A putter is the club you'll use more than any other in your bag, yet it's the one most Kiwi golfers buy on a whim. They grab whatever looks good in the pro shop, spend $300 or more, and then wonder why their putting hasn't improved.
Here's the thing: putting performance comes mostly from fit, feel, and technique. A used putter that suits your stroke will serve you far better than an expensive one that doesn't.
This guide breaks down some of the best used putters you can realistically find in NZ under $200, organised by putting style.
Know Your Stroke Before You Buy
Buying a putter without knowing your stroke type is like buying shoes without knowing your size. You might get lucky, but the odds aren't great.
When we say "stroke", we mean two things:
- Path: does the putter head move on an arc (slightly inside-square-inside), or does it track straighter down the line?
- Face rotation: does the putter face naturally open a little on the way back and close on the way through, or does it stay closer to square?
Most golfers sit somewhere in the middle (a slight arc is very common). The goal isn't to force a "perfect" stroke. It's to choose a putter that works with what you naturally do.
The two main stroke types (and why they matter)
- Arc stroke: the putter head naturally travels slightly inside the target line on the backstroke, returns closer to square at impact, then moves slightly inside again on the follow-through. The face tends to open a little going back and close a little coming through. These golfers often suit putters with toe hang (the head wants to release and close naturally).
- Straight-back-straight-through (SBST): "straight back, straight through" means the putter head tracks more along the target line, with less in-to-in curve, and the face stays closer to square for more of the stroke. These golfers often suit face-balanced putters (the head resists opening/closing).
The reason this matters: if your putter's balance fights your natural stroke, you'll tend to manipulate the face to keep it square, and that's where pushes and pulls start creeping in.
Quick ways to figure out your stroke (2 minutes at home)
- Path check (no tech): put down an alignment stick or club on the ground aimed at a target. Hit a few short putts (1-2 metres) and watch the putter head on the follow-through. If it naturally swings a bit inside the line, you're more arc. If it tracks very straight, you're more SBST.
- Face rotation check: on a few practice strokes, notice the toe of the putter. If it clearly "fans" open then closes, you're more arc. If it stays looking more square, you're more SBST.
- Putter balance check (for any used listing): balance the shaft on one finger near the grip end.
- If the toe droops down, that's toe hang.
- If the face points up, that's face-balanced.
What "toe hang" and "face-balanced" actually mean
These terms describe how the putter head wants to sit and swing because of its weight distribution and hosel design.
- Toe hang: the toe drops because the toe side has more "pull". In the stroke, a toe-hang putter tends to release more naturally (the face wants to open a bit going back and close coming through).
- Why toe hang suits an arc stroke: an arc stroke includes some natural face rotation. Toe-hang designs make that rotation feel assisted rather than forced, so you don't have to hold the face off or flip it shut to square it up.
- Face-balanced: the face points up because the head is more evenly balanced. In the stroke, a face-balanced putter tends to resist rotation and wants to stay more square.
- Why face-balanced suits SBST: a SBST stroke is usually trying to keep the face closer to square for longer. A face-balanced head is less eager to open and close, so it's easier to return the face square without adding extra rotation.
Neither is "better" overall. The most favourable option is the one that matches your stroke: arc = more toe hang, SBST = more face-balanced. If you're in between (most golfers are), either can work. Choose the one that helps you start the ball on line more consistently.
Tip: Standard putter length is commonly 34-35 inches for most adults. If you're tall (over 185cm) or short (under 170cm), it's worth finding a putter at the right length rather than adjusting your posture to fit a standard one.
Best Used Blade Putters for Arc Stroke Players
Blade putters are the classic design: thin, simple, and often with more toe weight. They suit players with a natural arc because that toe-weighting can help the face open and close smoothly through impact.
Odyssey White Hot #1 (or #2)
Odyssey's White Hot insert was popular for a reason. It produces a soft, consistent feel that a lot of golfers find easier to judge distance with.
- The White Hot #1 is a blade.
- The White Hot #2 is a close variant with a wider flange.
- In NZ, these are often priced around $140-$220 second-hand depending on condition. If you spot one under $200, it's a strong buy.
