
• Balanced feel for forgiveness
• Midsize golf grip
• Easy alignment design

Cons

• Some golfers say it feels a little soft

MacGregor Golf MacPutt 003

The MacGregor Golf MacPutt 003 is an extended mallet head design that falls well below the $100 price limit. This particular model has more technology built in than quite a few of our other choices on this list.

The top of the club has a long alignment aid to make it easier to set up and ensure you are heading directly to your target. In addition, the model comes in both a left handed and right handed version.

I was impressed with the distance control of the MacPutt 003 for the price that it is offered. If you have some idea of what it takes to hit a putt solidly, the MacGregor putter could help round things out with consistency and an overall impressive feel.

Pros

• High MOI design
• Easy alignment technology
• Good options for mid handicappers
• Impressive technology to provide better alignment and feel

Cons

• Not the softest option on the market

Possot Golf Putter

The Possot Golf Putter is one of the best blade style putters on the market. These blade style putters have an impressive feel and sound and come standard in a 34 inch shaft. Each one also has a lightweight pistol grip that is easy to hold and will keep your hands in place as you putt.

What I like best about this putter is how it looks from the top down. It has modern coloring and feel but all the classic shaping of a true blade. Your alignment lines won’t be as impressive with a putter like this, but that is to be expected when you switch from a mallet to a blade.

For a golfer with an arc style putting stroke looking for something that improves overall consistency in the game for a very fair price, the Possot is an excellent option to consider.

Pros

• High MOI
• Classic blade style look
• Black finish for a modern appearance
• Lightweight and comfortable grip

Cons

• Brand name is not as well established for warranty-related issues

GoSports GS1 Blade Style Putter

The GoSports GS1 Blade Style Putter is a new release to the market, but at first glance, I was impressed with the classic design and modern features. The stainless steel head actually has a milled face, something that is quite hard to find in the sub-$100 range.

With the GoSports GS1 Blade Style Putter, expect a fat grip with a 1.3” diameter that will take your hands out of it and allow the larger muscles to do what they need to do.

In addition, the club comes with a cover to ensure it stays as shiny and new as it is right now.

Pros

• Good looking classic blade
• Fat grip to help with consistency
• Comes with headcover

Cons

• They are not as stable at impact as some other putters are

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the best putters under $100.

What are good affordable putters?

Some of the best affordable putters on the market are those made by Pinemeadow, Wilson, and Ray Cook. This brand seems to always keep budget in mind without sacrificing performance.

What is the proper putter length for my height?

The proper length of a putter for your height can be determined by a putter fitting or by using a fitting club chart. The standard putter size is 34” for those with average height. If you are 6’1” or taller, the 35 inch putter is likely a good idea. Those shorter than 5’6” may want to look at 33 inch putters.

What is the easiest putter to putt with?

Most golfers find the face-balanced mallet-style putter to be the easiest putter style to work with. This putter can stay square to the target on the backswing and follow through to ensure that the ball rolls toward the hole on the proper line.

Is it worth spending money on a putter?

The putter is the only club in the bag that gets the golf ball into the hole. It’s more fun to spend money on a new driver, but it’s more important to spend money on a new putter. Think about how many putts you take in a round and why the putter you play with is so important.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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Have you ever heard of the single plane golf swing? 

Lots of golfers feel that it’s a simpler way to swing the golf club. Our goal with this article is to help you decide if the single plane golf swing will work for you.

The Mechanics of a Single Plane Golf Swing

The single plane golf swing is used by golfers to help them learn the correct golf swing positions by using only one plane for the backswing, downswing, and impact positions. 

Most golf instructors teach the two-plane golf swing because it’s the most commonly used and the most widely studied. However, there are a lot of advocates for the single plane golf swing. Let’s break down the mechanics of the single plane swing.

1. While addressing the golf ball during your setup, try to mimic the impact position. The easiest way to do this is to keep your hands in front of the clubhead. This will automatically line up the club shaft with your lead arm.
2. During the backswing, be sure to keep your lead shoulder and lead arm on the same plane as you work the golf club to the top. You should also have a small amount of hip rotation during the backswing so that you can keep the same spine tilt that you had while addressing the golf ball.
3. During the downswing, make sure to turn your core while swinging the golf club across your body and to the left.
4. When using the single plane swing, the impact position will look almost identical to the conventional two plane swing. However, there’s a lot less that can go wrong with the one-plane swing since it requires less movement.
5. During the release, you want your lead knee to be flexed but not too stiff. The trail foot will remain quiet as the trail arm folds. This keeps the overall swing nice and stable.

