Best Heavy Putters 2023

Golf clubs are getting lighter and lighter every year. But then that’s exactly the point – lightweight clubs work the best for those with a slower swing speed since they give you that extra boost and power in the field of distance. Nonetheless, lightweight is not always the solution with every golf club.

Even those with only average golfing skills need one of the best heavy putters on account that the lightweight version does no good when it comes to putting well. The heavier design, at such times, allows you to produce a more condensed (thus, a more solid) putting stroke.

On the other hand, if you choose a lightweight putter, you need to expend more effort as well as the stroke demands more precision as well as far as fast greens are concerned.

In short, it is so much better to own a putter that’s heavy instead of one that’s too light. Because it’s the former that lends the right kind of feel and the right amount of distance control. So apart from reviewing heavy putters, I’ve also written a whole, comprehensive guide on choosing the ‘right’ overall putter design FOR YOU, with 12 top-rated golf putters.

1. Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa Putter

Pros
  • Tip-heavy putter for smoother strokes
  • White Hot face encourages topspin for distance control
  • Thick white alignment aid – very easy to line up
  • Slightly more feedback from the slightly firmer insert
Cons
  • Odyssey grip feels disappointing

The first on the list is the top-notch Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa Putter that you see mainly during Tour competitions. And the best part is that you can pick a clubhead accordingly based on your swing and preferences. Even different grip styles are available, although the grip is the stock Odyssey grip, not SuperStroke (so that could be a disappointment).

It’s an extremely forgiving putter, that’s for sure. Get ready to reduce strokes off your short game and develop a consistent swing once you upgrade to Odyssey Stroke Lab Versa Putter. The mass distribution here is well optimized with the blend of graphite and steel for the shaft construction; so that’s the tip-heavy design.

A somewhat stiff shaft like this with minimal torque means better control because of the heavy putter head. And along with that, improved consistency as well for all sorts of golfers.

What also struck me as a praiseworthy feature is the addition of micro hinges in the face. So topspin is also right up there with distance control. And one last thing – the prominent thick white alignment line/aid is sure to provide all the assistance one might need to line up their putts more accurately.

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2. Pinemeadow Golf Men’s PGX Putter

Pros
  • Precise, crisp white finish makes an impression
  • Contrast white against green also helps with alignment
  • Heavy Tour-weighted mallet design for smooth forward spin
  • Well made, low cost, and reliable, thus great for beginners
Cons
  • Pretty standard grip
  • Sounds and feels a bit hollow

Doesn’t take more than a single round of golf to realize the true potential of Pinemeadow PGX. The heavy weight is obviously well balanced, which is just great. Even the feel of the putter is more natural in that it helps you judge or adjust your swing on every hit. Each putting stroke benefits in one way or another because PGX makes up for all things that lack in your “green” skills.

I wouldn’t call this an underrated putter in golf BUT I will surely add that it deserves more attention than it gets since it’s a more inexpensive option, so many golfers dismiss it as being an inferior choice. However, even those who don’t have any budget constraints are sure to appreciate every aspect of Pinemeadow PGX. Even the putter’s looks!

Easy, accurate alignment is in the cards, all thanks to the clean-cut white finish. And a heavier putter it is indeed, with its Tour-weighted 380-gram head that’s just the best for faster greens.

It’s a mallet-style putter after all, which means you get the smoothest roll the most accurately and consistently. In short, good control for even weaker-skilled golfers.

And with a headcover included, you can protect the heavier head for the longest time. So nothing comes in between the golf ball coming off this head as it should to attain a decent roll.

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3. Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0 Putter

Pros
  • Mallet design, hence more stability on longer putts
  • Heavy head, thus also works best for shorter putts
  • Laser-milled insert brings more consistency
  • Weight distribution in heel/toe increases forgiveness
  • Contrast alignment also helps with consistency and accuracy
Cons
  • Takes time to adjust to the fat grip

High handicappers and beginners working on their short game can and have improved a great deal with Odyssey White Hot Pro 2.0, even though it’s not priced to be a “high-end” putter. This one’s a quality golf club with a well-balanced ‘heavy’ weight for solid, controlled contact and impact.

