Mallet Putter vs Blade (Which One Should I Use?)

The great news about playing golf in today’s era is that there are plenty of choices when it comes to club selection.

From the driver, to the fairway woods, to the wedges all the way down to the putter there are plenty of choices.

The unique thing about the putter is that there are even more choices than any other club. While most drivers are 45-46 inches in length and have the largest legal size club head, there are a wide range of options when it comes to putters and the putting style.

What setup is best for your game when it comes to putting. Things to consider:

Mallet vs Blade putter
Long vs Short putter

Cross hand vs traditional grip
How about a belly style putter?
Open stance or square stance

The bottom line is that with the putter there are plenty of options which can be good or bad for the golfer. Are you the type of golfer that plays by feel or by the numbers on a launch monitor?

Our goal today is to help you make the decision many often debate: mallet vs blade putter. Which one should you use?

Lag more putts to 1 foot with the right putter for your putting stroke.

Mallet vs Blade Putter

There are pros and cons to each option. Below, we will dive into the typical pros and cons, but ultimately we highly recommend testing out the options and possibly owning one of each. Having options during a season is good for a golfer. If you pay close attention to the PGA Tour, the golfers often change from week to week, especially if they are struggling.

Having the two different options can help get you out of a slump and play your best golf. It also helps you have the peace of mind that you are playing the best option for you that week or that round.

What is a mallet putter?

A mallet putter usually has a much bigger head. Typically they are rounded or square which allows the distribution of the weight to be shifted. The mallet putter is usually heavier than a blade putter and helps with the straight back and through putting style.

I prefer the mallet style putter when playing on slower greens where a sizable putting stroke is needed a high percentage of the time. The mallet putter allows me to remain patient during the putting stroke, taking the clubhead back and through.

In recent years, the mallet putter has been my go to option. For the golfer that wants a smooth, simple stroke where the golfer takes the club back far enough and can feel the weight through the hitting zone, the mallet putter is a great option.

The sight lines and lining up the putter towards your start line is very impressive and easy as well.

Benefits of a Mallet Putter

Quality sight lines through create design by the club experts.

The location of the weight provides confidence to the golfer.
The larger, thicker style putter provides an extra level of confidence.
Mallets provide a great level of forgiveness.

The higher level of MOI (moment of inertia) helps reduce the negative effects of off centered hits.
Increase level of control and stability through the hitting zone.

What length putter should I use?

Stop the frustration of missing so many putts and ensure you have the right putter for your game!

What is a blade putter?

A blade putter is more traditional looking with a very limited back. The weight is evenly distributed. The blade putter is usually lighter than a mallet putter and helps on face greens and those with a more rounded putting stroke.

I used a blade putter for the better part of 15 years. The Scotty Cameron Newport was a staple in my bag and I had plenty of good rounds with it. In fact, my best round every of 65 that included 8 made birdie putts was with my Scotty Cameron. When the putting stroke is clicking the blade style putter is excellent. I had more of a hit in my stroke with the blade vs the mallet putter.

Overall, it was excellent in that 6 to 20 foot range, but overall I prefer the mallet inside of 6 feet and over 20 feet.

I still own both and will test out each option on occasion.

Benefits of a Blade Putter

Clean sight lines that are simple and easy to see.
The weight is blanched throughout the putter head.

The smaller, thinner style putter has a more traditional look.
Blades are excellent on faster greens where a shorter, simpler stroke is needed.
A quality option for those that want to forward press their hands before starting the putting stroke.

How To Test A Mallet vs Blade Putter

I would recommend testing over several sessions. Here is a process you can follow. Repeat this process 3 times for the most accurate comparison.

Hit 10 putts from 10 feet with each style of putter.
Record how many putts you make with each style.

Next hit 10 putts from 30 feet.
Record your distance left on each putt.
Average your distance left and also how many putts here made.

Compare your putts made from 10 feet, average distance from 30 feet and putts made from 30 feet over at least 3 practice sessions.

How to putt with a mallet putter!

Putting Great: Some Keys

Putting great often comes down to two things: start line control and speed control. When you can match your start line and your speed, you increase your chances of making more putts. If you can’t start a bal on the intended line or your speed is often way off, you are going to have less chances for the ball to roll into the hole.

When picking out a putter, make sure you test your start line and your speed control. Collect your own data and make an educated decision that takes into account your results and the feels that you have with each putter that is an option.

Also, don’t forget to track your stats on the course. What percentage of putts do you make between 6 and 10 feet? How many times do you 3 putt from 30 or more feet? Track this data over time and make educated adjustments based on results.

BONUS TIP: Draw A Line on Your Golf Ball

Regardless of the putter that you use, make sure you draw a line on your golf ball prior to your round. With every putt, make sure you are mark the ball, clean the ball and line up the line on your intended start line. We do not have the capability to line up from on top of the ball and are so much better from behind the ball looking directly at the hole.

Here is a complete post on this BONUS TIP!

Final Thoughts

I would highly recommend buying whatever putter you don’t currently have. If you don’t have a blade, find a blade putter that fits your eye. If you don’t have a mallet, find a mallet putter that fits your eyes.

Or take your game to the scientific level and get fitted for a putter. There are many great options out there today and this might be good if you want the clarity of mind that you have the best club for you based on the data and the club fitters analysis.

If you are more of a feel player, make sure you test plenty of options out on different greens at different times.

Is a new putter worth it?

My Secret To Golf Improvement

Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage. I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.

This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.

It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.

Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

George Gankas

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

How to Break 70

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?