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OUR JOB IS YOUR GAME
If you are looking for the best blade putters for 2020, this test is for you.
At MyGolfSpy, we provide independent, unbiased and objective testing so you can make more confident purchasing decisions. We employ consistent methodologies and advanced analytics in our 100-per-cent independent test facility.
Make this the year you stop buying golf equipment you “like” and start buying equipment you keep. Don’t spend a dollar unless it improves on what’s already in the bag.
Most Wanted: Evnroll ER2 & Scotty Cameron Select Squareback 2
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 that they better fit into putters with shorter shafts. Choose a putter that allows for a relaxed set-up based on your address posture.
LOFT
Loft is important. The right loft promotes a smooth roll right 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 vs. 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 lower tempo 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 feature multi-material Stroke Lab shafts. PING offers adjustable-length shafts on some models. Evnroll 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 vs. 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.
The Best Blade Putters by Stroke Type
Best SB/ST Putter - Wilson Infinite West Loop - At only $99, Wilson's face-balanced, wide-bodied design proved itself as both an excellent value and a top-tier performer.
Best Slight Arc Putter(s) - Evnroll ER2 & Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 - Wide-bodied blades for golfers with slight arc strokes, the Evnroll ER2 was a standout at 10', while the Cameron offered balanced performance across the three distances tested.
Best Strong Arc Putter - Ben Hogan BHB03 - Strong arc putters aren't for everyone, but the top 10 finish of the BHB03, stood out among similar designs.
FIELD NOTES
During our search for best blade putters for 2020, we looked for trends that provide insight into where the market as a whole is moving as well as noteworthy advances manufacturers have made to improve year-over-year performance. We also solicited feedback from our testers. We want to understand what they liked, what they didn’t like, and why. While we do collect and share noteworthy portions of this subjective feedback, it does not factor in our rankings.
TRENDS AND TWEAKS
- 2020 is an exceptional year for wide-body blades. Among the 10 best blade putters for 2020, five (including the two models at the top) are wide-body models.
- Of the 35 models tested – 19 blade putters feature a slight arc toe hang(45 degrees), 12 are strong toe hang (90 degrees), three are face-balanced (zero degrees) and one putter is torque-balanced (toe up).
- More than ever, companies are offering the same model with multiple neck types. Swapping a plumber’s neck for a flow neck, for example, can dramatically change how a putter performs. We encourage every golfer to get fitted for their individual stroke type to make a more educated purchase.
- The traditional pistol grip is making a comeback. It’s the stock option on half of the stock putters tested. Oversized grips remain popular as well. Many find they help restrict hand movement during the putting stroke. Another option is the EVNROLL Gravity Grip. Available as an aftermarket option for any putter, the company says it helps stabilize the hands and square the face.
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
- The Edel EAS-2.0 got low marks in the looks category but its performance is the latest example that suggests looks and performance aren’t closely correlated.
- Rated among the highest for looks were the Scotty Cameron Select Newport 2, Odyssey Stroke Lab Double Wide, Other contenders were Toulon’s Chicago and San Diego and PXG Close.
- Both Mizuno M.Craft putters ranked the highest for feel which isn’t unexpected considering the company’s reputation in the iron space. Testers did, however, comment that the visible glare at address was a distraction.
- The Odyssey Triple Track received mixed reviews. Some said it significantly improved their alignment while others found the three-stripe design distracting.
- While the Wilson Staff Infinite West Loop scored highly across the board, the oversized tapered grip received mixed reviews.
Best Looking Putter - PXG GEN 2 Closer
PXG's Closer was rated highest for looks by our testers. Matte black with just a touch of white and grey, the Closer offers an arguably cleaner take on PXG's signature aesthetic. Keeping the weights out of sight has made a world of difference. For what it's worth, those weights make it easy to add or remove headweight or rebalance the putter for a different stroke type.
2020 Most Wanted 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.
Best Blade Putters for 2020 – BUYING TIPS
GET FITTED
Ninety-five per cent 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
The face of the putter is critical. While the technologies vary a bit, the intent is almost invariably to provide a consistent result, even when your stroke isn’t. Don’t ignore what’s on the face of the club and look out for things like variable grooves, face inserts or a more traditional milled face.
GRIP STYLE
Putter grips vary widely and, again, are subject to personal preference. A thicker grip is great for stability but you risk losing feel. A pistol grip might feel better but the trade off could be a slight loss of control.
