2024 Guide to Face-Balanced Putters We Tested

Face balanced putters have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many top professional golfers and amateurs alike opting for this style of putter. But what exactly are face balanced putters, how do they work, and are they right for your game?

 

 

Golf Circuit carries a large selection of mens and womens putters from all the top brands in golf.

For many golfers, the right putter can mean the difference between sinking that crucial putt or watching the ball veer off course. One key consideration when selecting a putter is its balance. Among the various types of putters, face balanced putters stand out as a popular choice, particularly for golfers with specific putting strokes.

What Are Face Balanced Putters?

To determine if a putter is face balanced, you can perform a simple test:

1. Balance the putter shaft across your palm or index finger
2. Allow the putter head to hang freely
3. If the putter face points upward toward the sky, it's face balanced
4. If the toe of the putter points downward, it has toe hang

A face balanced putter design indicates that the center of gravity is located directly below the axis of the shaft, resulting in a putter head that naturally wants to remain square to the target line throughout the stroke.

This balance is crucial for certain types of putting strokes, particularly those with minimal arc. A face balanced putter tends to resist rotation during the stroke, making it easier to maintain a square face at impact, leading to more consistent putts. These putters are generally best suited for golfers who have a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke.

How Face Balanced Putters Differ from Toe-Hang Putters

In contrast to face balanced putters, toe-hang putters are designed with more weight distributed toward the toe of the putter. When you balance a toe-hang putter on your finger, the toe will point downward. This design creates a putter that naturally wants to open and close during the stroke, which is ideal for golfers with an arc in their putting stroke.

Face Balanced vs. Toe Hang Putters

The main difference between face balanced and toe hang putters lies in their weight distribution and how this affects the putter's behavior during the stroke:

Face Balanced Putters

The face remains square throughout the stroke and is suited for straight-back, straight-through putting strokes.

• Designed for straight back-straight through strokes
• Resist rotation during the stroke
• Typically have a larger, mallet-style head
• Often feature better built-in alignment aids
• Generally heavier, making the forward stroke easier

Toe Hang Putters

The toe naturally opens and closes during the stroke and is suited for golfers with an arc in their stroke.

• Better suited for arcing putting strokes
• Allow for more face rotation during the stroke
• Often have a blade-style design
• The amount of toe hang can vary, with more toe hang suiting players with a stronger arc in their stroke

It's important to note that while these are general characteristics, there are exceptions. Some blade-style putters can be face balanced, and some mallet putters can have toe hang. The key is to understand your putting stroke and choose a putter that complements it.

Golfers with a straight-back, straight-through stroke will benefit more from a face balanced putter, while those with an arcing stroke might prefer a toe-hang putter.

 Advantages of Face Balanced Putters

Face balanced putters offer several advantages, especially for golfers who struggle with keeping the putter face square during their stroke. Some of the key benefits include:

Helps Maintain a Square Putter Face

The primary advantage of a face balanced putter is its ability to help golfers maintain a square putter face throughout the stroke. Because of the putter's design, there is less rotation of the face, making it easier for golfers to hit putts consistently. For players with a straight-back, straight-through stroke, this can be a game-changer, as it minimizes the chances of pushing or pulling putts off-line.

Improved Forgiveness

Face balanced putters are typically designed to be more forgiving on off-center hits. The weight distribution in the putter head can help ensure that even if you don't strike the ball perfectly, the putter face remains more stable, reducing the impact of mishits. This forgiveness is especially helpful for higher-handicap golfers or those who struggle with consistency on the greens.

Enhanced Stability

Since the face balanced putter has a center of gravity located directly below the shaft, it tends to feel more stable during the stroke. This added stability can help golfers avoid twisting or manipulating the putter head during their stroke, leading to more confidence and better results.

Consistency Across Various Green Speeds

Face balanced putters provide consistent performance across different green speeds, from fast, undulating greens to slower surfaces. The design allows for smooth, predictable rolls, even when the putting surface changes from course to course. Face balanced putters don’t have the club’s weight around the toe, which promotes a more accurate and consistent strike and roll on the ball. Some of the best face balanced blade or mallet style putters are available with these well respected brands such as Wilson, Odyssey, Cleveland, and TaylorMade.

