Blade vs Mallet Putter | How to Decide Which is Best For You – Pyramid Golf

Blade vs Mallet Putter | How to Decide Which is Best For You

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The Ultimate Guide to Blade and Mallet Golf Putters

Putting can be the make or break moment on the golf course, and the putter you choose can make all the difference - blade or mallet?


It's the ultimate golf dilemma, and one that has caused heated debates among casual golfers and golf purists for years.


Tired of the back and forth? So are we, and we're here to help you navigate the green and decide once and for all which putter is right for you in this ultimate blade vs mallet putter guide.


In this article, you'll learn the advantages and disadvantages of each putter type, how to putt with each one, the differences between the two, how to decide which putter design is right for you, reveal the best putter for both styles, and answer some common FAQs.


So, grip that club tight, take a deep breath, and let's dive into the blade vs mallet putter debate.

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Mallet Putters Explained

What is a mallet putter?

A mallet putter has a larger, more rounded head shape than a blade putter, with the weight distributed toward the back. They also often have alignment aids, such as lines or dots on the top of the clubhead to help with alignment.


Mallet head putters are generally more forgiving and offer greater stability, making them a good choice for golfers who struggle with consistency.

Advantages of a mallet putter

There are several advantages of using a mallet putter over a blade putter, such as forgiveness, stability, alignment aids, and distance control.


Mallet head putters are more forgiving with off-center hits due to the larger club head size and higher MOI.

Mallet style putters offer more stability because the weight distribution is usually more towards the back of the club head. This provides a smoother, more balanced putting stroke and reduces twisting of the putter face at impact.


Mallet head putters are more likely to have alignment aids than their counterparts, such as alignment lines or dots on the top of the golf club head. This advantage is great if aim and visualizing the correct line is difficult for you.


Seeing as a mallet style putter tends to have a larger sweet spot and offer more forgiveness, they can help with distance control on longer putts.


Overall, mallet head putters are a great choice if you're looking for more forgiveness, stability, and accuracy on the greens.

Drawbacks of a mallet putter

While mallet putters do have several advantages, the potential disadvantages to consider include weight, feel, appearance, and price.


Seeing as mallet style putters are heavier than blade putters, it can be more difficult to control putts from a short distance or ones that require a delicate touch. The extra weight can also be fatiguing for some golfers.


Some golfers find that mallet head putters don't provide the same feel on impact because of the large club heads and different weight distribution, which can make it more difficult to judge the speed and distance of your putts.


While it may not have any impact on performance, the appearance of even a premium mallet putter is unappealing to golfers who prefer the traditional look of blade design putters.


The final drawback doesn't impact performance either, it's just that mallet head putters tend to be more expensive than blade putters.

How to putt with a mallet putter

While the basic principles of putting remain the same regardless of if you use a blade vs mallet putter, there are some differences to keep in mind with putting with a mallet style putter; alignment, stroke length, sweet spot, and feel.

Be sure to take advantage of the alignment lines on the top of the putter head to ensure that you hit the golf ball squarely at your intended target.


You'll also need to adjust your stroke length seeing as mallet style putters are heavier and have a large club head size.


While the larger sweet spot can be advantageous, don't rely on it. Still strive for center contact to maximize distance and accuracy.


Finally, as we mentioned above, the feel of a mallet style putter is different than that of a blade style putter, so take some time to practice and get to know how your mallet style putter feels.

Pros that use mallet putters

While these mallet putter pros do traditionally use mallet head putters, keep in mind that they may switch blade style putters based on their performance and preference.


  1. Justin Thomas

  2. Dustin Johnson

  3. Bryson DeChambeau

  4. Jon Rahm

  5. Jason Day

  6. Rory McIlroy

  7. Webb Simpson

  8. Xander Schauffele

  9. Hideki Matsuyama

  10. Patrick Cantlay

What is a mid mallet putter?

A mid mallet putter is a type of putter that falls between a traditional blade putter and a full-sized mallet putter in terms of head size and weight distribution. Mid mallet putters typically have a slightly larger head size and more toe hang, but are still smaller and more compact than a full-sized face balanced putter.

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Blade Putters Explained

What is a blade putter?

A blade putter has a thin, flat putter head with a small sweet spot and feature a classic shape that's typically more traditional looking. They are often used by golfers who prioritize feel and feedback over forgiveness on off-center hits.


Seeing as blade putters require a steady hand and a consistent putting stroke, they're a good choice for skilled golfers that don't need the help of forgiveness, alignment lines, or other aides that most mallet putters offer.

