What Is a Mallet Putter?

Are you tired of battling inconsistent putting strokes and searching for that elusive confidence on the greens?

Your putt game can make or break a good round. Fortunately, a mallet putter can help improve your accuracy and reduce mishits, so you can start making more putts.

Unlike blade putters, mallets have a larger clubhead and a flat stick, making them the perfect “game improver.”

In this post, you’ll learn what the mallet putter is and how it’s different from its traditional counterpart.

Types of Mallet Putters

Mallets come in many shapes and sizes but generally fall under two main categories: mid-mallet putters and full-mallet putters.

Mid-mallets serve as a hybrid between the classic blade style and full-sized mallets. They have a large head shape profile, offering more forgiveness and stability, but still maintain a semblance of the traditional blade look.

Full mallets are equipped with more game-improvement technology, emphasizing balance, stability, and forgiveness for off-center putts. They boast the largest club head size among putter designs, offering extensive alignment aids.

Mid-mallets are best for golfers who want added forgiveness but still have some feel and feedback, like a blade putter. However, players who struggle with off-centered hits would want full mallets since they offer a superior game-improvement design.

Advantages of a Mallet Putter

Easy to learn distance control: Mallet putters have a larger sweet spot and more weight distribution to the perimeter, making it easier to consistently hit putts to the desired distance.
Can be customized easily: They typically have interchangeable weights at the club heads, so users can customize the feel and weight of their blades.
Available in different designs: Mallet putters have more design flexibility than blade putters, including perimeter weighting, alignment aids, and adjustable weights.

Drawbacks of a Mallet Putter

Not suitable for an arc-style stroke. Mallet putters are designed for a straight-back-and-through stroke and not an arc-style stroke.
Limited performance on speedy greens. Mallet putters can be challenging to control on fast greens, as they bounce more than blade putters.
More expensive. They tend to be more expensive due to their larger head size and more complex designs.

Who Are Mallet Putters Best Suited To?

You may be wondering if mallet putters are right for you.

Mallet putters are best suited for players who struggle with accuracy and consistency in their putting strokes. The larger clubhead minimizes the impact of mishits, offering better forgiveness. It also offers weight distribution for a smoother, more controlled stroke.

Even PGA Tour players are gravitating toward mallets. Thanks to its recent technological upgrades, such as new face insert designs, golfers receive immediate feedback and more precise distance control.

Some of the most notable PGA Tour Pros who use them are:

Rory Mcllroy
Scottie Scheffler
Patrick Cantlay
Jon Rahm
Xander Schauffele

Mallet Putter vs. Blade Putter: Key Differences

Here are the differences between the mallet and blade putter to choose the right equipment.

Design and Construction

Mallet putters are larger and heavier than blade putters, with a more rounded head shape. As a result, they're more forgiving of off-center hits - helpful if you consistently misfire on the greens.

Blade putters are smaller and lighter than mallet putters and feature a traditional, teardrop-shaped head. This makes them more responsive than mallet putters - a great choice if you already have a smooth putting stroke.

Weight and Stability

Mallets are heavier than blade putters due to their larger clubhead size. The additional weight provides stability, helping to reduce unwanted twisting or rotation for more consistent putting.

Also, the larger clubhead of mallet putters contributes to a higher Moment of Inertia (MOI), which enhances their stability on off-center hits.

That said, the reduced weight for blade putters can help golfers get a better feel for distance control on shorter putts.

Alignment and Forgiveness

A mallet putter offers built-in forgiveness thanks to its added weight and thickness. While blades have a sleek appearance, they provide less cushioning and provide instant feedback to your strokes.

Many pros use blades in low-stakes rounds to enhance their skills and switch to mallets for higher-stakes situations.

Mallet putters are well-known for their extensive alignment aids, featuring lines, dots, and geometric shapes to help you align the putter square to the target line. This helps maintain a square face throughout the stroke, making it perfect for a straight-back-straight-through stroke. Conversely, blade putters have no alignment aids, so you must rely on skill and other visual cues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Blade Putter?

A blade putter is a club designed for long putts as they provide more accuracy and better control over matter putters. It features a thin, flat blade-like head and a rounded sole. The shaft is made of graphite, while the clubhead is built from stainless steel.

How Many Tour Pros Use Mallet Putters?

62% of the top 50 PGA Tour golfers use mallet putters, while 38% use blade putters. This is up from 44% of the top 50 Tour pros in 2018. Mallet putters provide more forgiveness and a stable feel, which is why many PGA Tour players are increasingly adopting them to their routine.

Can You Use a Mallet Putter With an Arc Stroke?

Yes, you can use a mallet putter with an arc stroke. While mallet putters are associated with the straight-back-straight-through putting stroke, there’s no hard-and-fast rule. Golfers with an arc stroke may succeed with a toe-hang mallet putter, designed to promote a greater in-to-in arc motion.

Final Thoughts

Mallet putters are a game changer on the greens, offering golfers a powerful ally to help lower scores.

With enhanced forgiveness, stability, and advanced alignment aids, these putters can transform how we approach our short game.

But having a reliable golf bag and accessories is just as important! Without the right accessories, your clubs can get worn, dented, and tattered in a heartbeat. At Stitch Golf, we offer a wide selection of quality golf equipment, apparel, and gear. Even if you’re not a pro yet, you can dress and act like one by getting the best gear on the market. Shop today and gear up for success!