Best Disc Golf Putter of 2020

Pig Putter in Disc Golf Basket

Putters take center stage this week as we post another blog for our series of the best disc golf discs of 2020. With the pandemic forcing many people to stay home for an extended time, many people took the opportunity to use the time to practice putting. Our sales and inventory reflected the surge in purchases, particularly of putters and baskets. We will look at the sales of putters for this year, and compare the top sellers with the top rated putters. We will then turn the voting over to you to help us pick the best putter of 2020.

The Best Disc Golf Putter

Sales Rank Star Rating Fan Vote Average
Discmania P2 3 6 3 4.0
Gateway Wizard 6 4 2 4.0
Discraft Luna 1 10 4 5.0
Discraft Zone 2 1 12 5.0
Axiom Envy 7 2 9 6.0
Dynamic Discs Judge 5 12 1 6.0

In a first for our category of Best Discs of 2020 we had a tie for first, second, and third. The popular P2 and Wizard tied for first place. These two putters didn’t take first in any single category, but still managed to average the best overall rating of any putter.

Two Discraft molds tied for second place, with each one landing in first place for one category of popularity:  the Luna taking first for 2020 sales, and the Zone for the best rated disc of 2020. Although the Zone has been around for more than a decade, the Luna is relatively new to the scene. Even so, when you have the best disc golfers in the world throwing a certain mold, they tend to be more popular.

Two more molds, the Axiom Envy and the DD Judge, rounded out our best disc golf putters category. Notably, the Judge took first place in the fan voting (see results below). The Envy was the second best rated disc for this year.

The Putter Approach

In the 8 years that I’ve been playing disc golf, I’ve heard many players say that you should spend the most practice time with your putter. The theory is that you will end up putting on nearly every hole. While that may or may not be the best approach to practicing, it would be hard to deny the importance of feeling confident with your putter. It needs to feel good in your hand, which means that you need to find the best plastic and mold for you. And you need to have the confidence that the putter will end up in the basket, which means practice, practice, practice.

In addition to using a putter to finish a hole, the putter can also be used as a driver and approach disc. Many overstable molds are popular among disc golfers who choose to throw them hard off the tee. With a putter’s ability to be shaped and still land softly, the putter is also a great utility disc. And we’ve seen what a putter can do in the hands of a pro: amazing drives, touch approach shots, and lengthy putts.

Best Selling Putter of 2020

Let’s start by looking at putter sales for the year. Like with the other disc categories, the numbers are affected by Covid-19. However, putters were affected a little more. The pandemic brought a spike in putter sales, and inventory shortages that still continues. It would be nice to see what sales would have looked like in a normal year, but all we can do is check out the numbers we have. Here are the top selling putters for 2020:

2020 Sales Rank YTD Disc Mold
1 Discraft Luna
2 Discraft Zone
3 Discmania P2
4 Innova Aviar
5 Dynamic Discs Judge
6 Gateway Wizard
7 Axiom Envy
8 Discraft Fierce
9 Dynamic Discs Warden
10 Discraft Roach
11 Latitude 64 Pure
12 Discraft Banger GT
13 Westside Harp
14 Dynamic Discs Deputy
15 Innova Nova
16 Innova Pig
17 Infinite Discs Tomb
18 MVP Atom
19 Westside Maiden
20 Axiom Proxy

With the top two players in the world, Page Pierce and Paul McBeth throwing the Zone and Luna, it’s no surprise that these two molds ended up at the top of the list. The Zone is definitely more of a driving putter than a putting putter, but it still falls under the putt-and-approach category.

With a third of the top 15 molds belonging to Discraft, they definitely dominated the category for 2020. After Discraft’s five molds, the remaining 15 spots in the top 20 were divided up among ten different manufacturers! The putter category doesn’t have the Discraft/Innova dominance like other categories.

