What is the difference between blade and mallet putters

The original blade putters were completely flat, and some could be used from both sides. Many of the top professionals use a blade putter, and they say that it is because of the feel and control that you get with a blade. There is no question that a blade putter has a great feel, but the mallet seems to have come quite far in regards to feel. If you happen to have an arc type putting stroke, you will enjoy the benefits of the blade putter.

As you swing back, you can fan the putter face open a little and then release and close it as you make your way through impact. A blade putter just like the mallet can come with a solid milled face, or it can have a face insert put in to help add a level of feel and control.

The blade putters have a slight disadvantage when it comes to forgiveness and alignment. They are a bit harder to line up as the alignment line will only be about an inch long or so.

This is much different than the length of the mallet putters currently on the market. Now that you have a general idea as to what the differences are between a blade and a mallet putter, it makes sense to address some of these commonly asked questions. If your beginner set comes with a blade putter, do not feel like you are off to a bad start. You will be able to use this putter and learn and adjust, however ideally; a mallet putter is easy for a golfer to learn the game. If you have an arc type putting stroke, it makes more sense to go with a blade style putter.

You can fan open the clubface and then close it as you go through impact. Straight back and straight through strokes do better with the mallet design. The only thing that makes a mallet putter more forgiving is its size.

It has a much larger clubface and, therefore, a larger sweet spot. You do not have to be as precise to hit a great putt with a mallet putter. The most significant sign that your putter is not right for your game is that you are not making enough putts.

Try to figure out why you are missing your putts, are they all coming up short are they all over the place? If you can narrow down which way you are missing, you may be able to figure out if it is related to the putter or related to your stroke and ability. If you are a great player, if you are outside of the standard height range of a conventional putter and if you are struggling with your putting stroke, you should very likely get a putter fitting.

Putter fittings can be very helpful, but they are not necessary for every golfer. Finding a putter that feels good and performs is more important than fitting. We receive several inquiries a week from golfers seeking advice on selecting a new putter. Many of these golfers are seasoned veterans that are just now discovering how the style of putter can change your game. Putters are about more than just sleek lines, sexy designs and eye catching finishes.

Putters come in several styles and head shapes. Blade and mallet putters are the two most common styles, and each has their own design and benefits that makes it best for a particular golfer based on your putting stroke. A Mallet putter is known for more elaborate designs and are notable for their larger clubheads. Although the clubface of a mallet putter is similar to a blade putter, mallet putters have large clubheads that come in various shapes such as: a half circle, square back , or even some more abstract designs.

Much of the weight of a mallet putter is still located in the face, it relies on the perimeter weighting in the sole and bumpers to stabilize the putter head throughout the stoke and impact. This provides golfers with a different feel while putting. Note, that some Putter companies have created mini-mallet putters which are a smaller mallet but create a similar, stable feel.

This dispersion of weight will cause a different feel when using a mallet putter, as compared to a blade putter. Mallet putters also have a larger sweet spot—the section of the club that will deliver a true rolling putt absent of the twisting or pushing characteristics that are often found in poorly struck putts. With the weight of the mallet putter in the perimeter of the club head, there is a much better balance than what can be offered from a blade putter.

In other words, the ball tends to go where you aim it more often—which is probably a good thing. The second advantage of mallet putters comes with alignment. Since alignment is part of the equation for putting accuracy, this feature could go a long way for some.

Third, because of the larger club heads, mallet putters tend to be heavier in weight though this is not always the case. Swinging a heavier object generates additional force making it easier to get the ball to the hole. And for those who like to use the flatstick just off the green; a heavier club head will push through the taller grass with more ease than a lighter putter.

A blade putter is much simpler in design as compared to a mallet putter and is typically a favorite among golf purists because of its traditional looks.

Of course, the mallet category is filled with different designs — some more outrageous than others — but we provided the specific model that each players uses for reference.

Twenty golfers in the top 50 of Strokes Gained: Putting so far in are using blade-style putters. By Andrew Tursky. Tiger Woods blade putter left and Tyrrell Hatton's mallet putter. Mallet Putters 60 percent. Brandt Snedeker's mallet-style Odyssey putter.