Will a mallet style putter help me...?

[amac]

I've been reading articles on the benefits - pros and cons - of mallet style putters.  From what I've read, I put them in the game improvement category offering a larger sweet spot to assist on off center hits.  I've also read that they are slightly better suited for people with straight back-straight through strokes.  Not sure if that is 100% accurate.  I stand somewhat upright and have more of a gate stroke.

I've always used a blade style putter, but really struggle on puts longer than 20'.  My stroke feels somewhat wobbly in the backswing and I know I'm not making good contact.  Obviously I will be working on my putting stroke, but would a mallet's weight design assist me?  Looking for thoughts from people who use and or have tried mallets.

I currently use an Edel putter and plan to visit my Edel fitter for a lesson/fitting this Friday.  Thoughts...

[David in FL]

I've been reading articles on the benefits - pros and cons - of mallet style putters.  From what I've read, I put them in the game improvement category offering a larger sweet spot to assist on off center hits.  I've also read that they are slightly better suited for people with straight back-straight through strokes.  Not sure if that is 100% accurate.  I stand somewhat upright and have more of a gate stroke.

I've always used a blade style putter, but really struggle on puts longer than 20'.  My stroke feels somewhat wobbly in the backswing and I know I'm not making good contact.  Obviously I will be working on my putting stroke, but would a mallet's weight design assist me?  Looking for thoughts from people who use and or have tried mallets.

I currently use an Edel putter and plan to visit my Edel fitter for a lesson/fitting this Friday.  Thoughts...

I think all your questions are about to be addressed on Friday, from someone better qualified to answer them than any of us.

Am I right in thinking that you bought an Edel from someone else, rather than being fit for it in the first place?  Let us know how it goes!

[amac]

I think all your questions are about to be addressed on Friday, from someone better qualified to answer them than any of us.

Am I right in thinking that you bought an Edel from someone else, rather than being fit for it in the first place?  Let us know how it goes!

No, I was fit for and bought the Edel from the same guy I'm going to visit Friday.  The original fitting didn't get into my stroke style or long putts.  I distance tested from about 10 ft.  I expressed my preference for blade style putters when I arrived.  Perhaps he shied away from suggesting a mallet as a result.

I am opening myself up to mallets because of what I've read about the weighting and forgiveness on off center hits.  I am deadly accurate with my putter from 10ft and in.  The setup of the putter is excellent.  It's the longer putts and longer strokes (backswings) that I struggle.  I'm just wondering what advantages/disadvantages a mallet would offer?

[saevel25]

I've been reading articles on the benefits - pros and cons - of mallet style putters.  From what I've read, I put them in the game improvement category offering a larger sweet spot to assist on off center hits.  I've also read that they are slightly better suited for people with straight back-straight through strokes.  Not sure if that is 100% accurate.  I stand somewhat upright and have more of a gate stroke.

I've always used a blade style putter, but really struggle on puts longer than 20'.  My stroke feels somewhat wobbly in the backswing and I know I'm not making good contact.  Obviously I will be working on my putting stroke, but would a mallet's weight design assist me?  Looking for thoughts from people who use and or have tried mallets.

I currently use an Edel putter and plan to visit my Edel fitter for a lesson/fitting this Friday.  Thoughts...

Strange that your Edel Putter would feel wobbly. The whole purpose of the fitting was to smooth out the stroke and improve distance control. My only guess is you are forcing your stroke. Try to make a longer smoother stroke, and keep the backswing and follow through the same distance. You can get into trouble if you go back too little and try to power the stroke.

Also how are you struggling? Is your distance everywhere, or is it just missing wide left or wide right?

[iacas]

No, I was fit for and bought the Edel from the same guy I'm going to visit Friday.  The original fitting didn't get into my stroke style or long putts.

That's largely irrelevant. The point is to build a putter you can:

a) aim well

b) control distance with well

Those are the only real jobs of a putter. The third thing is reading greens, but that's on you.

I thin it's basically a myth that "stroke style" should dictate the type of putter you use.

I distance tested from about 10 ft.

If done properly, the putter should still fit your distance control.

I expressed my preference for blade style putters when I arrived.  Perhaps he shied away from suggesting a mallet as a result.

He shouldn't have. We might ask someone what they prefer to "see" if we can fit them into a style at the start, but we do not hesitate to put them in the putter they can aim, period.

I am opening myself up to mallets because of what I've read about the weighting and forgiveness on off center hits.

How about you simply try to hit the center of your putter more frequently? A mallet can have a little higher MOI, but… you shouldn't need to use it. Hit the center of the putter face more often.

I'm just wondering what advantages/disadvantages a mallet would offer?

Figuring out why you're not consistently hitting the center of your putter will offer 1000x more of an advantage than one provided by a mallet.

To be blunt about it, assuming you were fit properly, the putter is not the problem: the stroke is.

[GaijinGolfer]

A mallet isnt going to be a magic fix-all.  Ive played mallets and Ive played blades, I can miss putts with both.

[amac]

Also how are you struggling? Is your distance everywhere, or is it just missing wide left or wide right?

Mostly coming up short due to what feels like off center hits.  As far as getting the line right, that's another discussion.  LOL.  It could be my read, my stroke, the putter or a combination of everything!!!

Basically, I'm going back to my Edel guy for another evaluation.  I'm expecting a more thorough putter/putting lesson to determine if a fitting is necessary.