Putter Rank and File

Let’s take a look at the top rated putters for 2020.  We took the star rating and the number of reviews to get a weighted score. Then ranked them according to the weighted score. Here are the results of the highest rated putters:

Rank Mold Star Rating # Reviews in 2020 Weighted score
1 Discraft Zone 4.89 64 5.45
2 Axiom Envy 4.79 31 4.88
3 Infinite Discs Tomb 4.88 22 4.84
4 Gateway Wizard 4.75 31 4.84
5 Innova Pig 4.75 30 4.82
6 Discmania P2 4.74 20 4.67
7 Westside Harp 4.69 22 4.65
8 Westside Maiden 4.77 14 4.61
9 Dynamic Discs Warden 4.75 15 4.61
10 Discraft Luna 4.59 26 4.60

The ratings results for the best putter is very unusual compared to other categories of discs. The top seven ranked molds are all from different companies! The Discraft Zone sits at the top of the rankings and sales. This overstable putter is versatile, and can be driven or putted. It was approved by the PDGA in 2008, and is a favorite of many top pros.

Old School, New School

Let’s look at the PDGA approval date for each mold. Here is a list of the top discs and which date they were approved. The elder statesman of the bunch is the Aviar, which was approved back in the ‘80’s, and the newest disc is the Fierce. The average approval year for the top 10 putters is 2009. That year would be several years higher if it weren’t for the Aviar.

Discraft Luna 2018
Discraft Zone 2008
Discmania P2 2007
Innova Aviar 1984
Dynamic Discs Judge 2012
Gateway Wizard 2002
Axiom Envy 2014
Discraft Fierce 2020
Dynamic Discs Warden 2013
Discraft Roach 2015

We also wanted to look at the top selling putters for 2020 and see how those same molds rank in top sales of all time. The Luna has only had a couple years of sales, but still comes in at #6 for all-time sales. As we mentioned in another blog, the sales of the Luna have been amazing this year. As has the sales for all putters.

 

2020 Sales Rank Mold All-Time Rank
1 Discraft Luna 6
2 Discraft Zone 4
3 Discmania P2 1
4 Innova Aviar 2
5 Dynamic Discs Judge 3
6 Gateway Wizard 5
7 Axiom Envy 7
8 Discraft Fierce 34
9 Dynamic Discs Warden 8
10 Discraft Roach 18

Fan Voting Results: Best Putter 2020

We asked you to vote for your favorite putter, and hundreds of you responded. We tallied the votes and have the results below. Once again the Above Ground Level (AGL) fans rallied and got one of their putters, the Madrone, on the top ten list. (AGL fans and others interested in different disc golf companies, stay tuned for a blog series introducing the smaller disc golf brands that you might not be familiar with. AGL will be one of the featured companies).

The beaded putter, the Judge, topped the charts with 10% of the votes. The Judge was also one of the top sellers in 2020, making it a solid candidate for the best disc. The mold has been around for eight years, and the straight flying putter. The comments people made about the Judge varied.

User Comments on The Judge

Steven H said, rather succinctly: (The) Judge is the best putter.

Tanner F elaborated, saying: Honestly I’ve been #teamjudge since I picked one up. Love having a bead and this is so versatile. I throw it up to 200’ for flip over shots. The new hybrid Judge is quite the addition to my top pouch.

Two older molds, the Wizard (2002) and the Aviar (1984) made the top five list. Two molds, the Luna (2018) and the aforementioned Madrone (2018) were the newest on the list. The average year of release for the top ten was 2009, while the average for the top five was 2004.

The Innova Aviar made the top five list, but has several different versions. I counted each version separately, since they are commonly known in the sport to have different characteristics. Most have different flights, while others have a different feel because of the plastic and beaded/beadless rim. I’m referring to the Yeti Pro (Jay “Yeti” Reading), the KC Pro (Ken Climo), the Aviar3, and the JK Aviar (Juliana Korver).

Variety is The Spice of Life

There were nine different manufacturers represented in the top ten molds. Only Dynamic Discs had more than one mold (the beaded Judge, and the beadless version of the Judge, the Warden). That shows the variety of tastes we have in the disc golf community. Additionally, there were 65 molds that received at least one vote. Here are the top voted putters and the percentage of votes that they received.

