Best Mallet Putters: Performance
Identifying the most deserving clubs for our Hot List equipment guide requires the ability to decipher among thin lines of excellence. That’s why we commit to extensive player-testing and spend hundreds of hours meeting with manufacturer R&D teams and our academic panel of scientists to better understand the nuances that make each club special. For mallet putters, our testers assess roll, consistency and forgiveness to try to answer some key questions: Does the ball leave the putter face with purpose? Do off-center hits roll out farther than expected? Is the ball clearly rotating end over end? Scores are based on our 1-5 rating scale and include a second Top-5 rating that testers submit after hitting all the putters in the category. In the second step, testers compile a list of their top-rated models in order from 1 to 5. Here’s how our 32 testers evaluated mallet putters based on their interpretation of Performance, with each putter earning a minimum score of 4.5 stars. Note that the star rating is for the collection of models under a specific family.
L.A.B. Golf
DF3i
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
Built on the familiar platform of the company’s original Directed Force putter, this gently downsized version maintains the zero-torque technology weighting that keeps the putter square to its lie angle through the stroke.
Each putter is balanced individually through a collection of screw weights in the sole. The intent is to coordinate the putter’s center of gravity to the lie angle so that there’s minimal manipulation of the head required during the stroke to bring the face back to square.
Milled from select aluminum for overall softness, this new version adds a stainless-steel face insert for improved sound and roll velocity.
Those face inserts come in different milling patterns based on a player’s preference for feel and roll.
The loop shape in the back, including the collection of six heel and toe weights, adds off-center hit stability.
Top 5 in Performance, low- and middle-handicaps
Models: DF3i. Head weights: 310-420 grams. Lengths: 32-38 inches. Loft: 2-3 degrees
Odyssey
Square 2 Square Tri-Hot
$550/$600
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$550/$600
Other zero-torque putters position the shaft well back of the face to line up the shaft axis with the head’s center of gravity, but this model uses massive internal weighting to push the shaft position nearly in line with the start of the face.
The front of the putter, which houses the face insert and the shaft connection, contains 141 grams of high-density tungsten to push 80 percent of the putter’s total weight in that front section.
The forward center of gravity allows the hands to put the putter in a more neutral address position with minimal forward shaft lean.
A thin crosshair alignment mark is designed for easier recognition of proper aim.
The new insert uses two layers of urethane (firmer underneath and softer on top) and grooves angled at 19 degrees to create quicker end-over-end roll.
The firmer underlayer on the insert features the amorphous thickness pattern developed with AI. The varying thick and thin regions, derived from more than 15,000 iterations, improve ball speed and backspin on mis-hits.
Available in a counterbalanced 38-inch “Cruiser” version that comes with a 17-inch grip and a 380-gram head built for extra stability at impact.
Top 5 in Performance, middle-handicaps
Models: #7, Jailbird, Rossie, Jailbird Cruiser. Head weights: 365, 385 grams. Lengths: 33-35, 38 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
TaylorMade
Spider Tour
$350
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350
The square-ish designs feature extreme heel and toe weighting for maximum forgiveness plus two neck styles and different centers of gravity to better accommodate arcing and straight strokes.
The thin-wall casting method allows saved weight from the crown and sidewalls to be redistributed for more stability on off-center hits.
A thermoplastic rubber positioned behind the face, previously used in TaylorMade’s irons, minimizes vibration for a cleaner, crisper sound.
The lightweight Surlyn face insert features grooves that angle downward to improve initial launch and roll to control unwanted backspin and initial skidding.
Among the most popular mallet designs ever, Spider putters were preferred by four of the top 10 players in the world in 2025 (Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre).
The Tour S model comes in a heavier head for over-length setups, and the Black Series is now offered with a black PVD finish in the Tour, Tour X and Tour S models.
Top 5 in Performance, low-, middle- and high-handicaps
Models: Tour, Tour X, Tour S, Tour Z, Tour V. Head weights: 345-380 grams. Lengths: 33, 34, 35, 38 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
TaylorMade
Spider ZT
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
Building on the most popular mallet putter in the game, this new center-shafted model embraces the zero-torque putter trend by matching elements of the Spider’s aim, alignment and forgiveness features with weighting designed to reduce the degree your hands have to manipulate the face angle during the stroke.
