Years ago, before mallet putters were an option, blades were the only game on the links. And putting was typically the most frustrating part of any round for most golfers. The introduction of mallet heads allowed golfers of all abilities to improve. Here are some factors when considering whether to use a blade or a mallet.
First, consider your alignment abilities. Most professional golfers will tell you that proper alignment is the most important aspect of putting, while at the same time the most difficult to perfect. A blade typically has a single line for alignment, while mallets have a myriad of advanced alignment designs. If you have low-handicap alignment skills, you may prefer a blade due to its other qualities. But if you would benefit from help here, you’ll do better finding a mallet with a system you are comfortable with.
Secondly, consider the age-old truism “never up, never in!” Blade putters are lighter than mallets, and even good players may tend to go too light on the stroke because they are focused on the other essentials. Mallet players find that with a heavier club they can focus on aim and good body mechanics, and learn to let the club do more of the work. If you come up short more often than you’d like, a mallet will reduce this tendency.
A third criterion involves “feel.” Good golfers rely heavily on feel, which comes from the vibrations the club resonates up the shaft into the hands. Feel is so crucial, Tour players never putt with a glove on. Feel tells the player they have struck the ball on the sweet spot by transmitting no or few vibrations. Poorly struck putts vibrate more. This trains the player to hit the sweet spot more often. Blades have a smaller sweet spot than mallets, so feel is essential. Mallets tend to have less feel, though new insert technology is increasing their performance in this department. The biggest benefit of mallets is that their weighted heads create a larger sweet spot than blades, and make feel less important. Traditionalists will enjoy a blade, even if performance suffers a bit. If your game would benefit from a larger sweet spot that still transmits adequate feel, a mallet with an insert will work splendidly.
More Tour players than ever before are turning to mallets because they provide more advanced technology that still allows them to maintain the control that good feel provides. Unless your work on the greens is fantastic, the chances are you may score better with a mallet. But keep in mind, it won’t putt for you! Practice will still pay off. Every moment spent on the practice green or carpet at home will translate into success around the hole.
