Blade vs Mallet Putter: Which One is for You?

Putting has always been considered one of the more difficult aspects of golf. The good old saying “drive for show, putt for dough” is proof of that. While there are many factors that go into making a successful putt, the three main components are speed, direction, and break.

The putter is the club used primarily on the green or in other situations where the ball needs to be rolled along the ground. There are many different types and styles of putters available on the market, but they can broadly be categorized into two main types: blade putters and mallet putters.

Blade putters are the traditional style of the putter, and have been around for many years. They are recognizable by their thin, flat heads. Blade putters are generally considered to be more accurate than mallet putters, but can be more difficult to control.

Mallet putters are a newer style of the putter, and have a much larger head than blade putters. They are designed to offer more forgiveness on off-center hits, and many golfers find them easier to control.

So which one is for you? Should you buy a blade or mallet style putter?

Blade Putter

Profile SGI Complete Set - Putter

Blade putters have come a long way since they were first introduced, and many top golfers currently use them on the PGA Tour. The technology and design of blade putters have improved tremendously, making them much more forgiving than they used to be.

The blade putter is the more traditional of the two designs and has a thin, flat head. Many golfers prefer blade putters because they offer a great feel, and the ability to be very precise with your strokes.

The most dominant brand in the blade putter category is Scotty Cameron, whose putters are used by many of the top professionals in the world. Other popular brands include Titleist, Odyssey, and Ping.

Putter

Technology such as heel-toe weighting in blade putters has also improved in recent years, making them more forgiving on off-center hits. The advantage of blade putters is that they offer great precision and feel, but can be more difficult to control than mallet putters.

You could say that putters are nowadays becoming the most tech-savvy clubs in your bag. This is because there are now more options to choose from when it comes to putters, and each one has its own unique benefits.

Scotty Cameron Special

The blade putters are best for golfers who want more precision and a softer feel. If you are the type of golfer who is looking for a putter that offers more forgiveness, then a mallet putter might be a better option for you.

Pros

  • They offer great precision and feel
  • Better for Arc strokes
  • The design has come a long way
  • Good for distance control and accuracy for longer putts

Cons

  • Can be more difficult to control
  • Shorter alignment aids
  • Less forgiving on off-center hits

Mallet Putter

Scotty Cameron Phantom

The mallet putter is the newer design of the two, and it’s become increasingly popular over the past few years. There are so many different types and designs of mallet putters on the market, that it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.

Mallets also tend to have more forgiveness than blades. If you have a slight miss-hit, the larger spot on the face will help keep the ball on your intended line. That’s not to say that blade putters can’t be forgiving—there are some great blade putters out there—but overall, mallets tend to offer more forgiveness.

Another advantage of a mallet putter is that it’s easier to align. The larger head usually has some sort of alignment aid, like a longer line or dots, which can help you ensure that you’re lined up properly.

Taylormade Putter

If you are a golfer who has a straight back and straight-through stroke, then a mallet putter will likely work well for you. The benefits of a mallet putter are that they are easier to control and offers more forgiveness, but they can be less precise than blade putters.

My personal preference is a mallet putter but it really comes down to what type of golfer you are and what feel you are looking for. If you want great precision and a softer feel, then a blade putter is the way to go.

But if you’re looking for a putter that is easier to control and offers more forgiveness, then a mallet putter will likely be a better option for you.

Pros

  • Many different types and designs to choose from
  • Better for straight back and through strokes
  • They tend to be more forgiving than blade putters
  • They have longer alignment aids
  • Forgiveness on off-centre hits

Cons

  • Not as precise as blade putters
  • More difficult for longer putts

Recommended Blade Putters

If you’re looking for a great blade putter, then here are a few of our favorites:

Titleist Scotty Cameron Special Select Putter

Titleist Scotty Cameron Special Select is not particularly cheap but definitely, worth the money, the Scotty Cameron Special Select is one of the best blade putters on the market. It has a beautiful, sleek design and great feel.

Scotty Cameron Special

This putter is made of solid milled stainless steel and the new performance balanced weighting helps to promote a smooth stroke.

This Special Select putter has been created specifically to offer the same sleek, classic look preferred by touring professionals. According to Titleist UK each Special Select model has been designed and milled in the USA.