And just so you know, affordability despite the heavy-duty innovation that is White Hot Pro 2.0 by Odyssey! It is the precise ‘White Hot’ insert itself that ranks as the most phenomenal factor here. It has an impact on the sound, feel, and performance with its laser-milled pattern that produces all the consistency you need for successful putting.

As for weight, that’s between the heel and toe. And you know what that means? You can get away with hitting off-center; miss the sweet spot as much as you like and still be able to come off as a short-game expert (to a certain extent of course).

And of course, the alignment aid also matters. With Odyssey, alignment is highly effective and accurate because of the contrast in the topline.

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4. Pinemeadow Golf Site 4 Putter

Pros
  • Mallet putter with offset hosel (best for beginners)
  • Site Plate lines up putts the most accurately
  • Consistent Face insert gets the ball rolling smoothly, quickly
  • Striking contrast on the rubber grip that feels good
Cons
  • The weight feels slightly off-balanced

Those who are embarrassed to admit that their putting is awful, not because of poor mechanics but because of the lack of confidence, should seriously consider purchasing this Pinemeadow Golf Site 4 Putter. This is one of the most affordable heavy mallet putters that could just end up being the best thing in your golf bag.

In my opinion, the very thing that builds up your confidence is the oversized Site Plate on the putter head. You get the golden opportunity to focus on distance and distance alone. Simply because once you line up the ‘sight line’, you get the privilege of not thinking about direction.

And let’s not forget that this Pinemeadow putter features an offset hosel that further improves alignment.

As for performance, I think a feature like the brand’s Consistent Face technology in the insert produces a smooth roll with the least amount of skipping.

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5. Wilson Staff Harmonized Putter

Pros
  • Face insert offers a solid feel, even though non-metal
  • The midsized Harmonized grip also improves feel
  • Very forgiving mallet head
  • Putter head alignment lines lend greater accuracy
Cons
  • Shaft susceptible to premature damage
  • Not the “slickest” putter out there

Some say that Wilson Staff Harmonized is a junk putter because its shaft is prone to get bent pretty soon. While others say that it’s an excellent putter for the cost. If you want to know what I believe, here’s the truth about this Wilson Staff Harmonized Putter.

It has a very straightforward design with a plumber hosel and mallet head to keep your putts straight and true. And why wouldn’t they be when the face insert is micro-injected for improving feel at impact! Even the horizontal alignment lines that mark the head of the putter create a more systematic, accurate setup.

A vast improvement in your putting performance is to be expected because of the heavier yet well-balanced weight distribution. The best part about it all is that it’s okay to use both hard-cover golf balls (to tee off and putt) and soft-cover golf balls (approach shots and chip shots) with this putter.

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6. Wilson Infinite Men’s Golf Putter

Pros
  • Well-balanced mallet putter for smooth hitting
  • Balance point is closer to hands to ensure more control
  • Super comfortable Pistol grip
  • Sightlines accentuated and sun glare minimized
Cons
  • Fatter grip, hence not easy/quick to get used to

You know this is one of the best mallet-style putters when it just works in spite of your lack of confidence or any other such common putting concern that is often found among beginners and high handicappers. Wilson Infinite Golf Putter features alignment lines that help more than you can imagine when it comes to accurately lining up your putts.

Try 3 short and 3 long putts with an old putter and then with this new one. You’re surely going to see the HUGE difference between the two in terms of accuracy. This is all due to the counterbalanced technology that is responsible for generating a more controlled and smoother putting stroke.

And then you have the double-milled face put in place to promote optimal roll, distance control, and impact more consistently.

Even appearance as far as alignment and finish are concerned is excellent. Perpendicular and parallel sightlines along with a glare-free, dark PVD finish.

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7. Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter

Pros
  • High-MOI putter, hence more twist-resistant
  • Plumber’s neck produces a more forgiving stroke
  • Contrasting alignment aid improves accuracy
Cons
  • Too thin grip – poor feedback/feel
  • Paint job is not the most durable

Why spend as much as $400 for a putter when you can get a good one at a much cheaper price! That’s why the Orlimar Tangent T1 Putter is highly praised and a part of so many ‘heavy putters for sale’ review articles.