HOW WE TEST
Our Mission is to help you find the best putter for your game.
We are 100% independent and unbiased, and always put the #ConsumerFirst
ABOUT OUR TESTERS
Our pool of testers consists of 20 golfers with handicaps ranging from plus to the mid-teens. As a group, they span a broad range of putting stroke characteristics.
Over the course of several sessions, each golfer is required to putt and finish 18 holes with each putter. Putter groupings and order are randomized on a per tester basis.
LIMITING VARIABLES AND GATHERING RELIABLE DATA
To minimize variables, all testers hit Bridgestone Tour B-X Golf Balls inside our dedicated Lab X testing facility located in Yorktown, VA.
While it doesn't affect the final results, subjective feedback on looks, feel and alignment is taken from each tester on every putter in the test.
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS
To arrive at our final results, we analyze the data for statistical significance. Top group percentages (the percentage of the time a putter finishes in the statistically significant top group across the testing pool) are leveled to account for performance at distances and weighted to favor 10' putts as our tests show it's where the greatest differences are found. The Most Wanted Winner is the putter that finished with the highest adjusted top group percentage.
Best Blade Putters for 2020 – PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Product Specifications
| Club | Loft | Lie | Length | Swingweight | Toe Hang | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Ben Hogan BHB01 Check Price | 1.5 | 70.6 | 35 | E4.7 | Strong |
 | Ben Hogan BHB03 Check Price | 1.4 | 71.8 | 35 | E4.7 | Strong |
 | Bettinardi BB-One-F Check Price | 2.6 | 70.7 | 34 | D5.9 | Strong |
 | Bettinardi BB-One Check Price | 3 | 70 | 34 | D4.6 | Slight |
 | Bettinardi BB Eight W Check Price | 2.3 | 69.8 | 34 | D6.0 | Slight |
 | Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 1 Check Price | 1.6 | 70.8 | 33.75 | D3.2 | Strong |
 | Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 8.5 Check Price | 1.4 | 70.3 | 33.75 | D7.9 | Slight |
 | Cleveland Frontline 4.0 Check Price | 2 | 70.1 | 33.75 | C7.3 | Slight |
 | Edel EAS 2.0 Check Price | 4.3 | 70.3 | 34 | E9.8 | Toe Up |
 | Envroll ER2 Check Price | 2.6 | 70 | 33.75 | E0.8 | Slight |
 | Geom Gene Check Price | 3.7 | 72.3 | 34.25 | D6.3 | Strong |
 | Geom Sam Check Price | 4.1 | 72.5 | 34.25 | D9.6 | Strong |
 | Mizuno M Craft 1 Check Price | 3.7 | 69.9 | 34 | D9.0 | Strong |
 | Mizuno M Craft 2 Check Price | 4.5 | 70.6 | 34 | D7.7 | Slight |
 | MLA Tour Classic Check Price | 1.4 | 71.9 | 35.5 | E9.6 | Face Balance |
 | Odyssey Toulon Chicago Check Price | 2.4 | 71.1 | 33.75 | D3.9 | Slight |
 | Odyssey Toulon San Diego Check Price | 2.7 | 70.8 | 33.75 | D2.0 | Strong |
 | Odyssey Stroke Lab 1 Check Price | 2.9 | 70.5 | 33.5 | C9.8 | Slight |
 | Odyssey Stroke Lab Double Wide Check Price | 2.3 | 71 | 33.5 | C9.4 | Slight |
 | Odyssey Triple Track Double Wide Check Price | 3.2 | 70.7 | 33.5 | D3.6 | Slight |
 | Ping Heppler ZB3 Check Price | 3.2 | 70.9 | 34 | D0.8 | Strong |
 | Ping Heppler Anser 2 Check Price | 3 | 69.6 | 34 | C6.6 | Slight |
 | PXG Gen 2 Brandon Check Price | 2.7 | 70.3 | 34 | E5.7 | Slight |
 | PXG Gen 2 Closer Check Price | 2.4 | 70.5 | 34 | F5.8 | Slight |
 | Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport 2 Check Price | 3.4 | 70.9 | 33.75 | D3.2 | Strong |
 | Scotty Cameron Special Select Squareback 2 Check Price | 3.8 | 71.7 | 33.75 | D4.2 | Slight |
 | Sub 70 Sycamore 001 Check Price | 3.2 | 72.6 | 34 | E5.6 | Slight |
 | Taylormade Truss TB2 Check Price | 3.8 | 69.9 | 34 | D4.3 | Face Balance |
 | Taylormade Truss TB1 Check Price | 3.2 | 70.7 | 33.75 | D4.4 | Slight |
 | Tommy Armour Habanero Check Price | 2.3 | 70.4 | 34 | D9.8 | Slight |
 | Tommy Armour Trinidad Check Price | 2.5 | 71 | 33.75 | D7.2 | Strong |
 | Tommy Armour Impact No1 Check Price | 2.7 | 71.3 | 33.75 | D0.6 | Slight |
 | Wilson Infinite West Loop Check Price | 3.3 | 71.3 | 34 | D6.6 | Face Balance |
 | Wilson Infinite Windy City Check Price | 3.4 | 72.3 | 33.75 | E9.9 | Strong |
Best Feeling Putter - Mizuno M.Craft 2
The M. Craft 2 was rated as the best feeling putter by our testers. The company is notorious for producing some of, if not THE, best feeling irons in golf. That tradition continues with the M.Craft line where Mizuno leverages also leverages 1025 carbon steel to produce a line of putters that offers exceptionally soft feel.
