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When we tested the best mallet putters of 2024, we paid particular attention to the 10-foot putt. We’ve learned in previous years of testing that if you want a really good measure of how a putter will perform overall, test it from 10 feet. Putts from 10 feet are weighted the most in our testing. That’s why you’ll see that the best putter from 10 feet also grabbed the honors of best overall mallet putter of 2024. The best mallet putters from 10 feet are the Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0, Wilson Staff Model CS22 and the Cleveland HB Soft 2 Retreve.
✅ Golfers who want to make more putts from more than 10 feet: For 10- and 20-foot putts, the Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 is the best you’ll find.
✅ Players who value sound and feel: One of the highest rated by testers for sound and feel.
❌ Anyone concerned about five-foot putts: The Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 finishes in the bottom half of the data for the five-foot putts.
❌ Players on a budget: At $399, the Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 is not the cheapest option on the list.
The Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 is not just your best option for a mallet putter from 10 feet. I’s the best mallet of 2024. When a putter gets a perfect score from 10 feet, it’s hard for anybody to really compete. In fact, the Bettinardi INOVAI was also the best overall option from 20 feet. At five feet, the performance was not as strong.
If you have been struggling to drain putts in that 10- to 20-foot range, you may consider adding this one to the bag. It doesn’t hurt that testers also ranked the Bettinardi INOVAI 6.0 as one of the best overall for feel and sound.
✅ Golfers who need consistency from 10 feet: Ranks second overall from 10 feet, a great indication of its potential consistency.
✅ Anyone who wants a center-shafted putter: If you like the optics and feel of a center-shafted putter, the Wilson Staff Model CS22 is a good option..
❌ Players concerned with the look: Testers did not love the sound or feel of the Wilson Staff Model CS22.
❌ Golfers who struggle with the top-down look of a center-shafted putter: Center-shafted putter options are limited so make sure this is something you want.
The Wilson Staff Model CS22 is a center-shafted putter. Not every golfer likes the look or feel of a center-shafted putter but, from 10 feet, the Wilson Staff Model CS22 earned a 9.1/10.
From a looks and feel standpoint, this was not one of the favorite putters of the test. A few testers mentioned the putters “sit a little different.”
With it’s high ranking with the 10-foot putts, the Wilson Staff Model CS22 moved into third place overall. It was equally as strong from five feet as it was from 20 feet. A good choice for golfers who like a classic half-round center-shafted mallet putter.
✅ Golfers on a budget: The Cleveland HB Soft 2 Retreve is the best-value putter of 2024.
✅ Players who want consistency on longer putts: Higher rankings on both the 10- and 20-foot putting metrics.
❌ Anyone who struggles with short putts: One of the weaker performers from five feet.
❌ Players looking for a very soft putter face: Some reviews say golfers were surprised that the face felt a little hot.
The Cleveland HB Soft 2 Retreve performed really well for 10-foot putts. It was not as great from 20 feet and struggled a bit from five feet. However, the real selling point here is the price.
The Retreve is $149. If you want something with solid performance but is still affordable, the Cleveland HB Soft 2 Retreve could be a good choice. It came was 10th overall in the 2024 test.
Testers noticed some flaws in the overall feel of the ball coming off the face of the Retreve. It mostly felt a little hot.
There is, of course, the obvious benefit to the Retreve – it picks the golf ball up for you. If you want to skip bending down to grab your golf ball, you’ll appreciate this feature.
Don’t see the product you are looking for and want to see where it stacked up? Find the full results of the Best Mallet Putters of 2024 here: MyGolfSpy Best Mallet Putters of 2024.
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2 years ago
How’s the DF3 not the clear winner. It’s the best putter I’ve ever owned and I’ve had a lot. I would like a recount. There must be hanging chads. ;)
2 years ago
Mark you are spot on this test smells like they have been bought and paid for, unbiased nfw
2 years ago
Where is the vaunted L.A.B. putters in these tests? Tied for 13th with the 3 yr old under $150 Tommy Armour Impact #3. It was the top putter one year and 2nd or 3rd(I can’t remember) the next.
2 years ago
Like my Dad always said – “It’s the putt-ee, not the putter.” At the end of the day, it’s about looks and feel when it comes to putters. Over 30 years of playing since I was a kid, I’ve gone from Bullseye putters (even putting left-handed for a while) to Little Ben-style putters to Anser/Newport style putters. That’s as far as I’ve evolved…I’ve tried mallets, but I don’t like the feel.
2 years ago
The best putter is the one I have in my bag at any given time. I like the classic anser style – mallets don’t offer enough feel / feedback. Not good for a downhill putt on a steep green – can’t play it off the toe like an anser.
And FYI – if you play a long shaft pendulum putter like Adam Scott, don’t join my foursome. We all think it’s cheating – none of us are fans of Adam Scott. Love his swing, but he’s a tool using that putter.
2 years ago
He isn’t a tool, a fantastic awesome golfer. That you could only wish to be. He would be welcome in my group anytime
2 years ago
Baffles me as well. What possible scientific or physical properties could possibly cause such a wide difference?
2 years ago
This is really best left to the 19th hole and a couple of pitchers of brew. I just had a SAM fitting and a couple of your best were in stock. None of the 5 the fitter chose to have me sample for aim and square face at impact are on your list. Looks like to me to be more of a promotional opportunity than encouraging putter fittings to narrow down hundreds to a handful for that player.
2 years ago
Can anyone provide an explanation how a putter that is the best at 10 feet is among the worst at 5 ft? I can’t imagine what characteristic would cause that to be the case.
2 years ago
Just had a fitting. My gamer had more toe hang than my arc needed. So the club face had a tendency to not close/square at impact. As a LH putter, I had a left hole miss. Randomly assigned putters to randomly selected golfers without regard to a fitting will result in variations at differing lengths. Or what we see when the primary selection criteria is looks or whatever is hot on the PGA.
2 years ago
Until they add a standard mini golf putter, and test that same putter year after year as a control, I’ll be convinced these results are effectively random.
Titleist_LFF
2 years ago
You really need to start including Bobby Grace putters in these putter tests. There is nothing comparable to their roll and forgiveness. Most people shy away from them because they are not available in stores and they see the softer black insert, but the firmer grey and even solid aluminum insert provide a much more solid feel. The radial face makes the ball roll immediately, and the mallets are extremely stable. I have never made more putts on even mishit putts than what I have with a Bobby Grace F18. Any player at our club that I have let try any of my Grace putters, almost immediately goes out and buys one, and they all comment how great they feel and the roll is 2nd to none. Obviously just my opinion, but I would love for them to make a showing in some of your testing. Grace putters have come a long way since the original Fat Lady and MacGregor days