Which putter feel is best for you? It depends — here's why

If you’ve ever been in the market for a new flatstick, you’ve probably noticed that there are an overwhelming number of options to choose from. There’s standard and broomstick-length shafts, mallet and Anser-style head shapes — and different grip widths, too.

And in addition to these variables, there’s also feel to consider, ranging from soft to firm. But that does that mean?

“On the face, soft feel comes off slower and firm comes off faster,” explained True Spec’s Marc Roybal.  

Rory McIlroy's TaylorMade Spider and Chan Kim's Scotty Cameron Newport 2.
The difference between insert and milled putters (and how to pick the right one)
By: Eric Hickman, True Spec Master Club Fitter

So which feel is best for your game? That depends!

“Feel is something that a player has to experiment with,” Roybal said. “I always encourage players to hit short putts of three to six feet as well as some longer lag putts of 30-40 feet to see which feel is preferred. Oftentimes a softer face can be better on faster greens.”

How do you know when you’ve hit the sweet spot?

“You truly don’t,” said Roybin. “There really isn’t a way to quantify the feel preference. Feel is very subjective and is a player preference. You need to try them all.”

One way to do that? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf to take a few models for a test stroke. And to explore some best-selling soft, mid and firm putter models, check out the links below.

Soft feel putters

TaylorMade 2025 Spider 5K-ZT Custom Putter

LOW TORQUE DESIGN The KBS putter shaft is bored directly toe-ward near the CG at a 1° shaft lean with 25mm onset behind the face allowing golfers to realize the benefits of a new stable, toe up design. UNIQUE SOLE SHAPING New and improved sole shaping to work specifically with this unique hosel configuration, engineers worked tirelessly to find new ways to improve accuracy from the moment the putter is placed behind the ball. The new sole curvature accommodates different player types and ball positions, giving golfers the ability to find a consistent and repeatable stroke. SPIDER STABILITY Combining high density stainless steel and low-density aerospace quality aluminum provides the perfect foundation for a design that is high MOI and allows for a shaft orientation that sits closer to the face. MILLED TRUE PATH™ ALIGNMENT Based on tour player feedback, we were tasked to find a new premium alignment system. Building on the classic TaylorMade True Path™ technology, milled lines the width of the golf ball were added helping golfers properly index to center face.
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Scotty Cameron Studio Style Squareback 2 Custom Putter

STUDIO CARBON STEEL (SCS) FACE INSERT Designed to deliver the unmistakably soft sound and feel of carbon, the new precision milled Studio Carbon Steel (SCS) insert is treated with an electroless nickel plating for enhanced durability in a re–engineered concept that includes the line’s new chain–link face milling technology and aerospace–inspired vibration damping for tuned sound, feel and performance. CHAIN–LINK FACE MILLING TECHNOLOGY New chain–link face milling technology reduces the putter face insert’s touch points at impact with the ball using a texture that softens the sound and provides improved roll characteristics while preserving feel and feedback off the putter face. FULL CONTACT SLIM GRIP With a comfortable chain–link texture to match the new putter face milling pattern, the custom crafted Full Contact Slim paddle–style grip was designed to complement the stroke and performance of blade and mid–mallet putters. Its uniquely contoured profile and flat top provide superior comfort and contact between the hands and the putter, and enhanced body alignment. I–BEAM PLUMBING NECK The precision sculpted I–beam plumbing neck’s racy, industrial look also allowed for the removal and targeted repositioning of weight from the neck to the heel and toe of the putter head. And with a strategically placed notch for precise lie adjustments additional weight to be meticulously redistributed for improved performance.
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PING Scottsdale Craz-E Custom Putter

The Scottsdale family combines a one-piece face insert with a big jump in forgiveness across model styles and stroke types to fit every golfer and elevate performance on the greens. The lightweight PEBAX insert creates discretionary weight used to increase MOI while ensuring a soft feel, a pleasing sound, and consistent ball speeds. A Tour-proven PING classic known for extreme MOI that comes from perimeter weighting and a low/back CG that make it consistently reliable and accurate. Multiple alignment cues work together in this distinctive design to inspire a confident stroke.
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Mid feel putters

Evnroll 2025 EV5.2 Custom Putter

DESIGN Refined winged mallet with straight cavity sightlines Blade-like appearance with mallet performance MATERIALS 100% milled 303 stainless steel face, 6061 aircraft aluminum body, and tungsten/steel sole weights PERFORMANCE & FEEL Incredibly solid yet soft feel with even roll and zero dispersion High MOI for enhanced stability. Swing weight balanced with variable weights customized for each length Available in short slant or short plumber configurations
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Toulon 2025 Las Vegas H1 Putter