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 the best blade putter for 2020 for you comes through fitting.
Q: Can I fit myself for a putter?
A: To a degree, yes. PING developed an app that pairs with an attachable sleeve to your current putter shaft to determine your stroke type, lie and loft to help you understand what to look for in your next putter.
GET FIT FOR YOUR GAME WITH TRUEGOLFFIT™
Unbiased. No Guesswork. All Major Brands. Matched To Your Swing. Advanced Golf Analytics matches the perfect clubs to your exact swing using connected data and machine learning.
SEE MY RESULTS
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. On the flip side, if it’s too long, you’ll feel as though you’re crowding the ball and the toe will be pointing up slightly. When in doubt, 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 blade 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.
Dave Martinucci
4 months agoMost important factor to me is 5 foot accuracy, if I can hole more putts from 5 foot out my 2 putts or less a hole are more likely, this factor should outweigh the 10 ft. and certainly the 20 ft. accuracy numbers as it’s easier to get within 5 ft. of the hole from those distances also the psychological impact on your confidence when you miss shorter putts is a factor.
Dave K
1 year agoWould LOVE to have you do a “Best Putter” review, I am torn between your winners in both blade and mallet contests. The 2 top blades arent really, they are both double wide which I assume adds to the MOI? Can you do a putt off between top 5 strokes gained in both categories?
Garen Eggleston
1 year agoCurious why no pyramid putters were tested as they are in ad on the review
Brian
1 year agoI have been a fan of your website for a couple of years. I was using a TaylorMade putter. My putting wasn’t terrible but if something could get me a stroke or two I’m all in. I had been looking at the Evnroll 2.2 so I finally bit the bullet and picked one up before a big golfing weekend. I have been to the practice greens outside with it twice now and can’t believe the difference. Not so much the knee knockers 2-3 ft. but the 5 and 10 ft putts. Unbelievable. I will give you a report after my long golf vacation. We are doing 4 different courses in 4 days. Looking forward to see how it performs.
Thank You MGSpy.
MyGolfSpy
1 year ago?
Sen
12 months agoDisappointing result?
Stephen Gengaro
1 year agoGreat work as usual. My question is how can a putter be a leader from 5 feet and 20 feet, but not from 10.? Do you believe there is a reason, or could it be the randomness of the data? I have had an ER2 for about three years and love it. Thanks!
Kev S
1 year agoAfter seeing the results of these tests and previous ones by MGS I had a look at the Evnroll putters and rolled a few putts with a demo club. It rolled ok but I wasnt keen on the sound or the feel. of it and the 350 Euro price tag put me off even more.
I had a look in the bargain bin and found a Ping Anser G2i with a blue face insert and gave that a try and it was amazing. It was a Black dot so technically it should be slightly the wrong lie angle or length etc for me as I should be Green but it was perfect for me.
I bought that for 35 Euros instead and it is fantastic. The face has a lovely soft feel and it rolls the ball as well as any putter out there, even with slightly off centre hits.
I have not putted so well from all distances for years and 5 feet and in are almost gimmies compared to before. It is amazing what a bit of confidence can do for your putting game..