Cobra King 3D Printed Grandsport 35 Putter

Have you heard of 3D printed putters? Well, the Cobra King is one of them. This putter has been designed using cutting-edge 3D printing technology and it’s made of steel.

Cobra King 3D Printed - Front
Cobra King 3D Printed - Back

An oversized blade shape with a plumbers neck hosel makes it perfect for moderate arc putting strokes.

SIK Face Technology delivers the straightest and truest rolls on every putt for more consistency. And the new black color looks great.

Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft Putter

This putter feels great and has a very soft feel to it. It’s made of stainless steel which gives it a nice weight and balance. The wide flange blade design is perfect for golfers who have a tendency to push their putts.

If you are looking for distance control then Cleveland Huntington Beach is a great option. Cleveland’s Speed Optimized Face Technology (SOFT) increases ball speed across the face for more consistent distance on off-center hits.

Recommended Mallet Putters

And if you’re looking for a great mallet putter, then check out these options:

Taylormade Spider SR Putter

Taylormade is a guarantee of quality, so it’s no surprise that their Spider SR putter made it to this list. It’s a beautiful mallet putter with platinum, white and black color scheme that is sure to stand out on the green.

TaylorMade Spider SR Platinum/White Flow Neck Putter

I personally really like the look of this putter, and the SuperStrock grip ensures a stable and comfortable grip. This putter also comes with Taylormade’s Pure Roll insert which promotes better forward roll and distance control.

Ping 2021 Fetch Putter

The great thing about this putter is that you can pick up the ball with ease, thanks to the unique design. This makes the Ping 2021 great for those who struggle to bend down and pick up their ball.

The Ping 2021 Fetch Putter is one of the most popular mallet putters on the market and it’s easy to see why. If you are looking for a great feel and forgiveness, then this is the putter for you. This putter is ideal for those players with straight back and through strokes.

Cleveland Frontline Elevado Putter

The Cleveland Frontline Elevado is a great mallet putter for those who are looking for more forgiveness. It has a slightly oversized head which makes it easier to control. It is easy to align and has a nice, soft feel to it.

Frontline Elevado Putter

The new forward weighting technology helps to ensure that the putter is balanced and stable throughout your stroke. This putter is great for arc strokes and has a lovely black finish.

Conclusion

So, which one is right for you? It really depends on your individual golf game and what feel you are looking for in a putter. Lower handicap players tend to prefer blade putters because they offer great precision and feel.

But if you are looking for a putter that is easier to control and offers more forgiveness, then a mallet putter will likely be a better option for you. The best you can do is to try out both types of putters and see which one feels best for you.

FAQ’s

Q: What is the difference between a blade and mallet putter?

A: The main difference between a blade and mallet putter is the size and weight of the head. Blade putters tend to have a smaller head, while mallet putters have a larger head. Mallet putters also tend to be more forgiving than blade putters.

Q: Which type of putter is best for beginners?

A: Mallet putters are generally considered to be the best type of putter for beginners. This is because they are easier to control and offer more forgiveness than blade putters. If you are just starting out, we recommend trying out a few different types of mallet putters to see which one feels best for you.

Q: Do professional golfers use blade or mallet putters?

A: Many professional golfers use blade putters because they offer great precision and feel. However, there are some professional golfers who prefer mallet putters because they are easier to control and offer more forgiveness. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

Q: Can I use a mallet putter if I have a straight back and through stroke?

A: Yes, you can use a mallet putter even if you have a straight back and through stroke. In fact, many golfers who have a straight back and through stroke prefer to use a mallet putter because they are easier to control and offer more forgiveness. If you are unsure which type of putter is best for you, we recommend trying out both types to see which one feels better.

The Golf Bandit
The Golf Bandit

Hi, I'm Jan. I love golf and I have been playing for a while now. I really enjoy trying out new golf clubs and equipment, and like to review them on my blog. I consider myself lucky as I have access to the latest clubs and gadgets, so I can get a feel for how they perform on the golf course. I also like to share my tips and tricks on how to improve your game, so if you're looking for help with that then look no further! Thanks for visiting, and I hope you find something useful here.

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