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22
Products
Considered
80
Hours
Researched
10,560
Total
Putts
60.7m
Readers
Our Job is Your Game
The most comprehensive blade putter test of 2021 is complete.
At MyGolfSpy, our job is to provide independent, unbiased and objective testing so you can make more confident purchasing decisions. Our 2021 Most Wanted Blade test is an indispensable guide for the off-the-rack buyer or for anyone looking for insight before their next fitting.
As always, we don’t want you to spend a dollar unless what you’re buying outperforms what’s in your bag.
If you’re in the market for a new putter, this test is for you.
2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab Putter
The Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab Putter led the pack in this year’s test. The data tells the story.
- First in strokes gained overall
- Third in strokes gained from five feet
- Second in strokes gained from 10 feet
- First in strokes gained from 20 feet
An impressive performance from, dare we say it, an original gangster. The Original White Hot Insert has made its long-requested reappearance. It did not disappoint as the 2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter winner.
Putter Buying Considerations
Length
Typically, stock putters come in either 34-inch or 35-inch lengths. Length can affect distance and direction. Many golfers find they fit better into putters with shorter shafts. Choose a putter that allows for a relaxed set-up based on your address posture.
Loft
The right loft promotes a smooth roll off the face. Too little or too much can cause bouncing, hopping and, ultimately, distance-control issues. We recommend working with a professional fitter to determine the right loft for your putting stroke.
Blade or Mallet?
Which is best for you? It’s a combination of personal preference and individual putting stroke. While there are few absolutes in fitting, those with a faster putting stroke often are better suited with lighter blade-putter options. If your stroke is slower and smooth, a heavier mallet might make more of an impact.
Toe Hang
As much as tempo is a factor in choosing the right putter, so too is the amount of arc in your stroke. If you open and close the face more than average, consider a heel-shafted putter with more weight in the toe. Balance the putter on your two index fingers. If the putter head hangs with the toe closer to 6 o’clock, it’s toe-balanced. A face-balanced putter will face the sky. Face-balanced putters are generally well suited for golfers with more of a straight-back, straight-through stroke.
Putter Features
While not quite to the extent of drivers, putters have gone high tech.
It’s not uncommon to find putters with adjustable weighting which, in addition to changing head weight, can alter toe hang to suit either a stronger or less arcing stroke. All Odyssey and Toulon putters offer multi-material Stroke Lab shafts. Evnroll, SIK and others offer face-milling patterns or inserts designed to not only promote smooth roll but consistent distance (and, in some cases, direction) on mishits.
Fast Versus Slow Greens
There’s a case to be made for matching the weight of your putter to the speed of the greens you play most often. On slow greens, heavier putters tend to perform better. On fast greens, a delicate touch is needed. Often a lighter putter will produce better results.
BEST LOOKING PUTTER - EDEL EAS 1.0
The Edel EAS 1.0 caught the eyes of our 2021 test pool. Testers found the flat chrome finish appealing. Additionally, our golfers praised the bold alignment stripe and the flexibility to change it.
Field Notes
During our research to find the 2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter, we looked for trends into where the market is moving as well as noteworthy advances manufacturers have made to improve year-over-year performance. Over the course of testing, we solicit feedback from testers. Understanding what they liked, disliked or what they would change is valuable information. However, the subjective feel does not factor into the overall rankings.
Trends and Tweaks
- 2021. The year of the insert. The test results suggest so. Four of the top five finishers feature inserts: Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab, Tommy Armour Impact No.2 Wide, PING 2021 Anser 4 and Odyssey White Hot OG #1.
- Of the 22 models tested, 13 blade putters feature a slight arc toe hang (45 degrees), seven are strong toe hang (90 degrees), one is face-balanced (zero degrees) and one putter is torque-balanced (toe up).
- Companies offering multiple neck types for the same model head with increasing frequency. For example, EVNROLL V Series features a “drop-in hosel” capability. This allows for four different neck type offerings which provide more fitting options. We encourage our readers to get fitted for putters. The proper neck that matches your stroke type is influential for more consistent putting.
- This year, pistol grip options can be found in abundance. Twenty of the 22 putters tested featured a pistol grip. Of the 22 putters, only the Edel EAS 1.0 and Kirkland KS1 were without a pistol grip.
DID YOU KNOW?