I would love to see Older high tech putters like the Ping G2i series and other manufacturers stuff tested against the so called Modern technology (The Emperors New Clothes)
The Companies trying to unload the expensive new stuff wouldnt like it but these tests are to find the best gear and the best value and there is lots of good equipment especially in Putters that were released before MGS began testing in 2013…
Yes putters were another Company with some interesting stuff (sadly they went bust as they couldnt compete with the huge established players) Carbite putters were another who had a great product but fell.
Mat Fitzpatrick still games a Yes Tracy 2 putter on tour (Ping Anser Clone with special grooves on the face) so it must be working for him.
These putters like my Ping G2i Anser can be picked up for a few bucks in bargain Bins and on Ebay, it would be interesting to know how they stacked up against the modern stuff right now.
..
Mark Davis
1 year agoGET FITTED!. I spent some time with a putter fitter a year ago – indoors for a full hour, using both observation and lots of tech, with several of my favorite gamers inc. newer Ping mallets and older Cameron blades – and it really made a big difference in how I play and how I buy. My putting is considerably better overall, I think, and at least I know what I’m looking for when I try something new. Feel is still everything, but end of day, it helps to have a putter that maximizes your good tendencies and minimizes your bad tendencies. And with fitting, you actually know what those are..
Jay
1 year agoPutters…Ugh! Will the madness never end? I’ve been fitted, again and again. I swing between drop dead toe hang blades like the 8802 or Bullseye, to table top face balanced mallets like my Scotty Futura 5W or Evnroll ER8 – and everything in between. I play full arc and SB-ST putters. The one thing that has changed universally is I have gone back to the thinner standard pistol grips, after a long run with the larger super stroke and oversized Scotty grips, including the Gravity Grip by Evnroll. Thus, the vast collection of putters and a beautiful custom putter rack display case. I’m an unabashed tinkerer. I can’t help it. I love messing around with these toys. It all comes down to what feels best that day for me, which one looks right and which one fits my stroke that morning. But not one of these designs is going to overcome just plain and simple poor technique, or inconsistent strokes, which I see a lot of on the course. And, the even bigger obstacles are doubt or poor confidence. Most people complain about their putting, but when I ask them if they practice, few of them say yes. I track my average strokes per hole and per round (1.5 and 27). I know I can go multiple rounds without a 3 putt dump, and I can also nail several 1 putts in a row, and trust me I’m counting each one of them, you’ll see the tally on my scorecards (which look more like stat sheets), including my putt distances for each hole. A so-so putter is easy to find, a great putter is not – that’s true for both the actual club and the player. You can tell a lot about a golfer by the way they maintain their clubs, including their putters. If they are dinged up and slammed into the bag, with no cover, that probably says something about their putting game. You’ll see every one of my putters looks as if it’s just come off the shelf, no matter how old they are – and that’s the way I feel about my putting – meticulous pride. But, the primary difference is, a great putter (player) can putt with a wooden stick if he/she is given the task, and the so-so putter (player) can be given the finest handcrafted bespoke putter available on the market and still 3 putt most of the holes, with a few 4 and 5 putts thrown in too. I’m the first one to get excited about the new releases that hit the shelves, but I know none of them make a real difference in my final score. As I said, practice, consistency, and confidence are really where it’s at, but I’ll also say that a finely crafted, CNC milled, polished putter sure makes the experience so much nicer – especially when that putt for dough part fits the round. Thanks again MGS, I love what you do for this game, and for bringing me endless hours of study and assessment for my next purchase exploration, and the golf companies thank you for suckering me into sustaining their industry with another completely unnecessary purchase. One question for you other MGS students, any of you experience excessive COVID golf club purchasing syndrome? Man, I got it bad. I wonder if my insurance will cover that? Try to keep up and have fun out there.
John Harmon
1 year agoGreat read and spot on with my own experience! I have a lot of putters….Scotty, Evnroll, Bettinardi, Odyssey. On and on….I love them all for various reasons and treat them with respect. (I cringe every time I snoop around on the big auction site and see a once-fine stick now battered, rusty and abused).
And to answer the COVID buying syndrome….yes I too have been afflicted. I need a new putter like I need a hole in my head…..but an ER2.2 looks like it would be a pleasure to roll…
Dugan
1 year agoI new I made a good choice when I bought the ER2. Takes some getting used too but it does perform as advertised.
