When it comes to value in golf clubs, Stix continues to be at the top of the heap.
To get a (mostly) full set of clubs and a bag for under $1,000? That’s not hard to find.
But to get ones that perform at a level far beyond their price? That’s a rarity.
And that’s exactly what Stix has done with their Perform series of clubs.
But for as good as those sets are, there’s always room for improvement.
Earlier this year I got a chance to review their Compete Driver, and something crazy happened.
It’s so good, I’ve left it in the bag ever since.
So when I had the chance to review the latest in their “Compete” series, the Compete Putter, I jumped at the chance.
So how does it perform? Let’s find out.
The Stix Compete line of putters represents a solid upgrade over their standard putters, and feel and performance on par with more expensive putters from big name brands.
First Impressions of the Stix Compete Mallet Putter
When reviewing the full set of Stix clubs, I’ve found the driver to be the weakest link. It’s certainly fine for many newer golfers, but it didn’t have the feel or performance of clubs from more well known brands.
So it wasn’t necessarily hard for their more expensive Compete Driver, to really outshine it.
With putters it’s different.
I’ve found the putter that’s included in the standard Stix set to be excellent, and among my favorite clubs in that bag.
So with it already being so good, I was curious to see how they would up the ante.
Out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the better putter cover. This one is made of a supple leather that looks and feels really nice. The headcovers on the Stix boxed set definitely leave a lot to be desired, so big upgrade already.
The grip is fantastic. It’s a chunky grip that is very tacky and inspires confidence when you hold it. It’s similar, but slightly better in my hands than the putter grip on the Perform series clubs. It’s a huge upgrade from the putter grip that comes with the more beginner-focused Play Series, which I’ve found to be too thin for my liking.
The club looks fantastic with the signature Stix black aesthetic.
So overall, first impressions are great.
How Does the Stix Compete Putter Perform?
Stix has 3 different putters in their Compete line: Blade, Mallet, and Tech Mallet.
Essentially each of these are geared towards slightly different swing arcs with the Tech Mallet being for straighter arcs, the Mallet being for a slight arc, and the Blade for a stronger arc.
Personally, I fall into the “slight arc” category with my putting stroke, so I opted for the Mallet.
It looks great at address and the combination of the red alignment line, and the embossed line extending through the putter head is very useful for getting your putts lined up properly.
The Mallet is most similar in design to the standard putter that comes with the other sets.
From a performance standpoint, I found the Compete model to have better feel off the face, and slightly better distance control during my initial round with it.
But here’s the thing, more so than a lot of clubs, in my mind, a putter is a putter.
Yes, there are different styles and weights, but they’re all generally going to do the same thing.
And once you reach a certain level of build quality, how well it does that thing (roll a putt) is going to be fairly subjective.
Unless it’s say, a L.A.B. putter that is taking an entirely different approach to the physics of a putter, whether you’re using a Stix, an Odyssey, or even a Scottie Cameron is largely going to come down to how it feels for you.
Related: 10 Best Golf Putters
At $159 the Stix Compete putter is a really solid value. I guarantee that if you put it up against 5 putters that cost double the price, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell that this was the cheapest one.
It feels good, looks good, and putts well.
But so do most high-end modern putters on the market.
So it’s really going to come down to deciding what you like.
Related: Check out the latest collaboration between Stix and Jack Nicklaus.
Final Thoughts: There’s One Big Hangup
First, let me say this.
The Stix Compete Mallet Putter is a very good golf club at a price that makes it a fantastic value.
If you’re early on in your golf career and looking for a Stix set? I don’t necessarily know that you need to spend extra to get the Compete model.
If you’re a mid-handicap looking to get down into single digits and you like Stix and want an edge? For a reasonable amount of money, I think the Stix Compete Putter is a worthy upgrade.
But here’s the hang-up. Being a direct-to-consumer brand, there’s not an easy way to go and test out a Stix putter for yourself.
They have a solid return policy, so you can always send it back if you decide it’s not for you, but considering how personal a putter is – it’s tough to make the investment without knowing how it feels first.
Since this putter is only $159, I think this is actually less of a factor than it is with their Compete Driver. The Driver, while excellent, is $380. Even at a discount to other top-of-the-line drivers, that’s a tough sell.
For the putter? I think it’s easier to take a chance on it. After all the quality is excellent, and a nice step up from their standard model. And considering it’s less than half of the cost of other top-of-the-line putters out there – I think you’ll be very happy with the price-to-performance ratio if you decide to pick one up.
The Stix Compete line of putters represents a solid upgrade over their standard putters, and feel and performance on par with more expensive putters from big name brands.
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Recent Updates:
May 5th, 2025: Added reference to new Stix x Jack Nicklaus collaboration.
A fantastic new addition to the Stix lineup, with one glaring hang up.
The Stix Compete line of putters offers an excellent value proposition at $159. It's a solid step up from their standard putter, and both feels and looks great. But without the ability to test one out before you buy, you'll have to have a little faith it's the right fit for you.
The Good
- Built really well and has a beautiful milled face
- Both grip and cover are a big step up over standard putter
- Feel and distance control are very solid
The Bad
- Can't test out putter before you buy
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Features and Quality
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