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Requiring razor sharp accuracy, precision putting is what many golfers consider the most important skill in the entire sport. In fact, some experts will even assert that short game is severely more imperative than long distance play, especially because they take up more than half of the shots you make on the course.
If you feel like your putting prowess just isn’t quite polished yet, there are a few technique tweaks you can make to get the best of every swing. The most obvious? A change of club, of course. These days, putters come in a wide array of models and designs, but the biggest question you should be asking is ‘blade or mallet?’
The big debate on blade vs mallet putters has been around since the design variation was introduced into the market. The main difference between the two is that the blade putter features a slim, flat head. These are generally lighter, and have a smaller strike zone compared to the larger mallet. Nonetheless, many experienced golfers prefer its traditional performance.
The unique blade putter anatomy features a shaft that connects to the heel. Most designs are toe hanging which means that when you place the club shaft on your palm so that the club is parallel with the ground, the head’s toe will dangle and point to the floor. This helps balance out the weight of the head, bringing the sweet spot closer to the face’s center.
On the other hand, the mallet putter is a larger, heavier head with a counterbalance sitting right behind the face. This maximizes momentum, helping you create a true roll as your club smashes into the ball in play. Because of their intuitive weighting, these clubs are said to be more forgiving than the traditional blade putter.
The general consensus says yes. Optimized for consistent performance even for inconsistent strokes, the mallet putter can be the perfect companion for players who are yet to perfect their putting stroke.
Of course, you should expect that manufacturers have also come up with a ‘best-of-both-worlds’ version. The mid-mallet putter has a smaller head than the mallet, but still has some size to it compared to a blade. With substantial control and a toe-weighted head, the mid-mallet can be a smart middle ground for players who want the most distinct features of each putter type incorporated into one design.
There are a variety of factors that might impact the right kind of putter for your skill and expertise. For the most part, you should try to consider these main aspects.
Deciding on whether to use a blade or mallet putter depends mostly on the type of stroke you use. There are two different kinds of putting techniques, namely the straight back straight through or SBST, and the arc. These two strokes are defined by the line they travel which heavily impacts the performance of your putter.
If you use the straight back straight through stroke, you’re better suited to a mallet putter. Designed to keep the face square throughout the distance traveled, a mallet putter helps to maximize the performance of an SBST player since they’re more face balanced. This works to increase the force of the shot, helping the ball travel further with minimal twisting and spinning motions.
If you use the arc stroke (which is more common), you’re better suited to a blade putter. The toe balanced weight provides a more accurate shot. This will help an arc putter hit the sweet spot more consistently to bring the ball where it’s intended to go.
We all know that the mallet putter is a more forgiving pick than its blade counterpart. With more force behind the head and a larger sweet spot, the mallet putter can be a good choice if you’re a beginner or a high handicapper hoping to play a little more professionally despite having limited skill and knowledge.
But then again, that’s an issue that many advanced and expert players tend to question. If you want to improve your game, how can you do it with a putter that does the job for you? Basically, what that means is that a mallet putter has very little room for improvement, because it does most of the legwork.
That said, if you’re looking to improve your stroke and putting technique, the added challenge of using a blade putter can help you fully understand the precise science. In essence, a blade putter makes you do the work, so you can only depend on your own skill to sink the ball.
There is no perfect putter. While both of these designs bring unique benefits and advantages to the table, they also come with a few features that might contradict your preferences. Understanding the full picture should help you fully understand what you’re getting yourself into when you invest in a specific putter head type.
Preferred by professionals and advanced players, the blade putter is a tougher cookie to master. But once you do get the hang of it, you get the bragging rights that go with this expert-level putting companion.
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More forgiving than the average blade putter, a mallet putter helps make sure that your stroke will result to an accurate sink more often than not. Ideal for beginners and high handicappers, the mallet putter can provide some serious confidence during those hair raising final moments.
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Fitted with a textured, milled face, the Cleveland Golf Huntington Beach #1 Golf Putter provides a soft smash feel that doesn’t cut back on feedback. The putter uses an ergonomic grip handle that improves control, letting you keep the face square throughout the swing distance. With beautiful appearance at address, this blade putter can get any rookie swinging like a pro with its alluring build and performance.
Offered at a fraction of the cost of competing putters, the Pinemeadow Golf Regular Black Zing Style Putter was designed with simplicity in mind. Made of cast zinc alloy, the construction delivers a soft yet satisfyingly deep ‘click’ at address, jolting your ball straight to the hole with its precision head styling. And because blade putters can be tough to get the hang of, this pick from Pinemeadow hopes to make things easier with an alignment aid and a tacky standard putter grip.
Providing maximum feedback, the ultra sleek Odyssey Hot Pro 2.0 Putter is a dream for players who enjoy the satisfying resonance of a putt well played. With an insert that improves the feedback, feel, and sound across the putter face. The Odyssey Hot Pro 2.0 permits maximum learning for rookies and sublime performance for seasoned players.
Designed with a beautiful, matte charcoal gray finish, the Ray Cook Golf Silver Ray SR500 Putter helps improve visibility by minimizing the factors that might cause glare. The sleek club touts a heavier head for a smoother stroke path, and comes equipped with a premium grip handle for reliable staying power. The face itself is textured, holding the ball during impact to release without twisting or spinning.
Sleek and simplified, the Pinemeadow Gold Site 4 Putter is ideal for beginners and high handicappers who need all the putting help they can get. Ergonomically designed for a reliable grip and perfect balance, this putter achieves a seamless pendulum swing that imparts accurate momentum for increased putting precision. With guidelines painted across the head, this club helps make sure you get the right shot and learn the ropes along the way.
Built especially for SBST putters, the TaylorMade Spider Tour Platinum Putter stays true to course, sticking to the straight path throughout the swing distance. This helps keep the face square all the way, allowing perfect momentum and maximum strength to launch your ball to its target. Constructed out of various high-quality materials, the Spider Tour works to get the best resonance, feedback, and feel despite its heavy, sizeable head.
There’s more to the science of putting than meets the eye. And although many a golfer have taken a side on the old blade vs mallet putters debate, it’s clear to see that both club designs have their own winning attributes. So before you decide on the perfect putter for yourself, take some time to learn more about your stroke. Because when all is said and done, it doesn’t matter what shape your putter is. All that matter is that you can sink a golf ball to close a hole.