Miguel
1 year agoNever have I thought that I would buy a freaking Wilson putter. I have owned a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 and an Evnroll ER2. But here I am, putting with a Wilson Infinite Westloop. I am loving it so far.
Connor
1 year agoWhat the ER2 tested with or without the gravity grip?
Charles W Keller
1 year agoIn 2017 the ER2 won in 2018 the ER3 won last year it wasn’t in your top five and this year the ER2 wins again. What happened last year if the best technology always wins?
MyGolfSpy
1 year agoIf you take a look last year the models tested were different. They were the EVNROLL ER1TS and the EVNROLL ER 2.2.
Jim W
1 year ago2019 vs 2020
In 2019 here’s what you wrote about about the Oydessy Stroke Lab 3 :
In 2019 Most Wanted testing, the Odyssey Stroke Lab #3 was a standout from 10-feet; the most critical distance we test.
This year you tested the Stroke Lab #1 and it scored poorly on the 10 foot test if I read your chart correctly. Granted there are slightly different head shapes, but why so good one year and not so good the next?
Clay
1 year agoLooks like this group of testers strongly preferred the wide blade look. Do they all have mallets in their own bags? Just interesting how the results are so skewed to a particular shape.
Will
1 year agoHave, IMO, found that a putter milled from one single block of soft steel, is superior to those produced with just a milled insert. Have both, a Bettinardi & Cameron models milled from a single block. Both are great putters, but I give the softest feel to the Bettinardi…
Steve S
1 year agoInteresting that most of the top putters are not really “blades” in the strict sense of the word. They are “fat” blades tending toward mallet size. Proves what seems like a trend of folks heading towards mallets even if their shape is blade like. A true blade, IMO, is a a acushnet bulls eye or ping anser.
Dawg Golfer
1 year agoOr a Wilson 8802….
Kev S
1 year ago8802 great putter sleek to look down on and Ben Crenshaw showed how well it can work when he averaged 27.88 putts per round with one in 1994 on the PGA tour.
With all the new technology and new ways of reading greens today what Crenshaw did with that putter is as good as they can manage nowadays..
It would clearly be better to spend the money on putting lessons and practice and develop a good solid putting stroke than waste hundreds of dollars on an expensive putter. Each to their own though.
Jack
1 year ago1. Another great read, MGS. Thank you!
2. “get fitted for a putter that performs best for YOUR stroke” – love that.
3. Seeing many comments suggesting that you stratify the population and extrapolate the data according to the stroke of your testers (SBST, Slight arc, etc.) I’d imagine it would require much more work, but I think it would be cool to see moving forward!
James
2 years agoInteresting to see a Scotty at the top for the first time ever, I believe. What can account for one of his putters finally getting to the top? Any tech changes that would make this putter that much better than what’s been tested in the past?
Brandon
1 year agoIt’s gotta be that sweet new (old) fully milled head instead of the metal inserts.
Neil
2 years agoI like the testing you do but my halfpenny’s. worth of suggestions for the 2021 tests:
Please break down the putters & testers by swing style, as that inevitably affects the test outcomes. I realise that you will have quite a job organising everyone by types of swing styles!
Please include prior years’ winners for putting styles, as prior year comparisons are currently impossible!
I would also like to see prior year(s) winners & runners up compared in your driver and iron club tests!
Finally, I also agree that fitting for a putter, or any other club, is required but I still miss putts with my RAM Zebra almost as well as I can with a Scotty Cameron! I must try an Evnroll…. Thanks for your work!
Best wishes,
Neil
charlie
1 year agoGreat points to:
#1 – Break out swing style.
#2 – Include references to past year’s winners
And, I did notice that quite a few of the putters are now being tested with shorter shaft lengths….and that certainly impacts the test results as most fitters would say that many people are using a putter with too-long of a shaft for their body and swing type…..may help the putters with short shafts win your test.
Cliff
2 years agoI have the 2020 Scotty Newport 2 and it doesn’t have a strong 90° toe hang. It’s much less than that on mine.
David Dimmich
2 years agoThis further proves how it’s impossible to justify spending $500 for a club that travels 3-4 mph. It’s astounding to me how convincing expensive marketing plans can be….
Kaz
2 years agoThe Evnroll winner is listed as ER2, but it looks like an ER2B. When yoou visit Evnroll’s website, the ER2B is shown as the winner. ???