Popular Face Balanced Putters We Like

Wilson

 

 

Both the Wilson Staff Infinite The "L" Putter and the Wilson Staff Infinite Windy City Putter are face-balanced putters that offer stability and consistency, making them great choices for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through stroke. Their double-milled faces and counterbalance technology provide enhanced control and feel, ensuring better performance on the greens.

Wilson Staff Infinite The "L" Putter

Key Features:

• Face Balanced Design: The Wilson Staff Infinite "The L" Putter is a face-balanced mallet putter, designed for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. Its face-balanced nature helps reduce twisting and promotes a more stable stroke.
• Double Milled Face: This putter features a double-milled face that promotes consistent impact, providing better distance control and a softer feel on the greens.
• Counterbalance Technology: The Infinite series putters use counterbalance technology, which moves the center of gravity closer to the hands, helping golfers achieve a more controlled, stable putting stroke.
• Dark Anti-Glare Finish: The putter has a dark, anti-glare finish that reduces visual distractions, enhancing focus and alignment during the stroke.
• Easy Alignment Aids: It comes equipped with simple alignment lines that help golfers set up their putts more easily and aim with precision.
• Hand: Available for only  right golfers

Wilson Staff Infinite Windy City Putter

Key Features:

• Face Balanced Design: The Windy City model is part of Wilson’s Infinite series and is face-balanced, ideal for players who prefer a straight-back, straight-through stroke. It provides added stability, making it easier to maintain face alignment through impact.
• Double Milled Face: Like other models in the Infinite series, the Windy City putter has a double-milled face that offers consistent contact with the ball and ensures better roll, distance control, and feel.
• Counterbalance Technology: The putter features counterbalance weighting, which improves the stability of the stroke by positioning more weight in the grip, helping golfers with smoother and more controlled strokes.
• Classic Blade Design: While being face-balanced, the Windy City putter sports a classic blade design that appeals to golfers who prefer the look and feel of traditional putters but still want the benefits of a balanced head.
• Dark Anti-Glare Finish: The dark PVD finish helps reduce glare and distractions during the putt, making it easier to focus on the ball and your target line.
• Hand: Available for both left and right golfers

Odyssey 

 

 

Both the Odyssey 2-Ball Eleven Triple Track and the Ai-ONE Milled Seven T DB  are face-balanced putters, designed for golfers seeking stability and consistency with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. They feature innovative alignment systems, high MOI designs, and Odyssey's well-known face insert technology for optimal performance on the greens.

Odyssey 2-Ball Eleven Triple Track Putter

Key Features:

• Face Balanced Design: This putter is face balanced, making it ideal for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through stroke. It resists twisting and promotes a square face at impact.
• Triple Track Alignment: Features Odyssey's Triple Track alignment system, which uses three lines on the putter head to help golfers line up putts more effectively and aim with greater precision.
• Stroke Lab Shaft: Equipped with the multi-material Stroke Lab shaft, which redistributes weight to the head and grip, improving the stroke's tempo, consistency, and feel.
• White Hot Insert: Includes the popular White Hot insert, offering a soft and responsive feel, as well as exceptional sound at impact.
• High MOI Design: The mallet-style design provides a high moment of inertia (MOI), which increases forgiveness on off-center hits and improves stability throughout the stroke.

Odessey Ai-ONE Milled Seven T DB putter

Key Features:

• AI-Designed Milled Face: The face of the Ai-ONE putter is created using artificial intelligence to provide consistent ball speed, optimal spin control, and improved forgiveness across the face. This results in better control on off-center hits.
• Triple Track Alignment: The Triple Track alignment system is a key feature, helping golfers line up their putts more precisely by providing clear visual alignment cues. This design improves aim and confidence.
• Milled Steel Construction: The putter is crafted from premium milled steel, ensuring durability and a premium feel. The precision milling helps create a smooth, consistent roll on the ball.
• Double Bend Shaft: The DB (Double Bend) shaft is designed to fit golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. This shaft style minimizes face rotation, making it easier to keep the putter face square to the target.
• High MOI (Moment of Inertia) Design: The Milled Seven T DB putter has a high-MOI shape, which adds forgiveness by resisting twisting on off-center hits. This helps maintain consistent ball speed and accuracy even on mis-hits.
• Adjustable Weighting: Some models in the Ai-ONE series feature adjustable sole weights, allowing golfers to customize the feel and performance based on their preferences or the conditions of the greens.
• Soft Feel and Feedback: Odyssey putters are known for their smooth feel, and the Ai-ONE is no exception. The milled face and weight distribution provide a soft yet responsive feel, giving golfers the feedback they need to judge distance and control the speed of their putts.