A massive amount of weight has been repositioned forward in the head to better line up the position of the shaft axis to the head’s center of gravity.
The front of the putter is largely heavy dense steel, and the back is lightweight aluminum. In addition, heavy toe and heel weights in the sole push weight forward and to the perimeter for extra stability.
A wider head size and wraparound frame increase that weighting for stability.
A flatter sole, compared to the standard model’s 1-degree draft angle, enables the putter to set up square more naturally and prevent the sole from catching the turf.
The face uses the familiar TaylorMade grooved insert made of 80 percent Surlyn polymer and 20 percent aluminum flakes. Those grooves angle at 45 degrees, and the insert’s aluminum beams flex freely at impact to control spin and initial launch to get putts rolling quicker with less skid.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps
Models: Spider ZT, Spider ZT CB. Head weights: 370, 395 grams. Lengths: 33, 34, 35, 36, 38 inches (standard); 36, 38 inches (counterbalanced). Loft: 3 degrees
Titleist
Scotty Cameron Phantom
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
Multiple styles mix high stability, alignment features, precision milling of stainless steel and aluminum, and chain-link face milling for consistent roll.
The face milling pattern, seen on last year’s Studio Style introduction, incorporates a soft-carbon steel that’s treated with a chemical process to protect the steel, enhance hardness and preserve feel.
The chain-link milling pattern extends across the entire face to ensure more consistent roll and distance control on off-center strikes.
Weight screws in the front of the sole at the heel and toe provide stability while customizing the head’s weight to match shaft length and player preferences.
Among the updates is a refashioned sole cavity to accommodate the chain-link face milling pattern. The new interior structure stiffens the frame to provide the quieter impact feel that has been a trait of Scotty Cameron designs.
New models include the 5 OC and 11R OC, which are onset, center-shafted low-torque versions of the originals. The shaft lines up with the head’s center of gravity to reduce hand action, and the black PVD coating simplifies alignment.
On the OC models, a special hosel design sets the shaft slightly back from the face, creating a small forward lean and allowing the lie angle to be adjusted for fit.
Top 5 in Performance, low- and high-handicaps
Models: 5, 5.2, 5.5, 5 OC, 7, 7.2, 7.5, 9R, 9.2R, 11R OC. Head weights: 345-380 grams. Lengths: 33, 34, 35, 38 inches. Loft: 3.5 degrees
Bettinardi
Antidote
$450
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$450
Like Bettinardi’s counterpart blade models, these mallet shapes display the zero-torque effect by keeping the shaft in line with the head’s center of gravity.
Weight is centered in the head by combining multiple materials, like in the SB2, or by using milled-out cavities in the sole to redistribute mass toward the front of the head, allowing the center of gravity to line up with the shaft axis.
That weighting increases the tendency of the face angle to stay square to the path of the stroke.
The SB2 uses a face milled from 303 stainless steel that’s surrounded by a lightweight body milled from 6061 aluminum. The SB3 and SB5 are milled from 303 stainless steel.
The grooved milling pattern on the face displaces more than half of the steel from the surface, creating a responsive feel.
The blast finish reduces glare at address.
Also available are longer, heavier and/or counterbalanced versions with a 17-inch grip to minimize excess hand action in the stroke.
Top 5 in Sound/Feel, low- and high-handicaps
Models: SB2, SB3, SB5. Head weights: 360-400 grams. Lengths: 33-40 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
Bettinardi
BB Series
$495
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$495
These milled stainless-steel models retain a classic look while delivering a performance upgrade through variable-depth face milling that improves distance consistency on mis-hits.
The deep-fly milling pattern varies depth and spacing across nine zones from heel to toe, regulating energy transfer so that toe and heel strikes rebound more uniformly.
Heads are milled from tour-preferred 303 stainless steel.
Shapes include a classic half-shell mallet (BB-49), a winged mallet in spud and plumber’s necks (BB 6.0) and an hour-glass-shaped design for clearer stability and larger alignment features (BB 7.0).
Three grip options (standard, oversize and 17-inch for overlength counterbalanced versions) help players fit their stroke to each model.
