Do you want to improve your putting? I don’t think there is a golfer out there who would answer no to that question.
One of the simplest ways to start sinking more putts may sound like something from the world of physics, but all you need to know is that by choosing a putter with a high MOI (Moment Of Inertia) you are going to see some significant changes in your putting game. All for the better!
In this article, we take a look at some of the best high MOI putters currently on the market to help you decide which is best for you and your game.
Table of Contents
What Is MOI?
Firstly, MOI is an acronym for ‘Moment Of Inertia’, and in the world of golf, it simply means that when you choose a putter with a higher MOI, the less chance there is of the putter twisting on off-center hits during impact.
Club manufacturers achieve this by moving a large amount of the putter head mass away from the center of gravity. This is why most higher MOI putters are the mallet-style putter as opposed to the blade-style of putter. You will generally find that the putters with the highest MOI levels are the largest and most abnormally-shaped putters.
How Does It Work?
Simply put, when you strike a putt from the heel, or especially the toe, the putter face twists with impact. This twisting has a huge effect on the outcome of your putts.
When you strike a putt in the center of the club face, it will go exactly where you have aimed and at the pace determined by your putting stroke. When you strike a putt that is off-center, your ball will deviate from its intended target and ofter with varying speeds, depending on where you strike the ball on the face of the putter.
By moving the MOI outward and away from the putter heads center of gravity, it creates a far higher resistance to twisting and off-center hits.
Benefits Of A High MOI Putter
- Increased Forgiveness – No matter where you strike the ball with the face of the putter, the technology will give you the feeling that every strike has been on the ‘sweet spot’
- Squarer Face At Impact – The higher MOI and overall size of this style of putter helps ensure the putter face is as square as possible upon imact
- Increased Distance Control – With the whole face of the putter now effectively working as the ‘sweet spot’, it means your putts will not lose as much speed on off-center hits
- Easier to start the ball online – With the increased forgiveness and square face at impact, your putts will start rolling exactly where you have aimed them, giving you more confidence over every putt
- Tighter Putt Dispersion – Simply put, a higher overall number of your putts will end up closer to the hole than ever before.
Disadvantage Of A High MOI Putter
High MOI putters are very similar to game improvement irons in that they offer maximum forgiveness for the player, but without any of the feel and feedback. This may not be to everyone’s taste.
That being said, there are a huge amount of professional golfers on tour currently using a high MOI putter, and .that says a lot. The pros are constantly looking to gain any advantage they can over their competitors, while improving their game and lowering their scores. A high moment of inertia putter helps them to achieve this, and for the same reasons, you should be looking to use one too.
Like anything, this style of putter will take time to get used to if you have been using a smaller blade-type putter, but once you are comfortable with it, you are probably going to wonder how you ever managed without one.
Our Best High MOI Putters
TaylorMade Golf Spider X Putter, Copper/White, #3 Hosel
Let’s start with one of the most popular putters on tour today. The Taylormade Spider X Putter is currently used by the world number one Rory Mcilroy, and the world number two, John Rahm.
The Spider putter has been a staple for Taylormade now for 10 years, and this latest model has been designed to create more stability than ever before, along with a new approach to alignment.
It has a steel frame that is 30% heavier than previous models to reduce twisting, and their true path alignment helps golfers to visualise their target line, improving their overall putting accuracy.
Pros
- Well balanced
- Great alignment
- Superb feel
- Hard to miss 3-4 ft putts
- Used by the worlds best
Cons
- An expensive option
- The grip is not to everyone’s taste
Odyssey EXO Putter
Odyssey was acquired by Callaway back in 1997, and is the second most popular brand of putter on tour after TaylorMade, and it’s not hard to see why.
Their Exo range delivers an incredibly high MOI through a multi-material construction. The now-legendary ‘White Hot’ insert is combined with new ‘micro hinge’ technology which produces instant forward roll to provide accuracy and distance control.
Their new shaft reduces weight which is then relocated into each end of the putter producing a smoother and more accurate putting stroke. And the two-ball design we are looking at here is probably the most famous and iconic Odyssey designed putter in their history. It provides a classic alignment aid in the two ball-like markings on the top of the club head.
Pros
- Amazing how the ball rolls straight from impact
- Very well balanced
- Provides superb feel
- Provides total control
Cons
- Soft feel at impact isn’t for everyone
- Grip can discolor
- The face isn’t milled
Cleveland Golf 2019 Huntington Beach SOFT Putter #11
Next, we have the Cleveland Huntington Beach #11 putter. Another great example of a high MOI putter with a speed-optimized face that helps to produce consistent distance, even on mis-hit putts.
The face is diamond CNC milled with deep grooves to provide a true roll upon impact and helps to start the ball on-line. The high MOI is produced through strategic weight distribution providing stability and a solid feel for straighter putts.
Pros
- Easy to align with the single black line
- Well balanced feel to the putter
- Good overall weight
- A great price
Cons
- Weighted more in the grip than in the head
- Weightless feeling in club head can make it harder to control
Tour Edge Hp Series Red 10 Putter
Next, we have a cheaper option that has still had some great reviews.
The Tour Edge 10 putter has micro-grooves in the face insert reducing skidding, whilst providing true roll on the golf ball. The jumbo grip also minimizes the breakdown of the wrist to help create a more pure and fluid stroke.
A very similar design overall to the 2017 TaylorMade Spider putter, the Tour Edge 10 has a classic putter head design with the high MOI created through heel-toe weighting for added forgiveness and consistency of strike even on off-center hits.
The contrasting color alignment markings on top of the putter helps to line up putts quickly. And the jumbo grip that comes as standard helps prevent any wrist breakdown for a more fluid putting stroke.
Pros
- Inspires confidence over the ball
- Comes in at a great price
- Some nice feedback upon impact
- Great balance to the putter
Cons
- Requires an upright posture to ensure the club head lays flat
- Could do with softer insert in the face
- Not the same quality as higher-priced alternatives
Wilson Staff Men’s The Bean Infinite Golf Putter, Right Hand, 35″
Our final high MOI putter comes from Wilson. The Bean Infinite putter comes with a double milled face to promote consistent impact, roll, and distance control.
The counter-balanced technology moves the balance point close to the golfer’s hands to help create more control in the putting stroke. It also has a new ultra-dark anti-glare finish, which helps to reduce glare and accentuate the alignment markings on the putter.
And finally, it has an oversized grip with a new and improved perforated pattern which aims to improve the feel. The grip weighs in at 104 grams to create a counter-balanced feel in the putter.
Pros
- Superbly comfortable grip
- Nicely weighted
- Very underrated putter considering the price
- Keeps the ball online
Cons
- Seems a little light
- Putter face seems closed when the grip is square
Conclusion
So there you have it, five of the best high MOI putters currently available today. And while choosing a putter has a lot to do with personal choice and what feels most comfortable for you we do have a favorite.
The Cleveland Huntington Beach #11 putter is the model that stood out for us. It has some great technology and features that you would find in putters that are easily twice as expensive.
Cleveland is a brand that sits quite quietly under the radar in the golfing world, yet produces some top quality and affordable equipment. This putter is a great example of that!
Whichever putter you do end up choosing we hope that this article has been of some use to you, and don’t forget that whichever high MOI golf putter you end up choosing, your game will thank you for it.
