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The put is possibly the most crucial shot of any golf game because it’s ultimately what the entire game is about - bringing your ball home to the hole. Sure, it is possible to get that ball in the hole way before you reach the green. But unless you’ve got Tiger’s eye, bringing your ball home with a distance shot might be an unlikely reality. So as any other golfer would tell you, investing in the right putter is something you shouldn’t overlook.
There are lots of different types of putters on the market, but in this article, we’re talking about the mallet putter. Designed with an exceptionally large club head, the mallet putter uses the same principle as the drivers. That is, a larger, more intuitively weighted head will deliver a more accurate and forgiving shot. These days, the best mallet putters are those that feature silhouettes that weigh down on the back end more heavily, but there are a plethora of other choices that might work just as well depending on your specific preferences.
Eager to learn more about this behemoth club for accurate and powerful shots on the green? Then keep on reading.
When you picture a golfer using a putter, you probably imaging him using a blade putter. That’s no surprise as the blade club head is significantly more popular than the mallet head simply because of its traditional aesthetic that rings well with most golfers. Other than that, the blade works better for players with an arc stroke because of the distribution of weight between the heel and toe.
Mallet putters, on the other hand, are much more contemporary looking. These clubs are edgy and angular, often equipped with large head mass that weighs down towards the back of the club. The purpose of this unique silhouette is to improve control, accuracy, and spin reduction. So essentially, mallet heads are more forgiving and stable.
It’s also worth mentioning that mallet head putters also tend to come in a wider variety. Manufacturers have expanded the technology and advancements used for this specific type of putter head, so there are much more designs to choose from compared to the humble blade. So you can be certain that there’s a mallet putter out there that’s suited perfectly for your particular standards.
With that, you might now be wondering - how exactly do I choose the right mallet putter in a sea of variety?
There are a few factors you may want to keep in mind if you were hoping to buy the perfect mallet putter. Remember - each one is different, and even the slightest variations could greatly affect the satisfaction you get out of using it.
Head balancing pertains to the orientation of the majority of the weight of the head on your putter. With mallet putters, balancing could either be toe balanced or face balanced. Generally, toe balanced mallet putters let you swing with more consistency throughout the arc, while head balanced putters let you maintain a squarer putter face throughout your swing.
Determining whether you’d be better off with a face balanced or toe balanced mallet putter ultimately depends on your play style. For players with a straighter putting stroke, the face balanced weighting would be ideal. Golfers with an arc stroke on the other hand, would be better served by a toe balanced mallet putter.
See more on arc stroke vs straight putting stroke here.
There is no “standard” when it comes to the length of a putter shaft. In fact, the only real guide you can rely on when making the choice is your own personal preference. Sure, the debate for the “proper” putting stance is ongoing - and has been ongoing for decades - but as long as you can bring that ball home, then there’s no need to be to affected by criticism on your stance.
Typical putters range from 32 to 36 inches in terms of their shafts. Don’t assume though that the shorter ones are meant for shorter players, though - some taller players just prefer hunching over to get a better view of their ball and heighten control of movement.
Understanding that stance is essentially dictated by preference, there are manufacturers who have also released putter clubs that boast unconventionally long shafts, reaching up to 50 inches. This provides players the opportunity to assume a more erect posture, especially in cases when golfers might feel more comfortable putting with a straight back.
Hopping, backspinning, and skidding are just some of the elements that comprise a missed put. These typically surface as a result of poor ball grip upon impact, imparting other forces on the ball as it makes contact with the face of the putter. Textured faces on putters help provide better traction with the ball, making it possible to get the ball rolling forward as soon as you make contact with it.
Different grooves can also affect feedback, either heightening the feel of impact or reducing it. Again, there is no specific standard when it comes to choosing grooves, but as a general rule, those that use more tightly packed grooves provide greater feedback, while those that use slightly more spaced out grooves offer improved grip.
On our list of the best mallet style putters, we’ve ranked the Wilson Harmoized Square Heel/Toe Golf Putter the frontrunner. This premium putter boasts an ergonomically designed head with multiple density areas that help improve accuracy and control. The Micro-Injection Face Insert helps add texture and grip while maintaining the proper weight to make the putter easy to swing
The Wilson Harmonized also boasts one of the most comfortable grips on the market. The slightly larger diameter feels more natural in the hand, while the plush padding allows an effortless grip. This can be especially important during putting as the way you hold your club will affect the results of your swing.
Finally, the Wilsone Harmonized Square Heel/Toe Golf Putter comes at a very attainable cost. This mallet putter is one that can easily suit anyone’s budget without sacrificing quality or performance.
Snatching the second spot on our list is the Pinemeadow Golf PGX Mallet Putter. The head features a lightly textured face that helps grip the ball without losing too much feedback. The clean, white finish creates an astounding contrast with the green, allowing you to maintain focus on your club head in relation to the ball to guarantee an accurate center shot.
In terms of weight, the Pinemeadow features a 38g body with a 40g insert. This slightly heavier configuration is still tour-qualified, and helps improve control to reduce unwanted movement throughout the arc. This also helps make the putter swing faster, improving power for longer puts.
Got a little extra to spare for your putter? Consider the Cleveland Golf 2017 Huntington Beach #10 Mallet Putter - the second most expensive premium, professional grade mallet putter on our list. This putter from Cleveland features a head made from solid 304 Stainless Steel, which his slight flex to it to help improve speed and power. It also gives the mallet putter a bit of a sleek aesthetic, definitely appealing for players who might be interested in finding a handsome club to suit the rest of their set.
The finely milled face adds impressively aggressive texture, offering explosive traction that eliminates spinning movements for an accurate shot each time. Other than that, the club feels exceptionally well in the hand, boasting superb comfort and feedback that make it a great choice for players of all skill levels.
So, is it worth the steep price tag? In many ways, it can be. This putter offers clean performance that’s perfect for a variety of conditions, so if you’ve got a little extra to spare, the Huntington Beach #10 might just be the right mallet putter for you.
Now, if you sneak a peek at the Scotty Cameron Select Newport Mallet 1 Putter’s cost, your initial instinct might be to put it back and walk away. Sure, a price tag of nearly $400 USD might not seem like the most reasonably price to pay for just a mallet putter, but the Newport does bring excellent performance to the table, letting you make the most of each moment on the green.
Scotty Cameron is a pretty legendary brand, and they don’t disappoint with the Newport. This beautiful putter combines a stainless steel face, aircraft grade aluminum inserts, and a finely milled face. Essentially, these features come together to provide golfers with unmatched forgiveness, responsiveness, and accuracy, giving you the most authentic feel you might experience on the course.
The last mallet putter on our list comes from Ray Cook Golf. The Silver Ray SR500 Putter was designed for consistency, giving you superb feel of each shot so you can fine-tune your technique for an accurate put each and every time. The black finish with red highlight is exceptionally eye-catching, making for a handsome mallet putter that’s guaranteed to grab attention.
The SR500 is an affordable putter. The only real issue we’ve noticed is that the grip is rather slim, so if you were hoping for a comfortable hold on your putter, the Ray Cook Golf Silver Ray SR500 Putter might not be the most suitable choice.
A mallet putter can help improve the way you perform on the green, and may even bring your ball straight home with fewer shots. So if you want to improve your handicap and bump up your skill level, you may want to look into the market to find the best mallet putters currently up for grabs.
If you’re not sure where to start your search, we recommend the Wilson Harmonized Square Heel/Toe Golf Putter. Designed to deliver exquisite performance, the Harmonized Mallet Putter is one that you can definitely count on no matter the situation.
