When it comes to golf putters, there are two main styles to choose from: mallet putters and blade putters. Mallet putters typically have a larger, heavier head that distributes weight towards the back and perimeter of the club, while blade putters have a smaller, lighter head that is evenly balanced throughout. The mallet vs blade putter debate has been ongoing for years, with golf purists favoring the traditional blade style putter and others opting for the more forgiving mallet style.
Choosing between a mallet putter or blade putter can be a difficult decision for golfers. Mallet putters tend to offer more stability and forgiveness on off-center hits, making them a great option for golfers who struggle with distance control.
On the other hand, blade putters are often preferred by golfers who prioritize feel and precision, as they offer more feedback on putts that are hit off-center. Putter fitting is also an important factor to consider when deciding between a mallet or blade putter, as factors such as putting stroke, swing speed, and toe hang can all impact which type of putter will work best for each individual golfer.
Table of Contents
- Mallet vs Blade Putters
- Mallet Putters
- Blade Putters
- Mallet vs Blade
- Putter Head
- Putting Stroke
- Distance Control
- Sweet Spot
- Toe Hang
Mallet vs Blade Putters
Choosing the right putter is crucial to a golfer’s game. One of the most important decisions is whether to use a mallet or blade putter. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and putting style.
Blade vs Mallet Putter
Blade putters are the more traditional style putter, with a smaller head and a thin, flat blade-like design. They are generally favored by golf purists and those with a more arc-style putting stroke. Blade putters require more precision and skill to use effectively, but can offer more precise distance control and a better feel for the ball.
Mallet putters, on the other hand, have a larger, more forgiving head shape. They are generally easier to align and offer more stability on off-center hits. Mallet putters tend to be favored by golfers with a straight back and through putting stroke, and those who struggle with distance control.
Mallet Style Putters
Mallet style putters offer a range of benefits to golfers. With a larger head, they offer more stability and forgiveness on off-center hits. They also tend to have a higher moment of inertia (MOI), which means they resist twisting on impact and help keep the putter face square to the target line.
Some golfers may find the larger head of a mallet style putter a bit cumbersome, but many manufacturers now offer mid-mallet and lighter weight versions to address this issue.
Blade Style Putters
Blade style putters are the more traditional option, and are favored by golf purists and those with a more arc-style putting stroke. They offer a more precise feel for the ball, and can offer more precise distance control when struck correctly. However, they also require more skill and precision to use effectively, and can be less forgiving on off-center hits.
Many manufacturers now offer blade style putters with alignment aids and other features to make them more forgiving and easier to use. However, they will never offer the same level of stability and forgiveness as a mallet style putter.
Mallet Putters
Mallet putters are a popular choice for golfers due to their larger head size and weight distribution. They are designed to provide more stability and forgiveness on off-center hits compared to blade putters. Mallet putters typically have a higher moment of inertia (MOI), which means they resist twisting and turning when the golf ball is struck.
Mallet Putter Pros
One of the main advantages of mallet putters is their ability to provide a consistent roll and distance control. They also tend to be easier to align due to their larger head size and alignment aids such as lines or dots on the top of the putter head. Additionally, mallet putters can be customized to fit a golfer’s specific needs with different shaft lengths, weights, and grip options.
Mallet Putter Debate
The debate between mallet and blade putters is ongoing in the golf community. While mallet putters offer more stability and forgiveness, some golf purists argue that blade putters provide better feel and control. Ultimately, the decision between a mallet or blade putter comes down to personal preference and putting style.
Putter Fitting
Choosing the right putter is crucial for any golfer, and putter fitting can help ensure the perfect fit. Factors such as putting stroke type, swing speed, and toe hang can all influence the type of putter that is best suited for an individual golfer. A properly fitted mallet putter can provide the stability and consistency needed for a successful putting game.
Blade Putters
Best Blade Putters
Blade putters are a popular choice among golfers due to their traditional design and feel. Many golf purists prefer blade putters as they offer a more classic look and require a more precise stroke. Some of the best blade putters on the market include:
These putters offer a great combination of feel, precision, and forgiveness, making them ideal for golfers of all skill levels.