You definitely will love the style. The slightly heavy design of the putter is surely and obviously the best part. Despite the heft, which by the way is perfect to zero in and nail the hole no matter the distance, golf balls are picked off the turf very easily just with a simple, smooth ‘back-swipe’.

And all fabulous features are included – high MOI makes the putter more forgiving on mis-hits, offset plumber hosel also creates more forgiveness, soft TPU insert provides a solid feel, and contrast dual-colored alignment sightlines.

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8. TaylorMade Spider Tour Black Putter #3

Pros
  • High-MOI mallet putter (more stability, better roll)
  • Light core with heavy frame keeps face squared up
  • Unwanted vibrations/shocks dampened
  • Premium, super awesome SuperStroke grip
Cons
  • A very “responsive” putter

The Lamborghini of putters, TaylorMade Spider Tour Black Putter #3 is indeed a premium quality putter that always makes an appearance on every PGA Tour. The brand’s Spider putters, in general, feature a larger, mallet-style head and are actually quite well-received because of this type of high-MOI and heavy-weight construction.

The extreme stability you get at impact is why so many golfers switch to mallet from blade. Gaining putting control becomes a possibility with the switch to a mallet putter. And to be honest, it’s actually a blend of light and heavy that works for all kinds of golfers.

Plus, there’s the vibration-absorbing technology that enhances both feel and sound while the Pure Roll insert generates more topspin and forward roll.

It’s a super putter that launches putts perfectly on target!

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What Is Considered A Heavy Putter?

As a senior golfer at this point, and after having spent the most part of my life surrounded by golfers and golf clubs, I think that for the past decade, putters have become heavier.

Where once 350 grams was considered to be “quite hefty”, now that’s the average weight. So it’s becoming more and more common these days to come across putters whose heads are closer to 400 grams than 300 grams. And these veritably are considered to be the heavier putters of the lot.

Are Heavy Putters A Better Choice?

Anything that doesn’t lead to poor putting performance is a better choice. Another way to put it – only a confidence-boosting putter can keep your round of golf from turning into a huge mess. And what better to boost your confidence than a heavier-weighted putter.

Of course, other factors too play a major role, such as your strength, experience, preferences, etc. But what matters the most is how your putting stroke is executed. The perfect one consists of a simple, smooth backward-forward pendulum movement that stays straight throughout. And this is easier said than done on a consistent basis.

But then there’s no downplaying the assistance a heavy putter head brings into the picture by minimizing wrist action, hence handing over more control over your putting stroke. So if you lack the physical strength in your arms and grip, then you can and should certainly rely on a heavier putter that compels you to rightfully allow your shoulders to get the job done.

With a heavy putter, you’re also most likely to keep the head from twisting. Even your stroke is much less wobbly. That’s how your shots can gain more accuracy with better consistency.

Benefits of A Heavy Putter In Golf

Ask any experienced golfer and he/she will tell you that switching to heavy from lightweight has definitely made their pendulum-like putting stroke a more natural movement. More like just sliding through the grass off the green, as opposed to lighter putters sticking and, ultimately, killing your swing.

With a heavier putter, you also achieve a higher MOI. To state it simply, the heavier the putter head, the more ‘mis-hit forgiveness’ you get. Off-center shots, such as hitting the golf ball a little toward the toe or heel, are not punished as severely (so no 3-putting!).

And really, you don’t have to be a Tour-level golfer to appreciate heavy putters. Because even the not-so-seasoned ones find a heavier head in this case the most workable solution for fast greens, unlike the more lightweight version that seems to qualify for slower greens.

In a nutshell, heavy putters:

  • Allow you to perform the pendulum-like putting motion more naturally.
  • Minimize wrist action.
  • Reduce head twisting.
  • Put to use shoulder muscles even more.
  • Ensure a straight-line putting stroke.
  • Maximize control (through a slower stroke) and consistency.
  • Work the best for fast greens.