Advantages of a blade putter

While blade design putters are often considered to be less forgiving and generally have less features that bring off-line putts straight back on-line, there are some advantages that may be appealing to more experienced golfers, such as feel, accuracy, versatility, and aesthetics.

Because blade style putters have a more soft and responsive feel at impact, they can provide a greater sense of feedback, control, and precision.


While a blade design does require a more precise putting stroke for better results, it is exceptionally accurate and offers precise distance control for golfers who are able to consistently strike the sweet spot.


Blade putters are also more versatile than their counterparts, making them a great choice if you play on courses with varying green speeds or prefer a single putter than can handle a variety of challenges.


Seeing as blade putters usually have more toe weighting, the putter design allows for a more arc type putting stroke. Some say an arc putting stroke allows for greater control, while other say that the arc style stroke doesn't make much of a difference - I won't get into that whole arc stroke debate in this article. Too spicy.

While this last advantage doesn't affect performance, the traditional aesthetic of a blade style putter is simply more appealing due to the clean lines and minimalist design.


In a nutshell, blade design putters can be a great choice for skilled golfers that don't need any alignment or accuracy aides and prioritize feel and accuracy in their putting stroke.

Disadvantages of a blade putter

The disadvantages of a blade style putter are essentially the advantages of a mallet design; lack of forgiveness, less stability, no alignment lines, and feel.


As we mentioned above, a blade style putter is less forgiving because it has a smaller sweet spot than a mallet design.


A blade style putter also offers less stability than a mallet design due to the smaller putter head and less weight towards the back. This can result in making consistent strokes and overall accuracy more challenging for less experienced golfers.


There are also no alignment aides on many blade design putters, which naturally can impact aim accuracy.


Lastly, while the feel of blade style putters can provide greater feedback for some golfers, it may be too much feedback or vibration on impact for others, potentially creating an uncomfortable or distracting experience.

How to putt with a blade putter

Again, the basic principles of putting remain with a blade style putter, but they key differences to remember when using a blade putter head are also alignment, stroke length, sweet spot, and feel.


You won't have any alignment lines, so you'll have to solely rely on your skill for accuracy.


Seeing as blade design putters are lighter and have a smaller putter head, you may need to adjust your stroke length to make a smooth, controlled putting stroke consistently.


The smaller sweet spot also requires you to only rely on your skill for consistent contact, distance control, and accuracy.


Just like with the mallet head, the feel is different and provides more feedback and vibration, so get used to how it feels in your hand before going to any serious competitions

Pros that use blade putters

While these blade putter pros do traditionally use blades, they may switch based on the shot, turf, or weather; but any day of the week these pros will go for a blade.


  1. Tiger Woods

  2. Jordan Spieth

  3. Phil Mickelson

  4. Justin Rose

  5. Sergio Garcia

  6. Patrick Reed

  7. Adam Scott

  8. Henrik Stenson

  9. Rickie Fowler

  10. Paul Casey

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5 Main Differences Between Blade and Mallet Putters

Okay - now we're totally clear on the differences between a blade vs mallet putter, so let's lay out the five key differences between the two putters before deciding which one is best for you.

Clubhead Design

Mallet putters have a large, rounded head shape and a big sweet spot.


Blade putters have a thinner, flat putter head with a smaller sweet spot.


Mallet putters also often have alignment aids, while most blade putters do not.

Weight and Stability

Mallet putters tend to be heavier than their counterpart, making it more difficult for short or delicate putts. However, the weight being distributed to the back offers greater stability.


While blade putters are the lighter putter, it makes them less stable. However, this different and lighter weight distribution does offer more exact distance control.

Forgiveness

Mallet putters are more forgiving and have greater stability.


On the other hand, blade putters are more precise for golfers who can consistently hit the smaller sweet spot.

Alignment

A mallet head putter may provide more consistent alignment for those who need the alignment aids.


For golfers who don't need the alignment aids, the gain of precision and distance control is a solid tradeoff.

Feel and Feedback

Seeing as mallet putters have large club heads and the weight distributed towards the back, they have a different feel that doesn't provide much feedback.


The smaller size and lighter weight of blade putters offer a greater feel and feedback, which is great for golfers who prioritize touch and control but may be overwhelming for others.

Which One Should You Use?

Now onto the big kahuna, the moment you've been waiting for; when it comes to a blade vs mallet putter, which one should you use?


If you're a golfer that needs the aid of alignment lines, a larger sweet spot, and more forgiveness, go with a mallet putter.


If you're a skilled golfer that doesn't need any of those features, prioritizes precision, wants exceptional distance control, and prefers golf putters with greater feel and feedback on their putts, grab yourself a blade putter.