Top 5 in Look, middle- and high-handicaps
Models: BB-49, BB 6.0, BB 7.0. Head weights: 355 grams. Lengths: 33-38 inches. Loft: 3 degrees.
L.A.B. Golf
Oz.1i HS
$500
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500
This traditional shape marks the first heel-shafted mallet in the L.A.B. Golf lineup yet still maintains the weighting that lines up the head’s center of gravity with the shaft axis for a smoother, more repeatable stroke.
The key to maintaining the putter’s zero-torque weighting is a lightweight hosel that changes in length as the lie angle and shaft length change so that the shaft axis still points toward the head’s center of gravity.
That hosel gets progressively taller as the lie angle gets more upright. In all, there are 10 hosel configurations to fit lie angles from 65 to 74 degrees.
Constructed of aluminum, the hosel weighs less than half of what it would were it made of traditional stainless steel.
The soft, lightweight aluminum body frees up mass that’s redistributed in the perimeter in the form of weighted screws, all designed to maintain that relationship between the shaft axis and a forward center of gravity.
The milled steel face insert seeks to achieve the improved initial roll and velocity of typical milled putters that many players prefer.
It’s offered in the company’s 2 degrees of forward shaft lean and a 0-degree shaft lean that allows players to use their preferred model of putter grip.
Model: Oz.1i HS. Head weights: 360-400 grams. Lengths: 33-35 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
Meridian
Milled Series
$280
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$280
These traditional, customizable one-piece millings are produced using electrical-discharge machining in a fully robotic manufacturing process.
The production entails cutting as many as a dozen starter blanks out of a large block of stainless steel with five-axis milling machines dialing in each angle and curve to produce an affordable design.
Four mallet models include multiple neck options (single bend, minimalist slant neck, tall slant neck, center shaft) to fit different stroke types.
The newest model for 2026 is the classic half-shell Nassau, which is available in heel-shafted, single-bend shaft (face balanced) and center-shaft options.
Players can choose from one of four face-milling patterns: the soft Meridian cut, firm Smooth cut, mid-soft Fine Fly cut and mid-firm Tack cut.
The taller face encourages solid contact and consistent roll.
Top 5 in Performance, low-handicaps
Models: Nassau, Tybee, Key West, Kiawah. Head weights: 330, 360, 370 grams. Lengths: 33-38 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
Odyssey
Ai-Dual
$350/$400
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$350/$400
These familiar shapes have a new face insert designed to combine the sound and feel of the legendary White Hot urethane insert with improved initial velocity and roll.
The new insert uses two layers of urethane—firmer underneath and softer on top—and grooves angled at 19 degrees to create quicker end-over-end roll.
The firmer underlayer uses an amorphous thickness pattern developed with the help of AI. The varying thick and thin regions, derived from more than 15,000 iterations, improve ball speed and control backspin on mis-hits.
The main No. 7 and Jailbird Mini models feature the half-ball alignment aid.
Odyssey says the half-ball alignment feature next to the fully round golf ball will more easily cue the golfer that the face is lined up correctly.
Also available in a counterbalanced 38-inch “Cruiser” version that comes with a 17-inch grip and a 380-gram head built for extra stability at impact.
Models: #7DB, #7S, #7 Half-Ball, Cruiser, Jailbird Mini, Jailbird Mini Half-Ball. Head weights: 360, 380 grams. Lengths: 33-35, 38 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
Odyssey
Ai-Dual Square 2 Square
$400
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$400
Redistributed internal weighting, including a reformed sole cavity and plate, along with the angled shaft position, align the shaft with the head’s center of gravity so that the face angle naturally remains square to the stroke path.
The shaft angle’s built-in forward lean promotes consistent contact with the center of the face, a hallmark of the popular zero-torque philosophy.
A 2-degree forward-press grip features a reverse taper (wider lower on the grip and narrowing at the butt end). This helps the face stay square to the target by restricting hand action and encouraging a straight-back, straight-through motion.
The new insert uses two layers of urethane (firmer underneath and softer on top) and grooves angled at 19 degrees to create quicker end-over-end roll.
The firmer underlayer on the insert features the amorphous thickness pattern developed with AI. The varying thick and thin regions, derived from more than 15,000 iterations, improve ball speed and backspin on mis-hits.