The 2025 redesign of our popular Las Vegas model emphasizes softness in every detail. We refined the H1 hosel, rounded the top line, softened the wing edges, and added a curve to the flange. As a result, the new model is more visually appealing, and the internal and external design changes have greatly improved its sound and feel, making it softer than ever. The 2025 Collection Las Vegas is a mid-mallet putter featuring a tour-inspired H1 hosel design that enhances toe hang and flow. This design trend combines the swing feel of a blade with the forgiveness of a mallet. The Las Vegas features a milled 6061 Aluminum sole plate that redistributes weight to the perimeter, enhancing forgiveness through increased MOI. Our front loaded milled round weights improve ball speed consistency across the face and combine with our new Deep Tuna Face Mill to create a soft, yet satisfying sound and feel. The 2025 Las Vegas features our brand-new Anthracite finish and hints of Heritage Blue and Italian Racing Red.
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Scotty Cameron Super Select Newport 2.5 Plus Putter

For his latest evolution of the world’s finest milled blade putters, Scotty Cameron builds upon the Tour-proven success of 2020’s Special Select line and introduces his new Super Select models in 2023. Based on feedback from the game’s best players—and with constant design refinement at his San Diego County Putter Studio—Scotty has pushed his blade and mid-mallet designs even further with better performance, new milling capabilities, refined shapes, improved multi-material construction and cutting-edge weight distribution to deliver a Select line superior to any before it. The result—Super Select. Ten models comprise the new 2023 Super Select line, which will be introduced in two worldwide releases.With the same MOI-enhancing head shape as the Super Select Newport 2 Plus, the Super Select Newport 2.5 Plus adds Scotty’s new sculpted I-beam-style jet neck to promote additional toe flow in the putting stroke. With the wider flange, this is another tour-inspired shape that introduces the next profile in high-performance blade design. Milled in USA from 303 stainless steel with a solid face and the line’s dual-milled face technology, the Newport 2.5 Plus has an integrated 6061 aircraft grade aluminum sole plate, anodized clear and engraved with the line’s graphics. A milled flange sight line provides clean alignment, while customizable stainless steel sole weights provide balance. The putter includes the line’s new shaft band, headcover and textured Pistolini Plus grip. A left-handed Super Select Newport 2.5 Plus model is also available. MOI-ENHANCING ‘PLUS’ DESIGN With weight strategically distributed in the putter head’s perimeter for higher MOI, the new Super Select Newport 2.5 Plus was created at an innovative new size between the width of a Newport 2 and the wider-flanged Squareback 2. MULTI-MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION The Super Select Newport 2.5 Plus extends Scotty Cameron’s proven construction methodology of incorporating complementary materials to achieve desired performance characteristics. Each ‘Plus’ model employs a precision milled 6061 aircraft grade aluminum sole plate expertly designed into the 303 stainless steel putter head, which allows for proper weight distribution, balance and feel. PERFORMANCE WEIGHTING Each new Super Select putter incorporates performance weighting technology featuring customizable sole weights precision milled in the United States from either 303 stainless steel or heavier tungsten for the Newport and Newport 2 models. Used in conjunction with purpose-built aluminum sole plates on all “Plus,” mid-mallet and GOLO models, Scotty’s performance weighting concept allow With its MOI–enhancing wider face–to–flange shape, the Super Select Newport 2.5 Plus incorporates dual–milled face technology, a new sculpted I–beam–style jet neck and a solid milled stainless steel face with a 6061 aircraft grade aluminum sole plate and customizable stainless steel sole weights. A left–handed model is also available.
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Firm feel putters

L.A.B. Golf DF3 Putter

We took a chisel to the original Lie Angle Balanced putter to make DF3 smaller and sleeker while honoring the shape that started it all.DF3 offers our popular build options and specifications. These options are a great fit for golfers that use fairly standard specs.
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Bettinardi 2025 Queen B 7 Crescent Custom Putter

RE-ENGINEERED CENTER OF GRAVITY  More natural alignment of the putter  Larger sweet spot in the center of the face  MINI HONEYCOMB™ FACE MILLING Bettinardi’s most iconic face milling  Provides precise feel Firm, yet responsive  BEAUTY WITH FUNCTION 303 Stainless Steel Royal Rose PVD Intricate sole engraving
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L.A.B. Golf MEZZ.1 MAX Putter

Zero Torque. Zero Compromise. MEZZ.1 MAX makes it easy for any golfer to benefit from Lie Angle Balance. It looks pretty much like a normal putter. But it actually helps you make putts.  MEZZ.1 MAX Stock is our new oversized mallet putter that’s fully CNC machined from a billet of 6061 aircraft aluminum (body) and 303 stainless steel (midsection) to create outrageous stability. It includes 10 weights (eight on the bottom, two on the sides) that allow us to individually build each putter to a golfer’s exact specifications.
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