Chris Nickel
2 years agoER2 and ER2B are the same model, but the “B” denotes a black finish. Hope this clarifies things a bit
Christopher
2 years agoStill grinds my crusty gears that heel-toe weighted putters get labelled “blades”. Face-balanced doesn’t float my boat either, face up would be more apt, something that spins around freely (like a PLOP putter) seems more face-balanced.
Nice article, but we need more pictures!
Joe Duffer
1 year agoChristopher, you’re absolutely right! The Putters listed above are not blade putters! These puttere are heel/toe perimeter-weighted copies of the Ping Anser design. I mean would call a Ping G iron a “blade” iron? C’mon man!
Lee
2 years agoHey MGS, I love your work and really look fwd to these reviews (putter and wedges particularly as they’re the scoring clubs). But I have a few questions.
Howcome the TM Juno (last year’s winner) wasn’t included?
Evnroll 2.2 and scotty square back were also in the mix LY, but it looks like they performed middle of the pack. Is it the sample of people each year that affects the results or a change in testing methodology this year?
Ultimately it might just show that we need to get fitted but I was hoping to see some consistency of winners year on year?
Thanks again and looking fwd to your upcoming reviews.
Peace.
Rich Mendoker
2 years agoNo SeeMore?
I just bought my second despite any reviews.
JAck
1 year agoAgree with you…
I use a EvnRoll and playing partner uses SeeMore… Would have liked to see them head to head…
Now he has an excuse..
Kev S
1 year agoI Agree that SeeMore putters are top quality and they work great for alignment but only wen used in a correct fashion.
I think that the reason that these putters have “performed poorly” in previous years MGS testing is that the users do not know how to use the red dot sighting correctly.
Instructions of how these putters work and how by using one you will improve your putting stroke are shown for free on the SeeMore website.
They do not suit any kind of forward press and if you do not use the red dot sighting correctly then the testing means diddly squat.
Probably why SeeMore no longer bother sending their putter to be tested.
Used correctly and with an improved putting stroke garnered by using the hide the red dot system and set correct up at address, the SeeMore putter works great.
Just jumping in and setting up wrong and then trying to use the red dot to aim the putter face would be detrimental to results, as in the past in these tests it has been shown to be.
Seemore putters are for those that wish to improve their putting stroke and not for everybody who wants a quick fix until the next “Best Thing”..
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Kev S
1 year agoI agree, if you buy a SeeMore putter then you realise that you already either have a good purring stroke or that you are going to do your best to develop one.
Only then will the Hide the Red dot sighting be beneficial to your aim and squaring the clubface at impact.
I think that this is why SeeMore no longer send putters to MGS to be tested as it is pointless as the users are not using them in the correct manner and this is actually going to cause miss aiming.
These tests are simply for the next best quick fix to help players get a ball rolling even with off centre hits and this is great as many players are happy with just that..
If you want the quick fix or band aid then this is great but if you commit to purchasing at he correct SeeMore putter then you will actually improve your set up and your stroke when you correctly utilise the hide the red dot sighting system..
TheBrad
2 years agoI’m sorry for your disability. It is acknowledged.
JK – I feel your pain.
TheKiltedGolfer
2 years agoSo why wasn’t Tommy Armour Impact #3 involved this year since it was a winner previous 2 years?
TheKiltedGolfer
2 years agoNever mind. I am an idiot and know why.. DUH
Matt
2 years agoGreat work once again fellas. So good that I literally just placed an order for the Scotty Squareback 2!
michael agishian
2 years agoI love my square back feels super nice but I am thinking of changing the grip. It really is thinner than I’ve gotten used to with my putters.
Rich P
2 years agoI have used an an Evnroll ER2 for over three years now. I only look at the hole on most all putts. For lag putts I stroke right hand low with index finger extended. For close putts that I should make it is left hand low.. Off the green I will putt looking at the ball most times.. I feel that the ER2 fits my style of putting as I probably have more off center hits.. Surprised more players do not do this too. .
Kenny B
2 years agoI have been putting not looking at the hole for 6 years. It turned me from a poor putter to a good putter. However, I needed a face-balanced mallet putter and a fitting from Ping to go from a decent to a good putter.
