The Best Face Balanced Putters of 2023
There is a lot to consider when picking clubs to fill your bag. It can be especially difficult if you are new to the game.
Still, it really pays to do your research. So if you are shopping for a putter you should know the difference between face balanced putters and a toe balanced putter.
With a face balanced putter, the face won’t open up very much on the back swing and won’t close as much on your follow-through. There is also more weight on the back end of the putter head and usually, no hosel.
So what is the benefit of all of this? Face balanced putters tend to work better for players with a straight backstroke and follow-through. This is opposed to players who have a stroke that creates an arc.
If you do have a generally straight back stroke and follow-through a face balanced putter will help keep the ball straight on it’s roll. It will also promote proper roll after contact.
If your current putter seems to send your shots a bit leftward, you might be using a toe balanced putter when you would do better with a face balanced putter.
If your stroke is straight, you are going to want to pay close attention to the following list as we run down ten of the best face balanced putters of 2023!
AT A GLANCE
#1 – TaylorMade Golf TP Patina Ardmore Putter – (Best Choice)
#2 – TaylorMade Spider X Putter HydroBlast Flowneck – (Best Premium)
#3 – Pinemeadow Golf PGX SL Putter – (Best Affordable)
#4 – Cleveland Golf HB Soft Premier
#5 – Cobra Golf 2021 King 3D Nova
#6 – Odyssey Works 7 Versa Putter
#7 – Callaway O-Works Series Face Balanced Putter
#8 – SeeMore FGP Original Golf Putter
#9 – Wilson Infinite Putter
#10 – Jamesmilr Topspin Putter Blade 5
THE TOP 3
#1 – TaylorMade Golf TP Patina Ardmore Putter – Best Choice
Selling Points:
- Single bend shaft
- Patina finish
- Aluminum face insert
The TaylorMade Golf TP Patina Ardmore Putter tops our list because it is a dream for players with straight back swing and through motions. This is a mallet style putter with a good balance of weight in the rear and low CG.
The TaylorMade Golf TP Patina Ardmore Putter is set to 3.5 degrees of loft and 70 degree lie angle. The Patina finish looks amazing at point of address and the aluminum Pure Roll insert feels very nice on contact.
If you want to hit straighter putts that keep their line, you would do great with the TaylorMade Golf TP Patina Ardmore Putter.
Pros:
- Adjustable weight system
- Clear view of the ball
- Very accurate
Cons:
- Not very forgiving
- Limited feedback
Overall Rating: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#2 – TaylorMade Spider X Putter HydroBlast Flowneck – Best Premium
Selling Points:
- Multi-material design
- TPU face insert
- White alignment marker
This was one of the easiest putters to hit with that we have ever tested. The great thing about this putter is that beginners and high handicappers will take to it almost immediately. It feels very comfortable in the hands and on your follow through.
The thermoplastic urethane face insert minimizes a lot of hop and delay too so it’s great on longer putts. You can put more power into your putts and trust that the TaylorMade Spider X Putter HydroBlast Flowneck will roll true.
The frame of this putter is made of steel and incorporates heavy steel back weights. The sole is made from a carbon composite. The multi-material design coupled with the pronounced rear weighting make this an excellent putter for players with a straight putting motion.
Pros:
- 45 degree grooves
- True roll is almost immediate after contact
- Excellent alignment marker
Cons:
- Not very durable
- It sounds a bit unsatisfying
Overall Rating: 97/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#3 – Pinemeadow Golf PGX SL Putter – Best Budget
Selling Points:
- 2X Orb alignment system
- Plumber neck hosel
- Center balanced
A lot of the weight in this putter is pushed towards the center which will be a great benefit for players with a straight putting motion. It’s very easy to pick out your line and hold onto it with the Pinemeadow Golf PGX SL Putter.
The weight of the head is 340 grams so it’s fairly lightweight. The lie is 72 degrees so it would be a great choice for senior players as well. It has a modern mallet design and the plumber’s neck hosel makes it very easy to see the ball and your intended path.
Plus you can pick this putter up for just about $50 so if you’re on a budget but still want a good face balanced putter, this would be a great option.
Pros:
- Skipping is minimal
- Good alignment markers
- Nice overall balance
Cons:
- Feedback is lacking
- The stock grip is a little too firm
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#4 – Cleveland Golf HB Soft Premier
Selling Points:
- Fusion RX insert
- Versa alignment marker
- Modified mallet style head
The extended bumpers on the toe and heel allow for more weight to be placed around the perimeter of the frame. This feature alone gives the Odyssey Works 7 Versa Putter great stability that you can really feel in your stroke.
The face insert is a fusion of the Odyssey White Hot and Metal-X face inserts and overall, we would say that it creates a soft, smooth feel. You get good feedback from it even from shorter putts and it really does seem to improve roll dynamics.
This was also a very versatile putter. We feel that it would work well for people who are just getting into the game or players with a few years under their belts.