Top 5 in Performance, middle- and high-handicaps
Models: Jailbird, #7. Head weights: 360 grams. Lengths: 33, 34, 35 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
Ping
Scottsdale Tec
$435
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$435
These mallets look to steady your stroke with multiple onset versions that match the shaft and the center of gravity. They also attempt to steady your mind with calming alignment features that promote confident aim.
The two onset models (Ally Blue, Ketsch) feature shaft positions back from the face but just in front of the center of gravity, which encourages pulling the putter through the hitting area instead of pushing it for a consistent stroke. The goal is to provide the feel of putting with a blade with the aim and stability of a mallet.
The alignment aid features a long line and a single dot. It’s a result of eye-tracking research that shows that combining a line and a focal point calms the vision right before the start of the putting stroke.
A third model (Hayden) uses a face-balanced heel-shafted orientation to promote a cleaner view of the alignment aid and a straight-back, straight-through stroke.
The lightweight aluminum construction saves mass that’s redistributed in a steel sole plate that lowers the center of gravity and adds perimeter weighting for improved consistency on off-center hits.
The face insert uses Pebax, a soft but resilient elastomer developed for the soles of athletic shoes. It mixes a softer feel with good energy transfer for consistent distance control.
Top 5 in Sound/Feel, middle-handicaps
Models: Ally Blue Onset, Hayden, Ketsch Onset. Head weights: 350 (Ketsch), 360 (Hayden), 370 grams (Ally Blue Onset). Lengths: 35, 38 inches. Loft: 3 degrees
Titleist
Scotty Cameron Studio Style
$500/$600
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$500/$600
The familiar Fastback mid-mallet lineup in multiple versions will appeal to players looking to transition from blades to mallets.
The carbon-steel insert, fused to the milled stainless-steel body with an aerospace-level vibration-damping adhesive, provides a tour-preferred responsive feel.
Although carbon steel typically degrades or corrodes over time, this insert uses a chemical process to protect the steel, enhance hardness and preserve feel.
The face insert features a chain-link-style milling pattern developed with tour-player input to produce a softer feel and consistent speed off the face.
As has been the case for two decades, the body is milled from 303 stainless steel.
The clamshell-shaped mallet comes in a single-bend shaft or slant-neck hosel.
Weight screws in the front of the sole at the heel and toe provide stability and customize the head’s weight to match shaft length and player preferences.
New models include the Fastback OC, an onset, center-shafted “low-torque” version of the original. The shaft lines up with the head’s center of gravity to reduce hand action, and the black PVD coating simplifies alignment.
A special hosel design on the Fastback OC sets the shaft slightly back from the face, creating a small forward lean and allowing the lie angle to be adjusted for fit.
A “Long” version counterbalanced with heavier 25-gram tungsten sole weights and a 17-inch, 135-gram grip also is available.
Top 5 in Performance, low- and high-handicaps.
Models: Fastback 1, Fastback 1.5, Fastback 2, Fastback OC. Head weights: 345-380 grams. Lengths: 33-35, 38 inches. Loft: 3.5 degrees.
Toulon Golf
Formula Series
$650
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Golf Galaxy
GD SCORE
GD HOT LIST SCORE
Hot List Gold
$650
This collection of three putters offers not one but three delineations toward simplifying the torques that affect the moving parts in your stroke.
The three models include a standard zero-torque Formula [90] model with the weighting balanced and the shaft matching the center of gravity. With its 90-degree toe-up orientation, this model works best to control or limit the way your hands rotate the putter face back to square during the stroke.
The Formula [CS] offers a traditional center-shafted approach with the shaft closest to the front of the putter and a face-balanced orientation. It works best for players whose natural stroke is straight back and straight through.
The Formula [45] lives halfway between the [CS] and the [90].
Each model features adjustable heel-toe sole weights and extra perimeter weighting to help the putter stay stable when you don’t hit the center.
The designs are milled in two sections with the top and face milled from 304 stainless steel, and the sole region milled from 6061 aluminum. A deep-diamond milling pattern on the face produces better roll and a quieter sound.
Models: [90], [45], [CS]. Head weights: 365-390 grams. Lengths: 33-38 inches. Loft: 3 degrees