Robin
2 years agoI guess you didn’t try out a winning putter few years ago
The Carbon Ringo
Pete S
2 years agoGreat test and confirms what I’ve been thinking about purchasing myself, a double wide blade like the ER2 or Odyssey double wide in slight arc. Improved MOI vs a traditional blade but (to me) looks better than a mallet.
Brandon
2 years agoJust make sure not to get the triple track 😉
Geom Putters
2 years agoIncredible to see our name in this list of legendary golf companies. Thanks so much for including us!
We know it’s tough times for everyone, so we wanted to thank everyone who’s supporting small businesses right now.
Walter
2 years agoAgain, great work MGS.
What point are you trying to make with this statement; “look out for things like variable grooves, face inserts or a more traditional milled face”. Are you saying one face is so much better than another?
CHUCK Zirkle
2 years agoI game scotty putters, Newport 2 Select Notchbacks and they definitely perform well at those distances. Most of today’s putters are prototypes of the the Ping
Anser putter. Just saying Ping started it all and all the other manufacturers owe Karlsten a big thank you. I kept my Pal4. I always say it is the puttee and practice makes perfect. Of course a quality putter always helps.
Lou
2 years agoI am amazed. I bought a Wilson Infinite West Loop putter late last summer and my putting improved dramatically. It was astounding. All of a sudden today, I see it ranked “Best Value” by MGS! I would have bet the house it would have been ranked near the bottom by MGS as it is not a name brand and has a cheap price. Evenroll anything, like Snell golf balls, has always been an MGS favorite but never a Wilson. Nice work.
Chris Nickel
2 years agoIn our testing, performance always wins.
It has nothing to do with company size, the price or the name on the club.
Aart Van Der Molen
2 years agoWhere is the table with numbers ?
I only see a graph……
Brad
2 years agoTesting a SIK putter one year would be interesting.
Caleb
1 year agoAgreed, would like to see the difference the descending loft tech can make for someone. Don’t think anyone else uses that tech? (correct me if I’m wrong)
Nick
2 years agoGreat test guys. I would love to see a video of how you guys measure the specs on the putters( the rest of the most wanted test clubs as well). The variations in length are interesting. What are you using to get loft and lie accurate to the tenth of a degree? I love to tinker with my clubs and would love to see how the pros do it.
Len Nosal
2 years agoAll of the top 5 and most of the others are derivations if not practically copies of the original Ping Anser putter. It always surprises me in putter tests that this is not pointed out. Also it seems illogical that a putter should be rated “best” from 5 ft and “poor” from 10 ft, which calls the methodology into question.
Chris Nickel
2 years agoAt some point, this information becomes superfluous as I’m not sure it adds anything to the test. I don’t necessarily need to know anything about Willis Carrier to understand what I’m looking for in a new air conditioner.
In no way should Karsten’s contributions to the golf industry be diminished but I don’t know that “royalty” announcements are necessary.
Also, putter performance isn’t linear, which is precisely why we test at a variety of distances. I’m sure Tony can go into far more depth regarding methodologies and reasons why different putters do better/worse at different distances. That said, part of what’s fantastic about objective, data-driving testing is that it allows us to challenge assumptions and sometimes what people have decided is “logical” isn’t supported by the data.
DIP
2 years agoHey, it’s the “GET OFF MY GRASS!!!” guy!
MrHogan
2 years agoVery nice and thorough test. Was pleased to see Hogan was in the mix and actually produced some good results. And, not surprised Evnroll was at the top.
Would be interesting to separate the carbon and the SS putters and then test again.
Stay safe and healthy,
MrHogan
dlow206
2 years agoInteresting to see the drastic difference between the Odyssey Double Wide and the Double Wide Triple Track.
Jimmy
2 years agoLook at the spec table – they weren’t identical spec. Looks like heavier putters fared better for the most part.
Simple side note – the 5 foot putt matters the most. If you’re money inside five feet, whether your 20-footer ends up 1ft away or 3 ft away doesn’t matter.
A few years ago I shifted the vast majority of my putting practice to short range & dropped two shots on my handicap. Unless you’re awesome at reading greens, you’re not going to make a lot of 20-footers no matter what you do.
Mark Liquorman
2 years agoThe reasonable objective is not to expect to make 20′ putts, it is 3-putt avoidance. I don’t want to get that 20 footer to within 5′, I want to get it to within 2 feet!
Jeremy
2 years agoAre you sure the Ping app is still available for consumers? I looked and it appears to only be for fitters now.