Pros and Cons of The Single Plane Golf Swing

We often talk about how there is no perfect approach to building a smooth, effective golf swing. It’s the same case with the single plane swing, as it has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Here are some of the pros and cons of this swing.

Pro #1: The Single Plane Golf Swing is Easier to Repeat

When creating a smooth, effortless, but powerful golf swing, repeatability means more than being mechanically perfect. To play exceptional golf and shoot lower scores, a golfer must learn how to minimize their thoughts during the swing. 

A golf swing that is easy to repeat is a huge advantage because it will eventually feel like second nature to the golfer. This will help the golfer quiet his mind and not overanalyze every aspect of his swing.

Pro #2: Simplicity

Golf is a difficult game to learn and impossible to master. A key to being successful is to simplify the swing as much as possible. 

The one plane swing accomplishes this because it doesn’t have nearly as many moving parts as the traditional two plane swing.

Pro #3: Promotes a Natural Draw

Do you struggle with a slice? The single plane golf swing may be just what you need to remedy that huge banana ball that is plaguing you. 

Golfers that have switched to a single plane swing have noticed that it’s much easier for them to draw the golf ball and hit more fairways.

This is because keeping the arms and shoulders on the same plane results in a flatter swing. This creates a swing path that is more in to out, which promotes a natural draw.

Con #1: The Single Plane Swing Can Limit Power

This point hasn’t been proven but lots of golfers feel like the single plane swing limits their yardage, especially with the larger clubs like the driver and fairway woods. 

Many golf instructors think that this is because the left arm has to stay so close to the body during the one-plane swing.

Other folks argue that their power is not limited by the smaller arc of the single plane swing because they use more rotational force. It remains to be seen which camp is right on this issue.

Con #2: Tough to Hit a High Power Fade

Most golfers who are long off the tee prefer to hit big power fades. Some folks believe that fades are easier to control. 

Since the single plane golf swing promotes a natural in to out swing path, it can be very difficult to hit a fade while using it.

Con 3: Can Lead to Hooks

Though rare, using a single plane golf swing can start to cause hooks. Again, this is due to the in-to-out swing path and the sweeping force that is required to execute the one plane swing properly. 

Golfers who have especially fast hips often aren’t a good fit for the single plane swing for that very reason.

When Golfers Typically Use This Swing

There are lots of reasons why golfers use the single plane swing. Here are some of the most common…

1. Golfers Who Are Just Starting Out

The single plane swing is used by tons of beginner golfers because it is much easier to learn than the two plane swing. Many golfers who are just starting to learn the game will be more comfortable with the single plane swing.

2. Golfers Who Are Lacking Consistency With Their Swing

Though the two-plane swing is more commonly taught, it can be a real beast to figure out for some golfers. 

Lots of folks get fed up with all the moving parts of the two-plane swing so they decide to give the single plane swing a shot. Many golfers love how much their consistency improves when they switch to the single plane swing.

3. Folks Who Want Better Ball Striking

The single plane golf swing makes it much easier to make solid contact. Making better contact usually leads to more distance and more precise accuracy. 

If your ball striking isn’t quite what you think it should be, consider trying the single plane golf swing.

Pro Golfers Who Use This Swing

Though the two-plane swing is the top choice for most PGA Tour pros, several pro golfers use the single plane golf swing. Here is a brief list:

Moe Norman

Norman is known as the father of the single plane golf swing by much of the golf world. Many people consider Norman to be the greatest ball-striker of all time. 

Though the Canadian native only played for a short time on the PGA Tour, he achieved 55 victories on the Canadian Tour.

Ben Hogan

Mr. Hogan experimented quite a bit with his swing but he did utilize a single plane swing during some of his best years on the PGA Tour. Like Norman, Hogan was a master at keeping his address position and impact position on the same plane. 

Hogan went on to win 64 times on the PGA Tour, 9 of which were major championships.

Todd Graves

Graves never made it to the PGA Tour but he did play professionally on the Canadian Tour and the Asian Tour. Graves teaches golfers from all over the world the finer points of the single plane swing. 

Jim Hardy

Hardy played pro golf on both the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour. He is a big proponent of the single plane golf swing and is a world-renowned golf instructor. 

Hardy was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.

Drills to Help You Nail This Swing

Want to practice the single plane golf swing? There’s a fantastic six-step drill video included at the end of this article to help get you started. Here is a quick breakdown of the important points for each drill in the video.

Drill #1

The main focus of the first drill is to work on turning the legs and hips. You want to make sure that the trailing hip turns in and that the head remains still throughout the process.