But then there are some drawbacks too:

  • Heavier putters are not the best for slower greens.
  • They are mainly used on shorter putts, not long shots.
  • Since the head is heavy, it might take a while to get familiarized with.

Are Heavier Putters More Suitable for Fast Greens?

You play a slower stroke with a heavier putter. With that logic, gaining greater control over your stroke becomes possible. Therefore, a heavy putter is the best for the now popular fast greens. Even though popular, fast greens seem to be quite intimidating. So, in such situations, maximum help is always welcome in order to boost confidence.

But then I would also like to add at this point that you shouldn’t be underestimating or disregarding your putting technique and personal preferences. Just always bear in mind that your putter, at the end of it, should provide a great feel. I mean if you’re not confident enough using the putter weight/design, then it’s in your best interest to drop that.

Is A Heavy Putter Legal?

USGA is not at all bothered about putter weight. This may be subject to change later on but as of now, you have nothing to worry about in terms of putter weight limits.

As far as weight restrictions are concerned, only one rule matters. And that is you cannot change adjustable weights on a golf club, any golf club during a round of golf.

So in case you happen to be using a putter that features adjustable weights for tournament/competition play, keep that in mind.

Heavier vs. Lighter Putters – Which Is Better?

You want my expert, Tour-level opinion? Heavy putters all the way in terms of shorter putt performance. Because with a heavier putter, the head has more stable participation.

Whereas lighter putters seem like a more fitting choice for longer putts since they’re much easier to hit due to the lack of a heavy head. But then this is not so great for short putts, just like heavy putters are not the most suitable for long putts.

See the thing about putter weight is that it’s more feel-driven, much like how driver weight, or even iron weight for that matter, is speed-driven (i.e. clubhead speed). There’s no force involved when it comes to putting, right? That means shaft flex doesn’t really matter, but shaft weight does and it all boils down to how THAT feels.

Nevertheless, the connection between putter weight and putting performance has not yet been established. But then there is enough evidence to prove that heavier putters work better for shorter putts because of more stability in the heavier head. And lighter putters for longer putts simply because they’re easier to hit.

What Is the Heaviest Putter Weight Allowed On PGA Tour?

I think you might be a little relieved to know that there are no such USGA-set weight rules for the putter. In fact, even for other golf clubs, there’s no minimum or maximum weight limit. The only official rule pertains to club adjustability – that you are not permitted to change the adjustable weights on your golf clubs at the time of gameplay.

Heavy Putters Then Are the Way to Go, Right?

In the end, factor in that your putter is among the most frequently used golf clubs in your set. So it better be high-performing. And by that, I mean something that literally feels right. And when it comes to putter feel, it’s the weight that actually counts.

With heavier golf putters, you can focus more on game improvement. But then also don’t undermine your putting stroke and other personal preferences.

If the heavier putter head makes you a more confident golfer, all the more reason to choose this. Other valid and practical reasons – a more natural and straight putting stroke with reduced wrist action and maximum shoulder play. Along with greater accuracy as well as consistency. Just what you need on fast greens!

Photo of author

Jim Furyk

One of the PGA TOUR’s most recognizable and talented golfers, Jim Furyk was born on May 12, 1970 in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It seems like Furyk was born to play golf; his father Mike as an assistant pro at Edgmont Country club, and young Jim was raised into the game. Jim Furyk’s only golf instruction came from his father; and many note that might account for his unusual—yet effective—swing. In addition to Edgmont Country Club, Mike Furyk also served as head pro at Uniontown Country Club.

1 thought on “Best Heavy Putters 2023”

  1. In 1982, some PGA Tour pros played at the club where I worked, and I was responsible for the safekeeping of their clubs beforehand. I used the time to look at some of their clubs, and took Ben Crenshaw’s putter out of his bag. It was the heaviest putter that I had ever felt!

    I said to myself if the (arguably) best putter in the world at that time used a very heavy putter, then I should do the same. Ever since then I have done things like putting sugar/sand/lead/tungsten powfer down the shaft, and lead tape to make my putters heavy. Throughout the years I have continued to be a good, if not very good, putter. I firmly believe the use of a heavy putter has contributed a lot to this.

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