Blade Putter vs. Modern Mallet for High Handicapper

[MarvChamp]

I play a Mizuno TP Mills #6 blade putter, toe-balanced. I suffer from alignment issues (as well as other problems, I suppose). I'm thinking a mallet putter with newer technology in weighting and alignment aids might help my scoring on the greens. Any thoughts? Much appreciated. Best, -Marv

[iacas]

3 minutes ago, MarvChamp said:

I play a Mizuno TP Mills #6 blade putter, toe-balanced. I suffer from alignment issues (as well as other problems, I suppose). I'm thinking a mallet putter with newer technology in weighting and alignment aids might help my scoring on the greens. Any thoughts? Much appreciated. Best, -Marv

Mallet vs. blade is not the question you should be asking yourself.

Find a putter you can aim. Find a putter that allows you to control your distance well. Find a putter then that allows you to have good impact numbers.

[MarvChamp]

2 minutes ago, iacas said:

Find a putter that allows you to control your distance well

Right...I'm planning to go to a couple of stores/fitters in next weeks, not rushing. When I'm "on" the distance is right...But not often. Thanks and Best, -Marv

[colin007]

1 hour ago, MarvChamp said:

Right...I'm planning to go to a couple of stores/fitters in next weeks, not rushing. When I'm "on" the distance is right...But not often. Thanks and Best, -Marv

I think what @iacas is getting at here is that when it comes to putters it is a combination of both the Indian and the arrow. There is a putter out there with the correct combination of weights in the right spot that will work for you and you don't have to rely on being "on". Also, unless you have verified by using a mirror and a laser, you have no idea where your putter is actually aimed.

[RussUK]

I'd go try both, you may find that the one you dont like the look of actually fits you better than the one that suits your eye.

Pro shops often have a laser attachment they can use to check how you line the face up before and during the swing to see what style would suit you better. Plus, it's always fun having a play with a load of different putters

[pganapathy]

3 hours ago, MarvChamp said:

I play a Mizuno TP Mills #6 blade putter, toe-balanced. I suffer from alignment issues (as well as other problems, I suppose). I'm thinking a mallet putter with newer technology in weighting and alignment aids might help my scoring on the greens. Any thoughts? Much appreciated. Best, -Marv

I would suggest you get fitted for a putter.  Don't overlook any style of putter and any weight.  There is one out there which works perfectly with your swing.  You just need to find it.  I would suggest that unless you can put in the hard yards of changing your swing, find the putter best suited to your current swing.

[WUTiger]

1 hour ago, pganapathy said:

I would suggest you get fitted for a putter. ...   I would suggest that unless you can put in the hard yards of changing your swing, find the putter best suited to your current swing.

Sequence: find a putter you like, appears to be pretty much on for you, and then get a fitting.

Some of the really basic checks include lie angle, clubface loft, and head weight.

Ping - among other things - sorts its putters by stroke arc characteristics:

• Straight is for golfers with forward swing arc of 3.5* or less; it also features face-balanced heads for golfers with straight-back, straight through stroke
• Slight arc is toe balanced, for forward swing arc of 3.5* to 7.5* (most golfers)
• Strong arc is for swing arc of > 7.5*

In enhancing putting stroke, consistent eye position over the ball is critical.

 

[iacas]

12 minutes ago, WUTiger said:

Sequence: find a putter you like, appears to be pretty much on for you, and then get a fitting.

Do not do that. You do not know what fits you before you get a fitting. There’s much more to being fit for a putter than length, loft, lie.

[70sSanO]

I’m just curious if you have worked with an instructor to develop your putting stroke, or is it one that you put together and if it’s been in a state of flux.

Some days everything clicks for me and other days I seem to have no clue.  Hopefully when, and not if, I get serious enough about my putting, I’ll get some expert advice on my stroke, ball position, weight distribution, etc.

I’m not trying to talk you out of a new putter (Lord knows the only thing a golfer needs more than a new driver is a new putter) and not getting fit for one.  Just wondering if it is an aim issue or your stroke won’t let you hit where you aim.

John

 

[Patch]

I might ask what the OP's putting stroke looks like.

I have been told, and read that toe balanced putters work better for golfers with more (inside to inside) arc in their back and forward stroke. That the face opens more on the the back stroke, while closing faster on the forward stroke. Rather that's true or not, I have no idea.

However, if that is true, and the golfer is trying to use more of a straight back, straight forward (less arc) stroke, the toe balanced putter is probably ill fitted for that type of stroke. 

Myself, I try to use more of a straight back, straight forward (less arc)  stroke. My putter is face balanced. Because of my less arc stroke I was originally fitted for more of a face balanced putter. That's all I have ever used. 

If I was the OP, just as a check, I'd find a face balanced putter, mallet or otherwise and give it a try.

[MarvChamp]

7 hours ago, 70sSanO said:

 Hopefully when, and not if, I get serious enough about my putting, I’ll get some expert advice on my stroke, ball position, weight distribution, etc.

Yeah...It seems I focus on the other clubs and swings when I think of instruction. I'll check into it. Best, -Marv

30 minutes ago, Patch said:

However, if that is true, and the golfer is trying to use more of a straight back, straight forward (less arc) stroke, the toe balanced putter is probably ill fitted for that type of stroke. 

I do have a straight line stroke (I think). I will check out your ideas. I know a master putter builder and fitter...He might give me five minutes of thoughts. Best, -Marv

[WUTiger]

On 9/2/2019 at 2:27 PM, iacas said:

Do not do that. You do not know what fits you before you get a fitting. There’s much more to being fit for a putter than length, loft, lie.

Shouldn't a golfer try out some putters and find something that may work before a fitting? By try out, I'm talking about testing out putters to see if their rough performance is encouraging. The purchase would come after the fitting.

[iacas]

11 hours ago, WUTiger said:

Shouldn't a golfer try out some putters and find something that may work before a fitting? By try out, I'm talking about testing out putters to see if their rough performance is encouraging. The purchase would come after the fitting.

No. Get fit; that will tell you what putter will work.

What is accomplished by a golfer "trying out some putters"? Nothing. Just wasting time.

[Sandy Divot]

13 hours ago, iacas said:

No. Get fit; that will tell you what putter will work.

What is accomplished by a golfer "trying out some putters"? Nothing. Just wasting time.

When you are talking about getting fit, are you talking about going someplace with machines similar to launch monitors for putters, or having someone take measurements, and watch you putt? Also, is it better to get fit outside on a real green, or inside?

Edited September 5, 2019 by Sandy Divot

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Sandy Divot said:

When you are talking about getting fit, are you talking about going someplace with machines similar to launch monitors for putters, or having someone take measurements, and watch you putt? Also, is it better to get fit outside on a real green, or inside?

It doesn't matter, though inside I just like to make sure things like walls, etc. are far enough away, and that there's no patterns nearby.

But mostly I mean fit for your aim and fit for your weight. I occasionally mix a SAM PuttLab in to a putter fitting, but I don't find it all that necessary. If someone flips, you probably don't want to fit them into a putter with -3° loft; you'd rather get them 2 or 3° and teach them how to have just a tiny bit of shaft lean at impact when putting.