 

1 Dynamic Discs Judge 10.0%
2 Gateway Wizard 7.4%
3 Discmania P2 6.6%
4 Discraft Luna 6.1%
5 Innova Aviar 5.3%
6 Above Ground Level Madrone 4.5%
7 Dynamic Discs Warden 3.9%
8 Latitude 64 Pure 3.7%
9 Axiom Envy 3.4%
10 Streamline Pilot 2.9%

As we promised, we selected a random voter to win a $50 Infinite Gift Card. The random voter was Robbie S. of Illinois. Robbie chose an Aviar as the best putter. Thanks for your votes!

What is Your Favorite Putter? Tell Us!

Once again we turn to you for your thoughts on your go-to putter. Let us know your favorite putter mold, and tell us why you like it.

Ted is the Chief Writer at Infinite Discs. He is responsible for the State of Disc Golf Survey articles and most of the "best discs" posts. Ted runs all kinds of local disc golf leagues and tournaments and tournaments in Northern Utah.

182 comments

  • Latitude 64 Pure in Zero Medium for me. It is a straight putter with the slightest dependable fade on the end of the flight for putting. It will follow the line you put it on for approach shots. The grip of the plastic is excellent in hot and cold weather. It fits my hand comfortably.

  • Really love the infinite tomb for throwing. Backhand throws go super-straight and forehand throws can flip up and a little when thrown around 250. Really great feel in the hand and a nice flat profile

  • Loving my 1, 2 punch of Gateway Wizard and MVP Anode. The Wizard in SSS is my primary putter and it plays great—grabbing the chains… Like some other players above I also enjoy the Anode.

    With the Anode (I prefer it in Proton Soft which is no longer made so if you like that plastic look for it and grab one. I may try Electron Soft next time). I use it for shaping subtle shots like an anhyzer putt around the edge of a bush, etc.

  • Streamline Pilot firm electron plastic 175g

  • It is the Luna for me followed by the Harp for approach more than putting

  • Prodigy Pa3 by far. It’s like an upgraded wizard. Wish prodigy was more popular on here but its wateva. More consistency between runs when you aren’t pumping out so many discs like Discraft or Innova.

  • I know I’m a little strange, but the Colt is my go to putter. It flies fast and straight and really suits my style.

  • While I’ve long loved the Aviar first and foremost, my vote now must be the Latitude 64 Pure. Switched over to them a few months ago, and instantly my putt became better because of the renewed confidence in my hand. I like the smaller profile, and they’re also great for throwing!

    Lat 64 Pure all the way.

  • I have become a fan of the Latitude 64 Mercy. I currently throw Zero Burst Soft and Medium in 174g. I like the stability of these discs at nearly any power. The Mercy is a 2 speed disc but I can say that it will not flame out when put under a power throw. The Mercy is darn near a frozen rope. The Mercy has a lot of glide but little to no turn or fade. The Mercy is a great beginner disc but suitable for all skill levels and arm speeds.

  • AGL Discs Madrone. It feels great in the hand and holds a great line. Love this putter!

  • The zone should not be considered a putter unless in high wind situations or turbo putts. I mean it’s a 4 speed and throws like my midranges Wizard was my favorite until the new Luna’s came out. They are smooth

  • Colby Christophersen

    Aviar all the way

  • I love my pair of Discraft Jawbreaker Challenger SS putters for putting & use a Discmania color glow C-Line P2 (Sky God III) for all approaches.

  • Putter Prodiscus sparta in basic plastic by far. In my opinion the best putter on the market. Short approach ( within 70 or so feet) RPM Kae

  • Thank you for sharing your reviews. My husband and I normally golf, but occasionally my husband and daughter disc golf. They both have a set of discs but I don’t think either has a putter. I didn’t even realize there were disc putters.
    After reading your article and all the comments, I have a much better idea of what to get both of them for Christmas.
    Thank you again for taking the time to share your reviews.

  • Hands down has to be the Pilot, I even use it as a midrange sometimes over my star mako3.

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