Blade Design
Blade putters typically feature a smaller, more compact club head than mallet putters. They also tend to have a traditional head shape, with a thin top line and minimal offset. The club head is usually heel-toe weighted, which helps to increase the sweet spot and improve distance control.
Blade putters require a more precise stroke than mallet putters, as they offer less forgiveness on off-center hits. However, for golfers who prefer a traditional look and feel, blade putters can be a great choice.
Some blade putters also feature alignment lines or toe weighting, which can help golfers with their aim and stroke. These features can be especially helpful for beginner golfers who are still developing their putting skills.
Mallet vs Blade
When it comes to choosing a putter, golfers are often faced with the decision between a mallet putter and a blade putter. Both types of putters have their pros and cons, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and playing style.
Mallet putters typically have larger, heavier heads that are designed to provide more stability and forgiveness on off-center hits. They also tend to have more alignment aids and are better suited for golfers with an arc-style putting stroke. Mallet style putters offer a wide range of designs, from mid-mallet putters to larger, high-MOI models.
On the other hand, blade putters have smaller, lighter heads that allow for more feel and control on the greens. They are better suited for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke and offer a traditional look and feel. Blade style putters also come in a variety of designs, from classic Anser-style putters to more modern, high-tech models.
When it comes to the blade vs mallet putter debate, there is no clear winner. Golf purists tend to prefer the traditional blade putter, while many modern golfers opt for the stability and forgiveness of a mallet putter. Putter fitting is also an important factor to consider, as the right putter can make all the difference in a golfer’s game.
Ultimately, the choice between a blade or mallet putter comes down to individual preference and playing style. Golfers should try out both types of putters and see which one feels right for their game. Whether it’s a premium mallet putter or a traditional blade putter, the right putter can help golfers achieve the precise distance control and sweet spot contact needed for a successful round on the course.
Putter Head
Face Balanced
Face balanced putters have a putter head that is evenly balanced, meaning that the center of gravity is directly in line with the shaft. This design is typically found in mallet style putters and is ideal for golfers with a straight back and through putting stroke, as it helps to keep the putter face square to the target line throughout the stroke. Face balanced putters offer precise distance control and are forgiving on off-center hits.
Mallet Head
Mallet style putters have a larger, more rounded head shape than blade style putters. The mallet head design allows for more weight to be distributed around the perimeter of the putter head, increasing the moment of inertia (MOI) and providing more stability on off-center hits. Mallet putters tend to offer more forgiveness and are ideal for golfers who struggle with consistent ball striking.
Club Head
The club head of a putter is typically made of stainless steel or a softer metal like aluminum or copper. The weight and shape of the club head can greatly impact the performance of the putter. Blade style putters typically have a smaller, more compact club head, while mallet style putters have a larger, more rounded head shape. Some putters also feature alignment lines or other design elements to aid in proper alignment and setup.
When choosing between a blade or mallet putter, it’s important to consider factors such as putting stroke, personal preference, and the specific needs of your golf game. A putter fitting can also help determine the best type of putter for your individual needs.
Putting Stroke
When it comes to putting, the stroke is the most important factor for success. The way a golfer putts can determine whether they use a mallet or blade putter. There are two main types of putting strokes: the arc style stroke and the square to square stroke.
Arc Style Stroke
Golfers who use an arc style stroke tend to benefit more from mallet putters. This is because mallet putters have a higher moment of inertia, which means they are more forgiving on off-center hits. The weight distribution of a mallet putter also tends to be more evenly distributed, which can help golfers with slower swing speeds.
Square to Square Stroke
Golfers who use a square to square stroke may prefer blade putters. Blade putters have a smaller club head and a more traditional design, which can provide more feedback to golfers who prefer a more classic look and feel. Blade putters also tend to have a more face-balanced design, which can help golfers who struggle with over-rotation in their putting stroke.
Ultimately, the choice between a mallet or blade putter comes down to personal preference and the golfer’s putting stroke. It’s important to get properly fitted for a putter to ensure the right fit for your game.