Largechris
1 year agoI just had a look – blimey Ping has locked the app yes.
Customers have paid 25 bucks for the cradle and now they can’t use it. That’s crazy.
gdb99
1 year agoI forgot how, but you can still use the app. I saw this discussed on another golf forum. Might have to Google it. I haven’t used mine in a long time.
Imafitter
2 years agoThe putter the most personal club in your bag. You need to like the look, feel, weight, grip…plus you must be fitted for loft & lie.
mackdaddy9
2 years agoHey Adam,
How much do you think the test is effected by the make up of the test group? Is there any fitting test for the people putting. It would seem that the make up of the group ie big arc or slight arc and face balanced fits could change the results some. If you checked the fit needs and then had the testers test the type putters that they are fit to would give the most accurate result of the weapons.
That said I think you guys do an awesome job getting us this info. Thanks
Brandon
2 years agoI feel in this day in age most wanted putters should also be broken down to Strong ARC / Slight ARC/ Face balanced. If you look at the TM spider X they have a version that has 33 deg of toe hand for the slight arc same almost as the ER 2 at 22 deg… Since they are designed for the same putting stroke don’t yall think it would be more of an accurate test?
Harry Nodwell
2 years agoYou can find the best putters, like you suggested, in the Product Spotlight section within the article.
Dave Vardon
2 years agoOk, just checked the price for the Evnroll ER2 ➡️ $557 (Five HUNDRED and Fifty- seven dollars – Canadian . That’s frickin INSANE !!!!! I wouldn’t spend that much on ANY golf club, even if I won the lottery . The Scotty Cameron Select SB 2 is probably more. Sorry, the cost of clubs is getting WAY out of hand. Glad we have a store near us that sells used clubs. OMG . But I will check out these putters at our store in 3 years !! The best value WS Infinite WL is only $150 (Canadian) – so my question is, what am I getting for $400 more from the winning putters, other then a smaller bank balance ???? Just saying.
TimoTe
2 years agoI own the ER8 34″ mallet putter by Evnroll. It was a winner a couple years back. Watch some of the Evnroll putter videos with the designer Guerin Rife and you will see that his putters are the only putters that hit the ball the same distance and the same target line for all putts on the milled section of the face. No other putter can say that – none!
Kev S
1 year agoThe Pyramid putter can and there is a video showing it doing so, 3 balls 1 off the centre of the putter, 1 off the heel and 1 off the Toe and they all go in the hole from 9 feet, Sik putters claim theirs does the same kind of thing too.
Jordan
2 years agoI’ve had the same Scotty Cameron Newport 2 since 2003 and have no plans of changing it. Total cost of ownership on mine is like $15/year so far… so if you find a putter you want to use for the rest of your life, it shouldn’t matter how much it costs. That’s exactly the argument I’m making when I buy a $3000 tour scotty one day at least.
Tank
2 years agoHere in the USA, its $369. still a chunk of change, but I see your point at $557. Tough pill to swallow.
Paperclip
2 years agoI am Canadian too and so I feel your pain. But I think you have to look at this club as an investment in that you will hopefully be using it for a long time and also that Evnrolls and Scottys tend to keep their values much better than other brands.
TheBrad
2 years agoI suggest you get a second job.
Mark Liquorman
2 years agoI can understand how a putter’s performance can get better or worse as the putts go from shorter to longer. Given that, I find it hard to fathom that the Wilson’s performance was best at 5′, poor at 10′, but then very good at 20′! Such an aberration would seemingly call for a closer look at why it could happen.
Brandon
2 years agoI think the disparity between the 2 Odyssey double wide putters both with Stroke Lab shafts is more interesting. Did the triple track or new face insert ruin that putter? As well as the difference in the Wilson West Loop this year vs. last year.
Dave Vardon
2 years agoYes, that does seem odd
Terry
2 years agoPlease get to the high MOI putters ASAP
Frank. Duda
1 year agoWhat is the relationship between putter loft and speed of greens? The top 3 putters have lofts of 2.6° to 4.5°. Which is best for slower greens? Faster?
Brandon
1 year agoMore loft is better for slower greens which are usually longer grass, the loft if needed to get the ball up and out of the turf to start rolling. You cannot look at loft alone, the EVNROLL grooves will grab the ball and launch higher than the flat face on the Scotty and Mizuno. Center of gravity of the putter can also affect launch in addition to loft.