Drill #2

The second drill emphasizes the first two-thirds of the backswing. Lots of people would refer to this as the takeaway drill. The goal is to work on the proper wrist hinge and on keeping the left arm close to the body.

Drill #3

This drill focuses on making a full backswing. You want to cock the wrists and let the hands release at impact

Drill #4

This is a good drill to help you get used to the proper impact position. With this drill, simply graze the golf club along the ground until it goes past the lead foot.

Drill #5

The fifth drill makes the golfer work on finishing through impact and turning the clubhead over after making contact with the golf ball. This is also a good opportunity for the golfer to work on keeping the head as still as possible.

Drill #6

The last drill focuses on practicing a complete follow-through after hitting the golf ball. The golfer wants to make a full turn with the chest pointing toward the target while finishing the swing.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Late golf legend Sam Snead said that a swing is all about rhythm and if you can achieve that, you can become a good player. He believed that the forward press golf swing had a positive impact on our swing arc because it delivers a consistent angle of attack.

In this guide, I will take you through the pros and cons of the forward press and explain when you should employ it in your game.

If you have tried the Forward Press, and it didn’t work out, learn more about the inside-out or flat golf swings.

What is The Forward Press Golf Swing?

Mark Crossfield describes a forward press golf swing as setting up, pushing the club handle towards your front foot, and swinging. This setup reduces the loft of your club and encourages you to strike the ball with a slightly closed, aiming to optimize your distance and shape.

While that sounds phenomenal, it requires precise mechanics, movement of the wrists, and a good tempo. Without those elements, you may battle to get the club shaft aiming along the target line when it is parallel to the ground. That creates an open clubface at impact and many sliced shots.

Pros of The Forward Press Golf Swing

Rhythm

According to Sam Snead, a little rhythm will help you hit beautiful golf shots. He found that the forward press setup helped trigger all kinds of smoothness on your backswing and downswing. Achieving this fluidity in your swing will alleviate any nerves or anxiety you have before each shot.

Ball Striking

If you can achieve a rhythmic golf swing, you will enjoy far better control of the club, enabling you to guide it to the proper impact position. By that, I mean getting it square if you intend to hit a straight shot or slightly closed for minimal draw.

Consistently getting your clubface into the correct position results in cleaner strikes, accelerated ball speed, and a controlled flight. It also keeps your ball on the target line for superior accuracy.

Launch

Pressing your hands ahead of the golf ball reduces the loft of your golf club, promoting less spin and a lower launch. That is ideal for players who generate excess spin on each strike. As well as those who play in the gale-force wind. 

Furthermore, it is beneficial to setup this way if you are playing a punch shot and wish to keep the ball under the tree branches at your local golf course.

Plus, if you want to keep a short game shot low to run the ball up to the hole, you can reduce the loft of your wedges by employing the forward press swing.

Distance

By reducing the loft of your club, you reduce spin rpm to help you maximize your distance. The lower launch means that when your ball lands, it stands more chance of rolling further than a higher lofted, spinning club.

Shot Shape

Hitting a minor draw has the tendency to improve our control over our golf ball. Knowing how your ball will fly enables you to compensate for the shape and repeat your setup. That provides optimal consistency on every shot.

The forward press setup helps you start your club on a path that will keep the face closed at impact to prompt a draw.

Cons of The Forward Press Golf Swing

Wrist Movement

While the pros of this swing are helpful, they all fall apart when you do not pay careful attention to the action of the hands. If you do not adjust your wrists on your downswing, your clubface will remain open through impact, prompting side spin that causes a slice. 

To prevent that from happening, you need to thrust your right wrist forward on the downswing to bring the clubface back to the position it was at address. Failure to do this leads to inconsistent ball striking and inaccurate results.

Conversely, if you rotate your wrists excessively, you may close the clubface more than necessary and hook your strike.

Setup

Much forward press can cause a golfer to feel awkward, causing them to adjust their posture and change the club path. 

Often players feel like they can’t square the face up at impact. So, instead of repositioning their wrists and rotating the shoulders and hips, the back out of the shot. That causes them to come up on the ball before impact and hit fat shots.

Slice

The forward press drill can cause amateurs to slice shots because of an open clubface at impact. If you do not get your wrists and hands working to bring the club on plane, the clubface may stay open through impact.

When It Typically Makes The Most Sense to Use This Swing

Punch Shots

As amateurs, we spend less time on the fairway than we would like, which is why you should spend your practice sessions conducting shot recovery drills. One option is the punch shot, which saves me every round. When you are in the woods and need a low flying ball to avoid the treetops, a forward press swing can help you get out.

