When you finish a round of golf and think about what you could have done better, short putts are often the first thing that comes to mind. They seem so easy, makeable, and within reach. When they don’t fall it sticks with you. Missing short putts will happen occasionally, but your putter might make things harder than they need to be. Our 2025 Best Blade Putter test found the top three best blade putters for short putts.
Never Compromise Model 2
Our putter testing changed in 2025 with the introduction of the PuttView Handicap. While we tested 32 blade putters with 20 avid golfers, we now use this new metric to help golfers better understand how a putter performs at short, medium, and long ranges.
The Never Compromise Model 2 blade putter had the best PuttView handicap for short Putts. In testing, golfers made 68.97% of short-range putts using this model. This was nearly 10% better than the worst performer in the field.
The strong short-range performance from the Never Compromise Model 2 didn’t carry over to longer distances. Testers noted that the Model 2 lagged behind, especially in terms of speed control and alignment.
Buy this if:
✅ You struggle with short putts and need something that gives you confidence and consistency.
✅ You are less concerned with subjective appeal and just need data-backed results.
Don’t buy this if:
❌ You struggle with speed control and aim on longer putts.
Runner Blade
This was the first year Runner had a putter in our Most Wanted testing. The Runner Blade finished second overall in the test and second for short putts. The Runner Blade putters can be customized with over 200 potential configurations to adjust face designs, weights, and back pieces.
If you are a golf gear junky it’s a putter you’ll love.
From an overall performance standpoint, the Runner Blade also placed in the top five for mid-range putts. This is not a putter that every golfer will like. It did not score well on looks or feel, but if you’re looking for performance-backed putting improvements in your game, you’ll find them here.
Buy this if:
✅ You want consistent performance from short and mid-range putts.
✅ You like to fine-tune gear with deep customization options.
Don’t buy this if:
❌ You want a traditional blade putter look and feel.
❌ You care more about looks and feedback than data and scoring.
Never Compromise Model 1
The Never Compromise Model 1 is one of the most traditional blade putter designs. In addition to being the third-best putter on short putts, the Never Compromise Model 1 finished fourth overall in the test.
Model 1 was slightly more well-rounded than Model 2. It significantly outperformed Model 2 in the medium and long ranges. This is a good option if you want classic looks with a well-balanced scoring performance.
Buy this if:
✅ You want a traditional blade shape with strong across-the-board performance.
✅ You want simple alignment and a clean, classic setup.
Don’t buy this if:
❌ You’re looking for a modern or tech-heavy design.
❌ You don’t have a slight arc, and a plumber’s neck blade isn’t the right fit for your stroke.
Final thoughts
If none of these shoes is a fit for your game, take a look at our complete blade putter testing results:
HikingMike
1 year ago
Heads up, the first link here for the best blade putters article goes to the 2022 version for some reason. That was confusing for a second.