Cleveland 

 

 

Both the Cleveland Frontline Elevado and the Cleveland HB SOFT 11 are face-balanced putters designed to enhance consistency, stability, and forgiveness. They are particularly well-suited for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through stroke, offering precision alignment, high MOI for added forgiveness, and Cleveland's advanced face technologies to improve roll and control

Cleveland Frontline Elevado Putter

Key Features:

• Face Balanced Design: The Cleveland Frontline Elevado is face balanced, making it ideal for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke. This helps in minimizing face rotation during the stroke and ensures consistent alignment at impact.
• Tungsten Forward Weighting: The Frontline series uses tungsten weights placed forward in the face, which helps shift the center of gravity closer to the face for more accurate putts and improved distance control.
• High MOI Mallet Design: The Elevado is a mallet putter with a high moment of inertia (MOI), which provides stability and forgiveness on off-center hits, helping golfers maintain accuracy even on mis-hits.
• Speed Optimized Face Technology (SOFT): This technology normalizes ball speed across the putter face, ensuring consistent roll distance even on off-center strikes.
• Simple Alignment Aids: The Elevado features easy-to-use alignment lines that help golfers accurately set up putts and improve aim.

Cleveland HB SOFT Milled 11 Putter

Key Features:

• Face Balanced Design: The HB SOFT Milled 11 is a face-balanced mallet putter, well-suited for golfers with minimal arc in their stroke. Its face-balanced design keeps the putter head stable and square throughout the putting motion.
• Milled Face: Made from soft 304 stainless steel for a premium feel and accurate roll this putter features a precision-milled face that delivers a soft feel at impact and promotes a consistent roll, helping golfers control speed and distance better.
• Speed Optimized Face Technology (SOFT): This putter includes Cleveland's SOFT technology to ensure consistent ball speed and distance across the entire face, even on off-center strikes.
• High MOI Design: The mallet shape provides a high MOI, increasing stability and forgiveness for improved performance on the greens.
• Premium Look: Sleek, professional aesthetic with durable construction.

 

TaylorMade

 

 

TaylorMade offers face-balanced putters in both their men’s and women’s complete golf sets, with the Spider GTX Single Bend and Kalea Spider Mini putters providing excellent stability, forgiveness, and alignment technology. These putters are ideal for golfers who prefer a straight-back, straight-through stroke and need help maintaining face control throughout the putting stroke.

TaylorMade Spider GTX Single Bend Putter

Key Features:

• Face-Balanced Design: The Single Bend hosel makes this putter face-balanced, ideal for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke​
• High MOI (Moment of Inertia): The Spider GTX has a high MOI, which increases stability and forgiveness, especially on off-center strikes, ensuring the putter head stays square through impact
• Pure Roll 2 Insert: This putter features the Pure Roll 2 insert with grooves at a 45° angle, which promotes optimal forward roll, reduces skidding, and enhances consistency and distance control on the greens​
• Perimeter Weighting: The heavy back weighting, including a 154g stainless steel back weight, shifts the center of gravity farther back, contributing to exceptional forgiveness and stability
• Alignment Aids: The Spider GTX features multiple alignment aids, including a top-line and sight dot, making it easier for golfers to align their putts and improve accuracy​
• Streamlined Mallet Design: The putter has a compact, modern mallet design, offering a balance between forgiveness and aesthetics. Its visual design is sleek and helps with confidence at address​.

 

TaylorMade Kalea Spider Mini Putter (Included in Women’s Complete Sets)

Key Features:

• Face Balanced Design: The Kalea Spider Mini is a face-balanced putter, designed specifically for women with a straight-back, straight-through stroke. It offers the same stability and consistency as other Spider models, helping golfers improve accuracy.
• High MOI and Forgiveness: Despite its smaller head size, the Spider Mini maintains a high MOI for enhanced forgiveness. This ensures that even off-center hits remain stable and on line.
• Pure Roll Insert: Like other Spider putters, the Kalea Spider Mini features a Pure Roll insert, which promotes better topspin and a smoother roll, giving golfers better control over distance and direction.
• Compact Mallet Design: The compact mallet shape provides a balance of forgiveness and precision, ideal for women looking for a putter that offers both stability and ease of use.
• Alignment Aid: The Spider Mini includes a simple yet effective alignment aid that makes it easier for golfers to line up their putts confidently.