The playing length of a putter has to be at least 18". However, there is no limit to the length thereafter.
Notes From The Testing Pool
- A newcomer to the party, the Scott Golf Ace, was well received by a majority of testers. They praised its classic look and its pleasant feel. Some testers thought the chrome finish was too shiny.
- Golfers love a beautiful-looking putter, regardless of whether if it performs well. These putters were complimented for their looks: PING 2021 Anser and Anser 4, SIK Pro C, Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport, Newport 2.5 and Squareback 2.
- Midsize to oversized grips were praised by our testers on these putters: Edel EAS 1.0, Kirkland Signature KS1, EVNROLL ER2v, Wilson Staff Infinite Michigan Ave and Cleveland Frontline 8.0.
- For 2021, Mizuno rolled out additional putters in their M Craft Series. Testers said the M Craft IV had a great blend of feel and weighting. However, the iconic Mizuno Blue Ion finish received mixed comments.
- Another newcomer to the test, the XXIO Full Milled Blade,was highlighted for its softer feel and classic look.
2020 MOST WANTED VS 2021 - Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2
Last year, we saw the Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 as a co-winner in the 2020 Most Wanted Blade Putter Test. We threw it into the mix for the 2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter Test and it performed exceptionally well. Claiming 3rd in this year's test, the Squareback 2 excelled from 5' and boasted a positive strokes gained from all three testing distances.
2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter Data
EXPERT TIP - TOE HANG & LIE ANGLE
The toe hang and lie angle of your putter should match your stroke and address position. They're key elements of a good putter fitting.
If you have a lot of face rotation through the putting stroke, consider trying a toe down (strong arc) style putter. Vice versa, if you have minimal rotation, consider trying a face-balanced style putter.
Lie angle, just like in an iron or wood, can affect shot direction. Be sure to match your lie angle up with your tendencies with your putter as well.
2021 Most Wanted Blade Putters for 2021 – Buying Tips
GET FITTED
Ninety-five percent of amateur golfers haven’t been fitted for a putter. Would it surprise you to know that most PGA professionals (the guys fitting you for a putter) haven’t been fitted, either? If you’re playing the wrong equipment for your game, you could be costing yourself strokes. Don’t choose a putter just because it looks or feels good, get fitted for a putter that performs best for YOUR stroke and start making more putts.
FACE TECHNOLOGY
Face technology comes in different forms: variable grooves, face inserts or a more traditional milled face. While face technology varies, it is critical to the putter. The goal is simple — to provide a more consistent result even when your stroke isn’t up to par. Utilize the technology to your advantage and choose the best one that suits your style and desires.
GRIP STYLE
Grips come in various sizes. It often boils down to personal preference. Larger grips may enhance control through the stroke but they may affect feel. Vice versa, a slimmer grip can increase feel but cause a lack of control. Pick your grip wisely.
2021 BEST BLADE PUTTERS BY STROKE TYPE
Best SB/ST Putter - Cleveland Frontline 8.0 - The Frontline 8.0 finished with a positive strokes gained from 20 feet. Throughout testing, testers praised the alignment, weighting, and overall looks of the putter.
Best Slight Arc Putter - The Most Wanted 2021 Blade Putter, the Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab, performed exceptionally from all three distances. The White Hot Face is back and it is primed for its resurrection. It is the real deal.
Best Strong Arc Putter - PING 2021 Anser 4 - The Anser 4 stood out among the strong arc putters. It excelled from 10 and 20 feet during the Most Wanted Test.