Pros:
- Good accuracy
- Forgiving shape
- Good weight balance
Cons:
- Plays a bit too fast
- Hard to find new
Overall Rating: 92/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#5 – Cobra Golf 2021 King 3D Nova
Selling Points:
- Microhinge insert technology
- Milled crown and sole
- 2 ball alignment system
This would be a great putter for anyone looking for durability. There was a lot of love that went into the construction of the O-Works Series Face Balanced Putter. The fully milled crown and sole ensure that this putter will hold up season after season.
The co-molded face insert also does a good job of promoting topspin. You won’t have to work very hard to get good distance out of this putter, even on thick greens. This is also a pretty good-looking putter with it’s red and black appointments.
Pros:
- Looks good
- Easy to aim with
- Premium features
Cons:
- Skips a bit
- Feels a bit heavy
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#6 – Odyssey Works 7 Versa Putter
Selling Points:
- Fusion RX insert
- Versa alignment marker
- Modified mallet style head
The extended bumpers on the toe and heel allow for more weight to be placed around the perimeter of the frame. This feature alone gives the Odyssey Works 7 Versa Putter great stability that you can really feel in your stroke.
The face insert is a fusion of the Odyssey White Hot and Metal-X face inserts and overall, we would say that it creates a soft, smooth feel. You get good feedback from it even from shorter putts and it really does seem to improve roll dynamics.
This was also a very versatile putter. We feel that it would work well for people who are just getting into the game or players with a few years under their belts.
Pros:
- Good accuracy
- Forgiving shape
- Good weight balance
Cons:
- Plays a bit too fast
- Hard to find new
Overall Rating: 92/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#7 – Callaway O-Works Series Face Balanced Putter
Selling Points:
- Microhinge insert technology
- Milled crown and sole
- 2 ball alignment system
This would be a great putter for anyone looking for durability. There was a lot of love that went into the construction of the O-Works Series Face Balanced Putter. The fully milled crown and sole ensure that this putter will hold up season after season.
The co-molded face insert also does a good job of promoting topspin. You won’t have to work very hard to get good distance out of this putter, even on thick greens. This is also a pretty good-looking putter with it’s red and black appointments.
Pros:
- Looks good
- Easy to aim with
- Premium features
Cons:
- Skips a bit
- Feels a bit heavy
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#8 – SeeMore FGP Original Golf Putter
Selling Points:
- Milled face
- Rifle scope alignment system
- Blade style
This was one of the truest face balanced putters we tested for this list. You get almost no deviation upon contact with the SeeMore FGP Original Golf Putter even on long putts. It stays very straight and it’s very easy to keep the face on line.
The fully milled face also imparts a crisp feel. More importantly though, the face is consistent. You get the same kind of roll control and accuracy even if you don’t hit the center of the face. The black powder finish also helps to reduce glare – and it looks pretty nice to boot.
The SeeMore FGP Original Golf Putter is set to 2.5 degrees and would be a great selection for anyone looking for a true face-balanced putter.
Pros:
- 303 stainless steel
- Centered shaft
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Expensive
- Not great for low handicappers
Overall Rating: 96/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#9 – Wilson Infinite Putter – Best Budget
Selling Points:
- Counter-balanced weighting
- Grid-type alignment markers
- Double milled face
We were really surprised at all the innovative and helpful features packed into this putter because of the relatively low price. The unique alignment system which features parallel and perpendicular lines make it really easy to pick out your line and stick to it through contact.
The Wilson Infinite Putter also has a black PVD finish which helps to reduce glare and lends a pretty cool look too. This is a 3 degree putter and it would be great for anyone looking for an amazing value.
Pros:
- Oversized stock grip
- Very easy to maintain your wrist alignment
- Produces a soft feel on contact
Cons:
- It’s not very durable
- The head cover feels cheap
Overall Rating: 94/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
#10 – Jamesmilr Topspin Putter Blade 5
Selling Points:
- Slightly curved face
- Nickel plating
- Goose neck shaft
The face of this putter has a slight curvature to it which makes it very congenial for beginners and high handicappers because it works to straighten out mis-hits. This is a very forgiving putter overall and will help you reduce the amount of strokes you need to sink the ball.
We were very pleased with the soft roll that it produces as well. It makes the ball go straight up to the break point and roll accordingly thereafter. The Topspin Putter also begins the true roll pretty quickly. We like the way it performed on short putts; but it is also very accurate on longer putts.
The only thing we didn’t really like about this putter was the nickel plating. It gives the head an almost copper color and it chips off very easily. While that doesn’t affect the performance, it may still be of interest for players who like to keep their clubs looking nice.
Pros:
- It’s very forgiving
- Great for short putts
- Good for mid handicappers
Cons:
- Putting from the fringe is tricky
- Poor quality grip
Overall Rating: 93/100
Check Out More Reviews Here:
Final Assessment
A face balanced putter may be just what you need to lower your score and while all of the aforementioned putters can help your short game, we really liked the TaylorMade Golf TP Patina Ardmore Putter.
It is weighted really nicely and looks great at point of address. It’s our top pick so check it out along with the other putters on our list!
Aidan is a low-handicap golfer who came from over 110 to breaking 80 in less than 1 year.
Aidan has become obsessed with becoming a scratch golfer and plays golf on every possible occasion, even in the snow!
