No matter how far and straight you can hit the ball off of the tee, if you cannot put it in the cup, you will not win at golf. Choosing the right putter for your style and ability can result in fewer strokes on the green and a lower handicap. Blade and mallet putters are by far the most common types of club available, so familiarizing yourself with their benefits and drawbacks is critical to making an informed club selection.
Blade Putter Design
Blade putters have a thin head that ranges somewhere between 1/2 inch and 2 inches thick. Some blade putters are designed to resemble traditional putters, and have a uniform piece of metal forming the blade. More modern blade putters have design features like perimeter weighting biased toward the toe and heel, thus better balancing the club. Aesthetically, they have a simple design and a professional look.
Mallet Putter Design
Mallet putters possess a similar face design to blade putters, but the head body extends back several inches to move the center of gravity back and down. By placing a great deal of weight at the heel and toe of the club face, mallet putters allow you to hit a solidly straight putt every time, even if you are off-center when you contact the ball. They are of a similar length to blade putters, and most mallets still have the shaft connected to the hosel near the heel of the club.
Putting Style
The main factor to consider in choosing between a blade or mallet putter is how you swing on a putt, according to Stina Sternberg, senior editor for "GolfDigest." If you have a straight-through shot where the putter head moves along a straight line between the ball and the hole, a mallet is the best choice. If your putting stroke curves in an arc before your feet due to hip rotation, a blade putter is a better choice because it will allow you to have more rotational movement with the club.
Usage
Blade putters remain the most popular choice among golfers, but since mallet putters were introduced commercially in 2001 their popularity has grown. "GolfDigest" contributor E. Michael Johnson says mallet putters are the most popular choice on the Ladies and Champions PGA tours, while remaining second for men on the main tour. As of 2010, mallet putters made up more than one-third of the putters used by the male professionals.
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