 

Types of Face Balanced Putters

Face balanced putters come in a variety of designs, from traditional blade putters to modern mallet putters. Each design has its own advantages, and selecting the right one comes down to personal preference and feel.

Blade Putters

Blade putters are the more traditional design, featuring a thin, narrow head. While blade putters are often associated with toe-hang designs, there are several face balanced blade putters available. These putters offer a more classic look and feel, and they tend to be lighter than their mallet counterparts.

Mallet Putters

Mallet putters have larger heads and tend to offer more forgiveness and stability than blade putters. Many mallet putters are face balanced, making them a popular choice among golfers who prioritize forgiveness and a consistent roll. The larger head allows for more weight to be distributed around the perimeter of the putter, increasing the moment of inertia (MOI) and providing greater resistance to twisting during the stroke.

High-MOI Putters

High-MOI putters are a subset of mallet putters designed to maximize forgiveness. These putters have even more weight distributed to the perimeter of the head, making them highly stable and resistant to twisting on off-center hits. Many high-MOI putters are face balanced, making them ideal for golfers who struggle with consistency and want maximum forgiveness.

How to Choose the Right Face Balanced Putter

 

Selecting the right face balanced putter comes down to several factors, including your stroke type, preferred design, and the feel you want on the greens.

Determine Your Stroke Type

Before deciding on a putter, it’s essential to understand your putting stroke. If you have a straight-back, straight-through stroke, a face balanced putter is likely a good fit. However, if your stroke has an arc, a toe-hang putter may provide better results.

Test Different Designs

Face balanced putters come in a variety of designs, including blades, mallets, and high-MOI models. Visit a pro shop or a fitting center to try out different styles and see which one feels the most comfortable and natural during your stroke. Pay attention to how the putter feels in your hands and how consistently you can strike the ball with each model.

Consider the Putter’s Weight

The weight of the putter head can have a significant impact on your stroke. Heavier putter heads tend to provide more stability but may require a more controlled stroke, while lighter heads allow for faster swings. Choose a weight that matches your stroke tempo and helps you maintain a consistent feel on the greens.

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The Two Putting Arcs – Which One Do You Use?

Choosing a putter that works for your putting stroke can be tricky since no two golfers have the same putting stroke, and they are as varied as the golf swing itself.

There are two types of putting strokes: the arc and the straight line. Essentially, these two strokes are simply whether you take the putter back and forth in a straight line or whether you swing the putter in an arc around your body.

Neither is a better or worse technique than the other, but knowing which one you use will help determine which putter would be a better option in terms of consistency and accuracy. As with all golf clubs, the goal of the putting stroke is to get the putter face square to the target line.

The point of contact with the ball, the arc of the stroke, and the type of putter you are using will undoubtedly affect the consistency of the strike and, subsequently, the quality of the putt.

To check which arc you use, grab your putter and see how the clubhead travels in the stroke. If it’s more back and forward than in an arc, you have the straight-through stroke; if your putter head travels around your feet in a semi-circle, you use the arc stroke.

For the straight-through stroke, the balanced face putter is better, and for the arc stroke, the toe-hang putter would be better suited – now, let’s find out why.

The straight-through stroke is more straightforward from a mechanics perspective and has less risk of pulling the ball than the arc stroke does, and it has less shoulder movement and is more of a pendulum stroke, while the arc has more shoulder rotation in the putting action.

If you prefer the face-balanced putter and want to create a more straight-through putting technique, simply get closer to the ball, which will reduce the degree of arc in your swing.

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When considering a putter, you need to be honest about your putting skill level. If you are a higher handicap golfer or playing in the mid-teen HI levels, then a putter with some forgiveness and a high MOI putter would be better.

There are a vast array of putters to choose from today, and that makes finding the right one for your game a little easier and more difficult at the same time. Knowing your type of stroke and what works best for your level of golf is the first step to getting the putter that is best for you.

Face balanced putters offer several benefits for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke, including better face control, enhanced forgiveness, and improved consistency. Whether you prefer a blade, mallet, or high-MOI design, choosing the right face balanced putter can lead to more confidence on the greens and lower scores overall.