Putters: Blade or Mallet?

[photoballmarker]

Mallet - The older I get the bigger and heavier it has to be.

But, not necessary expensive, I found my current putter at a local sporting goods store, I think I paid $19.95 for it.

Heavy as can be, with an insert.

I have always thought the blade putters are better for longer putts. Thought about actually carring two putters, my old bulls eye putter and my current sledge hammer.

Sort of hard to carry two putters along with my 5 woods, 4 hybrids, full set of irons, and 4 wedges. I guess I could take out my 2-iron, can't hit it anyway.

[amazinggolfer0732]

What ever feels more comfortable to you.

[mirv]

i'll take a blade any day over a mallot. mostly, i guess it's just a feel preference. i don't like the extra bit of weight that comes with a mallot putter.

[ScottyCameron]

to me, blades are hard to put with.

[TarHeel06]

Learned with a blade, always played a blade. I really feel like I lose control outside of 10 feet with a mallet of any kind.

[PiKapp23]

I have been playing mallet putters for about 10 years now (except for a brief 'trial run' with a Odessey blade last year). I like the way a blade 'feels' on short putts, but I have problems with alignment and distance control with blades, especially on anything more than about 8-10 feet.

[ks8829]

I had one of my best round with a blade putter including 4 birdies in a row with a total of 6 birdies.

[Henry]

I putt with a mallet for th reason that its easier to aim with and i feel more confident with i but i've never tryed a good blade putter i.e. scottie etc.

[ScottyCameron]

I havent really tried out a blade, but is it not too hard for alignment?

My main issue is alignment, just wondering if blades included that.

[hawkeye]

mallet- with blades, my eyes sometimes follow the club to make sure it's square at impact - pretty silly - and with the mallet i seem to be able to hit it straighter more often, leading to more putts holed.

[La Costa Golfer]

For those indicating they are using mallets because of a straight back and through stroke....maybe isn't because of the head style....but rather because mallets are generally face balanced? It think so.

Here is something I have been experimenting with. A center shafted blade putter. I have been messing with a Ping C67. A center shafter face balanced putter that sets up like a blade putter. I am finding it to be as effective for a SBST stroke without losing the touch of most mallets....especially on fast greens.

In fact...having it center shafted...there is more feedback from the ball-strike since the shaft is right next to the sweet-spot. Also what is neat is that it is easy to set-up since there is no offset and assured to have the correct face angle...and easy to align because of how the shaft goes into the head...and with a good alignment slot on the head.

Anyone else tried center shafted blade putters with success?

[Sherlockian]

I play a mallet, it just suits my stroke better. An original Odyssey White Hot 2Ball that I have had around 6 years. Since getting it I have never considered another. My father-in-law bought it for me in 2002. He has since passed away, so there is a sentimental attachment to it as well.

[ScottyCameron]

This is what I am hearing-

Mallets for alignment and for the weighting

Blades for feel