Closing your clubface and reducing the loft will generate a low flying stroke to keep your ball out of trouble. 

The punch shot is also handy to play in windy conditions, where high flying balls get held up, causing a loss of distance. As experienced by Ping Tour Player Louis Oosthuizen growing up.

Extra Club

If you are in a position where you do not have sufficient club, you can employ the forward press swing to help you reduce the spin and increase roll. The beauty of this approach is that you enjoy extra roll because of a lack of spin. The downside is that you do not produce sufficient shot-stopping power on approach shots.

Take a practice swing or two before executing because this setup can cause you to lose your rhythm, chunk your shots and take huge divots out of the greenkeeper’s hard work.

Draw Shape

The final scenario where the forward press golf swing is handy is to hit a draw. If your hand position lies ahead of the ball before takeaway, it helps you register where the clubface should be at impact. If you execute the plane correctly and close the face, you will induce a controlled draw.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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Previously, I took you through the ins and outs of a flat golf swing to help you employ it in your game. However, in this guide, I focus on the pros and cons of a flat golf swing. The purpose here is to help you determine if this is the correct swing for your game.

In addition to outlining the advantages and downsides of this swing, I will also explain what causes a flat golf swing. Plus, I detail ways to boost it if it hampers your performance.

A flat golf swing can produce superb clubhead speed for a maximum coefficient of restitution (COR). However, your mechanics better be well oiled as the slightest mistake can lead to disaster.

Causes of a Flat Golf Swing

A flat golf swing is typically caused by your hands working around your body. In other words, you take your clubhead around until it finishes behind your lead shoulder. This is the opposite of a steep swing. That plane sees you take your hands up, with the clubhead coming to rest above your lead shoulder.

Matt Kuchar takes his clubhead back and up before shallowing the shaft. Then, he commonly maximizes his rotation and sends the clubhead hurtling towards the ball. This is known as a two-plane swing and was even employed by Ben Hogan:

Another example of this type of player is Sergio Garcia. This PGA Tour video provides a clear demonstration of how the Masters Champion approaches each shot:

You could be rotating your hips and shoulders extensively on the backswing to produce a flat swing plane. That leads to your hands taking the golf club around the body.

Furthermore, when you drop your trail shoulder at the top of your backswing, it can lower the club to a shallow angle. It is often caused by golfers with excess weight on their trail foot, causing you to lean back on your shot.

Therefore there are two causes of a flat golf swing. The first is your hands working around your body on the backswing. Secondly, dropping your club into a shallow position at the top of your downswing also flattens your plane.

Pros of a Flat Golf Swing

Lower Body And Shoulder Turn

Many amateurs fail to optimize their hip and shoulder turn during their swing. This causes players to lose distance and accuracy. When you learn to operate with a flat backswing and downswing, you understand the importance of rotation.

If you fail to generate ample hip and shoulder rotation on your downswing, it causes you to hook or slice shots. Swinging from inside out with an open clubface causes you to push your ball. Conversely, you may find that you close the clubface at impact and hook your shot.

Furthermore, excessive lower body and shoulder rotation too early in your swing may encourage your hands to bring the clubhead around your body. The reality is optimal turn is necessary, while too much can bring about problems.

Clubhead Speed

Golfers with a flatter swing plane cause the clubhead to travel further than if they adapted a steeper wind up.

The momentum you generate from added travel distance on your downswing prompts rapid clubhead velocity. As a result, it enhances your ability to maximize your COR and induce explosive ball speed.

Optimal COR and explosive ball speed deliver added mid and long game distance.

Coefficient Of Restitution (COR)

To optimize your ball speed, you need a high COR result. COR describes the quantity of energy transferred from your clubface onto the ball at impact. The more power you pass on, the faster your ball speed is likely to be. Therefore you increase your chance of increasing your yardage.

However, you must strike your golf ball out of the center for superior results. Any mishits will reduce your COR and ball speed, causing you to lose yardage. Obviously, forgiving clubs will mitigate this damage. However, you still stand to lose a few yards.

Ball Speed

The pace of your ball is determined by your clubhead speed and subsequent COR. When you precisely execute a flat golf swing, the added clubhead speed and high COR prompt increase the pace of your ball.

Distance

The distance you gain from a flat golf swing stems from a cocktail of clubhead and ball speed and COR. When these factors align, your ball travels high and long for optimal distance.

Cons of a Flat Golf Swing

Mechanics

The biggest downside of a flat swing path is the various elements of your mechanics that need to gel. Your rhythm needs to kick in from takeaway through impact for consistent results. On top of rhythm, you need optimal hip and shoulder turn for superior weight transition.