The Best Putter Out There, Blade or Mallet

Believe it or not, the best mallet putters are also the best blade putters - and that best putter is the Pyramid Putter.


Available in both blade or mallet putter head options, the Pyramid Putter features unique grooves and fool proof alignment guides that will save you major strokes on the green.


With a built-in "gear effect" found in most drivers backed by over 700 verified customer reviews, you can't go wrong with either blade design.


If you absolutely don't love it, send it back within 30 days for a full product refund - no questions asked.


Grab yours today and see for yourself. You have nothing to lose and birdies to gain.

Pyramid Putter

★ ★ ★ ★ ★  (1.000+ Reviews)


The first (and only) putter that literally straightens your miss-hits


Available in a blade or mallet putter head


FAQs

Is blade or mallet putter better?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as both blade and mallet putters have their advantages and disadvantages. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what type of putter works best for each individual golfer.

Why do most pros use a blade putter?

Many professional golfers prefer blade putters due to their precision and feel, which can provide greater control and consistency on the greens. However, some pros do use mallet putters as well, as they can provide greater stability and forgiveness on off-center hits.

Is a mallet or blade putter more forgiving?

Mallet putters are generally considered to be more forgiving than blade putters, as they have a larger sweet spot and a more stable clubhead design. Blade putters, on the other hand, can be less forgiving on off-center hits due to their smaller sweet spot and weight distribution.

What is the advantage of a mallet putter?

The advantage of a mallet head putter is that it can provide greater stability and forgiveness on off-center hits, as well as improved alignment due to the alignment aids on the top of the clubhead. Mallet putters can also have a different feel and weight distribution than blade putters, which may be appealing to some golfers.

Are mallet putters more forgiving?

Yes, mallet putters are generally considered to be more forgiving than blade putters due to their larger sweet spot and weight distribution.

Are blade putters less forgiving?

Yes, blade putters are often less forgiving than mallet putters due to their smaller sweet spot and weight distribution. However, they can offer greater precision and feel on putts for golfers who have a consistent putting stroke.

Should I get a putter fitting?

While a putter fitting can be very helpful, it's not needed nor necessary. It's more important to find the right putter that feels good to you.

At the end of the day, the blade vs mallet putter debate may never be fully settled, as both putters have their unique advantages and disadvantages.


Whether you're a traditionalist who swears by the precision of a blade putter, or a tech-savvy golfer who prefers the stability of a mallet putter, the key is to find the right putter that feels comfortable and natural to your putting stroke.


So, the next time you're on the green, remember to trust your instincts and choose the perfect putter that gives you the best chance of sinking more putts. Happy golfing!

6 comments

  • Great article re mallet vs blade. When the Pyramid mallet goes on sale, I will place my order

    Richter Steve
  • I’ve used Odyssey putters for years and as I get older I noticed that I was not nearly as consistent. I tried several different mallets but the result was still the same. One day while playing with some other seniors I noticed one of our playing partners had the Pyramid mallet putter. I didn’t realize at first what was different but he was holing everything! Not his usual performance by a long shot!! I asked him about the putter he was using and he let me put a few balls with it. At that time I just shrugged it off and kept on using my Red Ball. Over this last winter I saw the Pyramid mallet putter on sale for $99 and decided to give it a try. I figured for a hundred bucks even if it didn’t work for me I really hadn’t lost much$$.
    I’m proud to say that this switch was one of my best golf purchases in a long time. I was concerned that the grip might be too small since I have big hands and was using a SuperStroker 3.0 oversize grip. Not a problem…I love it! I can honestly say that I have cut 4-6 strokes off my rounds. First four rounds of the year were what made me a believer….80, 78,75,76!

    David Bentley
  • I purchased this Pyramid Mallet Putter in February. As I live in western Pennsylvania, the weather had not been warm enough for a round. I pushed it a bit and went to a local course and tried out my new putter on the practice green. I really like the feel and weight of this putter. Practicing at home on carpet, I’m noticing more accuracy as compared to my old putter. I’m very happy with my purchase and looking forward to lots if one and two putts with it. (Read no three putts) 😊

    Fred Hirt
  • I finally had to tell my golfing buddies where I got my new putter. It cost them about a case of Bud Light before I told them.

    Joe Wilson
  • I putted with my Anser blade putter for years but my putting average was going down so I went with the Pyramid mallet style. I’m finding a little more confidence in my stroke and I’m doing better on my longer lag putts. Time will tell but for now the change seems to be helping. I still struggle with the five and six foot knee knocker’s though and I’m hoping for an improvement in that area.

    Bruce Johnson

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