[amac]

Figuring out why you're not consistently hitting the center of your putter will offer 1000x more of an advantage than one provided by a mallet.

To be blunt about it, assuming you were fit properly, the putter is not the problem: the stroke is.

Agreed.  I plan to find out if I can aim as good with more than one putter - my blade and possibly, a mallet.  If aiming is equal, then which one gives me better distance control. If both are equal in my hands , which one is going to be most forgiving on off center hits?  I can try all day long to hit the center of the putter face and to have my putter face on line to target, but I know my stroke isn't 100% correct 100% of the time.  If a mallet is more forgiving, wouldn't that be reason enough to choose a mallet over a blade?

In the end, I will end up with what feels the best in my hands and delivers the best results, most consistently.  I am looking for feedback from people that use mallets and possbily from people that have switched from blade to mallet with success and can share their enthusiasm.  I didn't intend to critique the Edel fitting process and or my bad putting stroke.  FWIW, my last round produced 10 one putts, 6 two putts and 2 three putts = 28 putts total.  I shot 79.

[saevel25]

There is no commonality from someone switching to a blade to a mallet. I've played bother, and it just so happens its easier for me to align my putter with a mallet. I swing both blade and mallets in the same way. For me what was off was the weighting. I needed a MUCH heavier club head and some counterbalance in the grip. So I got fitted for an Edel putter that looks very much like my old putter, Odyssey Rossie-ish, with a heavy clubhead and 40 grams in the butt end of the club. From there the stroke worked itself out.

If you currently have an Edel putter you should have gotten fitted for it, unless you decided to just buy one online with out the fitting. Which in my opinion is a waste of money because its the fitting process that makes their putters so good.

[iacas]

Agreed.  I plan to find out if I can aim as good with more than one putter - my blade and possibly, a mallet.  If aiming is equal, then which one gives me better distance control.

I don't know what to tell you, man. You keep posting about your putter, and with every post I have less and less confidence that you got a good fit to begin with. There should be no reason you need or should fit into an entirely different putter head style length loft lie or weight profile, etc. At some point, assuming you DID get a good fit, you need to realize that your stroke is a part of it, and work to improve that. If properly fit, your putter is your putter. Switching to something else would have way way more downsides than upsides. The MOI gains are minimal. Fix your stroke.

[Loud7273]

I struggled with my blade putter, especially with short putts. I had a lesson with my pro and he said I have a very good putter so I stayed with it. But the three putts were killing me. I made a big change this year. I went with an Odyssey v2 which has 3 lines on it. I also went with a super grip slim 30 grip. This putter helped me tremendously. I've had more one putts so far this year than all of last year. Distance control is about the same as with my blade but I just have more confidence standing over the putt, especially the short putts. The grip helps take the wrist out of the stroke for me. so I'm hitting the ball much better.

I really don't think one putter is better than another. Its an individual thing, But I made the change and so far its working.

Lou

[boil3rmak3r]

I am deadly accurate with my putter from 10ft and in.  The setup of the putter is excellent.  It's the longer putts and longer strokes (backswings) that I struggle.

The statements above would suggest you have a putter head style and alignment marks that are great for you. If you are doing well with the 10' and in putts, but struggle with distance control, that would suggest a potential weighting issue. Hopefully a little weight adjustment will do the trick. Personally, if I'm really good with the 10' and in range with a putter, I'd hate to abandon it. Good luck.

[arturo28mx]

Blade type putters are usually toe balanced and mallet style putters are usually face balanced. It's a different feel.

Experimenting with both I discovered I putt better with mallet style putters. Cannot explain exactly why.

[iacas]

Blade type putters are usually toe balanced and mallet style putters are usually face balanced. It's a different feel. Experimenting with both I discovered I putt better with mallet style putters. Cannot explain exactly why.

They usually are, yes, but you can easily build them the other way, and I think this whole toe waiting versus face balanced thing is vastly overstated. The tiny amount of torque you feel in your hands is essentially imperceptible.

[dbrock504]

Blade type putters are usually toe balanced and mallet style putters are usually face balanced. It's a different feel.

Experimenting with both I discovered I putt better with mallet style putters. Cannot explain exactly why.

Agree.

[amac]

I'm all set for my appointment with the Edel fitter. I've fully explained my thoughts and concerns regarding my putting. The plan is to evaluate my stroke and reassess my fitting. I've also expressed my interest in mallet style putters. So, we will discuss the differences and experiment with a fitting. He sounded a bit skeptical that a new putter would make a difference. Looking forward to tomorrow. I will update here after my lesson.

[amac]

The results are in. Officially, there is nothing wrong with my putter fitting. Everything checked out. Further, there is no glaring issue with my putting stroke. Ultimately, it's all in my head! I did experiment with a mallet fitting. Same lie, loft, length, alignment aides and tad heavier. I produced the exact same results with aim and distance control. So, I ordered it. This Indian wanted a different arrow. :)) What we did notice is I favor contact on the toe side of center. No readily available explanations, but going for a more face balanced set up with the mallet. Also, I'm adding the insert on the mallet. My fitter suggested the insert may help with off center hits. In all, I got the outcome I expected. It's all in my head and practice, practice, practice my putting stroke.

[iacas]

What are your putting stroke dynamics? How were you "tested"? Was it on a SAM PuttLab?

I could pretty safely wager money that you're accelerating too much/for too long.