Consistency is the challenge with this type of swing, as there are numerous factors to master. That is why I do not encourage the average golfer to employ it.

Rotation

Although rotation forms part of the swing mechanics I touched on before, it is a potential hazard on a flat golf swing.

It is a handicap to the average golfer because you either rotate too early, generating excess turn. But more than likely, you do not rotate enough.

Naturally, imperfect rotation impacts the accuracy and distance of any golf swing. But, it is especially detrimental for a flat golf swing.

The greatest challenge amateur golfers endure is prompting ample hip and shoulder turn. It causes you to leave the clubface open at impact and push your shots. Conversely, you can also close the club at impact and send it hooking.

Hooks

When you are in a shallow position at the top of your swing, you may feel that the clubhead is in an awkward position. Therefore, you may cast the club out and down instead of following a one-plane swing. That causes the clubface to travel along an outside-to-inside line remaining closed at impact.

When the clubface is in this position, it generates excessive right-to-left sidespin causing a hooked shot. Golf instructor Mark Crossfield demonstrates this challenge in this video:

Slices

Slices are the most common shot error that amateurs induce. That remains true with a flat swing. The downside of this setup is that a lack of rotation prevents you from getting your club on plane when your shaft is parallel to the ground.

Subsequently, that causes your clubface to remain open at impact, generating right-to-left sidespin. A flat golf swing is temperamental, and without sufficient rotation and a consistent tempo, you will experience erratic results.

Topped Shots

A flat position at the top of your swing may make you feel like your flexibility is restricted. What amateurs do is drop their trail shoulder and tense their muscles. That prompts them to lean back and come up on their shot, propelling the clubhead into the turf.

If you decide to play with a flat golf swing, you must commit to the process. That means producing optimal hip and shoulder rotation and keeping your club on one plane. Leaning back and not transferring weight will cause you to come up before impact and top your shots.

So, Can a Flat Swing Be Good?

Yes, there is no doubt that a flat swing can be good. It prompts superior rotation and can increase clubhead speed. In addition, it increases your chances of a high COR for added ball speed and distance.

However, it is difficult to execute this swing considering the rotation, weight distribution, and swing plane requirements.

How to Fix a Flat Swing

Takeaway

If you are happy with a flat swing but wish to refine it, I suggest working on your shoulder rotation and controlling your hands.

Dropping your left arm during your backswing will allow your right arm to take over and drag the club around your body. Excessive extension around the body will restrict your ability to rotate and shift your weight back towards your front on the downswing.

However, if you wish to shake a flat swing, focus on your arms guiding the clubhead up and over. A more upright swing will place the clubhead above your left shoulder at the top of your swing. Next, swing down and through.

Obviously, I am not saying eradicate hip and torso rotation. My point is that a reduced turn does not deliver the same devastating consequences as on a flat golf swing.

Control Your Hands

You should use the momentum from the front to back weight distribution to get your clubhead to the top of your swing. However, when you feel like your hands are wrapping around your body and taking control of the club, you need to adjust your backswing.

Work on taking the club back and up instead of around your body. A higher position at the top of your swing will provide increased freedom to free the arms on your downswing.

Don’t Shallow The Club

If your swing is similar to Rory Mcilroy, where you take the club back high and shallow, you may want to eradicate this step from your game. It certainly assists the former World number 1, but it is tricky for casual golfers to execute.

Don’t drop your shoulder to flatten the club at the top of your swing. Instead, keep it on one plane, which will make it easy to swing down and through. As a result, you’ll produce superior accuracy.

Shallowing your club from this position can cause you to drop your shoulder and fall back on your shot. That either leads to an open clubface at impact or a topped shot.

Impact

Making these tweaks will either exterminate your flat swing or optimize it. No matter what swing you opt for, the goal is to get your clubface square or slightly closed at impact.

A flat golf swing will keep you long and straight if your tempo is on point. However, if you struggle with the flat swing, initiate an upright technique to make life easier for yourself.

Flat Golf Swing FAQs

Is It Bad To Have A Flat Golf Swing?

No, it is not bad to have a flat golf swing. There are several positives, including increased clubhead speed, COR, ball speed, and distance. The downside of a flat swing is that it requires precise rotation and mechanics to execute. That is why it is difficult for the average golfer to master.

Is A Shallow Or Steep Swing Better?

They both have pros and cons, which suit different golfers. However, after dabbling with various swings in my career, I can safely say a steep swing is easier for the average golfer. Your punishment is less severe when you do not produce sufficient rotation.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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