Difference between golf blade and mallet putter
Putting is such an important part of the game of golf that this club often becomes one of the most loved (or hated) clubs in a golfer’s bag. Taking the time to find the perfect putter can result in a significant boost to a golfer’s score.
Golfers primarily can select between a mallet putter, which has a large, odd-shaped clubhead, and a blade putter, which has a narrow, rectangular clubhead. Mallet-style putters work nicely for those who struggle to line up putts or who have a squared-up putting stroke, while blade-style putters work nicely for those who use an arc-shaped putting stroke.
Blade putters
The blade putter has a simple, rectangular design that’s popular among intermediate and advanced players. Don’t let the simple looking design fool you — a blade putter can have a large sweet spot and can help players keep the ball in line successfully.
Because the blade putter places the majority of its weight in the toe of the clubhead, it works best for those golfers who tend to have a slight curve (or arc) in their putting paths.
Blade putters are available with various weight distributions, which can be very helpful for players who are looking to fine-tune their putting strokes. Advanced players have the skills needed to take advantage of this feature, rather than beginners.
Inexpensive blade putters can cost $20-$50, but these putters have no special features. For a well-designed blade putter, expect to pay $50-$300.
Blade putter pros
Multiple weight variations available
Simple design is less distracting than a mallet putter
Nicely fits players with arc putting path
Easy to feel a mishit
Blade putter cons
Cheap models are not worth the cost
Beginning players may struggle with this design
Best blade putters
Ping Anser Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
The latest design of this Ping blade putter makes use of multiple metals, which provides a high level of forgiveness for balls struck just off-center. The addition of slight grooves on the face creates a soft feel at the moment of impact.
TaylorMade TP HydroBlast Soto Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon
For those wanting to dial in the perfect weight distribution in the blade putter, this TaylorMade model has moveable weights in the sole of the blade. Its insert material behind the club face encourages a perfect ball roll every time.
Tommy Armour Impact No. 2 Wide Blade Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
This is a high-quality putter offered at a mid-range price point. Unlike some blade putters, it gives golfers a highly visible alignment line on the top of the putter to help beginners stay on the right swing path.
Top Flite Gamer Blade Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
For those on a strict budget, this Top Flite blade putter provides a nicer set of features than you may expect to find in a low-priced putter. Its weight placement in the heel and toe provides excellent balance, keeping the putter face on target.
Mallet putters
The mallet putter provides an oversized clubhead in a variety of shapes. Some mallet putters will have a squarish design, while others are half circles or shaped like an H. Regardless of the shape of the clubhead, the face of the mallet putter is almost identical to that of the blade putter.
Mallet putters also may have designs on the top of the clubhead that help with lining up the putt. Some players appreciate the lines or circles on the top of the clubhead that help them visualize the path of a properly struck golf ball toward the hole.
The shape of the putter attempts to provide weight dispersion on the edges of the putter. This can help the golfer keep the face of the putter in line and square to the ball, as it encourages a straight back and straight through type of putting stroke.
Ultimately, mallet putters are slightly more forgiving for mishits, delivering a larger sweet spot that beginners and intermediate players appreciate.
Golfers can expect to pay anywhere from $30-$300 for a mallet putter. Putters from well-known manufacturers cost near the upper end of the price range.
Mallet putter pros
Helps beginners visualize the ball path
Weight distribution encourages a true, squared-face swing path
Large sweet spot in the face of the putter
Fits golfers with a straight putting stroke
Mallet putter cons
Extra weight on the edges may feel odd to advanced golfers
Some mallet putters are really expensive for beginners
Best mallet putters
Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie S Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
The Odyssey line of putters has had a high level of popularity for many years, and this latest model continues the tradition. Its insert behind the face provides the perfect level of feel for intermediate and advanced golfers.
TaylorMade Spider Tour Black #3 Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Amazon
This Spider model putter has a huge mallet head, but this design is less about looks and more about performance. Every aspect of the design works to help golfers maintain a smooth putting stroke and to keep the putter in line.
Cleveland Huntington Beach Soft 11 Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
Unlike some other mid-priced mallet putters, this Cleveland model uses a high-quality milling pattern on the face to deliver a soft feel for the ball. Even on a slight mishit, the design of the face provides a consistent ball speed.
Top Flite Gamer Alignment Putter: available at Dick’s Sporting Goods
For a beginner or a youth player looking to try a mallet putter for the first time, this Top Flite model has a low price point. It uses a urethane insert across the entire face of the putter to help with feel and with balls struck just off-center.
Should you get a blade putter or a mallet putter?
Blade putters work nicely for those golfers who have a natural arc in the putting stroke, as the weight in the toe complements this type of stroke. Those who take the putter head straight back and straight through the ball usually have better results with a mallet putter.
Kyle Schurman is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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