Blade or Mallet

[hypergolf]

Do you prefer blade or mallet putters? Why? Is there a significant difference in performance over the other? Or is it just the preference in looks? Does MOI really matter in putters? Just wanted to get a feel of the general opinions.

[DCB]

I've always been comfortable with a mallet. The one I loved but never played was the Bettinardi Hawk B12 I think. It had a great feel, I loved the black alignment t but I couldn't get past the electric green headcover and grip. I know I could've swapped them out but by then, I discovered the red X.

[jaqattack02]

I prefer blades mostly because I think the mallet style putters are goofy looking. I've tried both and couldn't really tell a difference. I guess it's also a habit thing. I've used blades since I started playing.

[countjyro]

I have to use blade putters. I have tried some mallet putters in the store, but I just have to use a blade.

[iacas]

My sig answers the question, right? (Mallet)

[keb]

Just switched back to blade - TP Rossa Modena from a mallet style Ping. I had trouble controlling speed with the mallet and just feel I have more control with a blade putter. So far I love my TaylorMade Rossa.

[J_Bone]

Mallet. I just tried going back to a blade for the last two rounds and I had 39 putts in each round. I was averaging 30-33 putts before.

For me it is the speed that I noticed the biggest difference. The weight of the mallet lets me loosen up and swing smoother.

[ettsn]

Blade for me. I just can't get used to looking down at a spaceship when I putt.

[gogolfing]

Switched to a mallet about three years ago; started with a Ping Craz-e and then this year got fitted for a 2-ball SRT. I have tried many blades on the practice green since (Ping Redwood and others, a friends Scotty etc...), and played a blade for the 20 years before going to a mallet, but now the feel of the ball off the face feels weird with a blade, and I feel that weight of the mallet just feels more natural for me. Alignment with my Odyssey is so much easier too.

[jaqattack02]

I can't see where there could possibly be a big performance difference between the 2. It's all about the feel preferred by the person using it. The putter is probably the club in the bag that is influenced most by personal feeling. With the others there's a visible difference in performance (distance, spin, etc), but there isn't anything like that with a putter. With the putter it's all about how you think it feels when contacting the ball, and how confident you are when you're standing over the ball getting ready to make that stroke.

[BogeyGolfer19]

Been using a mallet for a few years now but really want to trade it in for a blade.....maybe this winter.........ha

[Matt P]

I have used both in the past year. I still like the look and feel of a blade, although the alignment of the three-ball mallet can't be beat. If I start to get uncomfortable with one, I switch, although I have been using my Scotty for quite a while.

[Elvisliveson]

It's simply a matter of personal preference; an issue of what looks and works best for you. I personally have always used a blade putter and my favorite is the Ping Zing or anything that looks like it.

[shortgame85]

Do you prefer blade or mallet putters? Why? Is there a significant difference in performance over the other? Or is it just the preference in looks? Does MOI really matter in putters? Just wanted to get a feel of the general opinions.

I would prefer to use a blade because I like the way a blade looks better than a mallet. I have several blades that I bought and find them very classic in appearance and very attractive. However, many mallets do have a higher MOI than most blades and I find mallets easier to swing more consistently than I do blades. Therefore, while I prefer the look of blades, I prefer my score with mallets.

[Laxplayer201092]

Blade...TM Rossa Siena 4

I always found that the ball jumped off my mallets, rather than rolling off like a blade. i really, really like mallets on short puts, just gotta pull it back, and let it go, but those long ones were always hard to control distance..

[Philbo]

MOI absolutely matters... the short game is where you lower you score so the most help you can get here, the better.

Blade like putters (depending on which model and brand) tend to have a smaller MOI, thus, don't tend to resist twisting on off center strikes as well as mallet style putters. For a low handicapper, this is fine because it gives them better feedback and feel, more for distance control and speed than direction. A mallet putter typically has a higher MOI, thus, if you don't hit the ball directly in the center, you still get similar distance control without much loss of direction either.

I've tried a million different putters and the reality is that mallet putters do really work. I find them helpful not only in the above mentioned factors (distance control and speed is the absolute key) but also providing really good alignment aids as well. Although a blade putter does suit my eye very well, i'm just not as accurate with them as a mallet.

The thing is with putters is that what works for me by no means will work for you so you really do need to go into the shop and hit as many balls as you can with as many putters as you can. It's vital !!!!

[Cizzle]

Ping g5i anser. Used a mallet for a little while, and just never felt as comfortable as I do with a blade.

[c_mack9]

blade. i like the way a mallet is normally heavier but at the same time i left a lot real short or real long. i can judge speed better with my blade.