Distance Control
Distance control is an essential aspect of putting, and it can make or break a golfer’s game. Both mallet and blade putters offer different advantages when it comes to distance control, and it ultimately comes down to the golfer’s preference and putting stroke.
Mallet putters tend to have a larger head size, which can help with off-center hits and provide more forgiveness. This can be especially beneficial for golfers who struggle with consistent contact on the sweet spot. Additionally, mallet putters often have a higher MOI (moment of inertia), which means they resist twisting on off-center hits, resulting in more consistent distance control.
On the other hand, blade putters typically have a smaller head size and a lower MOI, which can make them more challenging to control on off-center hits. However, blade putters often offer more feedback and feel for the golfer, which can be beneficial for those who prefer a more traditional style putter.
Ultimately, the golfer’s putting stroke and personal preference should dictate their choice between a mallet or blade putter for optimal distance control. It is important to note that proper putter fitting, including the length, lie angle, and weighting, can also play a significant role in achieving precise distance control.
Mallet Putters Blade Putters Higher MOI Lower MOI More forgiving Less forgiving Larger head size Smaller head size
It is also important to consider the golfer’s putting stroke when selecting a putter for optimal distance control. Golfers with an arc-style putting stroke may benefit from a mallet putter, while those with a square-to-square stroke may prefer a blade putter. Toe hang putters, which have more weight in the toe of the putter head, can also be beneficial for golfers with an arc-style stroke.
- Mallet putters can offer more consistent distance control for off-center hits
- Blade putters often provide more feedback and feel for the golfer
- Putter fitting is crucial for achieving precise distance control
- Golfer’s putting stroke should be considered when selecting a putter
Overall, both mallet and blade putters can provide excellent distance control for golfers, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and proper putter fitting. Golfers should experiment with both styles to determine which putter is the right fit for their game.
Sweet Spot
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing between mallet and blade putters is the sweet spot. The sweet spot is the area on the putter face that produces the best results when struck by the golf ball. It is the spot that will give you the most distance and accuracy.
Mallet putters tend to have a larger sweet spot than blade putters. This is because mallet putters have a larger club head, which allows for more weight to be distributed around the perimeter of the club head. This creates a larger sweet spot and makes it easier to hit the ball straight and with the right amount of force.
Blade putters, on the other hand, have a smaller sweet spot. This is because blade putters have a smaller club head, which means that the weight is more concentrated in the center of the club head. This can make it more difficult to hit the ball straight and with the right amount of force, especially for beginner golfers.
It is important to note that the sweet spot can vary between different putter designs and brands. Golfers should take the time to test out different putters to find the one that has the sweet spot that works best for their putting stroke and style.
Mallet Putters Blade Putters Large club head Small club head More weight around perimeter Weight more concentrated in center Larger sweet spot Smaller sweet spot
- Choose mallet putters for larger sweet spot and forgiveness
- Choose blade putters for precision and control
- Test out different putters to find the sweet spot that works best for you
Toe Hang
Toe Hang Putter
Toe hang is an important factor to consider when choosing between mallet and blade putters. A toe hang putter is one that has a balance point closer to the toe, which means it will naturally rotate more during the putting stroke. This type of putter is best suited for golfers with an arcing putting stroke.
For golfers who prefer a toe hang putter, a blade putter is typically the better choice. Most blade putters have a higher degree of toe hang than mallet putters, making them more suitable for golfers with an arcing putting stroke.
Face Balanced Putter
On the other hand, face balanced putters are those with a balance point directly under the center of the clubface. This type of putter is best suited for golfers with a straight-back, straight-through putting stroke.
Golfers who prefer a face balanced putter may want to consider a mallet putter, as they tend to have a higher degree of face balance than blade putters. However, there are also blade putters available with a face balanced design.
Putting Stroke
Ultimately, the decision between a mallet or blade putter, and between toe hang or face balance, will come down to the individual golfer’s putting stroke and personal preferences. It’s important to get properly fitted for a putter to ensure the best fit for your game.
When trying out different putters, pay attention to how the putter head feels during the stroke and how it aligns with the target. Testing different putters on the green can help you determine which type of putter and balance point is best for your game.
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