2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter – Product Specifications
2021 Most Wanted Blade Putter Product Specs
Product | Loft | Lie | Length | Swingweight | Toe Hang | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bettinardi Studio Stock 17 Check Price | 3.2 | 72.6 | 34" | D9.5 | Strong | |
Bettinardi Studio Stock 18 Check Price | 3.8 | 69.8 | 34" | D9.7 | Slight | |
Cleveland Frontline 8.0 Check Price | 2.3 | 69.3 | 34" | D8.9 | Face Balanced | |
Cleveland HB Soft Premier 3 Check Price | 3.8 | 74.3 | 33.875" | D6.0 | Strong | |
Edel EAS 1.0 Check Price | 3.2 | 70.5 | 34" | C8.4 | Torque Balanced | |
EVNROLL ER2v Check Price | 1.7 | 70.2 | 33.625" | D8.1 | Slight | |
Kirkland Signature KS1 Check Price | 5.4 | 70.9 | 34.375" | D9.9 | Slight | |
Mizuno M Craft IV Check Price | 2.8 | 71.6 | 34" | D7.7 | Strong | |
Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Stroke Lab Check Price | 3.1 | 71 | 33.625" | D8.8 | Slight | |
Odyssey White Hot OG #1 Check Price | 3.2 | 69.9 | 33.625" | D3.5 | Slight | |
PING Anser Check Price | 3.8 | 70.7 | 34.75" | E0.5 | Slight | |
PING Anser 4 Check Price | 3.4 | 71.2 | 34.75" | E0.2 | Strong | |
Scott Golf Ace Check Price | 2.9 | 69.9 | 34" | D8.9 | Slight | |
Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2.5 Check Price | 3.9 | 71 | 33.75" | D4.9 | Strong | |
Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 Check Price | 3.9 | 71.4 | 34" | D4.2 | Slight | |
Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport Check Price | 3.2 | 70.9 | 33.875" | D2.8 | Slight | |
SIK Pro C Check Price | 3.8 | 72.9 | 34" | E1.2 | Strong | |
SIK DW C 2.0 Check Price | 3.3 | 72.5 | 34" | F5.1 | Slight | |
Tommy Armour Impact No. 1 Check Price | 3.2 | 69.7 | 33.75" | D4.2 | Slight | |
Tommy Armour Impact No. 2 Wide Check Price | 2.6 | 69.8 | 33.75" | D9.9 | Slight | |
Wilson Staff Infinite Michigan Ave Check Price | 2.9 | 71.8 | 33.75" | D3.8 | Strong | |
XXIO Full Milled Blade Check Price | 2.7 | 72.8 | 33.75" | D5.1 | Slight |
BEST FEELING PUTTER - EVNROLL ER2v
The Evnroll ER2v received tremendously positive feedback regarding feel. Throughout testing, testers enjoyed what they described as "consistent roll off the face." Chalk that up to Evnroll's SweetFace Technology.
FAQ
Buying a Putter
Q: Should I get fitted for a putter?
A: Without a doubt. Don’t just go to the putting corral at your local golf store and choose the putter that feels the best or the one you happen to make a couple of putts with. Do your research, know the facts and take your knowledge to your golf course or store with the intention of being fitted for the right putter for YOUR stroke. Your best chance of finding YOUR best putter comes from getting fitted.
Q: Can I fit myself for a putter?
A: To a degree, yes. PING developed an app that pairs with an attachable sleeve to your current putter shaft to determine your stroke type, lie and loft to help you understand what to look for in your next putter.
Q: How do I find the right length putter for me?
A: An easy test of putter length: Take a comfortable putting stance with a putter. If the putter is too short, it likely it will sit too upright or the heel will be off the ground. If it’s too long, you’ll feel you’re crowding the ball and the toe will be pointing up slightly. Visit a fitter.
Q: What is the price range for a typical putter?
A: Name-brand putters range from $99 to more than $400. Higher-priced models are often 100-per-cent CNC milled but it’s also true that you could be paying a premium for the logo on the putter. Price may always be a factor but don’t assume the best putters are the most expensive.
EXPERT TIP - FAST vs SLOW GREENS
Green speeds are always varying from course to course. This aspect of the game can have a tremendous impact on your putting performance. However, there is a way to combat it. Consider playing a heavy putter on slower greens. For fast greens, consider utilizing a lighter putter. Putters that offer weight kits are a great way to have an "all in one" putter regardless of green speed. You simply adjust the weighting based on the green speed.
Most Wanted
Q: How is the Most Wanted Winner determined?
A: Rankings for the best putters for 2020 are derived from Strokes Gained values relative to the average putter on an individual basis. We then take the average strokes gained for each putter across all 20 of our testers and aggregate the three distances tested (five, 10 and 20 feet). The Most Wanted Putter(s) is the one with the highest Strokes Gained value.
Q: How were the best putters for stroke type determined?
A: At the beginning of the test, each putter is classified by its toe hang/stroke type. The best within each designation are those that finished highest overall with respect to toe hang/stroke type.
Q: How much does subjective feedback like looks, sound and feel factor into your rankings?
