Let’s have an honest conversation about putters.
Specifically, let’s talk about the $400 putter your playing partner just bought that he is absolutely certain is going to fix his putting. It will not fix his putting. His putting is not an equipment problem. His putting is a him problem. But nobody wants to hear that, so here we are.
Here’s the truth the golf industry would prefer you didn’t know. A $70 putter will miss the exact same putts as a $400 putter. The difference is purely how much you cry afterward and how many beverages you can have after the round with what’s left in your bank account.
With that liberating (and libating) information in hand, here are three budget putters worth your consideration:
1. Pinemeadow Golf PGX Putter — Around $70
Pinemeadow has been quietly making solid, no-nonsense putters for years and the PGX is their best offering for hackers on a budget. Mallet style head, alignment line, decent feel off the face. It does exactly what a putter is supposed to do, give you something to blame when you miss from four feet. Headcover included. The PGX SL is going for around $66 and the PGX MB for $75.
Available on Amazon in multiple lengths. Highly rated by people who have accepted that the putter is not the problem.
2. Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft — Around $120 and up on Amazon
Okay this one costs a little more but it’s Cleveland, a brand with history, and the Huntington Beach Soft is genuinely one of the best feeling putters at any price point. Soft insert, classic blade style, great feedback. When you miss with this one you’ll at least feel good about how it felt coming off the face.
Worth the slight splurge if your budget allows. I’ve seen older models on Ebay for about $85 with shipping. Might be worth a shot. Your three-putts will feel significantly more elegant. Cheerio!
3. PGM Putters — $35 to $55
PGM makes some very well-reviewed putters for sale on Amazon. At these prices you can definitely try to blame this putter for your misfortune on the greens but you may not have to. With the stepped steel shafts that minimize torque for better control you may be surprised at the performance you get out of this affordable gem.
Will it minimize the torque from the hangover you have after you and your playing partner crashed that wedding ’till 3 am last night? Not bloody likely! But try the blade style at $35 or one of the mallets for $45 – $55 and you might just feel better by the turn.
The Bottom Line
Any of these three putters will serve you perfectly well on the course. The real putting improvement doesn’t come from the equipment anyway. It comes from practice, routine, and accepting that sometimes the ball just doesn’t go in the hole.
Work on your stroke. Practice your speed. Learn to read greens. And buy one of these three putters so you have something affordable to blame when none of that works.
Pro tip : check eBay and GlobalGolf for used versions of all three. You can often find them in excellent condition for a fraction of the retail price. Someone else’s frustration is your budget opportunity.
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