The 10 Best Mallet Putters

It's hard to replicate that incredible 18-foot birdie putt if you don't know what you did, but the Odyssey Hot Pro 2.0 (appx. $109) gives tremendous feedback, letting you immediately determine if you hit it correctly. Of course, it will also let you know if you'll need to three-putt.

It seems like the simplest thing in the world, but striking the ball dead center is harder than it looks. The TaylorMade Spider (around $399) has a stainless steel ring that helps keep the face square, and the Surlyn Pure Roll insert pushes the ball forward regardless of how it's hit.

The Odyssey O-Works (around $159) is available in a variety of head shapes, so you can find the one that makes it easiest for you to line up your shot accurately. It also lets you pick the right weight for your game, or just the club you think looks best sticking out of your bag.

The polyurethane and fiber Spider grip on the Pinemeadow Golf PGX SL (appx. $45) cushions impacts, helping to save your hands and wrists over a long day on the links (especially if you're the type who likes to take your frustrations out on your clubs after a missed putt).

The face of the Cleveland Golf Satin Elevado (about $100) has been milled to improve distance and optimize MOI, no matter how poorly the ball is struck. That makes it a smart choice for beginners who are still discovering their swing — and want to get off the green in less than four.

The sight line on the TaylorMade Big Red Monte Carlo (appx. $130) is both raised and high contrast, so if you can't properly align the red-and-white indicator, your game (or eyesight) needs a lot of work. The rest of the club is bright silver, though, which can cause some glare.

The Tour Edge Backdraft GT+ (appx. $48) is weighted in both the heel and toe to prevent it from twisting in your hands, keeping the head square into your follow-through. This should ensure the ball makes a beeline for the hole — but if it doesn't, you can't blame the club.

The Orlimar Tangent T1 (about $34) uses a black-and-white sight line that stands out against the green, letting you quickly and accurately address the ball. Your hands will stay ahead of the club as well, thanks to its offset plumber's neck hosel.

The Ray Cook Silver SR500 (about $34) plays like a high-end model, but at a fraction of the price. It's 360-gram head provides quite a bit of heft, but it's well balanced enough to give you a responsive feel and to create a generous roll on strokes of any length.

The Wilson Harmonized Square (appx. $30) is extremely lightweight, thanks to its plastic face, but that also dampens the response you get on each stroke. Don't be surprised if you send your first few balls skittering past the hole before you get accustomed to it.