Best Used Mallet Putters for SBST Stroke Players
Mallets have more weight distributed to the back and heel-toe, which generally makes them more stable through impact. They're also more forgiving on off-centre hits, which is why they suit a lot of golfers (especially if you're still building consistency).
TaylorMade Spider (series)
To be blunt: if you're shopping under $200 in NZ, the TaylorMade Spider series is one of the safest bets.
- Older models in okay condition (for example, Spider Arc) can often be found around $120.
- Plenty of Spider putters sit around the $150 mark depending on model and condition.
Odyssey Toe Up
Toe Up models are a strong option if you struggle with face control and want something more stable through impact. Many used options land around the $150 mark depending on condition and model.
Odyssey Stroke Lab (series)
Stroke Lab putters show up regularly second-hand and are often in the same rough $150 range. They're a great balance of forgiveness and feel for a lot of golfers.
Odyssey White Hot 2-Ball
The 2-Ball is one of the most recognisable putters in the game, and those two white circles genuinely help a lot of golfers aim more consistently. In NZ, expect it to be at least $180 second-hand depending on condition.
Mid-Mallets: The Middle Ground That Suits Most Golfers
If you're not sure what your stroke type is, or if you've tried blades and full mallets and haven't clicked with either, a mid-mallet can be the right answer. These have more forgiveness than a blade but more feel feedback than a big mallet.
In the NZ used market under $200, a lot of the best mid-mallet value overlaps with the picks above (especially the Spider line and many Odyssey models).
Tip: Putter shafts don't have flex ratings like iron or driver shafts. What you're looking for is the hosel style (plumber's neck, slant neck, etc.), because that affects toe hang and how the putter wants to swing. Most used listings won't label this clearly, but you can look it up by model name. Check out our shaft flex guide if you want to understand shafts more broadly.
What to Check When Buying a Used Putter
Putters take less physical punishment than irons or drivers, so buying used is generally low risk. That said, there are a few things to check:
- Face condition: shallow scratches are fine; deep gouges or dents on the face can change feel.
- Inserts: on insert putters, avoid inserts that look pitted, cracked, or uneven.
- Shaft straightness: any bend or kink near the hosel is a hard pass.
- Grip condition: a worn grip is common. New putter grips are often around $15-$30 NZD fitted, so it doesn't have to be a dealbreaker.
- Length: your eyes should be roughly over the ball in your natural posture. Too long can be trimmed; too short is harder to fix.
What to Expect at Each Price Point
| Budget (NZD) | What You'll Find |
|---|---|
| Under $120 | Older Spider models in okay condition (for example, Spider Arc), plus older mallets and generic brands. Fine for beginners or casual social golf. |
| $120-$170 | The sweet spot: lots of Spider options, plus many Odyssey Toe Up / Stroke Lab models. |
| $170-$200 | Higher-priced Odyssey options and cleaner-condition models (including some White Hot 2-Ball and White Hot blades that dip under $200). |
Most golfers with a 10-25 handicap will find everything they need in the $120-$170 range. You don't need to spend $200 to get a putter that performs well.
If you're just starting out and want to know what else to prioritise in your bag, our guide on best used golf clubs for beginners in NZ covers the full picture.
A Few Putter Myths Worth Ignoring
You'll hear that expensive putters hole more putts. They don't. Better putters can give better feedback and help you develop feel faster, but a well-fit used putter in the right style for your stroke will outperform an expensive wrong-fit putter every time.
You'll also hear that you need a brand new putter to know if it's right for you. That's not true either. Putters don't wear out the way irons do. A well-maintained used putter can perform extremely close to a new one of the same model.
The one thing that does matter is that the putter fits your eye at address. If you look down and something feels off, that doubt will creep into your stroke. It's subjective, but it's real. Try a few if you can before committing.
For a broader look at equipment spending that doesn't actually help your game, our guide on golf myths that cost Kiwi golfers money is worth a read.
And if you want to understand how far you should actually be hitting your clubs so you can judge putter length and setup in context, check out our golf club distances chart for NZ golfers.
Find a Used Putter That Suits Your Game
Browse the Swingstock putter range for quality second-hand options across blade, mallet, and mid-mallet styles, all priced honestly for Kiwi golfers.
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