A: ZERO. Our rankings are based purely on total putt counts and quantifiable performance metrics. We include subjective notes only because readers have asked for more feedback directly from the testers.
Q: Will you publish a mallet putter test?
A: Yes, those results will be published in the coming weeks after the Most Wanted Mallet is announced.
Alan
8 months agoNo center shafted putters?
robert pandina
10 months agoYou are going to have to go a long way to beat my odyssey versa but I would love you to give me a chance!
Danny Hedgpeth
10 months agoI am a very good putter. I want to be a tester for your products. Please!
David Terrie
10 months agoI’ve looked, but I can’t find how putters were allocated/fit for each tester. Did each tester test all putters? Were any changes made to the putters for fit or grip preference for each tester, or did all test exactly the same putter. I’ve listened to both NPG episodes and there was one brief mention of fitting, but I can’t find a write-up the test methodology. I’m in the market for a new putter, so I’m hoping to gain more insight.
Jake van
1 year agoWhat is that ping putter?
Alex
1 year agoIsn’t the winning putter strong arc? Even said so on their website? Or did odyssey website lie?
Bob
1 year agoLove all of the results but I’ll stick with my 2 ball.
mackdaddy9
1 year agoI play a Scotty special select fastback which is about the same as the Fastback. The only difference is the neck. I was fit for my putter.
Why are so many of the putters in the blade test, plumbers necks. Lots golfers can’t stand the offset look of a plumbers neck.
Please diversify in the future so we anti plumbers necks can get something from the review.
Stephen
1 year agoThe finish of the EVNRoll ER2 is interesting. How can it fall so much from last year. It makes me believe the testing is very subjective and driven more by the testers than the equipment, but maybe I am missing something. . Can you shed some light on this? Thanks.
Stephen
1 year agoAs a follow up, I love the work MGS does and really enjoy reading the reviews. I am a big fan!
Tony Covey
1 year agoThe “V” series is new. Not radically different, but different. Every little detail matters. Bottom line, it’s not the same putter that we tested last year.
I miss, I miss, I make
1 year agoInteresting your advice on putter weight vs. green speed advice. I have always heard the opposite. Here is a link to an article advising the opposite. That is a heavy putter for fast greens as it is easier to stroke slowly..
ww.csgalinks.org/content/csga/links-lessons-weight-gain-for-speed-control#:~:text=While%20the%20range%20of%20putter,the%20340%20to
I do know that the original TOUR version Odyssey 2 balls were heavier as were most of the original Scotty Circle T’s
Bob Pegram
1 year agoIt probably depends on the type of stroke you have – gravity based or with accelleration from the player. With a gravity based stroke (probably what you have) the heavy putter for fast greens works. For a shorter accelleration type stroke (what I have) a lighter putter hits the ball a shorter distance and a heavier putter hits it farther.
Peter Sundell
1 year agoWith these putters, did you allow the testers to “get fit” for them by changing any weights or was it just what comes off the showroom floor?
I know that in most wanted driver testing the guys got to use different shafts and stuff. My KS1 was a completely different putter when I added the grip weight and added the heavier weights to the head.
Karl Doller
1 year agoI was wondering the same thing — I work at a facility that recently got an Edel putter fitting system and the results of adjusting weights and/or lie angle and/or type of hosel are very noticeable.
Terry
1 year agoEvnroll getting spanked yet again
Julian
1 year agoSometime when on the putting green, I’ll drop a bunch of mixed balls. I;ll find that various brands react different.. Which ball did you use and have you considered if different balls will give you different results with specific putters.
John
1 year agoYet another Ping Anser knock-off comes out on top. How many times can manufacturers reinvent the wheel?
AJ
1 year agoWhen will the 2021 Most Wanted mallet be published? In the market for a new mallet but don’t want to wait too long as the weather improves!
Jordan
1 year agoWhere’s the LAB putter?!?
betheball
1 year agoHi, great article, I bounce back n forth with my PXG Closer (would have loved to see that in your test? Loos great and milled too) and my Ping Craze. Can you tell me just how much MOI am I giving up between my double wide Closer and todays new mallets?
Jack B.
1 year agoWould any MGS readers like to know the swingweights of all these putters? I would. I would also like to know the lie angles to see if any are more upright than the norm for the golfer who likes to stand closer to the ball.
