The Lowdown on the Worst Putters on the PGA Tour in 2025
Hey, golfers! After two decades as a PGA pro and coach, I’ve seen my fair share of players struggle on the greens. Today, we’re diving into the tricky world of putting, particularly focusing on the "worst" putters currently on the PGA Tour. But let’s get something straight: just because these players are ranked low in putting doesn’t mean they’re not elite. These guys are still among the best in the world, showing off skills most of us can only dream about. Still, everybody has their weak spots, and for some, that flat stick can be a real challenge.
Understanding Strokes Gained Putting
Alright, before we start naming names, let’s break down what we’re actually looking at here. The fancy term you might hear is “Strokes Gained.” It’s not just about counting putts; it’s a fancy measurement that gives us a clearer picture of putting performance.
So here’s the deal: Strokes Gained putting tells us how many strokes a player gains or loses on the greens compared to the average on the Tour. It considers the length of each putt, offering way more insight than just tallying total putts per round. A positive score means a player is doing better than average, while a negative score indicates they’re losing strokes to the field.
What’s cool about this stat is it gives context. A player who hits every green but then has longer putts generally takes more putts than someone who misses greens but chips close. This is where Strokes Gained shines; it compares each putt to the appropriate average from that distance.
Checking Out the Worst Putters of 2025
Now that we’re all squared away on the numbers, let’s get into our list of the players struggling the most on the greens this season. We’re focusing on guys who’ve played a minimum of 20 recorded rounds in 2025. So, without further ado, here are the ten worst putters on Tour.
10. Alejandro Tosti (-0.615)
First up, we’ve got Alejandro Tosti from Argentina, losing about 0.615 strokes per round on the greens. What’s intriguing is that he’s actually pretty decent from 15-20 feet but stumbles badly on those shorter putts that should be a piece of cake for pros. It just goes to show, even the top-tier players can struggle with the basics sometimes.
9. Kevin Velo (-0.636)
Next on the list is Kevin Velo, losing around 0.636 strokes per round. While his ball-striking keeps him in the game, his putting has been a persistent sore spot. Ironically, he ranks first in the 10-15 feet range, hitting a 46.81% makedown rate. So, it’s not like his stroke is completely broken; it’s just inconsistent across different distances. What a bummer!
8. Thomas Rosenmueller (-0.665)
At number eight, we have Germany’s own Thomas Rosenmueller, losing nearly two-thirds of a stroke per round on the greens. He’s got a killer swing and his distance is impressive, but his approach putting often leaves him in tricky positions for round two. Those second putts can be the real deal-breakers.
7. Charley Hoffman (-0.770)
Veteran Charley Hoffman comes in next, dropping about 0.770 strokes per round. Known more for his prowess off the tee than with the putter, you can tell his experience helps him manage the fact that he’s losing nearly three-quarters of a stroke each round. It’s definitely something that’s affected his overall performance.
6. John Pak (-0.770)
John Pak is sitting at the same score as Hoffman, and he’s a fascinating case. He tops the charts for putting from nine feet, sinking a solid 75% of those putts. But from other distances, his performance takes a nosedive. It’s like he’s got a little comfort zone and can’t break out of it.
5. Doug Ghim (-0.798)
Then we have Doug Ghim, losing almost 0.8 strokes per round. With elite-level ball-striking, it’s frustrating to see his putting struggles hold him back. If he could just even hit the average from the greens, he’d be a serious contender week-in and week-out. A little improvement in putting could go a long way for him!
4. Vincent Norrman (-0.821)
Vincent Norrman is losing about 0.821 strokes per round and leads the Tour in two-putts per round. Great! But wait, doesn’t mean he’s rolling in the birdies. His conservative approach to putting cuts down on three-putts but also makes it hard for him to rack up those birdies. Balance, people; it’s key!
3. David Lipsky (-0.824)
David Lipsky comes in third, consistently struggling throughout his career. Losing over 0.8 strokes per round on the greens can really hinder any golfer, regardless of how strong they are with their irons. If he could turn that around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him challenging for titles.
2. Ryan Palmer (-0.946)
Ryan Palmer, a seasoned vet, has somehow managed to maintain a successful career despite losing nearly a full stroke per round on the greens. It’s a testament to how well-rounded his game is, but still—over the long game, that’s a tough pill to swallow.
1. Rico Hoey (-0.977)
Finally, we have Rico Hoey, who tops our list as the worst putter on the Tour this season, losing almost 1 full stroke per round. To put this in perspective, that could amount to about four strokes over a four-round tournament. That’s often the difference between winning and finishing just outside the top 10! Yet, his competitive nature shines through; despite this downside, he still competes fiercely.
The Big Picture
What’s most striking about this list is how it highlights the incredible talent depth on the Tour. Even the "worst" putters have days where they shine. Many have managed to cover for their putting shortcomings through outstanding performances in other areas of their game.
For all you amateur golfers out there, there’s a lesson in this: Take a hard look at your strengths and weaknesses, then develop a strategy to maximize your scoring opportunities. Remember, even the best in the game are constantly working to improve their skills. That’s what makes golf so fascinating and exhilarating—there’s always room to grow!
So there you have it, folks! Whether you’re trying to improve your own game or just following the pros, these putting stats remind us that golf is a complex dance of strengths and weaknesses, and there’s always more to learn. Happy golfing!