Your mention of choosing a putter to match the greenspeed normally played got me to thinking you might measure smash factor for putters and see how much different headweights and face treatments cause differences in ballspeed off the face. Thank you.
Rick
1 year agoAlways love these tests, thank you for the great work. I think it is interesting that the stroke lab appears to have a made difference for the two No. 1’s tested. It is also great you included last year’s winner. Would also love to see the return of the combined blade and mallet most wanted article you used to publish.
Aaron
1 year agowould be nice to break these tests down by toe hang. maybe just compare the plumbers necks again each other, the flow necks and the single bends. it would make it easier to compare based on the individual’s stroke.
Dave Silkroski
1 year agoI’ll stick with my “old” Bulleye’s ; they still work and cost less on ebay 🙂
Bill
1 year agoI’m shocked that the stroke lab shaft makes that much of a difference
Tim
1 year agoFor the 1st time ever, i feel this test not up to MGS standards. How do you rank the EAS 1.0 PUTTER as the best looking? It looks like a brick? and Ping doesnt even show the Anser 4 on their website….
i read everything and TBH, this test was not for me….lots of work went into it and that is appreciated, but is the juice worth the squeeze when it comes to putters? fitting is so over rated IMO unless its the ball. appreciate the work, but for me, this test was worthless.
MTB
1 year agoPING’s 2021 Series, including the Anser 4, will be available for pre-order on 4/12 from some vendors. My guess is they’ll update the site around then.
In the meantime, the Club Ping site in Japan has the 2021 putters up if you want to take a gander at the different options:
https://clubping.jp/product/product2021_putter.html
Chrome’s google translate might give you a rough idea of the descriptions if you are not fluent in Japanese (I know I am not!)
They are still a few days ahead of North America, just like with the G425 series…
Cheers!
Pete S
1 year agoThanks for the link!
Steve S
1 year agoThe Tommy Armour will be on sale by the end of spring for at least 20% off. Best deal on the list, why would you pay more?
Gabriel
1 year agobecause NO lefties so far
MTB
1 year agoAppreciate the work, guys!
Curious why the KING SUPERSPORT-35 didn’t make the test, as I see it there in the title picture with all the contenders (I’m assuming it was pulled because it’s sold out…)
Have you done any testing on SIK DLT in particular? Seems to me the last two years of putter tests would indicate that it’s a nice idea but doesn’t bear out major gains?
Please thank Guerin for me next time you chat with him for finally making a short slant neck possible!
Thanks again! MGS is a cut above!
Phillip Bishop
1 year agoKING SUPERSPORT 35 was tested, however, like you guessed, extremely limited supply.
Dave
1 year agoAny chance of sharing the results with how the Cobra putter did? Thanks for another great piece of work.
Michael
1 year agoWhat is the scale of the strokes gained numbers? Is the top performer a better putter by 1.5 strokes per round?… per 36 puts? The scale is needed to know really what the difference is between clubs. Thanks for the overall analysis.
Vincent
8 months agoI have the same question. The graphics suggest a big difference, but we don’t have the scale. If it is per round, 1.5 stroke has a small significance that will be easily overridden by personal variations.
ryebread
1 year agoMGS team: Great review as always. The pictures of all the putters show the Cobra 3d printed putter, but I don’t seem to see it in the charts……..
mark
1 year agoWhere are the Toulon Putters?
Phillip Bishop
1 year agoToulon will be in the Mallet Testing. We were not able to receive a blade putter in time.
mark
1 year agoGood to know. I have been using the Toulon Austin (blade) the past couple years. It has a great feel, and sound. You can definitely tell it is a quality, putter. I prefer Toulon over Scotty Cameron. I see there are few pros using Toulon putters. nowadays.
Dawg Golfer
1 year agoReally appreciate you putting last year’s winner in the mix with the current putters to see how it fares. Hope that becomes the norm in all your testing.
David
1 year agoTommy Armour comeback? They get little to no press.
Great clubs back in the 60s-70s.
What else do they have to offer? Any endorsements?
Christopher
1 year agoI think they’re owned by Dick’s Sporting Goods with the intent to put out quality affordable clubs, I doubt we’ll see a tour presence.
Steve S
1 year agoA complete line. Drivers, fairways, hybrids, irons, ladies, mallet putters…..